USA Strat vs Mexican: Which is Better?! | Friday Fretworks
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- Опубліковано 25 вер 2024
- Which side of the wall do YOU fall? ;)
Hey! My name's Chris Buck and I'm a musician from South Wales, United Kingdom. Thank you for checking out Friday Fretworks - as the name suggests, there's a new video every Friday! If you haven't already, please subscribe and if you have, it'd be lovely if you came to say hello on Facebook and Instagram as well. Links below!
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Its nice to hear somebody playing clean so as you can actually hear what the guitar sounds like
I must confess I don’t care what guitar you play or test I tune in just to hear you play.
I do the same😂😂😂
I can relate, such a great sense of expression and phrasing!
the man has the power to speak with notes
What makes a guitar good value is a prickly issue.
If I was to give simple advice based on my experience of owning US and MIM standards and a special edition MIM, it would be this:
It is the case that the US guitars are slightly better in every area except one: value for money. The law of diminishing returns applies.
The US guitars have slightly nicer fret finishing and more nicely rolled fingerboard edges, but the difference is not a massive one, so I focus on sound.
If you usually play with lots of gain, or through lots of digital modelling or FX, go with the MIM. There is no question. It is simply much better value. It's 98% of the guitar for 50% of the money.
If you usually play clean it's not such an easy decision. You really can hear the nuance, clarity and overtones of the US alnico pickups over the ceramic pickups you find in many MIMs when played through a clean valve amp. You don't fully hear this difference on these videos because of the audio compression on UA-cam. Gain on an amp also compresses away some of this tone, as does all but the very best digital modelling setups.
The MIM guitars are still very nice clean, but the US guitars are exceptional. Whether the difference between 'very good' and 'exceptiona'l is worth the extra outlay TO YOU is not something any youtuber can decide without knowing your disposable income or what gear you will plug into or your gain preferences.
For me the best option are the 'better than standard' MIM guitars (like the classic player), as these often have premium features such as vintage neck profiles and USA made pickups, as well as little more attention to detail. These kinda have the best of both worlds, premium sound and premium features and finish but a less than than the US price tag.
Spot on bro, I could not have said it better. You literally took the words right out of my mouth.
Personally I like and own both, and also Japanese Fenders, and I like all the pickups from all the countries, they vary, but I don't think one is better than another, just different - and I play clean all the time. But if you notice a difference between pickups when played clean, and you prefer USA pickups - then from what you say a good, and more cost effective, option is to buy Mexican and upgrade the pickups then? I tend to spend time listening to them first, rather than just buy "blind" (or should that be deaf - ha!?). Then I know I like the pickups already.
Definitely. If your a serious guitar player have to go with the highest end Mexican Strats, which can perform every but as good as the American
And then there is MIJ guitars - close to MIM prices and BETTER than MIA quality! Best of both worlds!
14 years ago, I got a black Mexican Strat.
It was my very first electric guitar and to this day my absolute favorite, not just for sentimental value, but it's objectively a great instrument.
Over the years, I only came to appreciate the thing more. Got a few scratches and bruised, but still has every stock part and everything continues to work like a charm.
Buy a MIM, put Fat 50s in it, then take the $350 you saved from not buying a MIA and buy a second, used, MIM.
Or jus buy the MIM, the fat 50s sound worse than those stock pickups.
Or get a MIM Deluxe Roadhouse (comes with Texas Special pups in it...) and a Bladerunner bridge, locking tuners.. it works.
Or some CS 69s !!
Only if you like having to keep fresh strings on a bunch of guitars. I have a Gibson Les Paul and I have a Fender Strat. Most things covered. Four packs a month, or two if I am not playing as much. Trouble i am having is thinking about how I am going to get this Strat to cover all of my fav Strat tones. Everything from low output noiseless for Yngwie to Super Distortion for Dave Murray, while all along still being able to do the classic Strat thing like SRV etc. A tall order to get all that from one guitar, but I will try because changing strings is one of my least fav things.
GFS pickups
I’ve owned many of both and they’re both great. The Americans are a bit more refined, as you can imagine. The tonal difference doesn’t matter much to me as I swap out all stock pickups for custom shop fat 50s. As a first strat, a Mexican is a killer place to start. They’re great to customize and quick to make sound as good as any American. In recent years, I’ve been building my own strats. Once you get to a certain place, it’s just easier to say “ok, I want this, this, this and this” then make it yourself.
Congratulations! Extremelly beautiful playing!
I really appreciate the similarity of chords and scales you maintained throughout the comparison. It's really easy to hear the difference!
That lead made me smile in the beginning man. That was beautiful.
I Still remember what Someone replied to something like this:
“ If my Guitar plays and sounds Good , I don’t care if was made by somebody Named Jim, Juan , or Ju-Han ( something like that) 🤪
😂 love it!
Wish I knew what a good Indonesian version of Jim was cause I'm plenty happy with my Cort made VM Squier strat.
even IF you buy a made in the USA guitar, theres a very high chance that some Juan had something to do with the making of your guitar... most of the people that made the golden era Fenders that now are highly sought after and incredibly expensive were mexicans or at least of mexican descent... there are still a lot of hispanics working at guitar workshops...
@@BollocksUtwat Joni
Most sensible comment here.
I went with the best of both worlds, the new Player Series Strat. Made in Mexico, but has the Alnico pickups and 22 frets like the American Standard. Also, the bottom tone knob actually works with the bridge pickup! Makes the bridge pickup a lot more useable for cleans.
I like that they're putting tone control on the bridge pups now. Seems like they should of had it from the beginning!👍😎🎸🎶
If I ever become a professional well paid guitarist, I really think I’m going to stay loyal to my MIM strats because they made it possible for me when I wanted to have a guitar and learn.
I like your style Drew Cobain. It's true. I would like a custom shop one day, but why when my mim guitar has been with me through the grind?
@@santigardipee9303 Because you work with what you have in the grind, but the grind is to get you to where you want to be. Not saying i am against one or the other just answering your question the way i looked at what you where asking. Hope that makes sence.
I dont know whats wrong with myself but i agree on both of you santi & mark
That's a great sentiment. I have learned through years of playing profesionally that a guitar is only as good it's player.
I guess we live with different economic standards because where I live, almost no one has the luck to have a Mim fender strat as a starting guitar. Almost every player in my country starts with a really really shitty strat knock off (not even a squier) that makes your fingers hurt and change to better guitars later on and that is something that makes you feel the difference in quality when you upgrade your playing and your guitar. In my opinion, having just the right instrument without spending thousands of dollars to get your sound is more than enough.
No you won’t 😢
Some years ago I walked into a guitar shop to buy my first strat and I only wanted an american one. The shop had a huge selection of them and I gave them all a quick try, so quick that I wasn't really looking at them, I just wanted to see how each one felt and sounded. Finally narrowed it down to the one I wanted and it was only then that I realized it was a MIM. By that point I didn't care, it played and sounded the best of all of them with more natural sustain. Still my favorite all these years later and wouldn't trade it for any other.
Fui Gebhardt1 good point man. Everyone says to play before you buy so in store is better. I almost always find I dislike every guitar I play in a store because they are sticky and grimy from everyone touching them, strings rusted, intonation nowhere near close. It’s very difficult to get a true feel for the guitar. I have guitars I love and if I play exact same model in a store it they feel horrendous and I would never have bought it. I do think it’s good for getting a basic feel for neck shapes, body shapes and contours, scale lengths, stuff like that.
100% true Thom, I don't know what it is but my Mexican Strat always sounds and feels like it's a part of me, which allows the emotion to come through in all that I play.. I do have an American jazz master, but it's my little girl from Mexico that always speaks the truth for whatever reason.
I did this in 1982/3 and tried every Strat in the shop (about 15 of 'em), fully intending to get a USA Fender. I ended up with a Japanese JV series 57 reissue. I'd never even heard of Fender Japan (they were brand new at the time). I have owned 20+ Strats since, still have over a dozen, including US, Custom shop, Japanese, Mexican, and from 79 onwards in date, and that JV is still the best Strat I've ever played or owned. So the fact that when Fender Mexico was started, they were trained by those FenderJapanese guys - to make them the Japanese way - says a lot for Mexican quality.
A video well worth watching just for the beautiful playing. At any rate, makes me feel better about my MIM strat, which I have always liked. Thanks for such a well made video.
Both mesmerized by your playing and the dancing watch.thanks mate.
Problem is that if you buy one of each today, they'll be different to the two you're demoing. Your 1991 MIA had a different bridge to the current ones (and probably different pickups too) while your 2001 MIM had ceramic pickups whereas the 2018 models and later have the AlNiCo 5 pickups. The current lot of MIM strats probably sound very much like the 1991 MIA.
The tones are quite different the American Strat clearing ringing with more bell-like clarity.
This oversized watch's bracelet stresses me out.
Astonishing playing, as always, you're a true inspiration, thank you !
I have always hated watches. When I'm at the dentist there are always loads of Mags full of adverts of male models wearing watches and the pretentiousness makes me feel sick. I asked my dentist would he mind burning them, he laughed. When I see Athletics wearing watches during the race, I want them to fall. F1 Drivers, tennis players and now the very talented Master Buck.
Beautiful music being played here, petty about the watch.
Hadn’t hardly noticed the watch until you mentioned it. Now I can’t stop looking at it. Thx a bunch!
saffordpastor ahaha, next round’s on me then !
@@SuperMIKEFREE sounds like you cant afford even a used swatch.
@@giloro85 even afford can't like you sounds swatch lol
I always tune in whenever I see a video on YT, I am always impressed with your amazing talent. I have a Mexican Strat, though all the electronics have been modified somewhat, as I've installed a couple of Seymore Duncans, although I left the middle pickup stock. I have always loved Strats and lusted after them going all the way back to the 60s. I've owned a few, an dwish I had hung onto them. Unfortunately, given the places I've ended up that was an impossibility. I wish we were neighbors, as I'd seriously be haunting you to lay down a few tracks together. Be Vigilant and Take Care Brother. 🌹🎵🎸
7:53 MIM
10:19 MIA
1st, Fantastic player!
I just bought a USA 60th Anniversary Strat and a Mexican Telecaster.
It completely depends on the guitar and who made it, the neck.
I tried 10 different US Tele's and 7 Mexican Tele's, the one I bought blew the US ones away.
Did the same with Strat's and ended up with the USA 60th anniversary.
When you pick up a guitar and it feels right, you guys know what I mean, buy it! Because the next 20 could be wrong.
Even with CNC nowadays, when you play a guitar for the 1st time and it feels as if you've owned it for years, grab that guitar!
BTW, your Dynamics are spot on dude!
I have a MIM standard from 2002, maple board just like this one, but mines sunburst. I put custom shop fat 60s pickups in it, home of tone pots and locking tuners on, and it sounds as good as any custom shop I've played! The neck has worn in beautifully too, so it plays like butter. I adore it!
amazing player, amazing feel. you could play a tennis racquet and make it sound beautiful Chris
they should open a mexican custom shop!!!!!
I own an American Strat and love it. I have owned two Mexican Strats and definitely prefer the American. The MIA always play better and have a richer sound.
The pickups are a little better. I have a mim deluxe super strat that came stock with American made pickups. Gold trim .... Absolutely love it.
The MIA sounds quite much clearer and fuller to me so in my opinion i'd rather take the american one and roll off the tone if I need To. It's easier to make a guitar sounds darker than clearer ! And with a treble bleed the MIA is much more versatile. The real question here is is it worth twice the price haha !
@Beaubiodou - Do ya think them block style saddles on the MIA give it a "clearer" advantage to the MIM?
@@bigg4454 Don't know if it's this or the tonewood or both ( probably both in my sence ), I don't know how much it affects the tone neither but from a global perspective the MIA sounded better To me :)
Yes, it is.
@@bigg4454 Nope, it's mainly the different pickups that make the difference in sound. Mexican Strats have Tex Mex pickups that cost less than 50% (don't confuse them with the Texas Specials that are in the Stevie Ray Vaughan signature model, which are really powerful and expensive).
The cheaper Tex Mex pickups were also in the white Jimmy Vaughan (yes, the older brother) model. I think you can buy a SET for like $90.- or so.
Anyway, you can make any Japanese, Mexican, Korean or Chinese Strat sound like an American strat with American pickups.
The point is: they made deviations in such a way that they don't fit into the pickguards fo the cheaper ones, so you would need a different pickguard... and after you bought the pickguard you notice: "oh wtf, the holes are not in line with those in the non-USA body!" So you'd get some aesthetic issues with that... but technically you can make it sound as an American Strat.
We did the experiment with a Japanese Tele, after installing the USA pickups it blew all other (we had 5) Teles away. We measured the resistance of the American Tele single coil neck pickup and it was close to that of a PAF or an Ibanez Super 70 humbucker: between 7.3-7.5 kOhm.
Other neck pickups were like 50% of that.
Believe me: if Fender sells you a cheap guitar, you get cheap pickups with as little copper wire as possible.
@@gingerbeer914 Wait there for a minute! Prove to me that it's "mainly" pickups that make a difference in sound not that I care. I want mine to sound like I want regardless of how much it costs or where it's made. I ain't hung up on all that good buddy. As for sound, it's a combination of factors that contribute to the overall sound of ANY guitar. Not just ONE element. You can believe what you want, but I'm just sayin'. Me? I love me a 50's Baja Tele, but hey, that's MY preference. It's Mexican, but that's what I like. Twisted tele bridge pickup, broadcaster in the bridge. I could care less about resistance, it's inductance I'm interested in far as pickups go. I own an American and a Japanese Strat and I like 'em both. Only way I can tell 'em apart is one has Xotic 60's in it, while the other has
Virgil Arlo 54's in it. Both have ash bodies. You buy what sounds good to YOU. If it was made in Alaska an' you like it, play th' hell out of it an have a good time doin' it. Play on brutha!
My ears and heart say the MIA is absolutely amazing and I would love to own and play one. My Scots/Irish frugal brain (thanks Dad...lol) chooses the MIM because it's still great and way more affordable, relatively speaking. But my empty wallet (opens flimsy billfold, single moth flies out) says "beat to death used Squier Bullet with rusty hardware, and only if I go without lunch for a week or two"!
Directly from the first stroke: MIA!
Just because of the tone!
I dunno it's very bright and spanky but misses the mark with the mids . The mim nails the mid tones
Fender MIM guitars sound different one from each other, too. Many MIMs have ceramic pickups, which have a bit more output (for the most part) and more compression. The ones with Alnico pickups will sound closer to American strats.
They might sound different but both sounds are nice.
You could probably just throw the USA pickups in the Mexican Strat and they'd sound pretty much identical.
there should be a comparison of the same strat with same pickups both MIM and MIA. only than the real difference (if any) will be audible. difference we here in this video is mostly pick up difference as you say (and no one keeps the original pickups on MIMs anyway)
My wife started playing guitar recently and we were looking for a Strat for her. The store had a used Mexican HSS in black for a fair price, so I plugged it in. It sounded fantastic. Even the employees were like "what Strat is that? It sounds really good." Turns out, the original owner put a Shawbucker and two Fat 50s single coils in it. It played great too. We bought it for her and have zero regrets. Correct me if I'm wrong, but has Fender started using alnico pickups in the Mexican models recently, or are they still using ceramics?
@@JunkfoodZombieGuns alnico. I think I saw Phillip McKnight do a comparison test earlier this week and mentioning that?
@@MonkeyCage1990 Thanks.
I have a Mexican strat that I put in great pickups, changed to fender pots, switched out the tuners to Fender locking tuners. Changed the nut to roller nut and also the string tree is a roller also. Got roller saddles for the bridge. Modified the bridge, filling down the sharp edge where the strings bend to go to the saddles. Set up the guitar, and haven't stop playing it since. The guitar stays in tune almost always, even when using the whammy bar. It goes right back in tune. You can make an awesome guitar out of a Mexican Strat. I have another one I'll be rebuilding next.
Hi Chris, as a matter of fact I just purchased a brand new 1970's Fender Stratocaster on ebay that happens to be Mexican built and I love it in everyway;, beauty wood, feel, sound so I would say "Fender is Fender" you know, cheers.
I have a 01' MIM and i absolutely love it. Maybe one day i'll be able to buy a MIA.
Great playing as usual! 🙌🏽 They both sound great. I love my MIM Strat and Baja Tele. I wouldn’t kick an MIA out of my bedroom though. 😃
Just remember to wipe if down when you are finished
@@MisterTee LOL :)
you're playing is crazy good
I find both guitars usable. I like the lower price on the Mexican models, but I also prefer the thiner, brighter, finer sound of the American strat. It's a more perfect sound to my personal taste. I used to own a Les Paul standard. I feel that the LP was made for a different style than a fender strat. But the overall sound of the American strat is what I prefer best.
The USA model sounds louder, perhaps a bit clearer, that's about the only discernible difference I can hear in the video. Otherwise they both sound like good guitars being played by an excellent musician.
They feel so much better to play, and have more nuance in their sound. With a good tube amp there is a huge difference in sound, it is hard to tell through UA-cam as the sound is compressed etc.
Edit: The American models
They both sound great - American a little clearer and brighter... that's about it
And I love black strats!
I just have to wonder what the result would be if the P/Us were swapped - the differences (without getting into the whole tone wood debate) in this vid, imo, would be between 90% and 99% of the tonal difference. Edit - the MIA would be my choice but I think it might be down to the P/Us maybe combined with the size of trem block?
I have a MIM Strat with US pups. Love it to death.
I had a MIM with American pups and it was awful. Lol it made it sound worse. Mine was older though, I hear they improved lately.
I have a MIM with custom shop 60s pups. It founds incredible!
delicious playing
Awesome, you play so smoothly. Thank you for your service to our music community as it is appreciated.
Amazing beautiful sounds! The MIA definitely has a brighter tone than the MIM.... so close!
Without a shadow of a doubt the tone is coming through your fingers Chris. Sure there were subtle sonic differences in the pickups, but your physical connection with the instrument and the sound made all the difference. Well done. Well played!
Fantastic play guitar as always Chris. I’d take the American one, just little bit more sparkle and chiminess (if that’s even a word!) but the Mexican one sound great too in the hands of the wizard! 🎸🤘🏻👍🎸🤘🏻👍🎸👍👍😁😁
I like the Mexican it feels more warmer I own a Mexican strat the American is maybe a little to bright for me
Roll off the tone, that may help. It shouldn’t make it muddy. Do you have a tube amp? Sometimes solid states don’t sound right with that high brightness. Sometimes USA models sound better in positions other than 5 when using clean tones. If all else fails consider switching out for vintage pickups which ran much less hot and sound better to me. I have experienced the same issue, I can’t stand that super treble lol
Exactly!
Unlike what most people think, ceramic magnets sound fatter and fuller than AlNiCo ones.
compensating for not having an american
Its because you can not afford the real American strat. Save up.
I have a 2007 Mexican Standard and a 2007 American Deluxe and find myself playing the Mexican more. Both amazing guitars though. Fantastic playing and video sir.
I had a mexi from around this same year, the neck and fretwork and everything was really great. The pickups they were using around this time were very dark sounding. I bet he tossed in a set of Texas specials or something good, the mexi would stack right up to the MIA. Still saving yourself hundreds of dollars !
I really like that darker sound it's quite soulful and very expressive in the mid- low mid range. It lacks the top end spank and clarity that the mia has but that's not an issue for me
I have Fender Stratocasters made in USA, Mexico and Japan as well as Squiers made in China & Indonesia plus several “Partsocasters” that I’ve put together using many different parts and I prefer...
.
.
.
All of them!
Beautiful playing mate!
My concern about instrument maker origin is craftmanship and material quality. If Mex strats have the same craftmanship or even better, i will take a look seriously on them, because sound-wise the difference can be tuned in EQ or amp
A Fender is a Fender made in us or mexico just a major cost differance
...plus. They are modular ...so you can change pick ups keys ext....im glad i bought it to have enough money to buy an amp that costes even more the sound is mostly in the amp with all the effects reverb tremelo ect
Hi Chris, I'm Mick a Musician from New South Wales, Australia. I'm hearing denser Wood and more chime in the pickups on the 91 Strat. Great playing as usual , cheers..
The mia is noticeably brighter.. how does this sound with distortion or a blues pedal when compared with an mim?
First of all: I like your videos, even if I don‘t understand every single word.👍 to the guitars: I like the sound of the US-Strat more.
Greetings from Berne, Switzerland
I have look so long for the one who is right for me in my hands and ear...and i have the usa one i will never miss this lovely Instrument...greets Tim
Dude, your playing is excellent. Subscribed just to hear you play. Do you have an album anywhere. I need to buy your music!!!!
Plus like your philosophy, the Mex Strat is the roadie workhorse. Meanwhile, the American one should be the stay at home studio rig!
I have a 2008 MIM that my kids buddy gave me when he moved. I am currently refinishing it with notrocelulous as the body was beat to hell. Electronics were toast. I'll wire everything new. But it just plays so well. The neck is great. I'll just rebuild it a little at a time the way I want it. Haven't found a USA that plays any better.
Wow! I think I actually prefer the Mexican strat. I have to listen closely but I can hear the sound from american strat is a little more treble compared to the mexican strat and just my opinion but the peak of the treble on the american is not as pleasant to listen to compared to the mexican.
Alex Ainsworth it’s all about the feel!!
I agree. Plus the ceramics drive a head much harder.
I have 1995 mim with custom shop 69s pickups. I'm happy...😁
The American sounded a little louder maybea little clearer but i prefer the sound of the Mexican great playing as always Chris!
They both sound great to me. Very good, spot on fretwork my friend...your playing is very inspiring. Excellent video.
About twenty years ago I bought a MIM strat and wore out the frets till it was nearly unplayable. I had upgraded the tuners and pickups so that it stayed in tune and sounded great. Instead of buying a new neck, like I should have, I saved up and bought a new deluxe American fat strat. I still have that guitar, it sounds great and stays in tune, and whenever I play it I realize it was with the price. Nearly twenty years later it's worth more than I paid for it on the used market but I'll never sell it!
They both sound pretty darn good! That must be your fault eh Chris? Haha I’ll have to listen to this on better speakers when I get home! I THINK I’m hearing more note clarity on the MIA. Thanks for the comparison! I’m annoying my guitar shop by going in several times a week to try out the American made to see if there is much of a difference. So this video is much appreciated by myself and the guitar shop!
I’m curious to know a bit more about your approach to playing, I’ve been trying to practice targeting chord tones over changes. Any suggestions?
Thanks again for these awesome Friday vids!
Gee, you’ve got such a mature technique for someone so young. Great licks.
On every setting I liked MIM. It was warmer and fuller where as the MIA was too bright with less mids. So many will defend the USA mod but if the sounds were reversed, I think many would write the Mexican off as sounding cheaper.
I can tell you, from this end, the Mexican suits your playing better. Good video!
not true, the US model is brighter in tone, but it's also fuller. there's more clarity,
the Mexican is warmer, but it's not fuller. nobody is gonna say it sounds cheap,
but you can put those Mexican pickups in a American Strat and it would still have more clarity than it would in the Mexican. why it's because of how there both structured and setup from the factory. The Mexican has a six screw saddle, that's what gives those Mexican pickups it's warm tone,
but on the American it'll ring out more because all the wiring and everything is different. so you hear it more clearly, plenty of classic 60's and 70's rock used the American Standard Stratocaster. but if your into heavier music, a Mexican Strat would probably be a better choice since it's a warmer tone.
Fender isn't best suited for heavy metal, it's good for rock, country, and blues,
but for metal Ibanez is a better choice. PRS is another good choice.
still you can use a Strat for anything, but depending on the type of music your into that can affect your choice. you can't go wrong with either one, I've had my Mexican for many years,
but the American is a better guitar from top to bottom.
im okay with my guitar, but if i was a professional or in a band which im not,
the American is the way to go because it'll cut better in a mix.
I just converted a Mexican to American standard specs for client. Wiring, string tree, and a blocked trem off. Mexico Strat is Phenomenal guitar for being inexpensive.
MIM sounds muffled by comparison when chording. MIA sounds more quacky country when doing the runs in the middle positions.
Personally, I'd be apt to buy the MIA, but the MIM sounds more like you. For whatever reason, it seemed like the notes were more articulate on the MIM when you were playing your jam.
My opinion, I was introduced to the Mexican Fender's a decade ago as the affordable alternative to the American ones. Still is, always was, 85 percent of sound snd quality at 50 percent price points. My favorite is the Roadworn and Classic series of Mexican Strats. Have 3 Mexican Strats, all sound excellent to me. You can always change pickups.. And hope this helps.
I like the USA strat - seems to have a bit more clarity and jangle! a tad more spank. I own both and can say a simple p/u change will make that Mex sing just like any other, and maybe better. I think the body is a tad thinner and it actually sounds better sometimes, I cant say why - but it has a neat way to howl, controlled feedback a little sooner in the proper setting. I through a set of Tex-mex in the thing and it is awesome. I played the frets off of the neck, they are toast! But I love the guitar. Great comparison. Thanks Chris.
WOW, there's a clear difference between the two, although on a band context might no be as noticeable. The MIA is certainly more shimmery... I wonder if replacing pickups would make results different.
Wish I had all of my Mexican made Fenders. I totally regret selling any of them. Adjust the pickups for brighter or warmer sound. Using the right amplifier is necessary to get the exact sound you want. I notice that for each and every guitar you plug in you will need to adjust your amp a bit. Great playing Sir!...
MIM for me. The MIA sounds some times a bit sterile imo
I’ve recently purchased a Player series Stratocaster, and it is so close to my friends American Standard Strat, in looks, sound, and playability that I can see no justification in the massive price gap.
to be honest - I do love how smooth and warm the Mexican pickups often are. I've been on a bit of a journey with swapping out stock mim pups for v-Mod ii American ones, only to then swap them for USA Standard ones because of the mid-push and high end on the v-mod ii pickups not being to my taste. Best pickups I've ever had were on a MIM 1995 Strat that I foolishly sold!
Very strange to me, I liked the Open Chords on the MIM Mexican Model, but loved the Lead on the American Made.
All In all, Mexican sounds great too
Minor differences at particular settings, but both sound fine.
I personally believe the guitar chooses you. Doesn't matter about the price or the brand or the place it's made. If you vibe with it, that's the one you should get.
Nice playing dude! it reminds me of Derek Trucks
I have an 11 year old MIM and is completely mind blowing, it sounds absolutely wonderful, also have the elite Fender USA, AND the standard Fender, all three all fantastic! But funny enough, I have tried other MIM's and they just don't sound off like 11 year old MIM...
The only real minor set back is, not having that last fret! Which is really no big deal in the end, but I DO miss it!
They are both nice. I have an American 2006. I wasn’t 100% satisfied when I bought it. Nice fit and finish. First thing I noticed the aluminum rim on the case was so sharp it scraped the paint off the corner of the body. Was butthurt at the time but I like it now. The low E machine head was a loose feel to it, kind of hard to explain. It works well and holds tune. The bridge tone pot when on 10 was sticky feeling. I would call it a defect. I didn’t like that it the pickups because they were so sharp catching the pick from time to time. I did a swap early on with vintage noiseless fender pickups. Nice guitar but probably should have saved money buying the MIM.
Lovely re-working of 'Isn't It A Pity' at the 4.00 mark, Chris. George is my no. 1 guitarist, by far.
And thanks for the video.
I have 2 black MIM Strats, identical to yours (and each other) aesthetically. I bought each of these second-hand. However, they sound different to each other. I think that some shielding work was done on one, but it could be that each guitar sounds different. I agree with others here who say that the MIA sounds more distinct, clearer, brighter. When compared with the MIM Strat, I probably prefer the MIA, but if I heard the MIM by itself, I would be happy with that, but would add a little treble.
Dude. I love this ditty your playing. Any chance there are some tabs out there? Is it a song or did you come up with it? I love it. Great playing
I'm hearing a chord progression similar to "In Circles" by Sunny Day Real Estate, but I'm always hearing things.
Awesome playing and great Tone ❤🎸👍👍
If a person went to a gig and listened to both of these guitars on different days (one played one day, while the other played on another day), playing the same music, I doubt many would see any slight difference between the two days of playing. It mainly depends on just how well a guitar is setup before playing it, as as everyone knows, no two guitars really sound exactly the same (from expensive to cheap). I own two strats, one made in Indonesia and the other in Mexico. Both are setup in beautiful playing condition. They both feel about the same while playing. Because of their colors, if I used one one day and the other another day, I doubt anyone would notice I had switched guitars between the two days by the sound quality they give off. My point being is, that while playing a gig, people on the dance floor, or at a concert would not notice any slight difference between the two guitar qualities, unless they read the labels of where they were made or actually saw the switch over during the middle of a piece of music. Why would I shell out a whole lot more money for a guitar made in the USA over an equal one made elsewhere at a far cheaper price that basically sound the same overall? There would have to be a huge difference in quality between the two, before I would ever think of shelling out more money for the expensive one. A very, very slight change in quality of sound between the two models would not make me buy the more expensive model, simple as that if both play the same song equally well. Good care and well maintained guitar of the same make and model is good enough for me when it's sold cheaper. I can live with an ever so slight (hard to detect), change in quality by bringing up the standard of the cheaper model to match and equal that of the more expensive model.
You play so very well bravo ! I want to learn how to lead like you man! great sound and feeling
Thank You Chris, I have to agree with (Frank Mitman) , I get lost in how you Play, Simply mesmerizing my friend. You are definitely playing from your soul and heart and touching each note with care. With that being said Chris, I actually prefer the Mexican Strat over the American & have owned both. I have taken my Mexican little girl and finely polished all the little areas that needed some special attention, but that's just something I enjoy doing knowing behind-the-scenes for me it's a relationship I have for my guitar. Playing the guitar is an emotional thing and those always come out in your tones And style of playing.. I still have my American-made jazz master, but for some reason my Mexican Strat is always quietly calling, and it just gives a more honest sound for some reason. Anyway Chris, definitely love listening to you explain and hearing you play, good on you brother and stay safe with many blessings. Danny from Texas USA
I own a Mexican and love it. I jammed with a gut who has the same guitar only American made. I think mine was set up better, but he was pissed as his cost more than double and he liked mine better.
Your play beautifully brother. Mims are a better value in my opinion but Mia are the cats meow. Cheers!
I feel like the MIA sounds more high end. I could prefer the mex one.
A recent experiment of mine : i took of the horrible polyesther finish of my MIM classic player 60's (up to 1mm thick on flat sections !!) and replaced it by a veryyy thin coat of nitro.
Although I did not really believe it in the beginning, the sound has been increadibly upgraded ! More sustain, clearer, more precise maybe. I am really surprised.
I also added a strap to use tone on the bridge PU wich makes it way more usable.
A few bucks (sorry mate), long hours of work and you get a really great sounding guitar.
Would have loved you to test it Chris
"Which is better?" is not the question anyone is asking about these two guitars. American-made strats are unquestionably better, in more ways than just the pickups. The question is "by how much." If you like better fit and finish and higher quality finishes, rolled fretboard edges, etc., the American models can be the whole package. If you would swap out the pickups and parts in an American model anyway, a MIM can be a great platform for that, especially if you're willing to put some money into a fret job.
If you like the American tone, well, you'd pick up an American. Not everyone is American, though.
I noticed that you were holding the pick very slightly differently at times and to me you seemed to be picking a bit harder so thats got to make a difference.
Ilustrative video, thank you!
I had a Mexican strat before getting my current #1... the American vintage 62 hot rod. The MIM was a great guitar and many times wish I still had it. I eventually outgrew the factory pickups when I started wanting more output in the higher register. A mexi with the Chris buck signature pickups would be a great workhorse guitar!! 😁😁😁
Mia guitars are investments. They gain value. Much more clarity and nuances are heard. Tone volume will give u a warmer sound.
The great thing about Fenders is they are all parts guitars, you can turn them into anything that suits you for a lot less
They both sound great. Considering the difference in price I'd take the Mexican
I originally bought a MIM strat due to monetary considerations. I loved it. Later, when the money issue felt less stressful, I went for the MIA. I thought it had to be nicer. I was disappointed. I returned it. I didn't care for the sound, the feel, or the playability. Maybe I just like cheap guitars too. But in this demo the MIA sounds brighter--not necessarily better, but clearer, which could mean better. Granted it is easier to tone down than brighten a toned down guitar. But My MIM...I Love it! As a matter of fact, Most of my cheap guitars are my favorites. There are a few exceptions, of course. But I dare say, any one of them played by you would sound masterfully delightful! I'm just glad they can't hear you here at my job or they might leave me.
I think the position two says it all, American wins with that. The brighter tones really shine through with tube amps.
Both great but I prefer the ‘darker’ sound of the MIM.
Do they have the same capacitor value? Nobody talks about that in these comparisons.
There is a difference but it's not about good or bad, it's a difference of tone that can be "solved" with an EQ pedal, if the MiA is too bright you can make it sound like the MiA and vice versa.