Seems like current MIM are the quality of old MIA

[Paulinator]

Not trying to start a MIM vs. MIA debate here, just stating what I've observed after owning a '90s MIA Bonnie Raitt Strat, and now a few MIM Fenders. The quality of my new MIMs are identical to my old '96 MIA Strat. I literally can't tell a different in quality, including fret ends, wiring, pots, switches, etc. When I watch vids comparing the two it seems everyone is comparing new MIAs (floating trems on strats, 6 saddle bridges on teles, body contours on teles, etc.) and siting those as reasons why they're "better". I also own a USA Select Strat and I consider my MIM just as nice quality wise. Many old MIA Strats use 6 point trems just like my MIM FSR Strat, yet now it's looked at as if the MIM are inferior because of that, even though it was the "standard" at one time for the MIA line. Confusing...

So are MIM Fenders now basically up to the spec of older MIA, or am I off base?

 

[kevinpaul]

I think you are correct. The MIM and to my shock the MIC stuff is better.

 

[Olympus Mons]

Probably pretty close. I think MIA's are still more consistent but if you find a good one a MIM can be incredible. These days Fender are putting out great cheaper guitars even a lot of the "higher end" Squiers are really good.

Quality for quality I like Fender MIMs over Epiphones. You can find some fantastic Epi's out there but it just seems like Fender is on fire right now when it comes to producing high quality cheaper guitars.

 

[Bountyhunter]

I like MIMs. I have a Tele American Special, and it's no better than 95% of the MIM's out there. I love it, but that alone doesn't make it better than anything.

 

[Inland Bagpipe]

people in general care way too much where their guitars are made. pro mim people, pro mic people, pro usa, pro japan, etc. etc.

My 2 best playing guitars are both from the 80s, one's a japanese jv and the other is the early american vintage 62. I haven't played a single guitar I've liked more from any country. the little writing saying where the guitar is made doesn't mean shit if you bond with the guitar.

 

[colchar]

I picked up a new MIM Standard today and couldn't find any flaws with it at all (except for the setup but those are so personal that they don't count).

 

[pfox14]

There at least two other threads on this same subject. Most people agree that the MIMs are very good quality and even some think they are right up there with the MIA stuff for the last few years. I haven't had a chance to compare the two side by side, but plan to in the near future. I really like the idea of saving half the cost of a MIA, just because it's made in Mexico. Viva Zapata!!!

 

[jerryo]

Good news to hear...Fender is also making the Charvels in Mexico...the builds are excellent from what I am gathering.

 

[Iron Blimp]

All MIM necks are actually made in the Corona, CA factory and trucked to Encinada for assembly. Major differences are
that MIM guitars have more body pieces and lower grade hardware and electronics, but MIM's are roadworthy tools that deliver the most bang for the buck IMHO.

 

[pfox14]

I understand that the PUs and electronics are all made in Mexico, including the MIA guitars.

 

[colchar]

All MIM necks are actually made in the Corona, CA factory and trucked to Encinada for assembly. Major differences are
that MIM guitars have more body pieces and lower grade hardware and electronics, but MIM's are roadworthy tools that deliver the most bang for the buck IMHO.

They don't, necessarily, have lower grade electronics.

First, someone over at Strat-Talk recently ordered a set of pickups that are found in an MIA guitar (the MIA Standard if I remember correctly). When he received them they said 'Made in Mexico' on them so some MIA guitars have electronic parts made in Mexico.

Second, the higher end MIMs like the Baja Tele (so basically the Classic series and the Classic Player series) are made from parts that are made in the US. Those guitars are only assembled in Mexico so that is where Fender saves the money and those guitars cost the same as American Specials and only about $300 less than American Standards.

 

[leoslp]

I understand that the PUs and electronics are all made in Mexico, including the MIA guitars.

Actually a lot of the new electronics are now MIC, and MIK. But most of it isn't marked, so really hard to say now.

 

[studio1087]

I got a Fender Tele Custom in 1976 and I got a Les Paul Deluxe in 1982. Fender and Gibson Guitars are dear to my heart. The Mexi vs USA Fender topic is very interesting to me. I take pride in my USA Fender guitars but I think that my pride is mostly emotional and not very logical.

Let's put this in perspective.

The two plants are less than 200 miles apart; in fact you can drive the distance in less than 3 hours. Here is Corona CA and Ensenada MX on a driving map.

-The wooden necks all come from Corona.
-The CNC equipment in Ensenada is newer than the CNC equipment in Corona.
-The metal hardware comes from the USA or Mexico or it's imported from the Eastern world.
-There are a lot of very skilled and very very talented Hispanic workers at both plants.

You can make as big of a deal as you want about USA vs Mexi Fender guitars but the plants are not thousands of miles apart in wildly different cultures who use wildly different materials.

See my Tele's? 1 USA. 1 Mexi, 2 Indonesian, 1 China......all outstanding.

I'm very proud of the USA HWY-1 Blondie. I love them all.

 

[pfox14]

You know when you actually look at the geography, it seems very insignificant. Great post dude.

 

[colchar]

You know when you actually look at the geography, it seems very insignificant. Great post dude.

Yeah people have to realize that MIMs aren't being made in the far east by workers making pennies a day! And a big part of the reason for making guitars in Mexico likely has to do with environmental legislation as they will be allowed to used materials (paints, finishes, etc.) that are no longer allowed in California.

For me, I am perfectly happy with my MIMs. If I ever found a MIA that I liked I would have no problem buying it but, until I do, I am able to buy excellent quality Fender branded guitars for good prices and am happy to continue doing so.

 

[upl8tr]

Many old MIA Strats use 6 point trems just like my MIM FSR Strat, yet now it's looked at as if the MIM are inferior because of that, even though it was the "standard" at one time for the MIA line. Confusing...

links to some examples of this, please.

 

[retrobob]

My Fender Roadworn is made in Mexico, and is a great guitar! It is very resonant, and even the stock Tex Mex pickups sound good. Plus these guitars are Lacquer. They have decent pots and switches too.

 

[colchar]

My Fender Roadworn is made in Mexico, and is a great guitar! It is very resonant, and even the stock Tex Mex pickups sound good. Plus these guitars are Lacquer. They have decent pots and switches too.

I can't believe how resonant my new MIM Standard is.

 

[Paulinator]

links to some examples of this, please.

I'm just stating an observation. Before 2 point trems were the "standard" on the USA line, 6 point vintage trems were used, like they are now on the MIM line. If you watch the Anderton's video that compares the different lines of Stratocasters you'll hear them mention how the 2 point trem (that holds tune better) is a reason why the US line is superior. If you read Strat reviews you'll eventually see that mentioned elsewhere too. All I'm saying is that that's a poor reason for the USA line to be considered "better" since the old US Strats didn't have it, not to mention many people greatly prefer the vintage trems.

 

[studio1087]

This is my favorite Mexi. I played a burst 70's Tele Custom through 4 years of High School Jazz band (1978-1982). We played a Jazz Festival at UW LaCrosse every winter and my senior year our jazz instructor drove a van to LaCrosse filled with our instruments the night before the competition. The students came on a bus the next day. Our teacher went out to eat with other teachers and he didn't unload the van upon arriving. It got down to 15 below zero that night and he left every thing in the van. The next morning he ran the cases into our warm up room minutes before our bus arrived and he flipped open all the cases.

My Tele exploded. Massive body checking. It looked like a shattered mirror. My dad went ballistic and the school called their insurance agent. I got a new Peavey T-60 and the insurance company kept my Tele.

Young and stupid; I thought it was a great deal.

28 years later I bought the Mexi Reissue of my childhood guitar. It's a dead ringer (at least I think so). My new 70's Tele Custom.....ala Ensenada Mexico. I cherish this thing. And by the way, you can buy your childhood......

Sorry about the long story - sort of off topic. This is one Mexi that means a lot to me.