All American standard strats and the Deluxe strat have wider necks which in turn make the strings alittle farther apart...MIM Strats have a more narrow neck 42mm at the nut..you would have to go up to an American Artist series to get that neck even then are are only a few and there twice the price or more.
@humbucker101 Wrong... Both the American standard, And the Mexican Standard have 9.5 radius... And the American deluxe does too, but the new American deluxe strats have the compound radius.. that goes from 9.5 to 12. Dont believe me? Go to the fender website and look at the Specs.
@VoodooChild501 ..LOL...No I'm not wrong. I was saying the MIM strats have a more narrow..slim neck than the american strat or the deluxe strat. The fret board radius has nothing to do with how wide a neck is..the radius is how much of a curve the top of the fretborad is. Yes you can check fenders website or any site that sells fender and check the spec sheet. MIM strats at the nut is 42mm. The american strat and the deluxe are 43mm at the nut. Not much on paper but a big differance in the hand.
@humbucker101 I own All three of the above mentioned guitars. 1mm is nothing.. On paper or in the hand. Pull out a measure and look at 1mm.. All three necks on my guitars feel the same.. all modern C shape.
1. This kid needs A LOT of practice (I bet all those blues players he wants to emulate didn't have parents buy them deluxe strats @ 16) but that's moot.
2. The MIM Strats are made to the same specs as most of the vintage ones that Hedrix, SRV, Clapton, Gilmour,.. etc,...Played,.... I never heard them say "Man this 42mm neck is killing me! they need to add a mm,..... BASTARDS!! it's a fender conspiracy!! Hey I think i'll write a blues song about it! Only Got 42 mm....
i used to think a strat was a strat was a strat... till one day i walked in to a local guitar center and sat all 3 of thier ec strats that they had in stock side by side and played them each.. i got diffrent sounds out of all of them... from there it was picked the one i liked the best..
The rolled neck on the Americans is a pretty big one, and Ive read that the mexi ones have a plastic truss liner, while Americans have hard wood liner.
Also, the standard MIM pickups use ceramic magnets while Americans use Alnico 5 mags. 2 point trem with hardened steel saddles on the Americans vs vintage style 6 point trem stamped saddles on Mexi.
That said.. Mexi Strats are still a great deal
Do a search and you'll come up with a list of differences.
Callaham....did I mention Callaham, when upgrading any guitar, MIJ...MIM..MIA whatever..the best thing you can do is help it resonate..bring it to life.Steele is REAL, you can buy a replacement steele block for 60$......and it will totally change the tone of youre guitar. I still want a MIA..mainly for the hand rolled neck, but the first thing i would do is add some STEELE...did i mention Callaham....;)
I have a standard MIM strat with Callaham Mexican Standard Premium Upgrade Kit , the best 129$ i ever spent, the difference is night/day...sounds like a acoustic guitar unplugged, resonates like crazy...also installed CS'69 pickups, In my opinion the block is the most effective upgrade on a guitar. the block/tremelo is the biggest difference in MIA..MIM, strats anyway. but with all the upgrades my MIM cost about 800$, and will blow away any STOCK american strat.
People care more about what's in the Mexi strats rather than how they play. Those things (wires, pickups, tuners, etc) can be replaced. Concentrate more on how the it feels in your hand. Buy a used Mexi for $300, turn it into a project guitar, and it'll blow any American out of the water. Dude I know thinks his Mexi is a p.o.s. compared to my USA because I have a "newer" bridge. I'd take the vintage style bridge any day. Don't pass over a guitar because you don't like what country it's made in.
I bought one of the first MIM Strats when they first came out, still have it. I just bought one of the newer upgraded ones and am very impressed...It's a great instrument. I own lots of high end guitars. I have a custom shop Tele with Joe Barden pickups, an Am Strat with Holy Grails, but would say my MIM plays much better than either one... I'll probably leave it as is, it cuts in a band situation just fine and the audience doesn't care what I am playing.
I don't think it is a fair comparison because your Mexican one is Maple fretboard and your American one is Rosewood. Since rosewood is a "soft" wood, it tends to "absorb" the higher frequencies. Maple on the other hand doesn't. So you cannot compare the sound of the two guitars unless the ONLY difference between the two is where they come from.
you look a bit like david gilmour in his younger days =] haha
i couldnt hear a HUGE difference between the two but ive heard that the american ones use better woods, hardware, construction etc.
Im considering the Highway one (american) because i want a nitro finish on my guitar. But many people say the guitar will not last long due to the thin finish. Im not sure theyre saying the finish itself wont last long or there can be damage to the wood. Any info would be greatly appreciated!
If you enjoy playing the guitar then stop worrying about your gear and start practicing more. It will improve your sound more than any fancy guitar ever would.
@1con0clast The Mexican Strat I have has very nice fretboard edges. The pickups also sound great after replacing everything that was hurting the signal (cheap switch, pots and jack). I also have several US Strats (60's and 70's) and it compares nicely. My initial point was just that necks and bodies for American Standards come from Mexico and not the custom shop. A modern Strat that says USA is misleading. You can't claim it was made here just because it was assembled here.
American Standards and Mexican Standards are basically the same guitar. Fender's Corona plant is " The Custom Shop". They make vintage reissues and artist models. They don't make standerds of any kind. The American standard bodies and necks come from Mexico. The Corona shop adds USA decals and serial numbers along with american electronics. They can't tell you this and justify the price difference. I got this info straight from a custom shop employee who will remain anonomous.
@JKRost I've had both and I can tell you that they're not the same. The MIA plays better and feels better. If you get a MIM then you'll probably have to change the pick ups. The fingerboard edges are horrible too, they aren't rolled like the MIA. If you buy both the MIA and the MIM but you have to change the pups in the MIM how can anyone say that the MIM is the same? There's about a $600 price difference but you'll pay $200 for new pups and $100 for installation with the MIM.
@1con0clast Also why get a MIM strat, buy new pick ups and pay for the installation, which would bring the cost to about $750.00 total when you can get an American Special or highway one for $800.00?
Honestly I think what it boils down to is what it means to you. If you really benchmark the 2 sonically I dont think you can tell much of a difference. Depending on how well the guitars are setup. It's more of a placebo "i paid more so I can tell the difference". The thing is both guitars are great and can be setup great but there is a lot of swing to go wrong. Just be happy with what you have. But I personally believe that the difference is negligible on a properly setup MiM or a USA.
I had a made in USA Fender Jazz Bass,just not quite right. Few years later sold it and bought 2 SX full Jazz basses(full and 3/4)and a SX Tele style guitar and had money left over. Thing is, the SX all were good instruments. Not hand rolled fretboard edges I suppose but the tone and playability were spot on. Only the cheap Asian tone and volume controls were lacking. I got lucky, all my instruments arrived well made and play good. The "Tele" has become my favorite guitar, gotta love that sound.
mex standard < mia standard. however, iv played some mim classic players and roadworn strats that just blow the mia standards away. Mex strats are either a hit or miss, mia strats tend to have better qc. Iv never played an american standard that was great enough to bring home though, all that "modern tweaks" like hotter pickups and flatter radius never impressed me.
@iDuffdabestweed it should. literally all the specs are the same. except the american usually has 22 frets instead of 21. im looking at a mexican and replacing the pickups and tuners.
thats not a fair comparison the mex is a 1000 dollar ri the hole point that people want to see this is because they cant afford a 1000 dollar guitar EPIC FAIL ,man its always the people that dont know how to play have the best guitars
American made models are still made abroad.only brought to to an American factory in order to be fitted with a nice sticker that says 'made in USA'
the wood is cheaper, the labour is cheaper abroad, ofcourse most of it is asembled elsewhere...only thing about the mexican made ones,at least they are honest lmao
gear snobs should curl up and die,go check out seasick steve and dont come out till your fit to lace his boots ! pople should leanr to play the things before they get all high n mighty
@mrbassman25 No man, I don't think they are. Where'd you get that information? That's false advertising (or a more fitting word for this situation, I can't think of one right now). They would have to at least set up the guitar in the US in order to make the 'Made in USA' sticker/badge valid.
buy a used american seems to be the answer.The uk is definetly not short of mint conditiion used strats, mex and usa....new mex is around £450...as new usa, with case and all candy, 2009 model around £550....what fender seem to lack is the ability to keep their build quality consistant, no matter which country its made in (the same could be said of any of the big boys).
mexican guitars are highly underrated. i own one myself, and yes, i did eventually swap out the pickups, but that still ultimately wound up costing $300 less than the american standard, which does have fantastic looks, but didn't feel as comfortable as my mexican, and after i got new pups, it didn't sound as good. so to all you materialistic snobs, don't put down mexican guitars as "cheap". and when you get right down to it, it's about how good the player is.
Me and my friend once come to local music store, we try many squier, some mexican strat and we try a cheap yamaha pacifica 112v, ( only 250 dollars ).. OMG !! , this thing sounds better than mexican strat.
As i still won't believe cheap yamaha really beat more expensive fender, i decided to take a slightly cheap pacifica 112 J ( 200 dollars ), change the pickups with std mexican strat pickup, compare head to head in same amp with my friends mex strat ..we can hear pacifica sounds better
Mexican, American- who cares? When the drummer kicks up nobody will give a shit. And anyways, a good guitarist gets his tone from his fingers, not relying on the sound of an expensive guitar.
I have played Mexican strats and American strats and there isn't that great of a difference. The only real difference from both I noticed is that Mex pickups make alot of more white noise and offer a different sound over the warmer, bolder american pick ups. Also, one costs 3 times more than the other. Matter of preference, Strats are very inconsistent.
don't buy a mexican strat !!!!! just wait for it to sneak across the border and snag it on the way to Home depot parking lot ONLY JOKING its importaint too laugh at our self and not take us to seriously
Victor Wooten's brother plays a made in mexico strat, most of the time it's not the gat its the player, like to hear what Steve Vai could do on a squire!
Hey man...Great video and so true what you say about diffirences in price and so, me...being a USA-made Strat-player like my whole like...totaly agree, man...Mex. Strat's are great too, and 1200$...i guess, reason enough to concider it :-)))
I am from Canada when I bought my strat I bought a custom shop strat I did not have the cash for it I had to buy and pay off,I am sure it was made by a american.I always buy made in USA,I have nothing against the Mexican people,but Americans are loseing jobs over seas I know many Canadians that feel this way,I know a mexican strat sounds just as good and is cheaper,all I am doing is supporting my good neighbor,and their families.
Another huge issue is if you're banging your gear round some cramped grimy music venue, do you really want an expensive 'investment' guitar or something you can use and abuse? How many expensive guitars get offloaded on eBay where seller says they have 'never been gigged' or seen 'bedroom use only'?
60th Anniversary Taco! GREAT axe! I sold mine for a MIJ Blue Paisley Strat! Don't regret it much, but this guitar still holds its own, especially with the stock Texas Specials!
there is a price difference but the american ones will appreciate after a 7 to 10 year period. Most american strats usually have 22 frets. yours has 21 for both guitars. if it's not custom but rather american standard it should have 22 frets unless some pug on ebay lied to you or something. mexican is starter guitar the american is for real players... real guitarist will invest the money in tone. our guitar looks it's made from stock parts, no offence. try usiing identical or comparable parts
The American Strat is for real players.... sorry, but that's just a stupid thing to say. Yeah, I prefer American strats over Mexican strats, but thats cause I can afford that... i own a mexi strat and it is very respectable... you probably don't know the band Jupiter One, but both guitarists play Mexican strats... seeing as their music supports their living, they could afford American strats and yet they choose not to...I'll leave that one up to you. They're probably more "real" players than you
@LesPaulRokar I so agree with you on that! I love my mexi strat and can afford much much more! Its just that it feels beeter to me! I hear guys talk about the "finishes" being better on the american ones, as if the quality of the frickin' pick guard has anything to do with anything!! Bet you a million that the guys that say that stuff cant play very well!!! their the "hey man, can you take off your belt" guy's that are nervous to get a scratch in their guitar... My guitars are all beat up..
@LesPaulRokar Spot on, i love my Us strat... But most the "Real players" ie people i no performing professionally use mex guitars. Tone isnt a million miles off a us... And who wants to damage there thousand pound strats giggin...
Lol what? You know there are a lot of professional "real" players that do play MIM guitars right? It doesnt matter where they are made. Of course you can upgrade the electronics in all guitars so you can make a MIM sound just like an MIA. All it takes are the right electronics.
I think your confusing MIM with Squier when you say its a starter guitar. It definitely is not.
@popomczowzow For some reason the silver one had a little more dirt to it, sure it wasn't as loud as the other one but to be honest, with my JCM 800 the silver one would go just fine...
try to turn the medium on your amp up, and the bass tone as well, You´ll get a better sound! The american vintage is way better than this mim, the mim pick ups are not good, most of the mim guitars are poplar wood, not a great resonant wood. Sorry about the bad english... I´m from Brasil.
I buy the MIM 50's Classic Series Strats basically for the bodies and necks. Then I install better pickups in them. It saved me alot of money. Don't doubt these Mexican made Strats.
christmas (lol). when i tried it in the shop i was compearing it to my friends american 2005 strat standard he bought 2nd hand. and i honestly couldnt tell the difference in build quality.
i hvae a question by the sounds of it they have no difference it that area and ok american strats maybe made better however the main question i have is is there a big difference in playability i mean how well does the strings sit to the guitars frets is it easy to play do you struggle keepin the mexican one in tune or is there any differnece in that aspect i need 2 know for xmas
I work in a guitar shop and have played both. I would say the mexican strats neck feels better, to me anyway. on the other hand the american strat's pickups sound a good bit better. i want a mexican and will deffinetly put new pick ups in it. watching this video and reading all the comments has helped. thanks guys.
I own two Mex Strats and have owned an American made Strat, Yeah OK the American one is made better, from better woods and the parts are of higher quality, but i actually prefer the Mexican Guitars, they are bit lighter, a whole lot cheaper, and the Classic series is more to my taste.
Staying close to the original design.
They feel better in my hands, that's real important.
I just wish they would finish them in the Nitrocellulose lacquer, then they'd be perfect.
Yea there isnt much difference in sound in this vid. And there isnt much sound difference in real life. I own both and the feel of the american is much much nicer but the sound is only a little bit better. The american will last you for a longer time and go up in value after a very long time.
No offense, but I can't, for the life of me, figure out why this comment has so many Likes. What's your point?? o.0 If it's some sort of patriotic/racist thing, I guess that explains all the Likes, but frankly, there are a lot of Mexican-made guitars that are good enough that it really just comes down to the player's abilities.
Not trying to be mean or pick a fight here, just trying to see what you're getting at w/ what would seem to me to be a ridiculously simplistic comment.
Basically I was saying you get the same guitar regardless of where it comes from, which for the most part is true. The only real difference is the electronics. Even then it's not that big of a difference. I didn't mean it racist. It's not a problem man, I had no idea it even got so many thumbs.
Thx, a real genuine guy who can tell the truth as he owns both.
Tried a USA Strat and a Std Mexican over the weekend and I must say the USA Strat was a bit flash in terms of the satin back neck....(they both have satin back) I found the USA strat to be brighter.
I preferred the mexican because of the slightly darker tone.
Ive got an American standard strat and im happy with it. The only reaosn I got it is because I could afford it and it's just nice to say I own an American strat.
For those that are on a tight budget id go with a Mexican and stick better pups in. I did save a lot to get my American, but im happy with it and I personally would take it over the Mexican if you put the 2 infront of me :)
I personally reckon mexicans are the way to go if you dont wanna spend alot. and the fretboard wood and pickups definately will determine a different sound, again if you have money for the p-ups or have a taste for maple or rosewood. its all really your decision. great stuff btw..
i think as far as sound, theres a huge difference. the pups on the american made strat sound alot hotter and has a shinier sound, but from what i hear they play and perform the same. would it be worth it to get the mexican made strat, but change out for the texas special pups?
Remember, sound isn't everything, the MIM Fenders have cheapier pickups than the USA made ones and in some cases you can make them sound the same if you just upgrade the pickups. Playability is a big factor too, I have played some USA made Fenders with sharp fret edges and that really kills the guitar. All Fenders are made by CNC machines nowadays anyways so its mainly just the name on the headstock thats different.
Also wanted to add alot of people talk about this guitar sound better than that etc. keep in mind alot of the sound also comes from the person playing. And all you douchebags bashing this dude for showing you things Fender doesnt want you to know so you pay 1500.00 for a 500.00 guitar F*ck off
I bought a Mexican Strat put a set of Fender original 57/62 pick ups in and a few other little adjustments (by the way Fender calls these pick ups original there not truly original) and it sounds great as good as or better than alot of american Strats I've played.
I was thinking how awseom this guy would be, then it was a bit of an anti climax!
ChiliPeppersAreBoss 4 weeks ago
Use your pinky
Guitarkido123 1 month ago
ive heard the mexican strats are very hit and miss. my friend played a mex and a squier custom in the guitar shop and ended up buying the squier.
grrrr71 4 months ago
@grrrr71 Do you mean Squier Deluxe ? They are quite nice. The duncan pickups are good.
365Avalon 2 months ago
I can't believe that there are so many angry people in this world. Thanks for an honest opinion.
2007Speed6 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
i cant tell wish one sounds better cuse you play like shit !! stupid mother fucker! at least try to play this fucking song in tune and on time
gordolugo1 4 months ago
your timing is horrible
colombobogota 5 months ago 13
Good review... But TUNE YOUR GUITAR..
VoodooChild501 5 months ago
gotta work on your curls mate :P
ninitinka 5 months ago
All American standard strats and the Deluxe strat have wider necks which in turn make the strings alittle farther apart...MIM Strats have a more narrow neck 42mm at the nut..you would have to go up to an American Artist series to get that neck even then are are only a few and there twice the price or more.
humbucker101 5 months ago
@humbucker101 Wrong... Both the American standard, And the Mexican Standard have 9.5 radius... And the American deluxe does too, but the new American deluxe strats have the compound radius.. that goes from 9.5 to 12. Dont believe me? Go to the fender website and look at the Specs.
VoodooChild501 5 months ago
@VoodooChild501 ..LOL...No I'm not wrong. I was saying the MIM strats have a more narrow..slim neck than the american strat or the deluxe strat. The fret board radius has nothing to do with how wide a neck is..the radius is how much of a curve the top of the fretborad is. Yes you can check fenders website or any site that sells fender and check the spec sheet. MIM strats at the nut is 42mm. The american strat and the deluxe are 43mm at the nut. Not much on paper but a big differance in the hand.
humbucker101 5 months ago
@humbucker101 I own All three of the above mentioned guitars. 1mm is nothing.. On paper or in the hand. Pull out a measure and look at 1mm.. All three necks on my guitars feel the same.. all modern C shape.
VoodooChild501 5 months ago
@humbucker101
1. This kid needs A LOT of practice (I bet all those blues players he wants to emulate didn't have parents buy them deluxe strats @ 16) but that's moot.
2. The MIM Strats are made to the same specs as most of the vintage ones that Hedrix, SRV, Clapton, Gilmour,.. etc,...Played,.... I never heard them say "Man this 42mm neck is killing me! they need to add a mm,..... BASTARDS!! it's a fender conspiracy!! Hey I think i'll write a blues song about it! Only Got 42 mm....
Kopisetik 1 month ago
Awesome compare but maple and rosewood fret boards differs the guitars a lot ! Otherwise i can say american made strat is more full and bassy .
plotonisradd 6 months ago
The only reason his american sounds somewhat different, is because he has custom pickups. If he had stock pickups, they'd sound incredibly similar.
DepletedGuitarist 7 months ago
is there much difference betweent the mexi and the american standard strat????tone wise?? and sound??
jhonnyfifafreak11 7 months ago
To be honest, your playing was to damn crappy to decide which guitar sounded better.
okamasphere 7 months ago
i used to think a strat was a strat was a strat... till one day i walked in to a local guitar center and sat all 3 of thier ec strats that they had in stock side by side and played them each.. i got diffrent sounds out of all of them... from there it was picked the one i liked the best..
crazystratcat 8 months ago
There are some differences between the two.
The rolled neck on the Americans is a pretty big one, and Ive read that the mexi ones have a plastic truss liner, while Americans have hard wood liner.
Also, the standard MIM pickups use ceramic magnets while Americans use Alnico 5 mags. 2 point trem with hardened steel saddles on the Americans vs vintage style 6 point trem stamped saddles on Mexi.
That said.. Mexi Strats are still a great deal
Do a search and you'll come up with a list of differences.
IPushHard 8 months ago
Layla!
Imesteban1995 9 months ago
:X.
MikeyMartialArts 9 months ago
Callaham....did I mention Callaham, when upgrading any guitar, MIJ...MIM..MIA whatever..the best thing you can do is help it resonate..bring it to life.Steele is REAL, you can buy a replacement steele block for 60$......and it will totally change the tone of youre guitar. I still want a MIA..mainly for the hand rolled neck, but the first thing i would do is add some STEELE...did i mention Callaham....;)
stratcat429 10 months ago
I have a standard MIM strat with Callaham Mexican Standard Premium Upgrade Kit , the best 129$ i ever spent, the difference is night/day...sounds like a acoustic guitar unplugged, resonates like crazy...also installed CS'69 pickups, In my opinion the block is the most effective upgrade on a guitar. the block/tremelo is the biggest difference in MIA..MIM, strats anyway. but with all the upgrades my MIM cost about 800$, and will blow away any STOCK american strat.
stratcat429 10 months ago
@stratcat429 ^^, any american Vintage strat beat yours.
Take it easy. Peace
peonwarrior 8 months ago
How much would a Mexican 2nd hand 60th anniversary Strat cost now?
gdhgeorge 10 months ago
@gdhgeorge about 350-400$ ..depending on condition. you can find some really good deals on craigslist.
stratcat429 10 months ago
People care more about what's in the Mexi strats rather than how they play. Those things (wires, pickups, tuners, etc) can be replaced. Concentrate more on how the it feels in your hand. Buy a used Mexi for $300, turn it into a project guitar, and it'll blow any American out of the water. Dude I know thinks his Mexi is a p.o.s. compared to my USA because I have a "newer" bridge. I'd take the vintage style bridge any day. Don't pass over a guitar because you don't like what country it's made in.
nectarguru 10 months ago
I bought one of the first MIM Strats when they first came out, still have it. I just bought one of the newer upgraded ones and am very impressed...It's a great instrument. I own lots of high end guitars. I have a custom shop Tele with Joe Barden pickups, an Am Strat with Holy Grails, but would say my MIM plays much better than either one... I'll probably leave it as is, it cuts in a band situation just fine and the audience doesn't care what I am playing.
heinzdziurowitz 10 months ago
I don't think it is a fair comparison because your Mexican one is Maple fretboard and your American one is Rosewood. Since rosewood is a "soft" wood, it tends to "absorb" the higher frequencies. Maple on the other hand doesn't. So you cannot compare the sound of the two guitars unless the ONLY difference between the two is where they come from.
shakeeloo7 10 months ago
you look a bit like david gilmour in his younger days =] haha
i couldnt hear a HUGE difference between the two but ive heard that the american ones use better woods, hardware, construction etc.
Im considering the Highway one (american) because i want a nitro finish on my guitar. But many people say the guitar will not last long due to the thin finish. Im not sure theyre saying the finish itself wont last long or there can be damage to the wood. Any info would be greatly appreciated!
MichaelLozano12 11 months ago
The Tex pickups sound better to me. Cheers for post.
MrJuno6 11 months ago
If you enjoy playing the guitar then stop worrying about your gear and start practicing more. It will improve your sound more than any fancy guitar ever would.
DG320 11 months ago
why dont you go and learn to play son....how can you possibly make these assumptions man!!
bongoboy2009 1 year ago
why dont you go and learn to play son..
bongoboy2009 1 year ago
@1con0clast The Mexican Strat I have has very nice fretboard edges. The pickups also sound great after replacing everything that was hurting the signal (cheap switch, pots and jack). I also have several US Strats (60's and 70's) and it compares nicely. My initial point was just that necks and bodies for American Standards come from Mexico and not the custom shop. A modern Strat that says USA is misleading. You can't claim it was made here just because it was assembled here.
JKRost 1 year ago
American Standards and Mexican Standards are basically the same guitar. Fender's Corona plant is " The Custom Shop". They make vintage reissues and artist models. They don't make standerds of any kind. The American standard bodies and necks come from Mexico. The Corona shop adds USA decals and serial numbers along with american electronics. They can't tell you this and justify the price difference. I got this info straight from a custom shop employee who will remain anonomous.
JKRost 1 year ago
@JKRost I've had both and I can tell you that they're not the same. The MIA plays better and feels better. If you get a MIM then you'll probably have to change the pick ups. The fingerboard edges are horrible too, they aren't rolled like the MIA. If you buy both the MIA and the MIM but you have to change the pups in the MIM how can anyone say that the MIM is the same? There's about a $600 price difference but you'll pay $200 for new pups and $100 for installation with the MIM.
1con0clast 1 year ago
@1con0clast Also why get a MIM strat, buy new pick ups and pay for the installation, which would bring the cost to about $750.00 total when you can get an American Special or highway one for $800.00?
1con0clast 1 year ago
Dude you should learn how to play it before posting it on youtube... serioulsy, you suck!
RafaelJackmout 1 year ago 2
Honestly I think what it boils down to is what it means to you. If you really benchmark the 2 sonically I dont think you can tell much of a difference. Depending on how well the guitars are setup. It's more of a placebo "i paid more so I can tell the difference". The thing is both guitars are great and can be setup great but there is a lot of swing to go wrong. Just be happy with what you have. But I personally believe that the difference is negligible on a properly setup MiM or a USA.
jarablue 1 year ago
LAYLA! :)
kirbz01 1 year ago
I'm from Argentina. And i have a BEAUTIFUL Fender MEXICO!
chabon88 1 year ago
I had a made in USA Fender Jazz Bass,just not quite right. Few years later sold it and bought 2 SX full Jazz basses(full and 3/4)and a SX Tele style guitar and had money left over. Thing is, the SX all were good instruments. Not hand rolled fretboard edges I suppose but the tone and playability were spot on. Only the cheap Asian tone and volume controls were lacking. I got lucky, all my instruments arrived well made and play good. The "Tele" has become my favorite guitar, gotta love that sound.
gohomedevils 1 year ago
Not fair comparing rosewood and maple fingerboards. That alone will make a huge tone difference.
Aurelius27x 1 year ago
mex standard < mia standard. however, iv played some mim classic players and roadworn strats that just blow the mia standards away. Mex strats are either a hit or miss, mia strats tend to have better qc. Iv never played an american standard that was great enough to bring home though, all that "modern tweaks" like hotter pickups and flatter radius never impressed me.
geoff1121 1 year ago
helpful video but your bends/timing/playing could use a little work...
themusicman1973 1 year ago
hi.... I cant afford the American one, so I'l go for the Mexican one. but what I heard is that the Mexican one dont stay in tune. is it true??
hothengchun 1 year ago
@hothengchun na they stay in tune very well
JustinTube81 1 year ago
so if i put texas special pickups on the mexican one, will it be the same sound?
iDuffdabestweed 1 year ago
@iDuffdabestweed it should. literally all the specs are the same. except the american usually has 22 frets instead of 21. im looking at a mexican and replacing the pickups and tuners.
chrispy961 1 year ago
thats not a fair comparison the mex is a 1000 dollar ri the hole point that people want to see this is because they cant afford a 1000 dollar guitar EPIC FAIL ,man its always the people that dont know how to play have the best guitars
sydfloydpink 1 year ago 2
American made models are still made abroad.only brought to to an American factory in order to be fitted with a nice sticker that says 'made in USA'
the wood is cheaper, the labour is cheaper abroad, ofcourse most of it is asembled elsewhere...only thing about the mexican made ones,at least they are honest lmao
gear snobs should curl up and die,go check out seasick steve and dont come out till your fit to lace his boots ! pople should leanr to play the things before they get all high n mighty
mrbassman25 1 year ago
@mrbassman25 No man, I don't think they are. Where'd you get that information? That's false advertising (or a more fitting word for this situation, I can't think of one right now). They would have to at least set up the guitar in the US in order to make the 'Made in USA' sticker/badge valid.
YoWassupMang 1 year ago
Comment removed
sydfloydpink 1 year ago
@sydfloydpink TROLLLLLLLL!!!!!!
GQflydude 1 year ago
buy a used american seems to be the answer.The uk is definetly not short of mint conditiion used strats, mex and usa....new mex is around £450...as new usa, with case and all candy, 2009 model around £550....what fender seem to lack is the ability to keep their build quality consistant, no matter which country its made in (the same could be said of any of the big boys).
Kitebiatch 1 year ago
i know it's only a demo but you need to work on your rhythm a bit
chops1995 1 year ago
mexican guitars are highly underrated. i own one myself, and yes, i did eventually swap out the pickups, but that still ultimately wound up costing $300 less than the american standard, which does have fantastic looks, but didn't feel as comfortable as my mexican, and after i got new pups, it didn't sound as good. so to all you materialistic snobs, don't put down mexican guitars as "cheap". and when you get right down to it, it's about how good the player is.
yuvalrosen 1 year ago 16
@yuvalrosen Mexican Strat has a better feel than a lot of cool looking $1000 guitars
TalkToYouMusic 10 months ago
first: learn how to play
second: tihnk!
third: try to say something important when you racording.
czesio12323 1 year ago
@czesio12323 Maibee you shuld lern how to spall befor you critisyze
murfdog19 1 year ago
can someone please tell me the name of the song he plays first?
gibsonsg3444 1 year ago
@gibsonsg3444 layla - eric clapton/Derek and the Dominos
78locomocion 1 year ago
@gibsonsg3444 its layla from eric clapton, epic song :D
lavh93 1 year ago
haha too true. why discriminate?
speshojk1 1 year ago
Me and my friend once come to local music store, we try many squier, some mexican strat and we try a cheap yamaha pacifica 112v, ( only 250 dollars ).. OMG !! , this thing sounds better than mexican strat.
As i still won't believe cheap yamaha really beat more expensive fender, i decided to take a slightly cheap pacifica 112 J ( 200 dollars ), change the pickups with std mexican strat pickup, compare head to head in same amp with my friends mex strat ..we can hear pacifica sounds better
MrNikimiski 1 year ago
try practicing and work on your timing. at your level it makes no difference.
brownbigb 1 year ago
any1 else think this dude looks like david gilmour?, also i have the same led zep poster as you, haha:)
SwanSong2156 1 year ago 5
Mexican, American- who cares? When the drummer kicks up nobody will give a shit. And anyways, a good guitarist gets his tone from his fingers, not relying on the sound of an expensive guitar.
jacobtheguitarfreak 1 year ago 2
Theres bad American ones and good Mexican ones. IT all comes down to that specific instrument. I just prefer American ones , but still
TheOnlyThinker 1 year ago
I have played Mexican strats and American strats and there isn't that great of a difference. The only real difference from both I noticed is that Mex pickups make alot of more white noise and offer a different sound over the warmer, bolder american pick ups. Also, one costs 3 times more than the other. Matter of preference, Strats are very inconsistent.
UncleManwich 1 year ago
you ned to learn how to play smoother and with some soul
technotuesday 1 year ago
@technotuesday I got soul...... but im not a soldier
backinblack751 1 year ago
Great vid man
mrsuga123 1 year ago
how do you not hear the difference the american one sounded more bolder
askrzat83 1 year ago
I really think if anyone is considering both guitars, try them both out first cause before i had, i wanted a mexi but now i want american
rgjmce666 1 year ago
Sounds pretty good. You might want to work on your bendin though. Sounds a bit off.
MitchRulzWorld 1 year ago
Just buy Mexican and upgrade the pickups durrr
cbappa1 1 year ago
the mexi strats are great if you are still learning and cant commit to a 1000$+ american.
how i started
100$ fender squire --> 300$ mexican strat ---> 1100$ American 62' reissue.
logen99999 1 year ago
atleast its not made i china
formine56 1 year ago
No offrence but I think you should spend less time talking about your guitars and more time practicing.
matrags 1 year ago 3
don't buy a mexican strat !!!!! just wait for it to sneak across the border and snag it on the way to Home depot parking lot ONLY JOKING its importaint too laugh at our self and not take us to seriously
MoongrassNoel 1 year ago
these seriously sound identical
94029374938402048 1 year ago
Hey Strato,
Really like and appreciate these videos. I totally agree with you! In my old
band. My lead guitarist had an American Strat and I could really tell much of
a difference with my Mexi Strat. Next thing you should do is get a hold of a Squire strat and do the comparison. Anyway, thanks for the demo!
ytmitch61 1 year ago
Victor Wooten's brother plays a made in mexico strat, most of the time it's not the gat its the player, like to hear what Steve Vai could do on a squire!
Albigatnz 1 year ago
Hey man...Great video and so true what you say about diffirences in price and so, me...being a USA-made Strat-player like my whole like...totaly agree, man...Mex. Strat's are great too, and 1200$...i guess, reason enough to concider it :-)))
Greets-Kurt !!!
HDenBlues 1 year ago
american rulz!!!!!!!!!
HmongGuitarPlayer 1 year ago
lovin' the hair bron :D
slashjunior707 1 year ago
I am from Canada when I bought my strat I bought a custom shop strat I did not have the cash for it I had to buy and pay off,I am sure it was made by a american.I always buy made in USA,I have nothing against the Mexican people,but Americans are loseing jobs over seas I know many Canadians that feel this way,I know a mexican strat sounds just as good and is cheaper,all I am doing is supporting my good neighbor,and their families.
vjfrock 1 year ago
Another huge issue is if you're banging your gear round some cramped grimy music venue, do you really want an expensive 'investment' guitar or something you can use and abuse? How many expensive guitars get offloaded on eBay where seller says they have 'never been gigged' or seen 'bedroom use only'?
mostmusicisbad 1 year ago
nice eric clapton lick in the begining :p
moneyrocks123 1 year ago
nice, layla!
legumes12 1 year ago
Nice review man.
jimihendrixfan2008 1 year ago
Can't believe I let the 60th anniversary slide!! Had the chance of getting one of those...
yekshemesh4alig 1 year ago
60th Anniversary Taco! GREAT axe! I sold mine for a MIJ Blue Paisley Strat! Don't regret it much, but this guitar still holds its own, especially with the stock Texas Specials!
zerosoma33 2 years ago
there is a price difference but the american ones will appreciate after a 7 to 10 year period. Most american strats usually have 22 frets. yours has 21 for both guitars. if it's not custom but rather american standard it should have 22 frets unless some pug on ebay lied to you or something. mexican is starter guitar the american is for real players... real guitarist will invest the money in tone. our guitar looks it's made from stock parts, no offence. try usiing identical or comparable parts
Dragonjasp 2 years ago
The American Strat is for real players.... sorry, but that's just a stupid thing to say. Yeah, I prefer American strats over Mexican strats, but thats cause I can afford that... i own a mexi strat and it is very respectable... you probably don't know the band Jupiter One, but both guitarists play Mexican strats... seeing as their music supports their living, they could afford American strats and yet they choose not to...I'll leave that one up to you. They're probably more "real" players than you
LesPaulRokar 2 years ago 27
@LesPaulRokar, I agree with you on that. Kurt Cobain used only mexican too. He just simply liked them better!
JAP633 2 years ago
@LesPaulRokar I so agree with you on that! I love my mexi strat and can afford much much more! Its just that it feels beeter to me! I hear guys talk about the "finishes" being better on the american ones, as if the quality of the frickin' pick guard has anything to do with anything!! Bet you a million that the guys that say that stuff cant play very well!!! their the "hey man, can you take off your belt" guy's that are nervous to get a scratch in their guitar... My guitars are all beat up..
michaelforrest1967 1 year ago
@LesPaulRokar Spot on, i love my Us strat... But most the "Real players" ie people i no performing professionally use mex guitars. Tone isnt a million miles off a us... And who wants to damage there thousand pound strats giggin...
petejones216 6 months ago
Lol what? You know there are a lot of professional "real" players that do play MIM guitars right? It doesnt matter where they are made. Of course you can upgrade the electronics in all guitars so you can make a MIM sound just like an MIA. All it takes are the right electronics.
I think your confusing MIM with Squier when you say its a starter guitar. It definitely is not.
Danklin24 1 year ago
@Dragonjasp
you're dumb. the Mexican is definitely not a starter, and The AV62RI has only 21 frets, its way more baller than the standard american.
damugman 1 year ago
to be honest I skipped the talking, assumed the silver was the american and I actually liked it better
popomczowzow 2 years ago 2
The silver is the Mexican, the three tone sunburst is the American
vaginomyte 2 years ago
@vaginomyte
yeah I know
popomczowzow 2 years ago
@popomczowzow For some reason the silver one had a little more dirt to it, sure it wasn't as loud as the other one but to be honest, with my JCM 800 the silver one would go just fine...
TheOzzk 1 year ago
you are so shite it's laughable :L:L
McBrideAidy 2 years ago
quite a fail at that song
MaddieIsDead 2 years ago
American is better in this video.
rrrrsssssssa2 2 years ago
The american wins out in this video because it has texas specials. Of course its going to sound better. They're much hotter.
Danklin24 1 year ago
try to turn the medium on your amp up, and the bass tone as well, You´ll get a better sound! The american vintage is way better than this mim, the mim pick ups are not good, most of the mim guitars are poplar wood, not a great resonant wood. Sorry about the bad english... I´m from Brasil.
mistervicenteblues 2 years ago
I buy the MIM 50's Classic Series Strats basically for the bodies and necks. Then I install better pickups in them. It saved me alot of money. Don't doubt these Mexican made Strats.
m40marine 2 years ago 5
i have a MIM 50's series but does yours say deluxe series on the head in very small print?
fojock 2 years ago
No, it doesn't. I have'nt seen any of those. Thanks for repleying back.
m40marine 2 years ago
just sold an american made strat for a mexican made one and i put some tex specials in it dont regreat selling the amarican made one
stratocasterplayer12 2 years ago
great player , bad distortion (personal thing) ,
AerosmithVault 2 years ago
nice layla!
eric clapton :P
LiVeXb0X 2 years ago
18 days till i get my mexican strat (60's classic serries) it will be epic
curdisszero 2 years ago
christmas?
or birthday or something of the sort
LiVeXb0X 2 years ago
christmas (lol). when i tried it in the shop i was compearing it to my friends american 2005 strat standard he bought 2nd hand. and i honestly couldnt tell the difference in build quality.
curdisszero 2 years ago
i hvae a question by the sounds of it they have no difference it that area and ok american strats maybe made better however the main question i have is is there a big difference in playability i mean how well does the strings sit to the guitars frets is it easy to play do you struggle keepin the mexican one in tune or is there any differnece in that aspect i need 2 know for xmas
igotmywhiskey 2 years ago
I work in a guitar shop and have played both. I would say the mexican strats neck feels better, to me anyway. on the other hand the american strat's pickups sound a good bit better. i want a mexican and will deffinetly put new pick ups in it. watching this video and reading all the comments has helped. thanks guys.
FadelessJak 2 years ago
thanks
iphoner815 2 years ago
I own two Mex Strats and have owned an American made Strat, Yeah OK the American one is made better, from better woods and the parts are of higher quality, but i actually prefer the Mexican Guitars, they are bit lighter, a whole lot cheaper, and the Classic series is more to my taste.
Staying close to the original design.
They feel better in my hands, that's real important.
I just wish they would finish them in the Nitrocellulose lacquer, then they'd be perfect.
MITCHWILD 2 years ago
wonderful tonight... played wrong....
AZARTI5 2 years ago
By which you mean Layla.
heavymetalmaniac616 2 years ago
ah yeh lol sry xD
AZARTI5 2 years ago
Yea there isnt much difference in sound in this vid. And there isnt much sound difference in real life. I own both and the feel of the american is much much nicer but the sound is only a little bit better. The american will last you for a longer time and go up in value after a very long time.
FruscianteAlways7 2 years ago
i got my mexican strat
dragonnight812 2 years ago
I rather buy a Mexican strat, 500 bucks less.
Made in Mexico strats are made in the US, ASSEMBLED in Mexico and then they are sent back to the US.
And if you live in America, you know that your "American" strat is built by Mexicans, so why bother?!
MetalHybrid 2 years ago 3
lol thats great...but so true
miller434 2 years ago
stop saying desparity lol
Fleezyy 2 years ago
it's either buy a mexican strat made by mexicans in mexico or buy an american strat made in america by mexicans
dragonnight812 2 years ago 77
hahahaha xD
ClaptonSG 2 years ago
Really,made by mexicans.That sucks really hard.
jimllfaxit 2 years ago
@dragonnight812
Ha, ha, brilliant.
psychkoala 1 year ago
@dragonnight812 lol that's great!
miller434 1 year ago
@dragonnight812 LMAO
fairfaxsurfshoprider 1 year ago
@dragonnight812 hahahahahaah that made me laugh
kishhh777 1 year ago
@dragonnight812
No offense, but I can't, for the life of me, figure out why this comment has so many Likes. What's your point?? o.0 If it's some sort of patriotic/racist thing, I guess that explains all the Likes, but frankly, there are a lot of Mexican-made guitars that are good enough that it really just comes down to the player's abilities.
Not trying to be mean or pick a fight here, just trying to see what you're getting at w/ what would seem to me to be a ridiculously simplistic comment.
yobhsiFehT 1 year ago
@yobhsiFehT
Basically I was saying you get the same guitar regardless of where it comes from, which for the most part is true. The only real difference is the electronics. Even then it's not that big of a difference. I didn't mean it racist. It's not a problem man, I had no idea it even got so many thumbs.
dragonnight812 1 year ago
@dragonnight812
Well, I have no idea what your original comment was, at this point, so... nvm:)
Have a good one!
yobhsiFehT 1 year ago
@yobhsiFehT it has more to do with corporate outsourcing and foreign labor exploitation than the actual guitar quality
MrJumbolegz 1 year ago
Just get a Mexican one, and buy new pick-ups. Problem solved.
jjkmovies 2 years ago
yeah, mine already came with texas specials
ClaptonSG 2 years ago
Nice comparison. I actually prefer the Mexican... not so metallic.
Anyway, a lot more depends on the amp than the guitar.
tintrumpet 2 years ago
They sound exactly the same
inricheetos 2 years ago
Thx, a real genuine guy who can tell the truth as he owns both.
Tried a USA Strat and a Std Mexican over the weekend and I must say the USA Strat was a bit flash in terms of the satin back neck....(they both have satin back) I found the USA strat to be brighter.
I preferred the mexican because of the slightly darker tone.
jetsollegend 2 years ago
the only differance that i can really feel when i play the two is that the lower notes on the american made strats Tend to ring more truly
benjaminrichardshoop 2 years ago
Ive got an American standard strat and im happy with it. The only reaosn I got it is because I could afford it and it's just nice to say I own an American strat.
For those that are on a tight budget id go with a Mexican and stick better pups in. I did save a lot to get my American, but im happy with it and I personally would take it over the Mexican if you put the 2 infront of me :)
djm281287 2 years ago
I personally reckon mexicans are the way to go if you dont wanna spend alot. and the fretboard wood and pickups definately will determine a different sound, again if you have money for the p-ups or have a taste for maple or rosewood. its all really your decision. great stuff btw..
bornguitarhero95 2 years ago
biggest difference = if you can play or not.....you need to practice!
hooverbaglegs 2 years ago
you have no tempo
SymphonyXhutch 2 years ago
soounds the same to me,..is that a who poster?..oh yah..
rmsn77 2 years ago
no difference in sound haha but i would assume that the reissue feels so much better
slash5155 2 years ago
Want a good guitar for cheap?
Get a Mexi and swap out the pups.
Really, this whole idea that Mexi guitars are trash is just absurd.
differentdude01 2 years ago 2
i think as far as sound, theres a huge difference. the pups on the american made strat sound alot hotter and has a shinier sound, but from what i hear they play and perform the same. would it be worth it to get the mexican made strat, but change out for the texas special pups?
diazcamille 2 years ago
that or spend the 200 bucks toward a highway one, or a "players strat" or whatever they're called.
GoldenGibson31 2 years ago
i think im gonna get a classic series 50s at guitar center for 700 but is that guitar good for playing eric johnson and stuff
12345678ix 2 years ago
get the classic player, much better.
Cheers!
StratPlayer17 2 years ago
Any difference is playability? How does the neck and fretboard feel between the two.
kemo112205 2 years ago
g string was out of tune on the american one. both are great guitars. if you upgrade the pickups in the MIM strats they great.
bobbygrace13 2 years ago
Remember, sound isn't everything, the MIM Fenders have cheapier pickups than the USA made ones and in some cases you can make them sound the same if you just upgrade the pickups. Playability is a big factor too, I have played some USA made Fenders with sharp fret edges and that really kills the guitar. All Fenders are made by CNC machines nowadays anyways so its mainly just the name on the headstock thats different.
caboose1289 2 years ago
well all you have to do is file it down...
ruffles272 2 years ago
why the classic player models has only two nuts in the bridge??
davidtheguitarman 2 years ago
i've gotta say the mexican one has a badass finish
frunkus88 2 years ago
Also wanted to add alot of people talk about this guitar sound better than that etc. keep in mind alot of the sound also comes from the person playing. And all you douchebags bashing this dude for showing you things Fender doesnt want you to know so you pay 1500.00 for a 500.00 guitar F*ck off
lpmeyham 2 years ago
I bought a Mexican Strat put a set of Fender original 57/62 pick ups in and a few other little adjustments (by the way Fender calls these pick ups original there not truly original) and it sounds great as good as or better than alot of american Strats I've played.
lpmeyham 2 years ago
The Tex Mex pups sound fatter and slightly hotter then the TS pups. Not a huge difference, very slight but noticeable.
Danyerd 2 years ago
Comment removed