Been playing for 30 years. I've had dozens of guitars ranging from my early $300ish (2022 equivalent) guitars up to later $2000+ guitars. I've played them all. I used to care about the "made in..." thing. I recently bought a player series jazzmaster. The only thing I've changed are the pickups. I installed some lollars. I'm telling you, that may the best guitar I've ever owned. It's perfect for me. Also, the newer Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster is unbelievably good. Don't fall for the "made in blah blah " nonsense. Try as many guitars as you can without prejudice. When you find "the one", trust me, it won't matter. Get it and love it. Be proud of it. That's my 2 cents.
Started playing at church back in 2010. I needed a serviceable electric (mine was juuuuuunk). So I go to the guitar shop a few towns over. My budget was $300 ish with 0 bias. I played every single guitar in the shop under $300. I left with a $180 Indonesian Ibanez HSS super strat. It had the best tuning stability with neck & action etc.
@@fredfloyd34 I owned one. 63. Nowhere near as good as many say they are. Best woods. Other than that, pretty inferior. Action and setup wasn't that important back then as they hadn't realized how important it was. At 13 I started messing around with it and that is how I became very good at setting guitars up. Then started building them. Fenders and gibsons are American icons but I'll take a guild or a gretch over them both. But I do love a stratocaster. I paid 263 dollars for mine.
Honestly, as a professional guitarist and prior to the pandemic I was working composer/musician, I trust Mexican made Fender guitars well and it's a default for me. My Jazzmaster is made in Mexico and it is my favorite guitar. There are "Made in USA" models that I actually do not care for because at times the tone can sound brittle. That does not mean that either are poorly made but the Mexican models just deliver what I desire. As mentioned in this video, each factory is not far from each other and they do share parts. In lots of cases most people won't be able to tell the difference between Mexican and US. The Mexican factory is great, there are professionally trained staff there, they do a great job and usually produce a solid product.
Thank you. I recieved a Mexican Strat 3 yrs ago for a birthday present from my wife. I wasn't so sure about it, but after playing, I was impressed. Great sound and very playable. I still use it quite alot, I've taken it to the studio, live shows and I keep it handy in my living room when inspiration hits. Damn Good Guitar....
Bought a Mexican strat in 2009 brand new for $450 at a local store. I changed the electronics when I got it and it has hundreds of shows and many thousands of hours played if not tens of thousands. Had one fret job done and it still plays amazingly.
A Strat is a Strat is a Strat. I've owned a number of them, and they all sounded great. My current strat is a Squier. Paid 250.00 for it and spent 200.00 to upgrade the electronics. Damn thing sounds as good or better than my expensive guitars. That tone you're chasing? It's in your hands, your heart, and your mind.
Maybe. The Mexican Fenders in my experience have always been heavier. The fret jobs are hit and miss. I end up replacing the electronics. Squier uses smaller tone pots. Ultimately I just never regret buying the American. They just are a cut above. You pay more for it. The only Squier I hav loved is the J Mascis Jazzmaster. It's great
@@2121toso I bought my first Strat yesterday after 22 years of playing guitar. It's a Ferrari Red Limited edition Player series with ebony neck. It's amazing. I think someone screwed up at the factory because the fretboard had been rolled like all the player plus models that were there.... that being said. EVERY other player model I tried out had fret ends that left a lot to be desired, my 20 year old Indonesian Affinity Strat has better fret work on it than most of them did. There was also another one just like the one I purchased that I couldn't even play because it would have eaten up the side of my hand the fret ends were so sharp. These Player models should definitely be bought in person, and if that's not an option, the extra couple hundred bucks for a Player Plus is almost non-negotiable imo
@@2121toso the body of a squire compared to the “real deal” is actually smaller, I don’t know if the made in Mexico body is heavier than the USA though… not to mention it’s not really a big difference
@@matthewcantu3127 I had a MiM p-bass that was really heavy and I ended up selling it...I have a "starcaster by fender" p-bass model that I upgraded literally everything on, and now it's fantastic and much lighter than that MiM
@@jasondorsey7110 makes sense, I believe starcasters are hollow bodied basses, but with squire strat guitars and a fender strat, the one made by fender is going to be heavier
I have a 1996 Mexican Strat. Whoever picked the parts, put them together and dressed the frets was having a VERY good day! I bought is used for 150 bucks. It's easily as good as an American Strat worth $2-3000! Unplugged it has unbelievable tone and volume. The balance is perfect standing or sitting. The pickups were really good but I did put in Carvins. The bridge felt good but I switched it out with a really good, butter-smooth Wilkinson.
I bought a Mexican player series tele in February for 749 dollars. I am very impressed with the build quality. I could not find even the slightest scratch.
Could not imagine paying that much for a MIM. I bought my MIM new about 5 years ago for $499. It was really nice. I regretfully sold it a couple years ago for $500 lol.
I have an EVH Frankie tribute guitar made in Mexico. I can’t say enough about the quality, fit and finish. The pliability is absolutely incredible this guitar is my favorite guitar I have ever owned and I only play it now. It blows my mind how good of a quality guitar came out of Mexico. The craftsman down there are incredible.
I've been preaching this for the last few years. The USA and Mexico factories are so strongly integrated the difference is the price point they are building to and not the quality capability of either place.
The Mexican made Fenders match the best quality of American Fenders in the period from the mid 70's to the early 90's. Additionally they are better and more consistent in build quality overall. The player series from Mexico are outstanding quality in wood, hardware and electronics. Used Mexican Fenders are a great value.
I just got my son a MIM Player Telecaster for his birthday. It's a great guitar. I'm happy that they replaced the ceramic pickups with alnico pickups. I like playing it as much as my Fender Pro Strat. Good guitars.
And I bought the American pro Tele and don’t really like it. Replaced the pickups anyway because it had the vmod1 pickups that I didn’t dig and there’s something wrong with the neck angle or pocket depth I think. Mim guitars are great guitars. Love em.
I just got a Fender Stratocaster player series MIM SSH I can't believe how good it sounds, I use to change t ceramic pickups to alnico 5, now I don't have to do nothing to it, sounds almost as good as my USA Strat, no one can really tell the difference.
@@freddiemiranda9325 according to Phil McKnight, the electronics in the player series is identical to the old 'American Standard' guitars, including the pickups. They just moved production to Mexico. They are such fantastic guitars! Hope you enjoy yours!
I have a 2004 Squire Strat that is really nice. I paid $145 for it. I have played All years of the Strat. This is the nicest I've ever played. Thanks for your rant! I've been playing for 53 years.
I worked at Fender were they have all the custom shop engineers etc. The employees from the factory in Ensenada would come up to our location frequently to work with us. The factory in Mexico is not subpar by any means. they may as well be two different buildings on the same campus. on another note I find that the Indonesian made Squire it’s also very good. in fact almost just as good as a Mexican Strat after about $300 of upgrades.
Mark, i bought a Mexican Fender, telecaster back in the mis 90's, for $400 Bucks, New, it has a single coil in the bridge, and a Humbucker in the Neck, with a 5 way switch, this thing sounds and plays Great, i am glad that i bought it, i have looked on line for one from this time period, and i can not find another one, Thanks for your channel, Rock on, Cousin Figel
My #1 guitar, my first electric is a 1991 Fender Standard Stratocaster, made in Mexico. When I was 16 and my Pop took me to Accent Music here in Vegas in 1992 to pick out my first electric (after 4 months of playing a nylon classical 6 hours a day convinced him that guitar wasn't a "phase" for me). I knew nothing about electric guitar really, but was given some notes by a guy who played as to what to look for. They had several Strats and it was narrowed down to a red one and a blue one. After checking the frets, fret ends, the tuners and the pickups & controls as I was told I saw the red Strat just felt better and since they sounded identical I took the red one. As the guy was checking us out I heard him tell my Dad something that made my Dad say "Well good, that really works out then." As we left I asked him what the guy said and he went "The blue one was $450 more...I guess yours is made in Mexico so it's cheaper." I totally admit I felt very confused and weird that the Mexican guitar was the one I preferred by a mile but the other one was "Made in the USA". As I got older and learned more about guitars and Fender's history I never looked back re: my #1 Strat. The neck is still like butter and over the years I've been offered some very interesting amounts for it...but it's staying. Of course the one I heard the most was when Fender opened the Ensenada factory in late 1989 they just used it for assembly supposedly the first 18 months. Or that a fire broke out in the Ensenada factory so all of Fender's MIM guitars were actually made in the USA for 6 months while the new factory was built. Occam's razor never seems to enter into the conversation, that hey, isn't it possible that Fender's made in Mexico were just well made instruments from jumpstreet? Now I've played some shitty MIM's over the years during visits to Guitar Center, etc. but I've seen far more that were excellent guitars. I finally changed the pickups from the stock ceramics to Fender Vintage Noiseless pickups since I was doing lots of recording using amp plugins and just wanted a low noise floor. Other than the pots & blender wiring to get the 7 sound mod my Strat is just as it was 30 years ago this year....fuck that makes me feel old!
I'm old too, I have a California seat since 1997.it was made in USA but painted fiesta red in Mexico. It's a great guitar. I also have lived in Vegas since 1971 and played with Michael Sherwood. We might know each other. Danny Arcotta. Take care, my brother
@@danarcotta1283 unless you've spent time in KY, I doubt it- but I believe I've heard your name - are you a professional musician? I am not- but I am a music person- it's in my bones- I sing a little, write a little and I do a little pickin and a lot of grinnin
The Mexican Vintera series really knocked it out of the park. Those guitars sound amazing and where else can you get a nice vintage feel for that price
My Mexican made Strat from 2001 is a great guitar and I still love playing it today. I've had to replace a few things on it over the years but it has been a great workhorse.
I bought a Mexican fretless Jazz Bass from a music shop years ago. It had a sunburst body, rosewood neck top but had a white pick guard, cheesy black knobs with numbers and standard-issue pickups. I ended up dropping in Bartolini J-pickups, revamped the tone control circuit, installed a brown tortoise shell pick guard, new cat eye knurled knobs, Badass bridge and traded up from flat-wound strings to half-wounds. It was a fun project that ended up making a huge difference in sound and appearance.
I’ve set up a couple of Mexican Strats and basses… and man, I’ve gotta tell you - if I were to ever come across a 90s era Mexi 6 string or bass guitar on the cheap (people are selling ‘em over-priced now), I’d pick it up in a heartbeat. Mexican Fender’s are *QUALITY* instruments!
About 3 years ago, I was in the market for a new strat and determined not to buy a Fender. I found the Squier VM series so good, and the Player series to be really cheap feeling, so I got a Squier at half the price. Still love it. I'm glad to say, my recent buying experience was, that the MIM guitars have really stepped up and I'm now the proud owner of a beautiful TVL signature Jazzmaster
For what it’s worth, I bought a Fender deluxe Strat back in 1992, for $700 new. American made, plus noiseless pups and a roller nut. It was a great guitar, but I’m really more of a Tele guy, so I sold it a few years later. Now, fast forward and I picked ip a new Squire 60s Vibe Strat is lake placid blue. It was only $430 new, with free shipping. It is freaking awesome! I did a very thorough set up on it, as soon as I got it, and it plays amazing. While I don’t have the old American deluxe to do a side by side comparison, I do have an expensive American Tele and I can say the fit, finish, playability, etc. is very close. Surprisingly close. So, while it feels good to see Made in America, the quality produced in all of Fender’s factories is now quite good.. I only wish they had these inexpensive but very cool options, back when I was in high school /college.
I bought a Mexistrat back in 1994. At the time, the salesperson told me "The Mexican Strats are made with American parts but assembled in Mexico to save labor costs. Also, sometimes the parts might not be up to American Standard standards." I picked out a Candy Apple Red. There is a visible seam in the body under the lacquer but other than that the guitar is perfect. I had a guitar instructor once who asked if he could play my Strat after hearing me play a little. He owns a late 50's Strat and told me mine plays almost as good as his. I told him the story of buying it and he said "The thing about Mexistrats is the consistency. Sometimes you get an awesome guitar, sometimes you get one that's simply good enough. You lucked out. Never sell this." I still own it today.
When I first sat down with my Baja (2006) I knew within 10 minutes that it was comming home with me regardless of where it was made or what they were asking. Just saying....
I have a custom shop strat and I love the player series. They are outstanding instruments. It's similar to Taylor MiM guitars. The quality is so high with the Taylor MiM too but there are so many goons who say "oh, not made in Murica, that's me out." Mexico is putting out some seriously good guitars
It's all a function of price, the lower cost Taylors and Martins are designed like that, even if they weren't made in Mexico they would have no binding and ply sides, has nothing to do with where the factory is, they do a great job.
@@jdl2180 That’s the $64,000 question. Lol. And quite frankly, if you know some historical aspects of Mexican culture and how their QC is defined, you’d know where the hesitancy comes from. (But like everything now manufactured, overall quality has gone up everywhere. The classic vibe series originally really knocked peoples socks off)
I have a 2015 MIM Precision bass and I love it. Since I bought it, I've considered upgrading some of the parts but have never bothered because it all works and sounds great
Bought a MIM Vintera 60's Jazz Bass this year and could not be happier with the quality and feel. Their Mexican factory puts out some great quality instruments.
Heck, I've got a 12 year-old fender 21-fret, MIM and it sounds and plays incredibly well, the build is just wonderful! I GOT LUCKY, and found the guy who had bought it 12-years ago, played it a couple times, and just found out he didn't have the patience to learn, he said, I still can't believe that sales manager sold me this, he FINALLY convinced me to buy it, and low and behold he just left it in the closet!! And lucky part was not only was it still new with no wear, it was a lefty!! And believe you me, being a lefty it's not easy to find these things at all... Been playing it ever since, damn thing sounds scary good :-)
Hey Gary, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for this “rant”. I am often horrified by how so many people make decisions about purchases of everything. Especially basing them on rumors and gossip, instead of researching the facts. At the end of the day, we should probably be choosing our instruments while we’re blindfolded. It’s a genuine relationship that, once established, hopefully, will last for a lifetime.
Well I never look at the price so much as how it feels to my fingers but for some reason I've always heard the american strat was beat then Japan then Mexico and it kinda stuck in my head. That being said as I've gotten older I've seen some nice MIM Fenders and I think I'm gonna go ahead and get one. The one mistake I made was buying a Chinese Rickenbacker. It place nice but sounds horrible. Lol, love and learn.
I bought a vintera telecaster recently. It is a straight throwback to the 50s. It is vintaged and sounds GREAT. It does need a little FINISH work like de-burring the frets. Minor stuff. It sounds GREAT.
Really good overview of the current Fender range . There is a lot of snobbery about where its made. I recently bought a Squire Classic Vibe guitar - it looks great and plays great. I also have Fenders which are great too. As Gary says - paly it first and compare them all in the shop first.
just stumbled on your channel and wanted to say I've owned American made and a made in Mexico strat,as a player I felt no difference or heard any difference based on my limited 56 years of experience thanks for your time and efforts
I have a couple Mexican basses, and other than being a little heavier than their American counterparts, they are incredible workhorses. That have never let me down.
@@alexbuckles6107 yeah man that's about right, most people don't realize that the 2 factories are only about 40 apart, and that most of the people that built the USA models are of Mexican decent. But like I said the Mexican models that I've owned are quality instruments.
Thanks for the info and advice.I pretty much already knew what you said about MIM Fenders,but it was really refreshing and assuring to see it and hear it from someone that knows what they’re talking about. Thanks again.
There were QC issues with MIM Fenders in the mid-90s like scratchy volume & tone pots and a seized low E tuner which was definitely the case for my '95 Stratocaster Special. It's my first maple neck and it wasn't until I changed the strings for the first time that I realized that it was made in Mexico from looking under the serial number; I didn't care about that. The fact that some of em, if not all, were actually made in America and sent to Mexico confirmed what I always thought all these years. Definite bang-for-the-buck was a true 100% true phrase as I paid $425 brand new over 25yrs ago and spent almost as much upgrading it if not topping it just a bit and it's better than it ever was and I'm happy about it. I've acquired Squier Affinity and Bullet Strats (CIC & CII) and recently a Vintage Modified Precision Telecaster Bass ... LUV EM!
I have a MIM jazz bass for over 10 years now used nearly daily. It's been a fantastic instrument and is of the finest quality. Amazing. If you watch the us factory tour, nearly all the employees are mexican anyway. literally there is no visible difference. MIM Fenders are fine examples.
Bought a new MIM Hendrix Monterey Strat in 2017. Amazing cosmetics, playability, and tone. I was surprised that I couldn’t find 1 single thing to complain about. Love it.
In 1971 I bought a used guitar at a pawn shop in Chicago for $125, the only reason I got it was because Eric Clapton had gone from Gibsons to Fender and I’m glad he did….My guitar is a 54 Strat serial 0260….Thanks Eric ❤️🇬🇧🇬🇧
I had an MIM standard strat from the 90's that I gigged with for a while.It was a great guitar! I still own a Tex-Mex Strat from the late 90's that I gigged with for many years. I changed out the pickups and it became my number 1. Country of origin doesn't matter. Some of those are great and some aren't.
I have '93 strat made in Mex !! Love it. Its burgundy with a white pick guard, changed the pick ups to some Seymour Duncan Humbucker Black Winter and Duncan Distortion. Love it !!
I have the same strat but 2000, burgundy, white pick guard, swapped electronics for a pro series kh20 EMG 81/81 set that looks sick with the black emg’s and mother of pearl pick guard design. Neck is good, some slight issue but store I had it routed at wanted to buy it from me. Zero guitar….to metal guitar for $350…routed body, loaded pro-series pickups / guard. I’ll likely use the kh pro-series in a diff guitar in a year or two and put my HSS setup back in strat then….guitars in great shape 24 years old.
I have a 72' re-issue deluxe tele MIM and it's perfect! Here's something reassuring...Mexicans LOVE guitars and they put alot of love in their products. So if you dout the quality you are mistaken.
most of the employees at the Mexican factory are themselves guitarists. On the phone one day, someone at Fender in AZ asked me about a "BAAss" Breaker, as in the fish.
So how do they get the old machine to work on the new plastic bobbins exactly, well they don’t, because the machines you speak of are in the custom shop area of fender, and you sir are very wrong…
I have a 2003 MIM "60s Stratocaster" in Lake Placid Blue with a Rosewood neck. The neck fits my hand perfectly and I love the trebly tone you get when you throw the toggle all the way down.
I feel a little better after hearing this. I'd wanted a Fender strat for a while, and just picked up a nice strat at guitar center for $600. Its a made in Mexico player series, actually comes with 2 single coils and a humbucker, looks and feels great. It IS a Fender, just made in Mexico. It saves me some $$$ which is always great. I'm happy with it.
I started playing bass about three years ago. An experienced bass playing friend recommended a left handed Squier VM 70s Jazz (Indonesia) as my first bass. About a year later, I wanted a Precision bass. I went back and forth between a MIA and a MIM. I got a Player Series P bass (Mexico) that is great. I then picked up an open box MIM Jazz (Mexico), that I am now using in the band I am in. About 6 months ago, I picked up a mint 2013 American Standard Jazz (US) which is a great instrument. After many hours on the Squier, Player Series, and MIA basses, the MIA is the best bass overall, but I have to say the Player Series is the best bang for your buck. Both of mine feel and play great. Thanks for the video!
Subbed. cool channel. I'm from Georgia, parents are from near the top of Georgia in a little tri-state area where Copperhill Tenn. and Murphy N.C. come together with Mccaysville Ga. I'm 60 years old. When my dad was in the Navy he was stationed at the Kittery navel base and that was where I was born back in 1960. They lived in Portsmouth New Hampshire for a couple of years before coming back to Georgia. I have always wanted to come up there and visit. I subbed because I own a MIM Strat and have always heard the negative stuff about guitars made in Mexico. I've always loved my MIM Strat. looking forward to watching your past and future post. thanks.
Last year, I bought myself an HSH player series strat, and have only played my (much more expensive) PRS a handful of times since. The strat is just amazing! Viva la Strat!
Hey great channel! I’ve just watched about 20 vids. I like that you talk amps as much as guitars. I’ve got probably 25 guitars but recently I’ve gotten into amps. I bought a Tonemaster which I see you talk at leghnth on, 4 x 10 Deville. DSL 40, 4c1, Blues Jr. I’m trying to talk this guy out of his AC 15C1 right now. I only make this list to tell you how interested I am in your channel. Could you talk maybe about the 4 x 10 Fenders some day please? There’s something to them I think. Anyway I’ve subbed. Great videos
I love these vids from this channel. So great to hear from guitar store owners about the market, prices, quality of different instruments. Would love to hear your thoughts on some of the “best value” guitars under $2000 and $1000.
Wise words. The problem is that the Fender lines and countries of production change, but consumer's opinions are often based on outdated information that doesn't square with current manufacturing realities.
I’ve owned many strats and I noticed a big difference on the thickness of the rosewood board on my Robert Cray MIM and a 60’s CS strat I own. The MIM board is quite a bit thinner, but plays great!
Perhaps the CS strat is replicating an early 60's strat. Those hade thick slab boards I seem to recall. The later 60's strats had thin laminated boards. So it could actually be intentional and not a quality issue.
Early rosewood boards were slab cut. Flat bottom, curved top. Most later Strats have a rosewood veneer over a curved maple top. Robert Cary’s Strat was a ‘64 which would’ve been a veneer so your MIM is accurate. Your CS ‘60s is probably based on a ‘62 so also correct as the change happened around ‘63.
@@justinhowell3527 Mine’s a ‘94 I picked up for a song from a coworker. It too has seen a number of questionable modifications during my “Ooh, I wanna try THIS pickup” days, including a sketchy Buck Owens paint job 😆. It’s currently wearing a bridge Mighty Mite P-90 that punches way above it’s weight and a couple of Alnico Strat pickups in the bridge and middle. The quack from the middle and the P-90 is like nothing I’ve ever heard before. Love it!
@@corneliuscrewe677 hahaha, I did the same with mine! The kid I traded an Ibanez RG and cash for the guitar had already pulled the bridge pickup and installed a Seymore Duncan "Pearly Gates" in the bridge. I changed pickups out several times but I'm back with the original neck and middle pickups and I've paired them to a Lollar Strat Special in the bridge. kinda wish I still had the original pickup, oh well.
@@justinhowell3527 😆 Yeah, mine was wearing an EMG 85 for a long time. Truth be told, I almost always play it on the P-90, but I really love that middle/bridge sound on this one.
I have a left handed 2005 Fender Telecaster (strung right handed) that was a steal at a very affordable price. I’ve used it on 6 of the 8 albums I’ve released and it performed flawlessly. The Mexican Tele was recommended to me by my older brother John Beland a well known veteran country rock Tele player and Jeremy Spencer of Fleetwood Mac who both use one.
Speaking as a bassist who has been playing 50+ years, and who has played several different basses over the years, I've recently had to make the move to a short scale, and my MIM Player series PJ Mustang is a great bass and well worth what I paid for it. Comfortable, playable, with a great range of usable tones. Since then I've bought a Squier Classic Vibe Mustang bass which is also great.
I have Squire 50’s Tele (with a pine body). It’s a great guitar! I’ve been play 50+ years, most professionally and this guitar plays great and sounds great. For $400. You can beat it!
The biggest flaw, I find, with Fender is the inconsistency of their setups. ... I've picked up $2,000 Fender basses that were badly if not even setup. But every time I pickup a Musicman bass they're great. ... I heard MM does a setup before they're sent out and I guess Fender leaves the setup to the music store/seller. ... I have lots of older Fender bass, 60's/70's that once they settle in they don't move around too much. ... Two years ago I bought a MM Sterling 5-string, built in Indonesia, that plays great and hasn't moved at all.
Setting up an instrument before shipping is kind of redundant. All kinds of things can change the setup between leaving the factory and being placed in a showroom.
Thank You for your rant, it helped to settle my questions and mind, because I was wondering why I can credit one fender bass and not the other, now I know, once again thanks.
Very cool vid, thanks. I'll add my $.02. I have a '13 Mexi-tele, love it. When I bought it someone told me the MIMs aren't "finished off" as well as US models. It was true. The frets needed dressing, the neck needed some tweeking, major setup issue. But once you've taken care of that the guitar is fantastic ! Very happy. Keep up the vids, thanks again !
There are so many flavors of Fender guitars, it’s mine boggling. Frankly, I think they’re diluting their brand. I forecast that in the future, many people will turn to Fender guitars made in Asia, which are beautifully built and much more affordable.
I don't know if you are an American TMO, if you are I'am glad that you are that objective toward Fender. I have a 2011 USA Strat that I love, .... but my MIM Tele , for half the price is awesome. I have Japanese and Korean guitars that are equally as good. I think your comment right on the money
@@TheBEOTS I have a squire tele made Indonesia that is probably my favorite out of10 I own+ yes, I'm part American Indian and most proud of being a born and bread native of Ohio Co, Ky ( birth place of none other than Bill Monroe)
I have MIA, MIM and Indonesian Fender/Squier basses. The MIM bass feels the best to me. The tone quality of all three are great. All are extremely comparable. I recently played an early 90’s Pedulla bass. The difference between the Fender’s and the Pedulla was like driving a Toyota Corolla then jumping in to a new Lexus.
I bought a 2014 fender fsr hot rod HH Mexican strat special edition in 2014 with the flat black body and gloss black pick guard with the maple neck. Came with dual cream colored dimorzzio humbuckers with matching knobs. Apparently only 250 of these models were made worldwide. Sounded damn good. I installed fender locking tuners, a bone nut, black seymour duncan 59' model humbucker neck and back seymour duncan full shred bridge humbucker, all black nobs, seymour duncan 500k volume pot and gold plated input jack. Set it up to lowest action and perfect intonation and sounds absolutely incredible, plus looks bad ass and unique.
I think it's important to NOT assume when someone says, "I don't want to pay that for a Mexican-built guitar," that they're referring to quality concerns. I try to buy American (everything--not just gear) when I can, especially for pricier products, for two reasons: I don't want to send American dollars to another country, and I do want to support American production and thereby keep it extant. We went, in fifty short years, from making everything, to making nothing but weapons of war. This country relies on Mexico, China, India, etc. etc. etc., for everything. I remember about five or ten years ago, someone did a challenge where they got rid of everything in their house that wasn't American made, and all they were left with was a hat.
Who's hands made something is less important than who designs and markets the products. For example Apple is an American company that designs and markets the iPhone. They phone is made in China for $50, and you pay $800 for it. That money makes the American company wealthy. Fender is an American company that uses parts from around the world to make their American guitars. Also, if you're trying to do something good for American workers, buy a Toyota Camry, they have more American parts than a Ford and are made in the USA.
@@GarysGuitarsUSA For many people, the consideration is human rights, working conditions and whether or not to fund sweatshops. Also, the fender factory actually makes their own hardware, in fact a lot of the hardware in the Mexican guitars is made in the corona factory. Btw I drive an american toyota.
@@CraigFlowersMusic we're a Fender dealer for parts as well as guitars, the hardware parts come in with "Made in Korea" on the packaging. Bridges, tuners, etc. CTS no longer has US production, nor does Sprague. Also they do "piece work" for the American guitars at the Mexico factory, I know it for a fact because one of the owners of Fender told me. The truth is we're living in the "Global Century," and Made in the USA doesn't mean what it used to.
@@GarysGuitarsUSA A CZcams video of a recent tour of the Fender factory in Corona by Lee Anderton and Peter Honore where you can see for yourself: czcams.com/video/WBDOdXEL3Jw/video.html
@@CraigFlowersMusic 30:30 "all of these components that are stamped Fender are made in house are there? Not made in house, but made, but made for you?" "made for us, yes, they're replicas of the original ones."
Great video thank you for posting. I used to be one of those who thought the headstock had to say Made in USA for it to be a good guitar or a "real" Fender. I was very wrong. I have a 2021 Tele and Strat in Surf Pearl and absolutely love them. They have no fret sprout issues, sounds beautiful and were ready to play straight out the box.
I'm sure some are fine indeed, but I bought a Players tele this year, and sold it 3 months later. Fit and finish were fine, but I would've had to replace the pickups and electronics to be satisfied. Very muddy sound. So at $750, I think they are too overpriced. You'd have to do the same replacement for a Squier that costs hundreds less.
You don’t buy them new ever, you buy them used for $350 put in pickups $150 tops, tuners and new nut, $80 and you have a USA quality fender with better paint due to USA epa paint rules. You have a great guitar for less than $600
@@james-he7xv that's a great way to do it. I have several guitars that I've used that exact blueprint with, and am happy with the results. Tried the Players for a special project, and it bit me in the process. Bought a Tagima for $280, and did what I usually do, what you said you did too, and am much happier.
Last time I checked Mexico is in north America .they also have a huge guitar playing culture, so I think they take a lot of pride in their manufacturing prowess , thats my uninformed opinion.
I’ve never owned a MIM P or Tele that has ever let me down. My recently-traded ‘21 Vintera P (Seafoam Green) was Made In Mexico, and the Tele I’ve received in trade is an ‘07 MIM…it feels, plays and sounds fantastic.
I had a $2k American Acoustasonic.. it was very nice. I currently own a Mexican made Acoustasonic (because I really like the appointment changes like 9v battery vs the rechargeable).. it's also amazing! Similar quality, and any cost cutting appointment were transparent in marketing and totally acceptable for me
I got a MIM Tele in 2000. Upgraded the pickups to SD with a split mini-humbucker at the neck and 5-way switching. 24 years later it’s still one of my favorite guitars.
I'm 70 years old and live in Prince Edward Island, Canada.Been playing for over 55 years.My first "good" guitar was a blond, rosewood board, birds eye maple neck Telecaster bought new when in high school 1968 when all 'decent' guitars were American made.It was a fine guitar with a neck to die for. Since then I've owned a new 1992 American Standard Tele (gun metal blue) that was a disappointment with a clubby neck. I soon got rid of it in favor of a used mid 80's Japanese Custom reissue Tele because of the 'C' neck shape, bridge type and general build quality and feel. MIJ - much better guitar. at the time.Mexican? Never liked the necks. Currently, I've been playing Chinese Classic Vibe guitars,(a 2009 CV Custom Tele) that blow them all away,and not just for the money either. The way prices have gone up up up and the exchange on the dollar here in Canada, American or Mexican guitars just aren't worth it. Classic Vibe guitars may be the best thing Fender has done since the 60's, if not ever.Just my opinion,I could be wrong.
I have a Player Series Tele that I bought last April, right after the Covid lockdown started. Great guitar. It immediately became a favorite to play (and I own a PRS McCarty, a Carvin AE-185 and a few others). I recently picked up a MIM 1994 Strat. This is the same year the Mexico Factory burnt to the ground. I believe it was February of 94. My guitar says it was made in July. I contacted Fender with the serial number and they were gracious enough to send me the specs. So I'm not sure if production was fully underway in Mexico or if some of it was built at the Corona factory. But this 94 Strat, it says MIM on the headstock, is the most comfortable to play! Perfect rosewood fretboard.
I never got it... Through the years I've been able to try a lot of strats. I've played signature series, standard, Mexican, Indonesian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese... some I thought were really good, some were not. Just judge a guitar by its feel and sound, not by the decal on the headstock. Why do guitarist have such big ego's?? It really pisses me off. First, I strongly believe that every guitarist, sooner or later, wants to modify his (or her) guitar to his (or her) specs. So, then what to do with your expensive Signature little strat? Second, with a fancy custom American $2000 plus made Fender you cannot blame your gear for your poor playing. When the guitar is good, focus on your playing, not on the decal...
I bought my son a mex strat with humbucker bridge p.u. about 17 years ago. I loved the body and neck but the wiring of volume, tone configuration was not as practical as an American 2000 strat I bought and still have.
Relax. "It really pisses me off..." 😳😆🥱 That's ridiculous. Firstly, you're totally exaggerating the prevalence of what you're talking about. You seem like you're probably "pissed off" about alot of stuff and that likely has more to do with *YOUR* ego than the buying habits of the people you're moaning about. As for Fender - it's pretty rare today to pick up a "bad" Fender whether it's a $230 Squire Affinity series, $500 Squire Classic Vibe, an $1100 Vintera, $1600 American Professional II, $2000 American Original 50's/60's or a $5000 Custom Shop. That can be said for pretty much every guitar manufacturer today. We're in the golden age of production model guitars and all pretty much any off the rack guitar might need is a decent set up. So if someone can afford it and (here's the important part Mr. Judgy Angry Pants) it *makes them happy* there's absolutely nothing bad or detrimental about it. There's certainly not anything about the guitar someone buys that can keep them from focusing on their playing. That has to do with their own wants and motivation, not with the guitar they're coveting. Some people are never going to go beyond open chords and power chords and none of them - aside from maybe a small segment of 10 to 12 year olds - actually *believe* the decal on a headstock is going to make them play better. That you seem to think such a large majority of players/people actually think that way again only speaks to *your* ego and not theirs. In the end, people want what they want because they like it. They grew up around it, their favorite artist played one and that what they want. If it never goes any deeper than that for some people, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. It's not about their "ego" it's about their enjoyment. If the guitar is a dud, they'll figure that out eventually and learn from it. But again, almost any production model guitar from the last 15 years or more is a set up away from being a great playing guitar. So stop being so condescending and judgemental about what you *perceive* people's purchasing habits to be. You just sound like a jealous blow hard who's mad that they're a decent guitar player who can't spare the extra scratch for the expensive guitar you want and saw in the hands of a less skilled player who had the extra dough.
The point is that Fender specifies lower quality materials for the MX factory, and even lower quality for the Indonesian and Chinese factories. There's more to the low prices than just the lower labor costs. When you buy a US or JP Fender, you are getting an inherently better guitar, by design, then you are getting from MX, etc. That's not to say that the guitars coming from MX aren't perfectly serviceable and in some cases exceptional, but it's simply not rational for a guitarist to attempt to test every possible example of a given instrument before purchasing. I would never buy an MX instrument except to use as a dive bar or travel beater, or as an experiment platform. They are simply not professional level instruments, and in the grand scheme of things, a $2000 guitar, a $2000 amp, and a $2000 pedalboard of professional quality, isn't going to be a deterrent to a serious musician who uses these as tools of their trade. The median US household income is about $64,000 a year in 2021, so even if I have two guitars for two different tunings, two amps to play stereo or wet/dry, and a full pedalboard, $10,000 USD at new replacement cost invested in pro level gear that lasts literally several decades at a minimum isn't going to bankrupt anyone. Most people think absolutely nothing of spending $20-30K on a new car every 4-8 years. I've had my guitar for 30 ($940 new in 1991, would cost about $2000 today), and there's no reason to suspect I won't have it for the rest of my life. It's sort of pathetic, the lengths that people will go to to justify not being able to afford professional gear. No one cares, get over it. Just make your music, and stop worrying about what other people have.
I currently have two MIM Fender guitars, an older (1990s) Jazz Bass and a Telecaster Custom w/Bigsby purchased last year. Both feel and play great. The only issue about the Tele was the lead pickup, which sounded real thin. I replaced it with a Seymour Duncan Hot Tele that is also a much better match for the neck humbucker. Now it is a real nice and versatile guitar.
I have a 1996 stratocaster fender branded, labeled Squier by fender, but it does have the fender brand on it. It was made in Mexico. It still plays and sounds great.
I recently bought a made in Mexico strat from guitar center and I had the money to buy any guitar I wanted, I must have played on 20 different guitars that day I played 4 gretch 3 different Gibson les paul, American strats an Tele, paul Reed Smith, an I picked up this black strat didn't know where it was made just hooked it up checked every note to make sure good intonation started then playing on it an after the first song I played I knew this is the 1 an it turned out to be made in Mexico 🇲🇽 I honestly believe it's the best I've ever owned and I've has several high quality instruments the tone is beautiful and the neck action second to none I love this 🎸 guitar it's an extreme instrument..
Personally I find the 2916 and later 50's Mex st's some of the nicest playing guitars ever, having played Fender for over 40 years. These use the old Japan tooling.
I had a Mexican Standard Fender Strat I got brand new in 2012. That was my main guitar from that moment onward until 2019. Well made guitar that handled traveling, gigs, and all. The only issue I ever had with it was those stock ceramic pickups weren't my taste. But I know other people liked them and can make them sound well. Last month I bit the bullet and bought a Player Series Tele, and it might just be the best guitar I've ever owned. I'm still in the honeymoon phase but it's no exaggeration that it has the best pickups I've ever had stock in a guitar, and it plays just as well, if not better than my old MIM Strat.
I own a MIM Fender Strat S-S-H from 1996. A wonderful instrument with carefully worked details. And after all these years no fret sprouts 🙂 Thanks, Gary, for bringing som perspective into this topic about MIMs
I love my Mexican fender. It’s the first and only guitar i got brand new and i’ll never forget the day i came home from school to the fender box in my room being so excited to try a Floyd Rose for the first time. Still remember it well because GTA5 was released that same day and everyone was excited about that.
I own a Mexican Fender Jimmy Hendrix tribute strat (reversed headstock) and It sounds amazing like a sixties strat (creamy but noisy pickups included) and it's sturdy. Fell couple of times and it still works great. Tuning stability is excellent even when bending the trem Hendrix style. Love that machine! 🎸(By the way, my Chinese Squier Tele Thinline is awesome. Not top notch build quality but the sound is absolutely stunning for 450 euros).
Many years ago I worked in the crew for a Fabulous Thunderbirds show, and the guitar tech and I were talking and he handed me a strat and told me to check it out. I thought he was talking about the huge gauge of strings on it, but he said No man, look at the headstock. And low and behold it was made in Mexico. He then said they use them because they are good sounding and good playing guitars, and if one were destroyed or came up missing, that it would then be no big deal because it wasn't their old valuable strats. So I am a believer that the Mexican Fenders are quite a value for the money.
@@GarysGuitarsUSA I wasn't sure, but I just checked my picks that I get from each show I worked, and I have Kid Bangham and Duke Robillard, so Jimmy was gone by then.
Well said. Couldn't agree more. I bought a MIM Strat Deluxe with everything I was looking for and some extras in 2020 for around $1000 all told and, I was blown away by the outstanding quality of the workmanship. It also sounds great. I was half expecting to sell it on but, that will never happen.
I have a 2018 Player Strat and it's absolutely fantastic. I love the Elnico pickup sound. So Straty sounding. And I did know that the MIM and MIA factories pretty close together, so my choice was an economical one.
From the online tours of the Mexico site, it appears to be state of the art and much more organized that the USA plant. The USA plant evolved over the years and had building add as needed for production so….
I own a player's series tele. Love it. Couldn't justify spending the extra $$$ for the same exact item made by Joe instead of Josė
Nailed it.
ILMFAO
Same here. I played a vintera and USA made teles and could not justify the price difference. I bought the MIM and love it.
weeeeeeerd
my musician uncle once joked: “it might be Jose making those in California, and his brother/cousins making the other in Mexico” ;)
I have a Jimmie Vaughan Mexican strat and it’s amazing… the only flaw with it is the bad notes I hit when jamming…
I have the same damned problem with my '58 Strat! It's also amazing, until . . . ;-)
I have that one, too, the early release with the poplar body. I think it has a certain charm.
This is a great guitar.
The extended warranty covers that lol.
bad notes lead to the right notes man
Been playing for 30 years. I've had dozens of guitars ranging from my early $300ish (2022 equivalent) guitars up to later $2000+ guitars. I've played them all. I used to care about the "made in..." thing. I recently bought a player series jazzmaster. The only thing I've changed are the pickups. I installed some lollars. I'm telling you, that may the best guitar I've ever owned. It's perfect for me. Also, the newer Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster is unbelievably good. Don't fall for the "made in blah blah " nonsense. Try as many guitars as you can without prejudice. When you find "the one", trust me, it won't matter. Get it and love it. Be proud of it. That's my 2 cents.
Yes, Jose now works in Corona and bought a small horse ranch in Norco.
Well if you had a pre cbs you would think differently.....
Started playing at church back in 2010. I needed a serviceable electric (mine was juuuuuunk). So I go to the guitar shop a few towns over. My budget was $300 ish with 0 bias. I played every single guitar in the shop under $300. I left with a $180 Indonesian Ibanez HSS super strat. It had the best tuning stability with neck & action etc.
Your 2 cents was dead on.
@@fredfloyd34 I owned one. 63. Nowhere near as good as many say they are. Best woods. Other than that, pretty inferior. Action and setup wasn't that important back then as they hadn't realized how important it was. At 13 I started messing around with it and that is how I became very good at setting guitars up. Then started building them. Fenders and gibsons are American icons but I'll take a guild or a gretch over them both. But I do love a stratocaster. I paid 263 dollars for mine.
Honestly, as a professional guitarist and prior to the pandemic I was working composer/musician, I trust Mexican made Fender guitars well and it's a default for me. My Jazzmaster is made in Mexico and it is my favorite guitar. There are "Made in USA" models that I actually do not care for because at times the tone can sound brittle. That does not mean that either are poorly made but the Mexican models just deliver what I desire. As mentioned in this video, each factory is not far from each other and they do share parts. In lots of cases most people won't be able to tell the difference between Mexican and US. The Mexican factory is great, there are professionally trained staff there, they do a great job and usually produce a solid product.
Thank you. I recieved a Mexican Strat 3 yrs ago for a birthday present from my wife. I wasn't so sure about it, but after playing, I was impressed. Great sound and very playable. I still use it quite alot, I've taken it to the studio, live shows and I keep it handy in my living room when inspiration hits. Damn Good Guitar....
THE STUDIO ???? WHO ARE YOU?
I'm not surprised you like a Mexican Strat because they sound exactly like a USA.
Bought a Mexican strat in 2009 brand new for $450 at a local store. I changed the electronics when I got it and it has hundreds of shows and many thousands of hours played if not tens of thousands. Had one fret job done and it still plays amazingly.
A Strat is a Strat is a Strat. I've owned a number of them, and they all sounded great. My current strat is a Squier. Paid 250.00 for it and spent 200.00 to upgrade the electronics. Damn thing sounds as good or better than my expensive guitars. That tone you're chasing? It's in your hands, your heart, and your mind.
Maybe. The Mexican Fenders in my experience have always been heavier. The fret jobs are hit and miss. I end up replacing the electronics. Squier uses smaller tone pots. Ultimately I just never regret buying the American. They just are a cut above. You pay more for it. The only Squier I hav loved is the J Mascis Jazzmaster. It's great
@@2121toso I bought my first Strat yesterday after 22 years of playing guitar. It's a Ferrari Red Limited edition Player series with ebony neck. It's amazing. I think someone screwed up at the factory because the fretboard had been rolled like all the player plus models that were there.... that being said. EVERY other player model I tried out had fret ends that left a lot to be desired, my 20 year old Indonesian Affinity Strat has better fret work on it than most of them did. There was also another one just like the one I purchased that I couldn't even play because it would have eaten up the side of my hand the fret ends were so sharp.
These Player models should definitely be bought in person, and if that's not an option, the extra couple hundred bucks for a Player Plus is almost non-negotiable imo
@@2121toso the body of a squire compared to the “real deal” is actually smaller, I don’t know if the made in Mexico body is heavier than the USA though… not to mention it’s not really a big difference
@@matthewcantu3127 I had a MiM p-bass that was really heavy and I ended up selling it...I have a "starcaster by fender" p-bass model that I upgraded literally everything on, and now it's fantastic and much lighter than that MiM
@@jasondorsey7110 makes sense, I believe starcasters are hollow bodied basses, but with squire strat guitars and a fender strat, the one made by fender is going to be heavier
I have a 1996 Mexican Strat. Whoever picked the parts, put them together and dressed the frets was having a VERY good day! I bought is used for 150 bucks. It's easily as good as an American Strat worth $2-3000! Unplugged it has unbelievable tone and volume. The balance is perfect standing or sitting. The pickups were really good but I did put in Carvins. The bridge felt good but I switched it out with a really good, butter-smooth Wilkinson.
I bought a Mexican player series tele in February for 749 dollars. I am very impressed with the build quality. I could not find even the slightest scratch.
Could not imagine paying that much for a MIM. I bought my MIM new about 5 years ago for $499. It was really nice. I regretfully sold it a couple years ago for $500 lol.
I have an EVH Frankie tribute guitar made in Mexico. I can’t say enough about the quality, fit and finish. The pliability is absolutely incredible this guitar is my favorite guitar I have ever owned and I only play it now. It blows my mind how good of a quality guitar came out of Mexico. The craftsman down there are incredible.
I've been preaching this for the last few years. The USA and Mexico factories are so strongly integrated the difference is the price point they are building to and not the quality capability of either place.
The Mexican made Fenders match the best quality of American Fenders in the period from the mid 70's to the early 90's. Additionally they are better and more consistent in build quality overall. The player series from Mexico are outstanding quality in wood, hardware and electronics. Used Mexican Fenders are a great value.
I just got my son a MIM Player Telecaster for his birthday. It's a great guitar. I'm happy that they replaced the ceramic pickups with alnico pickups. I like playing it as much as my Fender Pro Strat. Good guitars.
And I bought the American pro Tele and don’t really like it. Replaced the pickups anyway because it had the vmod1 pickups that I didn’t dig and there’s something wrong with the neck angle or pocket depth I think. Mim guitars are great guitars. Love em.
I just got a Fender Stratocaster player series MIM SSH I can't believe how good it sounds, I use to change t ceramic pickups to alnico 5, now I don't have to do nothing to it, sounds almost as good as my USA Strat, no one can really tell the difference.
@@freddiemiranda9325 according to Phil McKnight, the electronics in the player series is identical to the old 'American Standard' guitars, including the pickups. They just moved production to Mexico. They are such fantastic guitars! Hope you enjoy yours!
A fellow Casey Lee, hello there
@@Womb2DaTomb Caseys in da Hooouuussse!
I have a 2004 Squire Strat that is really nice. I paid $145 for it. I have played All years of the Strat. This is the nicest I've ever played. Thanks for your rant! I've been playing for 53 years.
I worked at Fender were they have all the custom shop engineers etc. The employees from the factory in Ensenada would come up to our location frequently to work with us.
The factory in Mexico is not subpar by any means. they may as well be two different buildings on the same campus.
on another note I find that the Indonesian made Squire it’s also very good. in fact almost just as good as a Mexican Strat after about $300 of upgrades.
Mark, i bought a Mexican Fender, telecaster back in the mis 90's, for $400 Bucks, New, it has a single coil in the bridge, and a Humbucker in the Neck, with a 5 way switch, this thing sounds and plays Great, i am glad that i bought it, i have looked on line for one from this time period, and i can not find another one, Thanks for your channel, Rock on, Cousin Figel
My #1 guitar, my first electric is a 1991 Fender Standard Stratocaster, made in Mexico.
When I was 16 and my Pop took me to Accent Music here in Vegas in 1992 to pick out my first electric (after 4 months of playing a nylon classical 6 hours a day convinced him that guitar wasn't a "phase" for me). I knew nothing about electric guitar really, but was given some notes by a guy who played as to what to look for. They had several Strats and it was narrowed down to a red one and a blue one. After checking the frets, fret ends, the tuners and the pickups & controls as I was told I saw the red Strat just felt better and since they sounded identical I took the red one.
As the guy was checking us out I heard him tell my Dad something that made my Dad say "Well good, that really works out then."
As we left I asked him what the guy said and he went "The blue one was $450 more...I guess yours is made in Mexico so it's cheaper." I totally admit I felt very confused and weird that the Mexican guitar was the one I preferred by a mile but the other one was "Made in the USA".
As I got older and learned more about guitars and Fender's history I never looked back re: my #1 Strat. The neck is still like butter and over the years I've been offered some very interesting amounts for it...but it's staying. Of course the one I heard the most was when Fender opened the Ensenada factory in late 1989 they just used it for assembly supposedly the first 18 months. Or that a fire broke out in the Ensenada factory so all of Fender's MIM guitars were actually made in the USA for 6 months while the new factory was built.
Occam's razor never seems to enter into the conversation, that hey, isn't it possible that Fender's made in Mexico were just well made instruments from jumpstreet? Now I've played some shitty MIM's over the years during visits to Guitar Center, etc. but I've seen far more that were excellent guitars.
I finally changed the pickups from the stock ceramics to Fender Vintage Noiseless pickups since I was doing lots of recording using amp plugins and just wanted a low noise floor. Other than the pots & blender wiring to get the 7 sound mod my Strat is just as it was 30 years ago this year....fuck that makes me feel old!
I'm old too, I have a California seat since 1997.it was made in USA but painted fiesta red in Mexico. It's a great guitar. I also have lived in Vegas since 1971 and played with Michael Sherwood. We might know each other. Danny Arcotta. Take care, my brother
keep on jammin
@@danarcotta1283 I bet you're a player - I try- and I love it and l love writing songs
@@davidrice3337 are you the david rice that I think you are?
@@danarcotta1283 unless you've spent time in KY, I doubt it- but I believe I've heard your name - are you a professional musician? I am not- but I am a music person- it's in my bones- I sing a little, write a little and I do a little pickin and a lot of grinnin
The Mexican Vintera series really knocked it out of the park. Those guitars sound amazing and where else can you get a nice vintage feel for that price
agree, I bought the 50's vintera tele last year and it is a fantastic instrument
My Mexican made Strat from 2001 is a great guitar and I still love playing it today. I've had to replace a few things on it over the years but it has been a great workhorse.
I bought a Mexican fretless Jazz Bass from a music shop years ago. It had a sunburst body, rosewood neck top but had a white pick guard, cheesy black knobs with numbers and standard-issue pickups. I ended up dropping in Bartolini J-pickups, revamped the tone control circuit, installed a brown tortoise shell pick guard, new cat eye knurled knobs, Badass bridge and traded up from flat-wound strings to half-wounds. It was a fun project that ended up making a huge difference in sound and appearance.
I’ve set up a couple of Mexican Strats and basses… and man, I’ve gotta tell you - if I were to ever come across a 90s era Mexi 6 string or bass guitar on the cheap (people are selling ‘em over-priced now), I’d pick it up in a heartbeat.
Mexican Fender’s are *QUALITY* instruments!
About 3 years ago, I was in the market for a new strat and determined not to buy a Fender. I found the Squier VM series so good, and the Player series to be really cheap feeling, so I got a Squier at half the price. Still love it. I'm glad to say, my recent buying experience was, that the MIM guitars have really stepped up and I'm now the proud owner of a beautiful TVL signature Jazzmaster
Just bought a Squire 70s Classic Vibe Jaguar in surf green and it is worth every penny that I paid for it.
For what it’s worth, I bought a Fender deluxe Strat back in 1992, for $700 new. American made, plus noiseless pups and a roller nut. It was a great guitar, but I’m really more of a Tele guy, so I sold it a few years later.
Now, fast forward and I picked ip a new Squire 60s Vibe Strat is lake placid blue. It was only $430 new, with free shipping. It is freaking awesome! I did a very thorough set up on it, as soon as I got it, and it plays amazing.
While I don’t have the old American deluxe to do a side by side comparison, I do have an expensive American Tele and I can say the fit, finish, playability, etc. is very close. Surprisingly close. So, while it feels good to see Made in America, the quality produced in all of Fender’s factories is now quite good..
I only wish they had these inexpensive but very cool options, back when I was in high school /college.
Last line-True that ! Todays Squires can be made to sound great.
I bought a Mexistrat back in 1994. At the time, the salesperson told me "The Mexican Strats are made with American parts but assembled in Mexico to save labor costs. Also, sometimes the parts might not be up to American Standard standards." I picked out a Candy Apple Red. There is a visible seam in the body under the lacquer but other than that the guitar is perfect. I had a guitar instructor once who asked if he could play my Strat after hearing me play a little. He owns a late 50's Strat and told me mine plays almost as good as his. I told him the story of buying it and he said "The thing about Mexistrats is the consistency. Sometimes you get an awesome guitar, sometimes you get one that's simply good enough. You lucked out. Never sell this." I still own it today.
When I first sat down with my Baja (2006) I knew within 10 minutes that it was comming home with me regardless of where it was made or what they were asking. Just saying....
Absolutely agree. I’ve got one as well and the build quality and tone is equal to my higher end guitars. Love the Baja :-)
I have a custom shop strat and I love the player series. They are outstanding instruments. It's similar to Taylor MiM guitars. The quality is so high with the Taylor MiM too but there are so many goons who say "oh, not made in Murica, that's me out." Mexico is putting out some seriously good guitars
Why don't you sell your custom shop and buy 8 of player series guitars?
@@jdl2180 💩
It's all a function of price, the lower cost Taylors and Martins are designed like that, even if they weren't made in Mexico they would have no binding and ply sides, has nothing to do with where the factory is, they do a great job.
@@jdl2180 That’s the $64,000 question. Lol. And quite frankly, if you know some historical aspects of Mexican culture and how their QC is defined, you’d know where the hesitancy comes from. (But like everything now manufactured, overall quality has gone up everywhere. The classic vibe series originally really knocked peoples socks off)
I have a 2015 MIM Precision bass and I love it. Since I bought it, I've considered upgrading some of the parts but have never bothered because it all works and sounds great
Badass 2 bridge is all you really need man. It'll sustain like a champ after you put that on.
Bought a MIM Vintera 60's Jazz Bass this year and could not be happier with the quality and feel. Their Mexican factory puts out some great quality instruments.
Heck, I've got a 12 year-old fender 21-fret, MIM and it sounds and plays incredibly well, the build is just wonderful!
I GOT LUCKY, and found the guy who had bought it 12-years ago, played it a couple times, and just found out he didn't have the patience to learn, he said, I still can't believe that sales manager sold me this, he FINALLY convinced me to buy it, and low and behold he just left it in the closet!!
And lucky part was not only was it still new with no wear, it was a lefty!! And believe you me, being a lefty it's not easy to find these things at all...
Been playing it ever since, damn thing sounds scary good :-)
Hey Gary, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for this “rant”. I am often horrified by how so many people make decisions about purchases of everything. Especially basing them on rumors and gossip, instead of researching the facts. At the end of the day, we should probably be choosing our instruments while we’re blindfolded. It’s a genuine relationship that, once established, hopefully, will last for a lifetime.
Well I never look at the price so much as how it feels to my fingers but for some reason I've always heard the american strat was beat then Japan then Mexico and it kinda stuck in my head. That being said as I've gotten older I've seen some nice MIM Fenders and I think I'm gonna go ahead and get one. The one mistake I made was buying a Chinese Rickenbacker. It place nice but sounds horrible. Lol, love and learn.
I bought a vintera telecaster recently. It is a straight throwback to the 50s. It is vintaged and sounds GREAT. It does need a little FINISH work like de-burring the frets. Minor stuff. It sounds GREAT.
Thank you for the clarity
Really good overview of the current Fender range . There is a lot of snobbery about where its made. I recently bought a Squire Classic Vibe guitar - it looks great and plays great. I also have Fenders which are great too. As Gary says - paly it first and compare them all in the shop first.
just stumbled on your channel and wanted to say I've owned American made and a made in Mexico strat,as a player I felt no difference or heard any difference based on my limited 56 years of experience thanks for your time and efforts
thank you
I have a couple Mexican basses, and other than being a little heavier than their American counterparts, they are incredible workhorses. That have never let me down.
MEXICO is in AMERICA
@@alexbuckles6107 yeah man that's about right, most people don't realize that the 2 factories are only about 40 apart, and that most of the people that built the USA models are of Mexican decent. But like I said the Mexican models that I've owned are quality instruments.
Thanks for the info and advice.I pretty much already knew what you said about MIM Fenders,but it was really refreshing and assuring to see it and hear it from someone that knows what they’re talking about. Thanks again.
There were QC issues with MIM Fenders in the mid-90s like scratchy volume & tone pots and a seized low E tuner which was definitely the case for my '95 Stratocaster Special. It's my first maple neck and it wasn't until I changed the strings for the first time that I realized that it was made in Mexico from looking under the serial number; I didn't care about that. The fact that some of em, if not all, were actually made in America and sent to Mexico confirmed what I always thought all these years. Definite bang-for-the-buck was a true 100% true phrase as I paid $425 brand new over 25yrs ago and spent almost as much upgrading it if not topping it just a bit and it's better than it ever was and I'm happy about it. I've acquired Squier Affinity and Bullet Strats (CIC & CII) and recently a Vintage Modified Precision Telecaster Bass ... LUV EM!
I have a MIM jazz bass for over 10 years now used nearly daily. It's been a fantastic instrument and is of the finest quality. Amazing. If you watch the us factory tour, nearly all the employees are mexican anyway. literally there is no visible difference.
MIM Fenders are fine examples.
Bought a new MIM Hendrix Monterey Strat in 2017. Amazing cosmetics, playability, and tone. I was surprised that I couldn’t find 1 single thing to complain about. Love it.
They have soared in value too. 👍🏼😎🎸
In 1971 I bought a used guitar at a pawn shop in Chicago for $125, the only reason I got it was because Eric Clapton had gone from Gibsons to Fender and I’m glad he did….My guitar is a 54 Strat serial 0260….Thanks Eric ❤️🇬🇧🇬🇧
I bought a made in Mexico Standard Strat in 1993 and still play it at church now for 31 years. Great guitar for $300 new in 1993.
I had an MIM standard strat from the 90's that I gigged with for a while.It was a great guitar! I still own a Tex-Mex Strat from the late 90's that I gigged with for many years. I changed out the pickups and it became my number 1. Country of origin doesn't matter. Some of those are great and some aren't.
My 2000 Mexican Fender Tele was $330... That guitar was the best. I think a guitar of equal quality would be about $1200 these days.
I have '93 strat made in Mex !! Love it. Its burgundy with a white pick guard, changed the pick ups to some Seymour Duncan Humbucker Black Winter and Duncan Distortion. Love it !!
I have the same strat but 2000, burgundy, white pick guard, swapped electronics for a pro series kh20 EMG 81/81 set that looks sick with the black emg’s and mother of pearl pick guard design. Neck is good, some slight issue but store I had it routed at wanted to buy it from me. Zero guitar….to metal guitar for $350…routed body, loaded pro-series pickups / guard. I’ll likely use the kh pro-series in a diff guitar in a year or two and put my HSS setup back in strat then….guitars in great shape 24 years old.
I have a 72' re-issue deluxe tele MIM and it's perfect! Here's something reassuring...Mexicans LOVE guitars and they put alot of love in their products. So if you dout the quality you are mistaken.
most of the employees at the Mexican factory are themselves guitarists. On the phone one day, someone at Fender in AZ asked me about a "BAAss" Breaker, as in the fish.
The player series are basically the same as the old American standard guitars.
@Halli Day I was referring to the specs and cosmetic looks overall.
@Halli Day Ah ok gotcha
Those pickup winding machines down in Mexico are the ORIGINAL winding machines that all the vintage pickups were made on.
So how do they get the old machine to work on the new plastic bobbins exactly, well they don’t, because the machines you speak of are in the custom shop area of fender, and you sir are very wrong…
I have a 2003 MIM "60s Stratocaster" in Lake Placid Blue with a Rosewood neck. The neck fits my hand perfectly and I love the trebly tone you get when you throw the toggle all the way down.
I feel a little better after hearing this. I'd wanted a Fender strat for a while, and just picked up a nice strat at guitar center for $600. Its a made in Mexico player series, actually comes with 2 single coils and a humbucker, looks and feels great. It IS a Fender, just made in Mexico. It saves me some $$$ which is always great. I'm happy with it.
Got an older Robert Cray MIM Hardtail. Great guitar, great workmanship, great price.
They have my favorite Strat neck profile.
I started playing bass about three years ago. An experienced bass playing friend recommended a left handed Squier VM 70s Jazz (Indonesia) as my first bass. About a year later, I wanted a Precision bass. I went back and forth between a MIA and a MIM. I got a Player Series P bass (Mexico) that is great. I then picked up an open box MIM Jazz (Mexico), that I am now using in the band I am in. About 6 months ago, I picked up a mint 2013 American Standard Jazz (US) which is a great instrument. After many hours on the Squier, Player Series, and MIA basses, the MIA is the best bass overall, but I have to say the Player Series is the best bang for your buck. Both of mine feel and play great. Thanks for the video!
Good points you make. Thanks.
Subbed. cool channel. I'm from Georgia, parents are from near the top of Georgia in a little tri-state area where Copperhill Tenn. and Murphy N.C. come together with Mccaysville Ga. I'm 60 years old. When my dad was in the Navy he was stationed at the Kittery navel base and that was where I was born back in 1960. They lived in Portsmouth New Hampshire for a couple of years before coming back to Georgia. I have always wanted to come up there and visit. I subbed because I own a MIM Strat and have always heard the negative stuff about guitars made in Mexico. I've always loved my MIM Strat. looking forward to watching your past and future post. thanks.
Last year, I bought myself an HSH player series strat, and have only played my (much more expensive) PRS a handful of times since. The strat is just amazing! Viva la Strat!
Hey great channel! I’ve just watched about 20 vids. I like that you talk amps as much as guitars. I’ve got probably 25 guitars but recently I’ve gotten into amps. I bought a Tonemaster which I see you talk at leghnth on, 4 x 10 Deville. DSL 40, 4c1, Blues Jr. I’m trying to talk this guy out of his AC 15C1 right now. I only make this list to tell you how interested I am in your channel. Could you talk maybe about the 4 x 10 Fenders some day please? There’s something to them I think. Anyway I’ve subbed. Great videos
Thanks for watching. Next time we have any of those 4x10 amps in we'll do a video
The Mexican made Roadworn Stratocasters were fabulous guitars. I still have mine, and would never part with it.
I always wanted one of those Roadworns they always looked so nice never tried one tho.
I had a Roadworn P Bass that played and sounded amazingly!
I love these vids from this channel. So great to hear from guitar store owners about the market, prices, quality of different instruments. Would love to hear your thoughts on some of the “best value” guitars under $2000 and $1000.
Wise words. The problem is that the Fender lines and countries of production change, but consumer's opinions are often based on outdated information that doesn't square with current manufacturing realities.
I’ve owned many strats and I noticed a big difference on the thickness of the rosewood board on my Robert Cray MIM and a 60’s CS strat I own. The MIM board is quite a bit thinner, but plays great!
It's hardly fair to compare a CS Strat with a Mexican one.
Perhaps the CS strat is replicating an early 60's strat. Those hade thick slab boards I seem to recall. The later 60's strats had thin laminated boards. So it could actually be intentional and not a quality issue.
I found my American rosewood strat had a super thing piece of rosewood compared to my 90's samick. Could be intentional style, could be cost cutting.
@@felixfranzen7578
I’m sure it’s cost cutting since the Robert Cray signature model is based on his early 60s Strat.
Early rosewood boards were slab cut. Flat bottom, curved top. Most later Strats have a rosewood veneer over a curved maple top. Robert Cary’s Strat was a ‘64 which would’ve been a veneer so your MIM is accurate. Your CS ‘60s is probably based on a ‘62 so also correct as the change happened around ‘63.
The MIM Fenders from the 90’s and 2000’s were some of the best bang for your buck guitars there were.
Truth. I have a heavily modded 95 MIM Strat, still my number 1 guitar.
@@justinhowell3527 Mine’s a ‘94 I picked up for a song from a coworker. It too has seen a number of questionable modifications during my “Ooh, I wanna try THIS pickup” days, including a sketchy Buck Owens paint job 😆. It’s currently wearing a bridge Mighty Mite P-90 that punches way above it’s weight and a couple of Alnico Strat pickups in the bridge and middle. The quack from the middle and the P-90 is like nothing I’ve ever heard before. Love it!
I used my MIM P-bass with a Trace Elliot 7 band equalizer, back in the 90"s, sounded really good.
@@corneliuscrewe677 hahaha, I did the same with mine! The kid I traded an Ibanez RG and cash for the guitar had already pulled the bridge pickup and installed a Seymore Duncan "Pearly Gates" in the bridge. I changed pickups out several times but I'm back with the original neck and middle pickups and I've paired them to a Lollar Strat Special in the bridge. kinda wish I still had the original pickup, oh well.
@@justinhowell3527 😆 Yeah, mine was wearing an EMG 85 for a long time. Truth be told, I almost always play it on the P-90, but I really love that middle/bridge sound on this one.
I have a left handed 2005 Fender Telecaster (strung right handed) that was a steal at a very affordable price. I’ve used it on 6 of the 8 albums I’ve released and it performed flawlessly. The Mexican Tele was recommended to me by my older brother John Beland a well known veteran country rock Tele player and Jeremy Spencer of Fleetwood Mac who both use one.
Speaking as a bassist who has been playing 50+ years, and who has played several different basses over the years, I've recently had to make the move to a short scale, and my MIM Player series PJ Mustang is a great bass and well worth what I paid for it. Comfortable, playable, with a great range of usable tones. Since then I've bought a Squier Classic Vibe Mustang bass which is also great.
I have Squire 50’s Tele (with a pine body). It’s a great guitar! I’ve been play 50+ years, most professionally and this guitar plays great and sounds great. For $400. You can beat it!
My Squier Classic Vibe tele had a pine body.
I have the same guitar and I absolutely love it.
The biggest flaw, I find, with Fender is the inconsistency of their setups. ... I've picked up $2,000 Fender basses that were badly if not even setup. But every time I pickup a Musicman bass they're great. ... I heard MM does a setup before they're sent out and I guess Fender leaves the setup to the music store/seller. ... I have lots of older Fender bass, 60's/70's that once they settle in they don't move around too much. ... Two years ago I bought a MM Sterling 5-string, built in Indonesia, that plays great and hasn't moved at all.
Yes, all Fenders that come into our shop need a re-setup... Luckily our shop is willing and able to do that.
Setting up an instrument before shipping is kind of redundant. All kinds of things can change the setup between leaving the factory and being placed in a showroom.
@@areyoujelton Good point, especially the ones that come over on container ships. In our shop even the $199 Squiers get a complete set up.
Thank You for your rant, it helped to settle my questions and mind, because I was wondering why I can credit one fender bass and not the other, now I know, once again thanks.
Very cool vid, thanks. I'll add my $.02. I have a '13 Mexi-tele, love it. When I bought it someone told me the MIMs aren't "finished off" as well as US models. It was true. The frets needed dressing, the neck needed some tweeking, major setup issue. But once you've taken care of that the guitar is fantastic ! Very happy. Keep up the vids, thanks again !
There are so many flavors of Fender guitars, it’s mine boggling. Frankly, I think they’re diluting their brand.
I forecast that in the future, many people will turn to Fender guitars made in Asia, which are beautifully built and much more affordable.
the epiphones made in Korea are great
I don't know if you are an American TMO, if you are I'am glad that you are that objective toward Fender.
I have a 2011 USA Strat that I love, .... but my MIM Tele , for half the price is awesome. I have Japanese and Korean guitars that are equally as good.
I think your comment right on the money
@@TheBEOTS wrong dude, Jed- I own 4 fender guitars, 1 amp, and a T shirt 🎸🎸🎸
@@TheBEOTS I have a squire tele made Indonesia that is probably my favorite out of10 I own+ yes, I'm part American Indian and most proud of being a born and bread native of Ohio Co, Ky
( birth place of none other than Bill Monroe)
I have MIA, MIM and Indonesian Fender/Squier basses. The MIM bass feels the best to me. The tone quality of all three are great. All are extremely comparable. I recently played an early 90’s Pedulla bass. The difference between the Fender’s and the Pedulla was like driving a Toyota Corolla then jumping in to a new Lexus.
I bought a 2014 fender fsr hot rod HH Mexican strat special edition in 2014 with the flat black body and gloss black pick guard with the maple neck. Came with dual cream colored dimorzzio humbuckers with matching knobs. Apparently only 250 of these models were made worldwide. Sounded damn good.
I installed fender locking tuners, a bone nut, black seymour duncan 59' model humbucker neck and back seymour duncan full shred bridge humbucker, all black nobs, seymour duncan 500k volume pot and gold plated input jack. Set it up to lowest action and perfect intonation and sounds absolutely incredible, plus looks bad ass and unique.
I got a capri orange duo sonic. Been my main guitar for atleast 3 years now. Good topic to talk about!
I think it's important to NOT assume when someone says, "I don't want to pay that for a Mexican-built guitar," that they're referring to quality concerns. I try to buy American (everything--not just gear) when I can, especially for pricier products, for two reasons: I don't want to send American dollars to another country, and I do want to support American production and thereby keep it extant. We went, in fifty short years, from making everything, to making nothing but weapons of war. This country relies on Mexico, China, India, etc. etc. etc., for everything. I remember about five or ten years ago, someone did a challenge where they got rid of everything in their house that wasn't American made, and all they were left with was a hat.
Who's hands made something is less important than who designs and markets the products. For example Apple is an American company that designs and markets the iPhone. They phone is made in China for $50, and you pay $800 for it. That money makes the American company wealthy. Fender is an American company that uses parts from around the world to make their American guitars. Also, if you're trying to do something good for American workers, buy a Toyota Camry, they have more American parts than a Ford and are made in the USA.
@@GarysGuitarsUSA For many people, the consideration is human rights, working conditions and whether or not to fund sweatshops. Also, the fender factory actually makes their own hardware, in fact a lot of the hardware in the Mexican guitars is made in the corona factory. Btw I drive an american toyota.
@@CraigFlowersMusic we're a Fender dealer for parts as well as guitars, the hardware parts come in with "Made in Korea" on the packaging. Bridges, tuners, etc. CTS no longer has US production, nor does Sprague. Also they do "piece work" for the American guitars at the Mexico factory, I know it for a fact because one of the owners of Fender told me. The truth is we're living in the "Global Century," and Made in the USA doesn't mean what it used to.
@@GarysGuitarsUSA A CZcams video of a recent tour of the Fender factory in Corona by Lee Anderton and Peter Honore where you can see for yourself: czcams.com/video/WBDOdXEL3Jw/video.html
@@CraigFlowersMusic 30:30 "all of these components that are stamped Fender are made in house are there? Not made in house, but made, but made for you?" "made for us, yes, they're replicas of the original ones."
mim guitars are great but they keep jacking up the prices
Bought a 95 MIM strat for $200. It’s the best guitar I have ever played. I knew the minute I picked it up that it was gold
Great video thank you for posting. I used to be one of those who thought the headstock had to say Made in USA for it to be a good guitar or a "real" Fender. I was very wrong. I have a 2021 Tele and Strat in Surf Pearl and absolutely love them. They have no fret sprout issues, sounds beautiful and were ready to play straight out the box.
Got my Mexican Nashville Tele last week can't fault it plays Brilliantly
I'm sure some are fine indeed, but I bought a Players tele this year, and sold it 3 months later. Fit and finish were fine, but I would've had to replace the pickups and electronics to be satisfied. Very muddy sound. So at $750, I think they are too overpriced. You'd have to do the same replacement for a Squier that costs hundreds less.
You don’t buy them new ever, you buy them used for $350 put in pickups $150 tops, tuners and new nut, $80 and you have a USA quality fender with better paint due to USA epa paint rules. You have a great guitar for less than $600
@@james-he7xv that's a great way to do it. I have several guitars that I've used that exact blueprint with, and am happy with the results. Tried the Players for a special project, and it bit me in the process. Bought a Tagima for $280, and did what I usually do, what you said you did too, and am much happier.
Last time I checked Mexico is in north America .they also have a huge guitar playing culture, so I think they take a lot of pride in their manufacturing prowess , thats my uninformed opinion.
I’ve never owned a MIM P or Tele that has ever let me down. My recently-traded ‘21 Vintera P (Seafoam Green) was Made In Mexico, and the Tele I’ve received in trade is an ‘07 MIM…it feels, plays and sounds fantastic.
I had a $2k American Acoustasonic.. it was very nice. I currently own a Mexican made Acoustasonic (because I really like the appointment changes like 9v battery vs the rechargeable).. it's also amazing! Similar quality, and any cost cutting appointment were transparent in marketing and totally acceptable for me
I got a MIM Tele in 2000. Upgraded the pickups to SD with a split mini-humbucker at the neck and 5-way switching. 24 years later it’s still one of my favorite guitars.
Once you own and play a Fender Custom shop guitar, there's no going backwards. Save up!
I'm 70 years old and live in Prince Edward Island, Canada.Been playing for over 55 years.My first "good" guitar was a blond, rosewood board, birds eye maple neck Telecaster bought new when in high school 1968 when all 'decent' guitars were American made.It was a fine guitar with a neck to die for.
Since then I've owned a new 1992 American Standard Tele (gun metal blue) that was a disappointment with a clubby neck. I soon got rid of it in favor of a used mid 80's Japanese Custom reissue Tele because of the 'C' neck shape, bridge type and general build quality and feel. MIJ - much better guitar. at the time.Mexican? Never liked the necks.
Currently, I've been playing Chinese Classic Vibe guitars,(a 2009 CV Custom Tele) that blow them all away,and not just for the money either.
The way prices have gone up up up and the exchange on the dollar here in Canada, American or Mexican guitars just aren't worth it.
Classic Vibe guitars may be the best thing Fender has done since the 60's, if not ever.Just my opinion,I could be wrong.
Mr Mac Ewen, I believe you are spot on, - wish I could learn from you -
love my MIM Strat, upgraded the hardware and electronics to custom shop level, and took my time setting it up properly, sounds and plays great
Now that's the way to do it!
I have a Player Series Tele that I bought last April, right after the Covid lockdown started. Great guitar. It immediately became a favorite to play (and I own a PRS McCarty, a Carvin AE-185 and a few others). I recently picked up a MIM 1994 Strat. This is the same year the Mexico Factory burnt to the ground. I believe it was February of 94. My guitar says it was made in July. I contacted Fender with the serial number and they were gracious enough to send me the specs. So I'm not sure if production was fully underway in Mexico or if some of it was built at the Corona factory. But this 94 Strat, it says MIM on the headstock, is the most comfortable to play! Perfect rosewood fretboard.
I never got it... Through the years I've been able to try a lot of strats. I've played signature series, standard, Mexican, Indonesian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese... some I thought were really good, some were not. Just judge a guitar by its feel and sound, not by the decal on the headstock. Why do guitarist have such big ego's?? It really pisses me off. First, I strongly believe that every guitarist, sooner or later, wants to modify his (or her) guitar to his (or her) specs. So, then what to do with your expensive Signature little strat? Second, with a fancy custom American $2000 plus made Fender you cannot blame your gear for your poor playing.
When the guitar is good, focus on your playing, not on the decal...
I bought my son a mex strat with humbucker bridge p.u. about 17 years ago. I loved the body and neck but the wiring of volume, tone configuration was not as practical as an American 2000 strat I bought and still have.
@@allanrussack2844 electronics are the easiest parts to swap👍
Relax. "It really pisses me off..." 😳😆🥱 That's ridiculous. Firstly, you're totally exaggerating the prevalence of what you're talking about. You seem like you're probably "pissed off" about alot of stuff and that likely has more to do with *YOUR* ego than the buying habits of the people you're moaning about.
As for Fender - it's pretty rare today to pick up a "bad" Fender whether it's a $230 Squire Affinity series, $500 Squire Classic Vibe, an $1100 Vintera, $1600 American Professional II, $2000 American Original 50's/60's or a $5000 Custom Shop. That can be said for pretty much every guitar manufacturer today. We're in the golden age of production model guitars and all pretty much any off the rack guitar might need is a decent set up.
So if someone can afford it and (here's the important part Mr. Judgy Angry Pants) it *makes them happy* there's absolutely nothing bad or detrimental about it. There's certainly not anything about the guitar someone buys that can keep them from focusing on their playing. That has to do with their own wants and motivation, not with the guitar they're coveting. Some people are never going to go beyond open chords and power chords and none of them - aside from maybe a small segment of 10 to 12 year olds - actually *believe* the decal on a headstock is going to make them play better. That you seem to think such a large majority of players/people actually think that way again only speaks to *your* ego and not theirs.
In the end, people want what they want because they like it. They grew up around it, their favorite artist played one and that what they want. If it never goes any deeper than that for some people, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. It's not about their "ego" it's about their enjoyment. If the guitar is a dud, they'll figure that out eventually and learn from it. But again, almost any production model guitar from the last 15 years or more is a set up away from being a great playing guitar. So stop being so condescending and judgemental about what you *perceive* people's purchasing habits to be. You just sound like a jealous blow hard who's mad that they're a decent guitar player who can't spare the extra scratch for the expensive guitar you want and saw in the hands of a less skilled player who had the extra dough.
@@AnodyneHipsterInfluencer well...probably you know best. You're an influencer...👍
The point is that Fender specifies lower quality materials for the MX factory, and even lower quality for the Indonesian and Chinese factories. There's more to the low prices than just the lower labor costs. When you buy a US or JP Fender, you are getting an inherently better guitar, by design, then you are getting from MX, etc. That's not to say that the guitars coming from MX aren't perfectly serviceable and in some cases exceptional, but it's simply not rational for a guitarist to attempt to test every possible example of a given instrument before purchasing.
I would never buy an MX instrument except to use as a dive bar or travel beater, or as an experiment platform. They are simply not professional level instruments, and in the grand scheme of things, a $2000 guitar, a $2000 amp, and a $2000 pedalboard of professional quality, isn't going to be a deterrent to a serious musician who uses these as tools of their trade. The median US household income is about $64,000 a year in 2021, so even if I have two guitars for two different tunings, two amps to play stereo or wet/dry, and a full pedalboard, $10,000 USD at new replacement cost invested in pro level gear that lasts literally several decades at a minimum isn't going to bankrupt anyone. Most people think absolutely nothing of spending $20-30K on a new car every 4-8 years. I've had my guitar for 30 ($940 new in 1991, would cost about $2000 today), and there's no reason to suspect I won't have it for the rest of my life.
It's sort of pathetic, the lengths that people will go to to justify not being able to afford professional gear. No one cares, get over it. Just make your music, and stop worrying about what other people have.
The cnc machine doesnt know what country it in
I've had a few Fenders in my time, US; Japan and Mexico. The white Player Tele MN I bought earlier this year is the best so far.
I'm really digging your videos, brother. Thank you for making these.
Your chances of having your guitar built in Mexico by someone who actually plays guitar are higher than it being made in America.
I currently have two MIM Fender guitars, an older (1990s) Jazz Bass and a Telecaster Custom w/Bigsby purchased last year. Both feel and play great. The only issue about the Tele was the lead pickup, which sounded real thin. I replaced it with a Seymour Duncan Hot Tele that is also a much better match for the neck humbucker. Now it is a real nice and versatile guitar.
I have a 1996 stratocaster fender branded, labeled Squier by fender, but it does have the fender brand on it. It was made in Mexico. It still plays and sounds great.
I recently bought a made in Mexico strat from guitar center and I had the money to buy any guitar I wanted, I must have played on 20 different guitars that day I played 4 gretch 3 different Gibson les paul, American strats an Tele, paul Reed Smith, an I picked up this black strat didn't know where it was made just hooked it up checked every note to make sure good intonation started then playing on it an after the first song I played I knew this is the 1 an it turned out to be made in Mexico 🇲🇽 I honestly believe it's the best I've ever owned and I've has several high quality instruments the tone is beautiful and the neck action second to none I love this 🎸 guitar it's an extreme instrument..
Player strat here, no reason to get rid of it. Plays like butter, stays in tune, sounds damn good. Imma hang on to it. ;-)
My first ever electric guitar was a Mexi Strat when i was 12 years old. I still have her today.
Nice piece Gary. Thanks for sharing.
I purchased the Ritchie Blackmore Stat MIM and it was well made and came with a good set-up. I was impressed.
Personally I find the 2916 and later 50's Mex st's some of the nicest playing guitars ever, having played Fender for over 40 years. These use the old Japan tooling.
I had a Mexican Standard Fender Strat I got brand new in 2012. That was my main guitar from that moment onward until 2019. Well made guitar that handled traveling, gigs, and all. The only issue I ever had with it was those stock ceramic pickups weren't my taste. But I know other people liked them and can make them sound well.
Last month I bit the bullet and bought a Player Series Tele, and it might just be the best guitar I've ever owned. I'm still in the honeymoon phase but it's no exaggeration that it has the best pickups I've ever had stock in a guitar, and it plays just as well, if not better than my old MIM Strat.
I own a MIM Fender Strat S-S-H from 1996. A wonderful instrument with carefully worked details. And after all these years no fret sprouts 🙂 Thanks, Gary, for bringing som perspective into this topic about MIMs
I love my Mexican fender. It’s the first and only guitar i got brand new and i’ll never forget the day i came home from school to the fender box in my room being so excited to try a Floyd Rose for the first time. Still remember it well because GTA5 was released that same day and everyone was excited about that.
I own a Mexican Fender Jimmy Hendrix tribute strat (reversed headstock) and It sounds amazing like a sixties strat (creamy but noisy pickups included) and it's sturdy. Fell couple of times and it still works great. Tuning stability is excellent even when bending the trem Hendrix style. Love that machine! 🎸(By the way, my Chinese Squier Tele Thinline is awesome. Not top notch build quality but the sound is absolutely stunning for 450 euros).
Many years ago I worked in the crew for a Fabulous Thunderbirds show, and the guitar tech and I were talking and he handed me a strat and told me to check it out. I thought he was talking about the huge gauge of strings on it, but he said No man, look at the headstock. And low and behold it was made in Mexico. He then said they use them because they are good sounding and good playing guitars, and if one were destroyed or came up missing, that it would then be no big deal because it wasn't their old valuable strats. So I am a believer that the Mexican Fenders are quite a value for the money.
Was Jimmy still with them at the time? The Jimmy Vaughan signature is MIM
@@GarysGuitarsUSA I wasn't sure, but I just checked my picks that I get from each show I worked, and I have Kid Bangham and Duke Robillard, so Jimmy was gone by then.
Well said. Couldn't agree more. I bought a MIM Strat Deluxe with everything I was looking for and some extras in 2020 for around $1000 all told and, I was blown away by the outstanding quality of the workmanship. It also sounds great. I was half expecting to sell it on but, that will never happen.
I have a 2018 Player Strat and it's absolutely fantastic. I love the Elnico pickup sound. So Straty sounding. And I did know that the MIM and MIA factories pretty close together, so my choice was an economical one.
From the online tours of the Mexico site, it appears to be state of the art and much more organized that the USA plant. The USA plant evolved over the years and had building add as needed for production so….