MiM Strats - Your advice please?

plazma · 2011-05-02T23:31:33+00:00

Hi Folks, I have outgrown my trusty Cort and want to acquire a new guitar - and it has to be a Strat. (maybe). A USA-made one is way out of my financial league, so I'm considering a MiM Strat. Could owners of this guitar please advise me if it is worth spending the money, or should I maybe look at a same-price Ibanez? Also, where in Cape Town is the best place to go looking for one? Thanks!

DonovanB

Wizard wrote
Donovan Banks wrote The second I start to care more about where my guitar is made than what it plays like is the moment I (a) lose my identity and (b) start seeing a guitar as an investment rather than a tool to make music.
I have a Made in Cape Town strat.

How does one play that with two front teeth missing?

MIKA-the-better-one

Super simple answer... play a MIA strat,then a MIM...... if you prefer the MIA get it..... but if you find the MIM the same or better get the MIM.....
I have played better MIM strats, with upgrades that feel and sound better than vintage strats.., its all about feel

aubs1

IceCreamMan wrote Thats the exact mentality that ppl end up buying MIA ..poseur value..

WOW !!!!! :? ?

MIKA the better one wrote Super simple answer... play a MIA strat,then a MIM...... if you prefer the MIA get it..... but if you find the MIM the same or better get the MIM.....
I have played better MIM strats, with upgrades that feel and sound better than vintage strats.., its all about feel

+1

I have NO problem with MIM Strats. Like i said in my first post, the ones I've played, like Normans', was pretty awesome.

DonovanB

Aubs1 wrote I can lay my head on a block that the only reason people choose MIM rather than MIA, are budget constraints ...... period!!!

Aubs, I know this isn't what you meant.... but I can't shake the feeling that this kind of statement can be translated to "well, if you're too poor, then drive a beetle..."

To share with you why I get so peeved at comments like that I must tell you a story...

After school I went straight to work. My folks were broke and went to the Caribbean to work for family there and I was on my own at 18, straight out of school. My colleagues were "normal" guys, still living at home rent free. (certainly weren't the worst years of my life, I had a faaaat jol)

I worked hard, paid my rent and tried to keep up with the Joneses, so I got the latest cellphone with what cash I had spare. I felt good.

I didn't have my own car and used to hitch a ride with a work colleague. This same chap, was being picked on because he had a cheaper phone (when I look back I know how irrelevant it really is) and his retaliation was aimed at me, "At least I have my own car."

In one statement he had cheapened all I worked for;my home, my guitars, the fact that I provided for myself. yet I also recognise that he must have felt cheapened by people mocking him for something so dof, a cell phone that does what all the other phones do anyway...

Most people achieve what they do for various reasons. I can assume everyone works hard to earn what they do and afford what they afford.

Then statements like that cheapens a person's livelihood, their career and the 8-16 hours a day one spends making the "lack of budget" that one does.

I know you didn't mean to offend, and I gather that what you meant to say was that "if everyone could afford an MIA strat, they would get it" which economically means Fender would never have produced outside of the USA in the first place and we would have no MIM, MIJ, MIC, MICT or Squiers either.

aubs1

Donovan Banks wrote Aubs, I know this isn't what you meant.... but I can't shake the feeling that this kind of statement can be translated to "well, if you're too poor, then drive a beetle..."

You're absolutely right Don, I can understand why guys would read it like that. But thanx for clearing that up, at least you know me.

Donovan Banks wrote I know you didn't mean to offend, and I gather that what you meant to say was that "if everyone could afford an MIA strat, they would get it" which economically means Fender would never have produced outside of the USA in the first place and we would have no MIM, MIJ, MIC, MICT or Squiers either.

Yep, spot on again! What I meant by "budget constraints" is true, but not in an offensive, but rather realistic way. Does this make sense? I never look down on people's gear, and those who know me will understand what you did.

chris77

As a proud owner of both mia and mim instruments, here's my 2c. The mia has better touches. The trem, the string tees and the neckplate come to mind first. The neck cavity on the mim bodies is also not as snug a fit as the mia. No idea about the actual wood, but from what I gather the mia's have a higher mininum quality spec than the mim's. The necks are, well, neck on neck - nothing better or worse than the other. Electronics seem to be identical both in quality and workmanship. So, what would I buy today if I have to choose? The mim. With a few minor upgrades they are every bit the guitar the mia is, but for quite a few bob less. Then again, as Aubs pointed out the main issue is that I believe the mim to be better value for money. If that wasn't an issue, the it would be an mia.

plazma

Thanks for all the responses guys, I conclude that a MiM Strat is a safe bet.

But several of you hinted at replacing the pick-ups. When I recently ~~drooled over~~ tested a Strat in music shop, I noticed the pick-ups were just as noisy as my cheap Cort. So my next question is: What brand of silent pups do you recommend? That is, replacements that a normal person can afford?

Thanks!

Wizard

plazma wrote Thanks for all the responses guys, I conclude that a MiM Strat is a safe bet.

But several of you hinted at replacing the pick-ups. When I recently ~~drooled over~~ tested a Strat in music shop, I noticed the pick-ups were just as noisy as my cheap Cort. So my next question is: What brand of silent pups do you recommend? That is, replacements that a normal person can afford?

Tonerider.

Manfred-Klose

Tonerider.

and copper foil

MikeM

Or just get Kinmans and be done with it :? Buy once and buy right.

Keira-WitherKay

are you gonna buy the MIM strat new..........??? cos watch trhe 2nd hand market cos USA strats sell from as kow as 6 K ..... i recently bought one from a music store (ussually more expenseive than gumtree) an '83 in original stock condition and it plays beautifully for a mere 7 K .it has a beautiful birds eye maple neck .......

and don't be perturbed when you see a USA strat market at 12 K .unless it's vintage they'll never get that price 2nd hand ... i can get a brand new standard for 12K after discount so 2nd hand they just chancing their arm.....call em and offer 7/8K and they'll prob bite ........
so think before you drop money on a mim new.........

people can say what they like to justify a MIM they are NOT made as well as USA models .....ever wondered how many MIM guitars clapton uses on stage or john mayer ??? if they were so good they would use em, also ask yourself the question if mim guitars were so good, why do people who own them spend the extra cash ??? as most mim players will eventually upgrade to a usa model......... same applies to epiphone les pauls and gibson les pauls.....soon as you can afford it , you step up to the better model..................

AND DAMN RIGHT IF YOUR BUDGET IS LOW THEN A MIM WILL DO PERFECTLY AND IS A WONDERFULLY PLAYABLE INSTRUMENT i won't deny that or put you off buying one .........and IF I WAS ON A BUDGET I COULD EASILY DO MY PRO GIGS ON A MIM .....it's really like comparing a toyota( which i drive ) to a mercedes......... both are solid good cars but no denying which is more luxurious...but both still get you from point A to point B

and the test is blindfold yourself and try a few mim's and a few usa's and make blind test choices ...... and i believe as one matures as a player you will start to feel the subtle difference that make the usa strat a beter buy , cos many of the differences are subtle feel things or tonal improvements or the way the guitar reacts when you bend a string ..cos if you just gonna own one as your 1st electric the MIM will feel awesome.....and rightly so they descent instruments... but fender do step up quality and better woods ect ect when they make a usa model

and i will wager a bet if you buy a MIM now in a few years you will upgrade ... most everyone does..... but we all start somewhere...... and starting on a MIM is way up the ladder to where you could be.......

but look out for a 2nd hand usa one 1st if you buying the mim new.........

DonovanB

Keira WitherKay wroteever wondered how many MIM guitars clapton uses on stage or john mayer ??? if they were so good they would use em,

Why not ask them if they play a MIA standard? Maybe the Highway one? Or do they get custom shop specials that cost more than a luxury car?

AND DAMN RIGHT IF YOUR BUDGET IS LOW THEN A MIM WILL DO PERFECTLY AND IS A WONDERFULLY PLAYABLE INSTRUMENT i won't deny that or put you off buying one .........and IF I WAS ON A BUDGET I COULD EASILY DO MY PRO GIGS ON A MIM .....it's really like comparing a toyota( which i drive ) to a mercedes......... both are solid good cars but no denying which is more luxurious...but both still get you from point A to point B

Did you even read my post? comparing an strat MIM to a MIA is not like comparing a Toyota to a Mercedes.... That is absurd. This is exactly the type of talk that makes me wonder why people buy the guitar in the first place, to play it, or to brag about what you have?

When I got my MIM strat, I was proud of it. I like the guitar and it plays well. Someone approached me at a gig and started discussing it. When he heard it was MIM he then said, "so it won't be a big deal if I bump it over?"

Think about that for a second, Look at your newest guitar. You love it. Now I'll come by and knock it over for some random reason you don't care about? What does that make me?

...... and i believe as one matures as a player you will start to feel the subtle difference that make the usa strat a beter buy

IOW, if you don't agree with me, you must be a bad player so any argument is invalid.

So the verdict is, If you want to be a pro muso, with gear that nobody wants to knock over or judge you for owning. If you want to say, I own such-and-such and it doesn't matter how I play it, then go for a MIA Strat.

ask yourself the question if mim guitars were so good, why do people who own them spend the extra cash as most mim players will eventually upgrade to a usa model......... same applies to epiphone les pauls and gibson les pauls.....soon as you can afford it , you step up to the better model.

Why do most people who own MIM go on to buy MIA? Because it's the cool thing to do.

selbydoodl

Been to both factories, and I can tell y ou the equipment is the same.

Woods used appear pretty close and so do electronics.

A well setup MIM will be just as good as a USA model.

Also remember that MIMS are made in Mexico by mexicans.

USA are made in Amereica by Mexicans too ! ?

AlanRatcliffe

Please dial back your tone knobs a notch or two and keep it nice...

Norman86

selbydoodl wrote Been to both factories, and I can tell y ou the equipment is the same.

Woods used appear pretty close and so do electronics.

A well setup MIM will be just as good as a USA model.

Also remember that MIMS are made in Mexico by mexicans.

USA are made in Amereica by Mexicans too ! ?

The electronic differences being the american standard pickups are slightly better than the mexican standard pickups!
Slight hardware differences too...
but worth the extra price difference? well, thats up to you to decide!

Kalcium

I would imagine the electronics are better on the MIA but you can easily get a MIM and a brand new set of toneriders for cheaper than a MIA...

I think Keira's arguement would stand for Squire vs MIA strat...Epiphone -> Gibson is not the same as MIM -> MIA

Edit: The big bold and capslock text in Keira's post doesn't come across as the friendliest either, its like whoever shouts the loudest is right...

Norman86

Kalcium wrote I would imagine the electronics are better on the MIA but you can easily get a MIM and a brand new set of toneriders for cheaper than a MIA...

I think Keira's arguement would stand for Squire vs MIA strat...Epiphone -> Gibson is not the same as MIM -> MIA

Some squires are extremely good quality these days!! on par with MIM instruments...

MikeM

Here's the best advice you'll see in this thread.

Go out to a music store, play a bunch of strats. Evaluate your own needs, find out what works best for you, and hopefully find a gem. If that gem is a Squier, bargain. If it's a MIA, save up but bind something that calls your name and makes you happy.

DonovanB

MikeM wrote Here's the best advice you'll see in this thread.

Go out to a music store, play a bunch of strats. Evaluate your own needs, find out what works best for you, and hopefully find a gem. If that gem is a Squier, bargain. If it's a MIA, save up but bind something that calls your name and makes you happy.

I have to agree..

although +1 on the second hand thing. There are some bargains out there.

Keira-WitherKay

Kalcium wrote
Edit: The big bold and capslock text in Keira's post doesn't come across as the friendliest either, its like whoever shouts the loudest is right...

Keira WitherKay wrote AND DAMN RIGHT IF YOUR BUDGET IS LOW THEN A MIM WILL DO PERFECTLY AND IS A WONDERFULLY PLAYABLE INSTRUMENT i won't deny that or put you off buying one .........and IF I WAS ON A BUDGET I COULD EASILY DO MY PRO GIGS ON A MIM

but look out for a 2nd hand usa one 1st if you buying the mim new.........

errrr re the "shouting thing " guys it's not shouting it's simply lifting a point....cos read what you consider shouted........it's saying MIM are cool guitars for the money and good enough to do pro gigs on........ thats an endorsement ....... NOT an insult

i wanted to make that clear that i was NOT slating MIM i was just saying that they not as good as MIA .......and if you gonna pay 7K for a new MIM why not buy a 2nd hand MIA for the same price......

so i feel a hint misunderstood and check out a lot of my posts i "bold/capital print" what i think are the important points..... that i don't want lost to the reader amongst any other writing ..........

so truly it seems some people feel offended, sorry was not intended that way ........and btw i recently contacted mike on the site to buy his MIM tele but it was just sold.....so i have no issues with MIM at the price they at 2nd hand ..... he wanted 3K

so yes i don't wanna anger anyone but i do stick to my point ........and if you disagree...cool thats what forum discussions are for ..................but proof of the pudding is just ask any MIA fender player to trade in their MIA and rather use a MIM ...... i think not .....

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