MIJ/CIJ Vs MIA Strats

[nyox]

I was at Davis the other day and happened to see a few CIJ Fender strats. For close to $1k, it seemed very worth the money. Apart from their thinner necks, how do they compare to MIA strats?

Basically, what are the main differences?

 

[Godspeed64]

Japan strats are worth the money IMO.. Great quality and workmanship at an affordable price..
Better than most Mexicans and Koreans I've tried, but of course, it is subjective.. Shouldn't really look at the country of origin; there may be CIJ lemons and MIK gems, etc..
What models are you referring to in general btw?

 

[nyox]

The 57s and 62s, at least these were the ones i saw. Are the CIJ strats limited to just the classic models?

 

[Dime]

the difference between Japanese and American is basically the workmanship put into the guitar.better quality control and all that.

a mexican strat wont really make much of a difference.just the build and origin.you like it you got it.

 

[subversion]

Apart from their thinner necks, how do they compare to MIA strats?

thinner? not quite- it all depends on the neck profile per se, regardless of the county of origin.

 

[zax]

American Strats have more resale value i guess . I prefer the American ones to the Japanese or mexican ones anyday . I find the mexican necks too dry and the japanese ones too glossy

 

[HarrisonYeo]

number of wood pieces used . grade of wood . the hardware used . quality check .

MIA the way to go

 

[hatecrew]

I find the mexican necks too dry and the japanese ones too glossy

True. My japanese tele is damn bloody glossy and it gets sticky pretty easily after around 1.5 hours of playing...if i never wipe the next day it will feel damn yuck. must use water to clean off... but other than that it's perfect. the sound rivals american teles. the texas specials sound damn good. and the paint and finish is flawless and good quality.

I like the feel of my mex and american ones the best. my jag is a 24" scale so it's real easy to play. and nitro as well, so it's damn smooth, but it gets sticky easily as well.

the mexican one never gets sticky. there is a satin poly finish but it's pretty thin so it's non-sticky and plays really well. the only thing i dislike about the mexican strat is that under the pickguard, the finishing is lousy. other than that, my strat is like perfect. the single coils are really damn good. really suprised at how the stock pickups sound like.

 

[Ized]

haha i've heard some mex strats and cij strats that pwn the american ones anyday. In terms of sound tone-wise. zax should know. heh.

 

[Dav_C]

Is the Origin important?

It depends on the owner.

Do you mind a Chinese cooking authentic Italian food for you?

Or do you mind a Japanese acting as cowbow?

How about a BMW made in India?

How about original China made Gucci and Prada?

If the answer is that you don't give a damn; and going to change the pickup and upgrade the circuit, dont' bother about the CORONA made strat.

 

[Ized]

the difference between Japanese and American is basically the workmanship put into the guitar.better quality control and all that.

a mexican strat wont really make much of a difference.just the build and origin.you like it you got it.

I think its rather commonly perceived and accepted notion that Japanese made stuff has superior QC.....

There's a certain reason why Fender dosent condone or allow Japanese-made guitars made by its sister company to be sold in the states. fear of competition knowing the superior japanese build quality.

 

[Ized]

American Strats have more resale value

Let me clarify this. Only for the american standard, and not highway ones

 

[subversion]

I find the mexican necks too dry and the japanese ones too glossy

the Jap models (majority) were made with a gloss finish, hence the feel. the Americans are satin finished while the Mex models have the most fundamental finish in the Standard range, the Classic models- depend on the year of production the models are trying to emulate.

 

[subversion]

Let me clarify this. Only for the american standard, and not highway ones

re-sale value is pegged on demand rather than a guitar & it's country of origin per se. the Highway1 models have a generally lower asking price in the after-market simply because they do not list for much to begin with.

 

[shinobi]

There's a certain reason why Fender dosent condone or allow Japanese-made guitars made by its sister company to be sold in the states. fear of competition knowing the superior japanese build quality.

it is probably the other way around. CIJs are priced to gain an advantage over foreign imports. fender japan has restricted exports all over the world, not just USA.

anyway QC is not a valid reason to why the different countries produce guitars of different quality. a guitar does not sound as good as another because it's specs were not as good to begin with. there are very slight variations in the specs between models made in different countries. why are the specs different? because they are made in different factories (duh)

you can say that the MIA fenders are the cream of the crop, and you wouldn't be wrong. i can play a glossy neck strat and WANT TO BELIEVE that it is better. and it is better. but can you tell? the differences are often so subtle that you will never be able to tell aside from the construction of the guitar.

the last thing you should ask yourself - is it worth paying so much for such a subtle improvement? the answer varies from individual to individual. because it is your money

 

[Ized]

and it is better.

thats all i needed to know. thanks bra

 

[Dav_C]

Decades ago, There were immitation Fenders appearing around the world. Hence Fender licensed it out at least to make some money. In Japan, that 'sub-con' also make Ibanez guitar. I would forget about Japanese Strat but the Mexicans.....are good.

Comparing at the same price bracket:

Fender made the Highway One Series (Made in USA). At that price, you can get a higher spec Mexican Strat. I highly recommend the Classic Player ‘50s Strat and also a few other deluxe models. The spec is just too tempting. One of them even use the same pick up as my Clapton Strat.....