This video helped me to decide which '70's Fender Stratocaster to buy and add to my collection. I had the choice of a real deal 1970's Strat, American Reissue '70's Strat, and the Mexi '70's Strat. I settled on the Mexi '70's Strat and couldn't be happier.
I have a MIM Olympic White but I did some modifications (jumbo frets and YJM Dimarzio pickups) the guitar sounds and feels amazing!! I had several MIA strats, I even had an original 79 (it used to suck) and I can say the MIM is the best strat I ever had. At the end MIM or MIA could be just pure marketing.
The Mexican classic players 50’s, 60’s, & 70’s reissues are all American 🇺🇸 parts assembled in Mexico! 🇲🇽 or so I was told by my uncle who worked at the corona factory for a long time. That’s why if you try to find a 70’s reissue MIM they’re $1000 plus easily!!!
9:24 One string-tree is found on early 70s Strats from late '71 to early through mid '72. They are very short in period which makes them very rare of course and that's how people are able to tell whether they're early or later 70s. I prefer one string-tree which has a much cleaner look. On these reissues, most Strat enthusiasts are able to tell them apart very easily, both look and sound, even feel. I have the American version with one string-tree which technically is a '71 reissue. The American 'AVRI' has Alnico V pups which are reissued 'gray bottoms' from that early period. It also has a 3-way pickup toggle (5-way part included with the AVRI) The saddles are different where string-spacing is wider on the AVRI and the trem block is stainless steel. The tuners (machine heads) on the American version is Made in W. Germany by Schaller- the original tuner made for Fender from the early days, on the Mexican version it is made by Ping (Taiwan). The AVRI has two wood body options - Alder on colored and Ash on Natural, whereas the Mexican version were all Ash wood.
all my fenders are MIM because i don't hear or feel a huge enough difference between a MIA or a MIM, I have a Jimmie Vaughan Strat, A Baja Tele, and recently purchased a 72 reissue thinline Telecaster and they play and sound beautifully and certainly not worth paying double to triple for a guitar MIA. I wish Gibson would do this by having a MIM les paul standard for half the price while still being a Gibson and not an Epiphone Les Paul. Fenders Mexico plant are really cranking out some very nice guitars and amps these days.
The USA and the Mexican plants are approx 100km apart. They just happen to be in different countries which has a massive impact on the cost. The USA plant employees mainly Mexicans!
I recently bought the mim version and man do I love the guitar! I've been playing at least 3 times as much from the day I bought it. Mine is from 1999 and t.b.h., I think it sounds better and is better built than most current USA strats I've played. Great video Joseph, thanks a lot!
1999 was the first year of Mexican production for the 70's reissue Strat, I picked up a 99 made one in natural finish in 2003 and it has aged beautifully into a honey colour over the 22 years,, great guitar and plays beautifully.
i just picked up a MIM 1999 with a aftermarket seymour duncan bridge pickup for a little under $600 at guitar center I had no idea what a deal I got until today, i absolutely love this guitar
I have a classic 50s mim and I’ve never bothered changing pickups because it sounds so good. You’ve just confirmed my belief that mim classic series sound as good as any.
I had the chance to compare these exact guitars. One was MIM and the other was MIJ. The MIJ according to your video was more similar to the MIA. Also both guitars had a 5 way switch but here is the difference... the MIM had no reversed polarity in the wiring of the pickups and it was always humming when you had distortion. The MIJ had reversed polarity and so the combined coils became humbuckers. I ended up buying the MIJ. But i have to say that the MIM was very beautiful because its finish had an orangey color that was very appealing to the eye.
I bought this same guitar- natural ash/ black plastic used in 1981. had 3-way switch. Being young a stupid, I sold it after I bought a brand new Les Paul std in 1982 ($700! ) Now, having a mid-life crisis, I recently bought the guitar you have in your hands - first year 1999 MIM 70s on reverb. Put on black plastic and it even came with an original 70s black / orange interior case! It sits right by my computer table - I'm always grabbin it and playing it. Its way Lighter - I remember the original 70s one weighted about two metric tons.
@Joseph Gabaldon. - The MIM tremolo block is made of a different material than the USA tremolo block. If you put a magnet on the USA block, it will stick to it (remove the back plate to access it). Conversely, the magnet will not stick to the MIM model. Must be a different alloy metal.
@@benallmark9671 - I don’t know if they are using garbage metals in Mexico. The MIM tremolo block has a slightly larger hole for the arm. It is metric, while the USA Strat has standard fractional (of an inch) threads. The tremolo arms are not interchangeable.
Just copped the MIM 70s vintage reissue in natural, a kinda unique release from 99/00! Essentially this, although I don't really know the pickup situation. CBS style strats have a largely untapped energy to them. Everyone hates them, but a natural guitar, big headstock! It's just groovy.
The guitar I grew up with, a 1975 Ash natural wood strat. I have a hunch that the MIM's are pretty much exact duplicates. Of any guitar to not buy the Vintage this is it. MIM'S will hold value
Good thorough comparison. I thought the American had just a hair better tone, a little bit rounder and more body. But difference was very subtle. The different saddles and fretboard might be the difference. I'm guessing the saddles on the American are better quality and the darker rosewood fretboard is probably denser material. But the different wiring could just as easily contribute to a tonal difference. I'd bet on the fretboard and saddles being the difference. I agree that twice the price is a bit much for the American. When I bought my Strat years ago at Guitar Center, I tried every Strat on the wall and just chose the one that I connected with. I was willing to drop $1500 on an American model or whatever floated my boat at the time. It was a Mexican version that I ended up with. At the time, I think my tonal preferences liked it better because it had more "bite". Worked out good, because I ended up buying an amp and whatever else. If you go into a music store intending on spending $1500, you might as well do it. Funny, because these days I'm into a lot more jazz and such and I think my tastes might choose different now. Nice riffs and groove, too. Subbed. Cheers! :)
Tengo esa guitarra, la made in mex, no me gusta ese diapason tan curvo. Para los que somos principiantes (llevo mas de 40 años siendo principiante jeje) nos resulta dificil de tocar, al menos a mi. Gracias por tus videos. Tocas de flipar, enhorabuena.
The Mexican bridge is actually metric and also much cheaper than the American one. I have one MIM and I fight with the saddle micro screws to raise them... You can't put an American bridge into the MIM guitar. Their dimensions are different. You can go for a Callaham bridge if you want (best bridge on the market) since they make one for the metric MIM. But then, you change the tone of the guitar a little. Some will say it's an improvement and I agree with them. It's a couple of hundred dollars...
Eric D. I’m kind of (unpleasantly) surprised that the MiM reissues don’t have the same string spacing as the American reissues. Bill does make a replacement bridge, but I prefer the wider vintage spacing. What he unfortunately doesn’t make is a bridge with the MiM screw spacing, but vintage string spacing. That would be kind of awesome.
I had the Mexican classic series 70s with maple fretboard years ago. It was in Olympic white. I just wished they would have made a bridge cover in chrome like they had 40 years ago.
Hearing this vid on differents monitors and IMO Guitar # 2USA. Sounds far better. More big hairy and consistant sound, better definition and more output, more open. Thanks for posting this comparison
I just bought bought a 2016 MIM 70s strat ash body rosewood fret board just like the one you have yesterday. This demo influenced my decision on buying it. Can't wait til it gets here. Thank you.
To each his own i say. If you could swing a US model go for it, if not, get a Mexican one. They both sound great anyways. Technically they’re both American tho, only difference is that one was made in the US while the other one was made in Mexico.
After what I have read, the bodies of both guitars are actually made at the US factory, might even be with the necks.. So I guess they are both made in the US - at least for the most part. But one is definitely assembled in Mexico 😉👍
@Nob the Knave I see. I was not aware of this. Thanks for the info. All though, that is not a real obstacle now is it? Just plug the Screw holes and drill new holes if you want to upgrade. I have done this on a MIM Strat I have that I wanted 56mm stringspacing on - which is what I personally prefer. Of course this is on a 6 x mounthole Vintage tremolo. With a 2 post one it might be a problem indeed, as the alteration will be more detectable.
Great video great job Joseph. I need your opinion. I haven't fender but i want to buy one. I love this MIM but i don't know if this guitar is ok for studio recordings. Thanks and greetings from Greece
Interesting side note.... Depending on the year : Just over 90 % of the MIM stratocaster is made in the USA. This is true from the beginning of the reissue series until about 2007/2008.
l don't understand how the bridge saddles are different??? I know that the standard MIM models have smaller saddles but not on this classic 70s model at least mine doesn't! l have a 2011 model not sure what your talking about. Could you please explain why mine has vintage style and yours doesn't? Great video must say good job and very honest in your evaluation.
They are both vintage style saddles, however they are not identical. The ones in the Mexican model seem more 'standard', they look like the ones on most standard mim models. The ones on the US model are not identical to the ones you find on the American standard models, they look 'custom for this guitar' to me.
JL GP I'm surprised at that because mine has the large vintage ones exactly like the USA models. My 70s classic series was ordered in Olympic white back in 2011 so maybe they changed the saddles lately.
From my experience Mexican made Fender's lack depth, that natural organic sounding tone you get from quality pieces of resonant wood. The MIM's typically sound bright and thin compared to the USA models. The saying "You get what you pay for" 98% of the time stands true. A Fender rep told me that they buy truck loads of wood, they make as many 1 piece, 2 piece, 3 piece bodies as they can and rather than tossing the scraps they use them to make the Mexican bodies that are anywhere from 4 to 6 pieces glued together. Fit & finish has greatly improved with the Mexican line and typically the problems you'll notice are uneven frets (Tall frets) and sharp fret edges with the MIM's.
My personal experience has been very positive when it comes to both. I have had very nice Mexi Strats and Teles (many of which I bought on craigslist or pawnshows and then simply cleaned up). The price, I would adventure to say, has more to do with how much labor cost in the USA vs Mexico, than with quality on it's own.
Actually, my _Classic Player 60_ (MIM) is a 2 piece body. I can tell because it's a sunburst. Maybe I got lucky ? Anyways, I can't actually tell the diference in this video, honestly, the only thing I can hear, is that the pick-ups are "better" on the American one, _smoother_ I guess, but other than this, no diference...
You made them both sound great when you play them ;-) I have the maxi one, with a maple fretboard, I like it although for mine tuning is sometimes an issue, I may need a setup would be interesting if you have an actual 70s Stratocaster to compare with. I considered buying one if I want to upgrade, they seem to be available for about 1.5 - 2x cost of the American ones (or less if you are not picking about condition), but the few I have tried were heavier than a Gibson. great video.
Mike Hansen, I have a 70's Classic series MIM Strat, and when I bought it, the screws inside the body, the ones that connect the bridge with its springs, were not tightened enough, so, when I left a string sounding in the air and, at the same time, I bended another string, once I started bending, the other strings changed their tune at the same time, once I stopped bending and left the string in its original position, the other strings returned, better or worse, to their original tuning... I solved the problem, removing the original three springs and installing a new set of five springs. Once I did that, I never had that problem again, and in terms of tuning it is, nowadays, a very reliable instrument.
I have one 🎸 I wish somebody could help me decode what year it is I have.... the serial number on the back plate is V01343 - if anybody can let me know what year that is ❓it is The American vintage reissue 70s ...... Olympic white with maple fretboard and neck ,,,, I think I bought it in 2002 but I’ve only read that they were around from 05 to 2012 ty
From the Fender serial number decoder website it states that with this serial number it would be a Custom Shop (Vintage Reissue) guitar, they can't be dated by serial number.
American one sounds a little sweeter... more airy and less harsh. The Mexican sounds heavier and you can hear the difference as heavy guitars always sound more icepick cutting to me while lighter guitars of the same wood model usually sound less icepick and more resonant and airy. I have experienced this many times.
76s 5ways switch came about for the change of time the music "disco" too get that sound, than van halen came and some of us start routing out the guitar, i love chic and van halen those was the times
i was just wondering how many pieces of wood are the body's made out of? I'm guessing both 2 but sometimes Mexicans use a veneer altho not usually on guitars in that price range.
i have a 70´s mim the Guitar is pimped with a Bone Saddle, the Neck feels perfect 21 Frets dark rosewood fingerboard the profil was describe d to be a U profil it´s not its a really good C profil with a 9,5 radius fretboard no nitro Lack its perfect polyurethan and the Tilt on system - 3 Fender 69 custom shop Alnico 5 single coils -Didn´t change the potis and the 5 way switch .it´s really very heavyier than a les paul 3tone sunburst Ash Body (think that tree grows in Heaven,looks like Bookmatched ) mint green pickguard -the guitar is the best that i ever bought i never wouldt give it away for no Money -it`s that kinda perfect - no guitar coudlt be better ,perhaps more exspensive,like my other four Strats
I am. I learned how to play guitar on my dad's '73. Black with black pick guard & maple fingerboard instead of rosewood. I also like the fat 70's headstock.
The American version without question sounds better. Does it sound 3X the price better?... Not sure. If I had the money to spend I'd obviously buy the USA version, but that Mexi version definitely holds it's own, especially for the price. The important thing is that they are both LIGHTYEARS higher quality than an original 70s era Strat, which I had the displeasure of owning twice in my life. Coolest looking, feeling and sounding Strats ever but the build quality of them was absolute garbage.
@@JLGabaldon Muchas gracias! Igual está barato en tu país. Acá en mi pais sale el doble la misma guitarra mexicana y la USA ni hablar. Quiero comprar en el exterior para poder acceder.
Good comparison. However, the sound comparison was quite useless. Sorry to say that, but playing solo for 5 minutes on one guitar without switching the guitars, pickup positions, sounds, or playing more chords... well...
I quite honestly did my best to help others, and I would dare to say many folks found this video was useful at some level. However, if this was so below your standards, I would advice that you make a better one yourself, instead of complaining about something you got for free and that it took somebody else hours to put together. It sounded a little entitled, to say the least.
sorry, but your opinion is wishy washy. you state no difference with pick ups, neck, wood, finish, etc and find no difference in any area. it is known that the avri has upgrades. except for weight, I don't see you really evaluated the features of each before making your review. Also, you play the Mex strat for 5:30 minutes compared to 2:30 minutes for the USA. It seems to be a biased review. How could we hear the difference if you play the Mex more than double the time of the other one? I seriously doubt fender is selling the identical guitars for double the price without any appreciable gain for the USA.
Did I miss him talking about pickups and electronics differences ? Were there none at all ? The main difference in guitars is the pickups set. These are nearly identical guitars, but no details on the pickup set each uses?
Joe, about the 70's Fender Strats, right or wrong, in my opinion, their weight might have to do with the type of wood most of their bodies were made of, which is ash tree (a heavier wood than alder). And it makes me think that a possible reason, for Fender to work again with ash tree, might be that that wood could be more economic than alder in those days (at least, in that period of time)... Although, actually, I don't know for sure...
Yep, weight is a per-guitar characteristic and still varies greatly. I believe more heavy strats and teles left the factory from '74-'81, but there were plenty of light ones too. My '82 is 7.5lbs even, and my MIM Classic '50s is 7.2lbs. Plenty of Custom Shop strats and teles are 8+lbs.
if you change the pups and pots as i have done and get a decent set up, you've got a guitar that plays and sounds as well as a USA strat but for just less than half the price, and i would argue that for a few extra mostly superficial differences, the Mexican is way better value, if you get good pups and pots!! after all, the neck and body are made in the usa, just assembled across the border!
Form my experience about sounds that you talk about.......you have to wait until you re-fret that two guitar and you will find that original sound you talk about........... it's because method of the wood of body guitar to mature and the wiering and pick up coil....... .
id rather have an american anyday. at least im not waking up each day wishing i brought an american v series strat. more playing dude, less talking...i say.
Why would you regret a purchase if it does everything you want it to? I own american fenders aswell as mexicans and none of them feel "lesser" to me. I look for the features and sound i want and buy the guitar that has it.
This video helped me to decide which '70's Fender Stratocaster to buy and add to my collection. I had the choice of a real deal 1970's Strat, American Reissue '70's Strat, and the Mexi '70's Strat. I settled on the Mexi '70's Strat and couldn't be happier.
I have a MIM Olympic White but I did some modifications (jumbo frets and YJM Dimarzio pickups) the guitar sounds and feels amazing!! I had several MIA strats, I even had an original 79 (it used to suck) and I can say the MIM is the best strat I ever had. At the end MIM or MIA could be just pure marketing.
The Mexican sounds better for my personal taste. Both gorgeous guitars though. You're a great player too. 👍🏻
Thank you, I'm glad you liked it. The Mexican is the one I ended keeping. I love the way it sounds and plays.
me too i xas thinking the same !!
Got a mim white '70s Strat coming towards my way I got second hand on Reverb. Had one a long time ago but never forgave myself for letting it go
The Mexican classic players 50’s, 60’s, & 70’s reissues are all American 🇺🇸 parts assembled in Mexico! 🇲🇽 or so I was told by my uncle who worked at the corona factory for a long time. That’s why if you try to find a 70’s reissue MIM they’re $1000 plus easily!!!
I own the mim 70s reissued. Absolutely love it.
Wow ! "U" shape neck & 7.25" radius ?🙏
9:24 One string-tree is found on early 70s Strats from late '71 to early through mid '72. They are very short in period which makes them very rare of course and that's how people are able to tell whether they're early or later 70s. I prefer one string-tree which has a much cleaner look. On these reissues, most Strat enthusiasts are able to tell them apart very easily, both look and sound, even feel. I have the American version with one string-tree which technically is a '71 reissue. The American 'AVRI' has Alnico V pups which are reissued 'gray bottoms' from that early period. It also has a 3-way pickup toggle (5-way part included with the AVRI)
The saddles are different where string-spacing is wider on the AVRI and the trem block is stainless steel.
The tuners (machine heads) on the American version is Made in W. Germany by Schaller- the original tuner made for Fender from the early days, on the Mexican version it is made by Ping (Taiwan).
The AVRI has two wood body options - Alder on colored and Ash on Natural, whereas the Mexican version were all Ash wood.
Thank you for the valuable info, much appreciated!
all my fenders are MIM because i don't hear or feel a huge enough difference between a MIA or a MIM, I have a Jimmie Vaughan Strat, A Baja Tele, and recently purchased a 72 reissue thinline Telecaster and they play and sound beautifully and certainly not worth paying double to triple for a guitar MIA. I wish Gibson would do this by having a MIM les paul standard for half the price while still being a Gibson and not an Epiphone Les Paul. Fenders Mexico plant are really cranking out some very nice guitars and amps these days.
A friend of mine used to say: " I stop paying when I stop hearing the difference"
The USA and the Mexican plants are approx 100km apart. They just happen to be in different countries which has a massive impact on the cost. The USA plant employees mainly Mexicans!
I recently bought the mim version and man do I love the guitar! I've been playing at least 3 times as much from the day I bought it. Mine is from 1999 and t.b.h., I think it sounds better and is better built than most current USA strats I've played. Great video Joseph, thanks a lot!
1999 was the first year of Mexican production for the 70's reissue Strat, I picked up a 99 made one in natural finish in 2003 and it has aged beautifully into a honey colour over the 22 years,, great guitar and plays beautifully.
Thank you Enes (sorry for the late response...) I really enjoyed both guitars :)
i just picked up a MIM 1999 with a aftermarket seymour duncan bridge pickup for a little under $600 at guitar center I had no idea what a deal I got until today, i absolutely love this guitar
I have a classic 50s mim and I’ve never bothered changing pickups because it sounds so good. You’ve just confirmed my belief that mim classic series sound as good as any.
I had the chance to compare these exact guitars. One was MIM and the other was MIJ. The MIJ according to your video was more similar to the MIA. Also both guitars had a 5 way switch but here is the difference... the MIM had no reversed polarity in the wiring of the pickups and it was always humming when you had distortion. The MIJ had reversed polarity and so the combined coils became humbuckers. I ended up buying the MIJ. But i have to say that the MIM was very beautiful because its finish had an orangey color that was very appealing to the eye.
Great playing and another video that destroys the myth that you have to buy an American made Fender
I bought this same guitar- natural ash/ black plastic used in 1981. had 3-way switch. Being young a stupid, I sold it after I bought a brand new Les Paul std in 1982 ($700! ) Now, having a mid-life crisis, I recently bought the guitar you have in your hands - first year 1999 MIM 70s on reverb. Put on black plastic and it even came with an original 70s black / orange interior case! It sits right by my computer table - I'm always grabbin it and playing it. Its way Lighter - I remember the original 70s one weighted about two metric tons.
@Joseph Gabaldon. - The MIM tremolo block is made of a different material than the USA tremolo block. If you put a magnet on the USA block, it will stick to it (remove the back plate to access it). Conversely, the magnet will not stick to the MIM model. Must be a different alloy metal.
Interesting. They’re obviously using garbage metals in Mexico. That’s shitty to hear , hopefully things have changed but likely not.
@@benallmark9671 - I don’t know if they are using garbage metals in Mexico. The MIM tremolo block has a slightly larger hole for the arm. It is metric, while the USA Strat has standard fractional (of an inch) threads. The tremolo arms are not interchangeable.
@Apollo-bw3hv you're incorrect.
Just copped the MIM 70s vintage reissue in natural, a kinda unique release from 99/00! Essentially this, although I don't really know the pickup situation. CBS style strats have a largely untapped energy to them. Everyone hates them, but a natural guitar, big headstock! It's just groovy.
Great video. MIM sounds the best. Just got one like the one in the video for $300.00. Thanks again
Such a great instrument
The guitar I grew up with, a 1975 Ash natural wood strat. I have a hunch that the MIM's are pretty much exact duplicates. Of any guitar to not buy the Vintage this is it. MIM'S will hold value
Agreed. The MIM version does hold resale value very very well.
Good thorough comparison. I thought the American had just a hair better tone, a little bit rounder and more body. But difference was very subtle. The different saddles and fretboard might be the difference. I'm guessing the saddles on the American are better quality and the darker rosewood fretboard is probably denser material. But the different wiring could just as easily contribute to a tonal difference. I'd bet on the fretboard and saddles being the difference. I agree that twice the price is a bit much for the American.
When I bought my Strat years ago at Guitar Center, I tried every Strat on the wall and just chose the one that I connected with. I was willing to drop $1500 on an American model or whatever floated my boat at the time. It was a Mexican version that I ended up with. At the time, I think my tonal preferences liked it better because it had more "bite". Worked out good, because I ended up buying an amp and whatever else. If you go into a music store intending on spending $1500, you might as well do it. Funny, because these days I'm into a lot more jazz and such and I think my tastes might choose different now.
Nice riffs and groove, too. Subbed. Cheers! :)
Very interesting comparison. I enjoyed it.
Tengo esa guitarra, la made in mex, no me gusta ese diapason tan curvo. Para los que somos principiantes (llevo mas de 40 años siendo principiante jeje) nos resulta dificil de tocar, al menos a mi.
Gracias por tus videos. Tocas de flipar, enhorabuena.
That was awesome that was a great illustration very impressed
The Mexican bridge is actually metric and also much cheaper than the American one. I have one MIM and I fight with the saddle micro screws to raise them... You can't put an American bridge into the MIM guitar. Their dimensions are different. You can go for a Callaham bridge if you want (best bridge on the market) since they make one for the metric MIM. But then, you change the tone of the guitar a little. Some will say it's an improvement and I agree with them. It's a couple of hundred dollars...
Eric D.
I’m kind of (unpleasantly) surprised that the MiM reissues don’t have the same string spacing as the American reissues. Bill does make a replacement bridge, but I prefer the wider vintage spacing. What he unfortunately doesn’t make is a bridge with the MiM screw spacing, but vintage string spacing. That would be kind of awesome.
They are both probably better than the original.
one cost 3 times more. The MIM is probably more accurate as 70's strats had thick poly finishes and weighed a ton
do you know which pickups are used on this model MiM version not the Vintera, the earlier one.
It depends on the model...
I had the Mexican classic series 70s with maple fretboard years ago. It was in Olympic white. I just wished they would have made a bridge cover in chrome like they had 40 years ago.
Hearing this vid on differents monitors and IMO Guitar # 2USA. Sounds far better. More big hairy and consistant sound, better definition and more output, more open. Thanks for posting this comparison
My pleasure, I'm glad I could help.
Thank you, man! Very useful comparison!
I like drive sound.if you mind ok tell me what use drive pedal?
In this video USA made has moré "hum" noise when is overdriven, i know they are singles coils but USA made is more noisy, IMO
I just bought bought a 2016 MIM 70s strat ash body rosewood fret board just like the one you have yesterday. This demo influenced my decision on buying it. Can't wait til it gets here. Thank you.
How is it , do you still have it ?
@@benallmark9671 Yes I still have it. It's one of the best strats I've played. I appreciate you making this video.
Us did for me sound nicer. What pickups are in the Mexican made ?
What year is the American reissue? My mid 2000s model is quite solid weight wise, not les paul heavy, but very solid.
To each his own i say. If you could swing a US model go for it, if not, get a Mexican one. They both sound great anyways. Technically they’re both American tho, only difference is that one was made in the US while the other one was made in Mexico.
After what I have read, the bodies of both guitars are actually made at the US factory, might even be with the necks.. So I guess they are both made in the US - at least for the most part. But one is definitely assembled in Mexico 😉👍
@Nob the Knave I see. I was not aware of this. Thanks for the info. All though, that is not a real obstacle now is it? Just plug the Screw holes and drill new holes if you want to upgrade. I have done this on a MIM Strat I have that I wanted 56mm stringspacing on - which is what I personally prefer. Of course this is on a 6 x mounthole Vintage tremolo. With a 2 post one it might be a problem indeed, as the alteration will be more detectable.
I got the MIM version with the maple neck, great guitar.
Does the USA have a curved veneer fretboard like the original 70s?
It's the classic 70 body finish made of poly and the AV made of nitro? If yes the feel on body are different
Hi Joe. Is this neck 3 screw mount a problem? I intend to get one soon.
Not at all. The thick screw was extremely secure and it allowed to micro tilt if memory serves.
@@JLGabaldon thanks!
The MIM Strat for sure over MIA..
Great video great job Joseph. I need your opinion. I haven't fender but i want to buy one. I love this MIM but i don't know if this guitar is ok for studio recordings. Thanks and greetings from Greece
It's excellent for studio recording. Those MIM are great and cheap!
@@JLGabaldon thank you very much
Interesting side note....
Depending on the year :
Just over 90 % of the MIM stratocaster is made in the USA.
This is true from the beginning of the reissue series until about 2007/2008.
l don't understand how the bridge saddles are different??? I know that the standard MIM models have smaller saddles but not on this classic 70s model at least mine doesn't! l have a 2011 model not sure what your talking about. Could you please explain why mine has vintage style and yours doesn't? Great video must say good job and very honest in your evaluation.
They are both vintage style saddles, however they are not identical. The ones in the Mexican model seem more 'standard', they look like the ones on most standard mim models. The ones on the US model are not identical to the ones you find on the American standard models, they look 'custom for this guitar' to me.
JL GP I'm surprised at that because mine has the large vintage ones exactly like the USA models. My 70s classic series was ordered in Olympic white back in 2011 so maybe they changed the saddles lately.
From my experience Mexican made Fender's lack depth, that natural organic sounding tone you get from quality pieces of resonant wood. The MIM's typically sound bright and thin compared to the USA models. The saying "You get what you pay for" 98% of the time stands true. A Fender rep told me that they buy truck loads of wood, they make as many 1 piece, 2 piece, 3 piece bodies as they can and rather than tossing the scraps they use them to make the Mexican bodies that are anywhere from 4 to 6 pieces glued together. Fit & finish has greatly improved with the Mexican line and typically the problems you'll notice are uneven frets (Tall frets) and sharp fret edges with the MIM's.
My personal experience has been very positive when it comes to both. I have had very nice Mexi Strats and Teles (many of which I bought on craigslist or pawnshows and then simply cleaned up). The price, I would adventure to say, has more to do with how much labor cost in the USA vs Mexico, than with quality on it's own.
Actually, my _Classic Player 60_ (MIM) is a 2 piece body. I can tell because it's a sunburst. Maybe I got lucky ? Anyways, I can't actually tell the diference in this video, honestly, the only thing I can hear, is that the pick-ups are "better" on the American one, _smoother_ I guess, but other than this, no diference...
There are different MIMs with actually different pickups and different sounds.... What are you talking about!
please, which amp or preset did u use for the overdriven tones? it sounds amazing!
I believe I was using the trial version of TH2 or TH3, cant recall...
You made them both sound great when you play them ;-)
I have the maxi one, with a maple fretboard, I like it although for mine tuning is sometimes an issue, I may need a setup
would be interesting if you have an actual 70s Stratocaster to compare with. I considered buying one if I want to upgrade, they seem to be available for about 1.5 - 2x cost of the American ones (or less if you are not picking about condition), but the few I have tried were heavier than a Gibson.
great video.
Mike Hansen, I have a 70's Classic series MIM Strat, and when I bought it, the screws inside the body, the ones that connect the bridge with its springs, were not tightened enough, so, when I left a string sounding in the air and, at the same time, I bended another string, once I started bending, the other strings changed their tune at the same time, once I stopped bending and left the string in its original position, the other strings returned, better or worse, to their original tuning... I solved the problem, removing the original three springs and installing a new set of five springs.
Once I did that, I never had that problem again, and in terms of tuning it is, nowadays, a very reliable instrument.
The MIM sounds harsh just like mine.
I have the mim one, put in some hot noiseless pups, originals were good but less noisy now.
Can you explain the difference in the Saddle? Is it the material or shape or something else?
Too late, but I imagine the USA one is those better looking matte nickel saddles.
You said you’ve measured the neck on the mim. What is the thickness at 1 and 12th frets?
the Mex ounds badass actually buddy :))) they are hum cancelling ? thanks !
They are not. Nice and noisy :)
thank you buddy :)
Very informative video. Thank you.
Good demonstration Thank you
The USA sounded clearer imo. But mim sounds good as well
Thank you very much!
I have one 🎸 I wish somebody could help me decode what year it is I have.... the serial number on the back plate is V01343 - if anybody can let me know what year that is ❓it is The American vintage reissue 70s ...... Olympic white with maple fretboard and neck ,,,, I think I bought it in 2002 but I’ve only read that they were around from 05 to 2012 ty
From the Fender serial number decoder website it states that with this serial number it would be a Custom Shop (Vintage Reissue) guitar, they can't be dated by serial number.
@@RushfanUK wow thanks man, any idea how I can date it ?
Do they both have a poly finish?
American one sounds a little sweeter... more airy and less harsh. The Mexican sounds heavier and you can hear the difference as heavy guitars always sound more icepick cutting to me while lighter guitars of the same wood model usually sound less icepick and more resonant and airy. I have experienced this many times.
I liked guitar 1 best
76s 5ways switch came about for the change of time the music "disco" too get that sound, than van halen came and some of us start routing out the guitar, i love chic and van halen those was the times
i,m here because i,m after the new squier classic vibe 70s stratocaster
Great job, good video.
The neck on the mexican one looks narrower than the american's. Is it only my impression?
Felt the same to me...
i was just wondering how many pieces of wood are the body's made out of? I'm guessing both 2 but sometimes Mexicans use a veneer altho not usually on guitars in that price range.
Mexi is 4, no veneer, just the wood. They did a good job, the joints are very discrete.
i have a 70´s mim the Guitar is pimped with a Bone Saddle, the Neck feels perfect 21 Frets dark rosewood fingerboard the profil was describe d to be a U profil it´s not its a really good C profil with a 9,5 radius fretboard no nitro Lack its perfect polyurethan and the Tilt on system - 3 Fender 69 custom shop Alnico 5 single coils -Didn´t change the potis and the 5 way switch .it´s really very heavyier than a les paul 3tone sunburst Ash Body (think that tree grows in Heaven,looks like Bookmatched ) mint green pickguard -the guitar is the best that i ever bought i never wouldt give it away for no Money -it`s that kinda perfect - no guitar coudlt be better ,perhaps more exspensive,like my other four Strats
Great video. Although never been a fan of 70s strats and have never met anyone who is either
I think I'm with you on that one , Anthony L
I am. I learned how to play guitar on my dad's '73. Black with black pick guard & maple fingerboard instead of rosewood. I also like the fat 70's headstock.
I know one guy who is a big fan of 70s strats, his name is Yngwie Malmsteen
Deep Purple California jam '74, Ritchie Blackmore
Lowell George, Robin Trower, Ritchie Blackmore.... are good examples with the use of Strats from the 1970s
USA of course...Fuller and more presence at first listen.
The American version without question sounds better. Does it sound 3X the price better?... Not sure. If I had the money to spend I'd obviously buy the USA version, but that Mexi version definitely holds it's own, especially for the price. The important thing is that they are both LIGHTYEARS higher quality than an original 70s era Strat, which I had the displeasure of owning twice in my life. Coolest looking, feeling and sounding Strats ever but the build quality of them was absolute garbage.
where can i get locking tuners for this series strat??
Just get a set of regular 6-in-line Sperzels. I did on mine. But, you have to enlarge the shaft holes a tad. Is worth it, though IMO.
Hola, ¿a qué precio están ambas guitarras en tu pais?
La MIM usada unos $450, la USA más de $1000
@@JLGabaldon¿ la tenes a la venta a algunas de las 2?
No, lo siento..
@@JLGabaldon Muchas gracias! Igual está barato en tu país. Acá en mi pais sale el doble la misma guitarra mexicana y la USA ni hablar. Quiero comprar en el exterior para poder acceder.
USA has just a slightly cleaner sound than MIM
Good comparison. However, the sound comparison was quite useless. Sorry to say that, but playing solo for 5 minutes on one guitar without switching the guitars, pickup positions, sounds, or playing more chords... well...
I quite honestly did my best to help others, and I would dare to say many folks found this video was useful at some level. However, if this was so below your standards, I would advice that you make a better one yourself, instead of complaining about something you got for free and that it took somebody else hours to put together. It sounded a little entitled, to say the least.
sorry, but your opinion is wishy washy. you state no difference with pick ups, neck, wood, finish, etc and find no difference in any area. it is known that the avri has upgrades. except for weight, I don't see you really evaluated the features of each before making your review. Also, you play the Mex strat for 5:30 minutes compared to 2:30 minutes for the USA. It seems to be a biased review. How could we hear the difference if you play the Mex more than double the time of the other one? I seriously doubt fender is selling the identical guitars for double the price without any appreciable gain for the USA.
Did I miss him talking about pickups and electronics differences ? Were there none at all ? The main difference in guitars is the pickups set. These are nearly identical guitars, but no details on the pickup set each uses?
There was a little something, though the main focus of the video was the general feel and not the specific specs
Joe, about the 70's Fender Strats, right or wrong, in my opinion, their weight might have to do with the type of wood most of their bodies were made of, which is ash tree (a heavier wood than alder). And it makes me think that a possible reason, for Fender to work again with ash tree, might be that that wood could be more economic than alder in those days (at least, in that period of time)... Although, actually, I don't know for sure...
Pretty sure Fender originally used swamp Ash but switched over to the heavier Northern Ash during the'70s
I have a 1974 stratocaster and it is not heavy at all.
Yep, weight is a per-guitar characteristic and still varies greatly. I believe more heavy strats and teles left the factory from '74-'81, but there were plenty of light ones too. My '82 is 7.5lbs even, and my MIM Classic '50s is 7.2lbs. Plenty of Custom Shop strats and teles are 8+lbs.
MIM sounds much nicer
nothing like the american one
if you change the pups and pots as i have done and get a decent set up, you've got a guitar that plays and sounds as well as a USA strat but for just less than half the price, and i would argue that for a few extra mostly superficial differences, the Mexican is way better value, if you get good pups and pots!! after all, the neck and body are made in the usa, just assembled across the border!
Don't the MIM Fenders use the same pots and switch as the MIA?
So in short they both better...
American sounds better. MIM is kinda harsh.
False title. All I see are two guitars: The MIM Strat and the USA reissue Strat.
Ech Ech I also comment in the 70s
Form my experience about sounds that you talk about.......you have to wait until you re-fret that two guitar and you will find that original sound you talk about........... it's because method of the wood of body guitar to mature and the wiering and pick up coil....... .
USA looks better
MIM sounds better
Mim good usa big money
USA is more live.
USA version looks far better and sounds better.
id rather have an american anyday. at least im not waking up each day wishing i brought an american v series strat. more playing dude, less talking...i say.
Why would you regret a purchase if it does everything you want it to?
I own american fenders aswell as mexicans and none of them feel "lesser" to me. I look for the features and sound i want and buy the guitar that has it.