Fender Standard Made in Mexico Review

The "M" means Mexico. The "Z" means year 200x, the "4" makes it 2004. There are some quality control differences between the MiMs and the MiAs, but if you're on a budget, it's my opinion you really can't go wrong with a MiM. I really feel I got a bargain. I prefer this particular MiM over the latest Standard MiM I test drove at a Guitar Center, and even over the American Standard that sold for $999.99. Keep in mind these are very subjective observations. Overall, I believe this is one of the "best bang for your bux" deals I've gotten in quite awhile.

For anything I may have missed here, you may want to see my post in the Gear forum:http://www.guitartricks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24973&page=2&pp=10

Some helpful info:

Dating your MiM (has links to MiAs also): http://www.fender.com/support/mexican_instruments.php

A very good article by an Ebayer: http://reviews.ebay.com/Buying-a-Fender-Stratocaster-A-Guide-for-the-Novice_W0QQugidZ10000000001650626?ssPageName=BUYGD:CAT:-1:LISTINGS:5

Strats by Year:http://www.stratcollector.com/scn/base/84.html

If you look at 1984, the second picture of the brown Strat, that's what my Strat looks like.*

PS: I should add that the MiM necks are made in Corona, California and shipped to Mexico. The MiMs are made of lighter wood also (I always confuse alder and ash, so I can't say which wood the MiMs are made from.) I was expecting a real lightweight compared to my MiA, but the MiM feels just as hefty. Strats are/were made in Japan also (MiJ/CiJ- think the "C" means "Customized for")- I believe I read somewhere the MiJs are now made for Japanese consumers now only, but not really sure. The MiJs are supposedly superior to the MiMs.

*My Strat looks looks like the the one in the picture, but doesn't have the marble finish. Mine has a natural wood finish. I just wanted people to see that the output jack is flush with the body, as opposed to it being recessed. Also, the neck plate on my Strat says "Fender", and there's a hole in the back to gain access to the truss rod; you can adjust the rod from top and bottom; Fender calls this the "Bi-Flex" truss rod system. This is proving to be a real bear to do my setup, especially since I put 12 gauge strings and tune a quarter tone down. Right now, I'm having a tough time getting the action lower- I may have to bring it to a professional tech to get it right. In the meantime, the high action is good for getting my fingering spot-on, and doesn't leave room for getting sloppy.

Hello, newbee to the site here. I found your post very intresting. I have been playing guitar for about 40 years now (still don't claim to be anything too special) but another one of those bang for your bux's deals is the MIA Highway One strat. It is the only electric guitar that i play now. It has everything the standard has in sound and plays like a dream. It just don't have the frills. At a very reasonable price right from the music store. I did have to make a few changes for it to work the way i need it to. since i don't use a trem bar much, I hard bolted the tail stock fast to the body and there is no squishy movment there and it stays in tune so well that I rarley have to touch the machines. Just wanted to say that this guitar is awsome for the bux.
Mark.

Originally Posted by: kosmanHello, newbee to the site here. I found your post very intresting. I have been playing guitar for about 40 years now (still don't claim to be anything too special) but another one of those bang for your bux's deals is the MIA Highway One strat. It is the only electric guitar that i play now. It has everything the standard has in sound and plays like a dream. It just don't have the frills. At a very reasonable price right from the music store. I did have to make a few changes for it to work the way i need it to. since i don't use a trem bar much, I hard bolted the tail stock fast to the body and there is no squishy movment there and it stays in tune so well that I rarley have to touch the machines. Just wanted to say that this guitar is awsome for the bux.
Mark.

Hi Mark,

Thanks for your response. I've been playing nearly 40 yrs myself, and know I have a lot to learn- as long as we're having fun, right?

Yes, I've heard of the Highway 1, and the bottom line is, it's right for you.. Wow, I can't believe you hard bolted the tail- the springs on my MiM were so tight, it wouldn't have been necessary.

I really don't use the trem much myself, but I've been working on SRV's "Lenny", and the tune isn't the same without some trem.

Nice meeting you; hopefully our input will let others know that you don't need to spend thousands of dollars on a "good" guitar. I say, if it feels right, sounds right, it is right!