Made in Mexico strat from 92

[Joper]

Hello. I have been offered to buy a really nice made in mexico strat from 92. I just wonder what the different beteween the earlier mexico made and the ones that they make today is? Is there any different in quality? If so, wich ones are the best?

Mvh Johan

[kinkstah]

I'm not sure, but the wood used for the body in the 90's may differ from the wood used nowadays. I think that mexican Strat bodies were made out of poplar instead of alder - but that may not be the case for every finish (solid color vs. sunburst, for example) and/or model.

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by kinkstah

I'm not sure, but the wood used for the body in the 90's may differ from the wood used nowadays. I think that mexican Strat bodies were made out of poplar instead of alder - but that may not be the case for every finish (solid color vs. sunburst, for example) and/or model.

Thats correct the body will be poplar.

The early MIM's are very good the MIM factory started in 1989 just packaging strings the guitars started just a few years later so the early 90's models are some of the first ones.

[randysmojo]

I had a '93. Definitely Poplar wood. It was a very good guitar. The stock pickups wheren't terrible sounding for ceramic magnets . I had that guitar from 1993 until about a year ago. The only thing I can think of is they used a little smaller frets on those first few years of the MIM guitars than they do now. I guess you would say viontage sized frets or so. I'm not sure, but the only vintage strats I've ever played seemed like their frets where bigger than the MIM that I had too. I finally ended up with the 57/62 customshop pickups in mine, and it sounded great.

[jjz28]

My '95 MIM Tele was poplar with a 1/4" ash cap.(sunburst) The other colors were straight poplar.

[JoeNeri]

IMHO, the '90's MIM Strats are some of the best guitars Fender ever made. Stock pickups seem to be much better than current ones. Have owned several (and still do) and love every one of them.

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by jjz28

My '95 MIM Tele was poplar with a 1/4" ash cap.(sunburst) The other colors were straight poplar.

Thats a Fat Tele and they are nice.

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by JoeNeri

IMHO, the '90's MIM Strats are some of the best guitars Fender ever made. Stock pickups seem to be much better than current ones. Have owned several (and still do) and love every one of them.

Agree 100% the necks are killer smooth.

[cdhopkin]

The neck on my '95 MIM Strat is the best I've ever played

[giginthesky]

i have 4 MIM strats all made in 96 or before. imo they feel much nicer than the ones in stores today.

[Markocaster]

I love my 90's MIM strat , maple neck has a good feel , and pups are nice / at least on mine :)

[Mark Davis]

Yep they are sleepers cause no one ever wants to believe anyone can make a good guitar in Mexico. LOL

The satin poly necks feel like bare wood and are as smooth as silk I love that!

[Del Pickup]

The MIM strats are all pretty good instruments. I've had one since 1992 which I believe was when they started full production there.

The only issue I've had is with the cheaper grade vintage saddles which tend to wear and then cause string breakage on a fairly regular basis. But since swapping them for other fender saddles I haven't had a problem (touch wood!). And, in fairness, this is only an issue if you are a fairly heavy handed player as I am!

I do recommend swapping the trem block for a better quality item cos that does make a huge difference to the tone and sustain of the guitar.

But, overall, I enjoy playing my MIM just as much as my Custom Shop Clapton - which says something cos that it is a beauty!