2009 MIM Strat neck so much better...

[tonydj]

I have a MIM strat from 2002 and I recently replaced the rosewood neck with a 2009 MIM standard maple neck. The 2009 is really a step up in my opinion. The neck contour and larger frets are really a joy to play on. Anyone have similar experience with the newer standards?
Dylan

[marantz1300]

Yep.I tried a MIM today. It was a lot better then the Highway one I also tried and the MIM's I've had in the past. Better finished and smoother frets.

[tombm3]

Yes, I agree. The MIM has come a long way in recent years. I couldn't believe how nice the neck is on my 09.

[boris bubbanov]

The best thing about the MIM Std necks is how tiny the frets are next to a Highway One.

The neck is very well made, it has just got amazingly large frets. And you gotta amber it yourself.

[El Tedesco]

Hwy 1 models have jumbo frets, those cause me bruised and blistered finger tips.

I agree on the quality of the current production MIM Std Strat necks. Same for the MIM Std Teles. The fingerboard radius seems perfect.

I love playing those necks.

[fadingcaptain]

Originally Posted by tonydj

I have a MIM strat from 2002 and I recently replaced the rosewood neck with a 2009 MIM standard maple neck. The 2009 is really a step up in my opinion. The neck contour and larger frets are really a joy to play on. Anyone have similar experience with the newer standards?
Dylan

+1. I have a 2003 MIM and the maple neck is actually very nice, but I really like the larger frets on the newer MIM strat. In fact, the MIM upgraded strat is a real bargain...a fantastic guitar for the price. Now...if they could only start wiring the bridge pup for tone control.

[alnicopu]

I took back my '09 American standard strat back because after a few days of playing, it just wasn't 600.00 better than the MIM strat I have now. Bought it for 250.00 replaced the pickups with GFS brand overwounds for another 60.00 made offshore (seriously, these pickups were very comparable to the lollers and Fralins I tried at a music store for over 200.00). Just bought a matching MIM tele (ice blue metallic) and I wouldn't take anything for either one.


Is it true that Fender is closing their Mexican facility? I've only heard rumors. If it's true its probably because their MIA strats and teles are competing with the MIMs.

I told my wife that displaying them together might just get me la#d!!!!!

[andrewr]

I must admit I rather like my Roadworn's neck - I've got the 60s one, so rosewood board. I'm assuming it's an "09", and I'm also assuming it's a, shall we say, "less-finished" and slightly "distressed", standard MIM neck

A few years back when I was strat buying, I tried several MIMs, they were nice, but none of them really grabbed me, the neck being one of the things... and I ended up with a Fender Japan 62 - that one beat all comers that day.

I don't think it's the big frets particularly that do it for me - the Roadworn has them, obviously, whereas the CIJ is very much vintage frets on a 7.25 radius - nor is it down to it being a particular profile - the Roadworn is less of a "club" and has harder edges at the moment...

But for some reason these hugely different necks both play and feel "just right" for me...

[fadingcaptain]

Originally Posted by tonydj

I have a MIM strat from 2002 and I recently replaced the rosewood neck with a 2009 MIM standard maple neck. The 2009 is really a step up in my opinion. The neck contour and larger frets are really a joy to play on. Anyone have similar experience with the newer standards?
Dylan

Absolutely. Fender really made a leap in value with the new line of MIM strats. The medium-jumbo frets are a great improvement.

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by alnicopu

Is it true that Fender is closing their Mexican facility? I've only heard rumors. If it's true its probably because their MIA strats and teles are competing with the MIMs.

State of California records reveal that FMIC has laid off significant numbers of people from the Corona, CA facilities.

If there's a shortage of demand, there's always the possibilities of furloughs. But this "rumor"? You're the first I heard of it. It sincerely doubt it, since, except for the stumbles of the Road Worm, they've been firing on all 8 cylinders lately and Ensenada is IINM quite inexpensive to operate.

[Rumblebones]

Originally Posted by alnicopu

Is it true that Fender is closing their Mexican facility? I've only heard rumors. If it's true its probably because their MIA strats and teles are competing with the MIMs.

It's a bona-fide miracle that Fender is still operating in California. I hear from time to time that the Ensanda plant is being groomed to be the flagship facility for Fender with the Corona plant being scaled back. Don't be surprised if Fender guitars are fabricated in the USA/Mexico, finished (painted and chromed, etc.) in Mexico, then assembled in the USA/Mexico.

[Post Toastie]

Fender could just say they are MIBC (made in baja Calif).

[Tele Fan]

The '09 MIM's I've tried have been really nice. I've been tempted but resisted so far ;)

[IdahoPicker]

I must say, my '00 MIM Strat has a finer neck than my '08 MIM Standard Ash Tele. That's the funny thing about the Mexican Fenders; they can be rather hit or miss. But, man, when you get a hit.....pure joy!

[Stratotwanger]

Long story short, you can have a Mexican Fender made by Mexicans or an American Strat......made by Mexicans. Not a racial thing, just a fact. Nothing wrong with that at all. Just facts are facts. So, yes the Mexican Fenders seem to be getting better and I really love how Fender jacked up their price around 30% last year and now are discounting them 10% across the board through the discount catalogs. Too funny.
Fender is really getting on my nerves. I actually am starting to pick up the funky era of Fender (81-83), fun stuff to be found there and all of the E series Japanese guitars. Now those are the best that Fender ever put out. The E series guitars flat out smoke anything ever put out by Fender. Japan completely blew the USA Fenders out of the water. Treat yourself to trying one of those out if you get a chance. The difference between those and anything American or Mexican put out today really pales in comparison.