hers something I didn't know....

[spyder]

Ho...being *Mr. vacation* for the next few weeks...got to the store a little early last nite to teach....the stores' Fender rep was on hand trying to sell guitars and stuff...these guys are normally full of information...as well as opinions and all....one thing the guy discussed was a RW telecaster thats in the works...he asked me what I thought of this particular model...told him I'd only seen one....didn't care for it much...had to much RW....he said this model used mahogany instead of all RW....asked why they wasn't callin' it a mahogany telecaster...he just looked at me kinda funny....eventually the conversation got around to MIJ versus MIM......how the MIM models have improved dramatically the last few years.....he said one reason is the Mexican workforce loyalty and dedication to Fender.....when the Fender factory burned down there...Mr Shulz didn't lay folks off....he kept them on the payroll doing community service....sweeping streets, pickin' up trash and stuff...when the new factory opened folks never missed a beat....just started making guitars again...thats the way the guy explained it....he might have left out a few details...don't know for sure....it'd be my guess theres some happy workers down in Mexico trying to produce the best product they can for an employer that stood by 'em when things got tough...anyway, I've seen for myself a better MIM product....this guys explanation is good as any I've heard...actually its the only one I've heard...later, spyder

[FrankenTex]

see subject field

[Mark Davis]

The Fender rep was actually telling you the MIM's are higher quality workmanship than the USA models cause the USA workers dont care as much about the product as the Mexican workers.

The original Fenders were mostly made by women and mexican workers. Tadeo Gomez sure wasnt an American now was he?

Americans have gotten too fat and lazy Fender USA is loosing tons of business to CIJ and MIM Fenders even tho Fender makes $$ off the MIM's.

I know 3 Fender dealers who I talk to on a regular basis and they all tell me the MIM line is by far their biggest sellers.

I think one of the reasons is the CIJ and MIM Fenders have stayed more true to Leos original designs and the USA Fenders are all screwed up Esquires with buckers and 15" radius LOL.

In fact I think if Fender didnt have the MIM line they would be loosing about 60-70% of their sales to Fender Japan where they make just a few models but more true to the Vintage specs Leo intended these guitars to have.

One of my Fender dealer friends tells me as an average out of 10 Teles he sells 7 are MIM models 2 are USA AV's or American STDS and 1 Custom Shop.

Of course I realize the MIM models sell more cause they cost less but if they were crappy no matter how cheap they sold for no one would be buying them.

[S0C7]

Hey, I LOVE the workmanship on the MIM teles. I just sold a MIM 72RI Custom that I was basically forced to sell. I really loved the guitar. However, as nice as the body, neck, fretwork and finish were, I was still disappointed in some other aspects of the instrument, namely pickups (especially bridge pickup) and some of the hardware, such as the cheap, inconsistent tuners and mediocre bridge components, namely the saddles.

Don't get me wrong, I've seen a TON of MIM teles that I would love to buy, but there are things about them that I would change right off the bat. To me, a 50s Classic 2-tone sunburst with a Callaham hardware kit and Fralin pickups would be quite an instrument.

[Silverface]

Americans have gotten too fat and lazy...

Nice comment. Really explains things in a clear, thoughtful manner.

Sheesh.

[FrankenTex]

bleep

[hekawi]

I just bought my first telecaster and it is a MIM. Brown sunburst, maple neck-gorgeous! Besides being more affordable, I played it and an American in the store and actually liked the MIM better. Not being a pro, just a living-room player, it was easy to pick the MIM and save the $$. Now maybe I can afford a better amp! (My other guitar is a Peavey Strat-copy that I bought in a pawn shop a few years back, and actually not a bad guitar for the 80 bucks I paid) But the Telecaster was my dream machine, 'specially the sunburst. There just ain't nothing else that sounds like a Tele!

[TeleGeir]

Originally Posted by hekawi

I just bought my first telecaster and it is a MIM.

Welcome hekawi!

Geir :)

[Joel Terry]

are really incredible instruments.

And, for extra measure, I wouldn't trade my recently made CIJ '50s Tele, '57 RI Stratocaster, and '62 RI Jazz Bass for any of their USA counterparts made in the past 10 years.

Joel

[Bluesbob]

Great name!

[FrankenTex]

My only guitar is a Classic '60s (mint on Oly). It is plenty fine for me.

I really would like an American 52RI with official pedigree, someday.

I wish there was a Custom Shop at the Baja plant. I don't know 'bout y'all Yankees but any real Texan wouldn't get his Eldorado painted in any shop where they don't speak Spanish. Then, maybe I could get a Blue Sparkle Classic '60s new for $750. Or a Transparent Blue or a Cherry Burst, etc.
=

[Shnook]

Personally, I prefer the MIM Tele's to the standard production USA models. I just feel that for the money they are as good as the MIA Tele's. Sure the hardware and pickups are cheaper, but the workmanship is very good. I wonder what would happen if Fender provided the MIM models higher grade hardware and electronics. Would there even be a need for the MIA production line standard Tele?


I've owned a few MIA Tele's and Strats and I wasn't overly impressed with them. However, I love my little MIM Tele I bought a few years ago. In fact, I just bought another MIM Tele this week. I found the workmanship to be really lacking on the USA models I've owned. I had a Clapton Strat the I could stick a quarter in between the neck and the neck pocket.

[FrankenTex]

ALL of the parts and 'tronics that go into a MIM Tele are made in the USA . . . ALL of 'em.

Same wires, same knobs, same vintage pups (Classic Series), same bridge, same everything.

I've been told the bodies are even painted in the USA before they are shipped down there for assembly and dressing.

No parts of a MIM Tele are MIM . . . Just the Tele, its-self.

True fact.

[fenderix]

And congratulations to a wise decision when choosing
the MIM Telecaster. :D

[Jay Jordan]

all of my guitars are MIA...

but i have played several MIM lately and I must say the quality and value were extremely high.....

if you've been to Mexico, you know it is an entirely different world from the US, and I'm sure the quality is reflected in workers there desire to earn a decent living...

[MikefromOZ]

This is the Best tele i have ever played or owned. (vintage style Fender). If I hadn,t have scored one then i would be with you guy,s about the Quality of the MIM tele,s.But the Quality on my MIA is so Much Better.This is not biased as i have had a MIJ and MIM tele,s and these were much better than my 1990 MIA 52RI. But The New MIA Vintage reissues are Supreme.(at least mine anyway).But Down here in OZ the MIA are three times the price than the MIM So For A Dollar to Dollar Comparison The MIM Wins.Although You Dont Get The Case or Goodie,s Ect. I Would love to see a MIM52 RI...............Mike

[Michael Murphy]

My son just bought a MIM '60s Classic Strat in Burgandy Mist.

That thing is a great guitar- one of the best Strats I've ever played. I was very impressed with it- just outstanding fit, finish, pickups, everything.

Gave me StratGas bigtime, and I'm definately not a Strat guy....


-Michael
Charter Member S. Texas He-Man Emoticon Haters Local #316

[FrankenTex]

Someone I tended to believe told me he thought the Mexican Teles are even better than the Strats. I would think a person would need to inspect a bunch of guitars to say sumpn' like that.

I am really glad to hear you say that, though, because I also NEED to get a Roland Ready Strat, about a year from now, for cinematic post production, and I'm pretty sure they are MIMs.

Anybody know where the Roland Ready MIDI Strats are made?
.

[Mark Davis]

There are 2 levels of MIM Strats and Teles the STD line and the Classic line. The Classics are almost 2x's more expensive than the STD models. There is also an MIM Deluxe series priced in the same range as the MIM Classics.

All the MIM Fenders are painted and assembled in Mexico but all the woods are cut in the USA on the same CNC machines that make all USA Fenders except CS models. the MIM models also use the same pots and switches as the USA models do.

So what it basicly boils down to is the USA ones have better pickups and hardware than the MIM models and better quality woods are used.

An MIM STD Tele or Strat sells new for $350
The Classic series of Teles and Srrats sell for around $600
The USA 52ri and 57/62ri Strats sell for around $1200
The Custom Shop versions sell for around $2100-2200

I know a whole bunch of people on the net that have gone Fender shopping and wouldnt even consider an MIM model then after they tried out all the guitars in the store ended up bringing one home.