How much does year matter with MIM strats?

[Ecadad]

I'm looking for a MIM strat, and I'm not sure how muc the year matters. Is there much difference in quality between say, 1994, a 2001, a 2005 and something current? Price doesn't seem to be very dependent on year for used MIM guitars, so I'm curious what the general consensus is.

 

[sjtalon]

Go 2006 and up. They are "upgraded".

Med. jumbo frets, body cavity shield paint, higher mass bridge (trem) block.

 

[Ecadad]

Go 2006 and up. They are "upgraded".

Med. jumbo frets, body cavity shield paint, higher mass bridge (trem) block.

Do those upgrades make a big enough difference to make pre-2006 MIM guitars not worth it?

 

[dsutton24]

Go with the guitar you like. Jumbo frets may be desirable to you, they're not desirable to me. I like the early RWRP pickups, others like the newer ceramic pickups. The electronics haven't changed any during the entire life of the MIM guitars. And so on.

Other than those kinds of things, there really aren't a lot of differences over the years. A 2016 isn't going to last longer, or be 'better' than a 2006, or a 1996. If anything, if a 1996 guitar is still playable 20-something years later, you know it's stable and isn't likely to twist anytime soon.

 

[jvin248]

.

There have been some feature changes, like around 2000 MY Tele MIMs have Alnico pickups which some like, before/after and all Strat MIMs have ceramic magnets -- which are fine if you set them up right but most don't and complain or auto-swap for other pickups because they think ceramic has cooties or something. Some believe sustain hides in thick trem blocks while others don't. Depends what you believe in and how much you want to spend to get a model with those features.

Get the guitar you like at the price you can go with and from there nearly everything can be swapped, repaired, or upgraded -- that's the wonderful thing about them.

.

 

[Asmith]

as others have said different specs different years, pre 2005 have anico pickups then they changed to ceramic in 2006, other stuff changed unsure of exact dates buy they changed to a bigger trem block, put a 70s logo w/ sn on the back of the neck and they also changed the finish to a satin on the back of the neck with a gloss headstock and fretboard.

 

[dan1952]

I had an early one, maybe 1994. It was fine...

 

[DougM]

Early ones were also 7.25" radius, I believe, while more recent ones are 9.5". The current Player Series are IMO the best of the bunch. I think they have the best sounding pickups, best playing neck with 22 frets, and an American style two point bridge. I like mine more than any other Strat I own, including an American Pro, a CP 60s with CS69 pickups, and a Deluxe Roadhouse with Texas Specials. I've owned several American Standards, as well as American Special and American Deluxe Strats, and my Player Series Strat is my favorite of them all. Since my Am. Pro cost $1450 and my Player series cost $675, I consider it a bargain.

 

[Ringo]

Very early MIM Strats may have cheap pots and switch, at some point Fender started using the same pickguards, switch and pots as USA. Some have alnico pickups, most have ceramic bar magnet pickups. They are ok, pretty hot, some like them some don't.
As posted 2006 up, med jumbo frets 9.5" fretboard radius, full size trem block (not steel).

Just play some and see what you like, that's the most important thing.

I like the 9.5" radius and med jumbo frets, but I played the vintage 7.25" radius necks with vintage frets for many years.

And some MIM Strats have 12" radius necks.

If you really shop around, you can often find a good used American Special Strat for not a lot more than the higher end MIM Strats, the Am Specials have a great neck (big peghead) 22 med jumbo frets, 9.5" radius, alnico pickups and a tremolo with a steel block.

I like mine a lot! And I've had many MIM Strats.

 

[cosmiccowboy]

If the neck feels right, and you like how it plays, electronics and other goodies can be upgraded/replaced. I have a couple of pre-2006 Strats and have done all of my own upgrades ... I'm quite pleased with them. Not just to pat myself on the back but others have mentioned how well they sound and play as well. It's a BIG BIG world out there ... live a little.

 

[sjtalon]

Do those upgrades make a big enough difference to make pre-2006 MIM guitars not worth it?

I say yes.

Early ones were also 7.25" radius

not the standards

pre 2005 have anico pickups then they changed to ceramic in 2006

That was Tele's, Std. Strats alway had/have ceramic bar mags.

 

[WelshBluesMan]

Mine is a 2006. From what I understand, they switched from alnico to ceramic pickups at some point, I think in about 2004... The stock MIM Standard ceramics are quite dull sounding, and I intend to replace them in mine (it's only taken me 12 years to get round to it).

The new Player series looks quite good, and if I were in the market for a standard MIM Strat, that's probably what I would go for.

 

[schmee]

It's a tough one. In some ways the mid 2000's and up seem better quality in general. I think the body finishes etc are better. BUT, The best strat I've ever had is a '98, better than any MIA one I've had. (replaced pickups) And it's still my #1 of 3 strats.. It just has mojo. It has a thick finish and a small cavity under the finish in one spot! I find the later necks not as sweet or easy on the hands than the earlier ones for some reason. I think due to a sharper edged fretboard. American necks worse yet though.

 

[Ebidis]

I'm looking for a MIM strat, and I'm not sure how muc the year matters. Is there much difference in quality between say, 1994, a 2001, a 2005 and something current? Price doesn't seem to be very dependent on year for used MIM guitars, so I'm curious what the general consensus is.

Some misinformation in this thread.

MIM Standard Strats never had 7.25 radius (they are all 9.5), or alnico pickups. The ceramic pickups are actually really good IMHO, but it is subjective. The early ones had vintage style frets, and later changed to med jumbo. Very early ones had small pots and cheaper switches, but that is easy to swap if you want to. In 2006, they changed from a thin zinc trem block to a full size zinc block.

I have a 1999 model, it has larger pots and the better switch, and vintage frets. It has a really nice neck, and plays and sounds killer. Even with the "icky" stock ceramic pickups, and small trem block. I would not trade it for anything.

 

[sjtalon]

Mine is a 2006. From what I understand, they switched from alnico to ceramic pickups at some point, I think in about 2004.

You couldn't have read my post, right before yours.

 

[Wobbles]

Early ones were also 7.25" radius, I believe, while more recent ones are 9.5". The current Player Series are IMO the best of the bunch. I think they have the best sounding pickups, best playing neck with 22 frets, and an American style two point bridge. I like mine more than any other Strat I own, including an American Pro, a CP 60s with CS69 pickups, and a Deluxe Roadhouse with Texas Specials. I've owned several American Standards, as well as American Special and American Deluxe Strats, and my Player Series Strat is my favorite of them all. Since my Am. Pro cost $1450 and my Player series cost $675, I consider it a bargain.

I have a 91 that has a 9 1/2 radius.

 

[Deebs3]

I've had my 2004 MIM strat since new, have changed the pickups otherwise I have never felt the urge to change anything else, although the paint did fall off, so long as it looks good and plays well, buy whatever you want.

 

[Chunkocaster]

Concentrate on the specs of whatever guitar you are looking at potentially buying.
Make a list of your favourite specs and shop accordingly.