MIA vs MIM vs Hwy 1 : I'm confused

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va3ux

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I'm considering a Tele but I'm confused by the variety of them and the prices seem to be all over the place. And occasionally I read reports that certain Squier models seem nearly as good as their Fender counterparts

What's the real difference between a MIA, or an American Deluxe, or a Highway 1, or a MIM ?

Thanks in advance....Phil
 

Hiker

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Welcome!

Quality or workmanship vary as do characteristics. You'll find the features listed on the Fender website. Fortunately, there's lots of comparisons of MIA vs., or MIM vs. Squier in the archives on this forum.

Sometimes price is indicative of what you get between more-expensive or less-expensive models. Some shoppers will evaluate an individual guitar at a store or shop and believe it is not up to snuff. Some of those shoppers are very discriminating and have years of playing experience on a similar guitar. You will read lots of complaints about set-up from the factory. This is often exaggerated. Most setup and adjustments can be corrected without much cash outlay, IMHO.
 

Rolling Estonian

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Hey Phil, welcome to the forum.

Short answers to long questions. You'll hear these alot.

Buy whichever guitar speaks to you.

Pretty much everyone here will tell you that they've played some very expensive guitars that don't sound nearly as good as a less expensive models.

I'll leave you to look at the differences between all the ones you named. There are many, many differences. As mentioned, the Fender site will tell you, and this site is a phenomenal resource, you'll see.

Oh and get which ever guitar speaks to you! Told you.

Good luck and let us know how it goes. We kind of like Tele pics!

M
 

Rumblebones

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What's the real difference between a MIA, or an American Deluxe, or a Highway 1, or a MIM ?

The answer is:

1. The real difference probably lies in the circuitry. (These are electric guitars.) It's different amoung all telecaster models. Each model has their subtle and not so subtle tone circuitry.

2. Pickup variations would be a close second.

3. Then there's the variety in hardware, necks, fretboards, body weights, body finish. Binding vs. non binding, how it's built, etc.

A good amp, guitar setup, and practice playing can bring out the differences.

Technically that about covers it. Artistically, that's a different subject.
 

beep.click

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Phil, one of the most notable differences among the models you mentioned is, the Highway One has "jumbo" frets. It feels different, and some folks like it. Some folks hate it.

Quality, sound, looks -- those things are pretty subjective. Have to try them all, to see what you like!
 

Telemarkman

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What's the real difference between a MIA, or an American Deluxe, or a Highway 1, or a MIM ?

MIA stands for Made In America, so both an American Deluxe and a Highway 1 would be MIA's. (Even though a Highway 1 has several MIM parts, it's put together in the US). MIA is not a specific model, but anything made in USA.

Forget about where it's made! Figure out what specs/features you prefer (vintage 3-saddles vs. modern 6-saddles, round vs. flatter fretboard, big vs. small frets etc.), and check out the different price alternatives.

This means you'll have to play different models with different specs to see which one feels right for you.

Personally I wouldn't buy the best guitar in the world if it had the wrong (for me) specs!
 

Codinho

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Everything written above rings true to me.

I had the same quandary before I bought my tele. I ended up with a mexican because none of the choices had all the variables that I wanted. So I figured I'd buy the cheaper one and use it as a platform to modify it to my liking.

I've changed the pickguard, bridge, selector, neck and tuners and I have to say, I have an awesome tele now. Don't get me wrong, it was good when I took it home from the store. It's been fun just slowly changing it. I'm still going to change the pickups someday when I figure out what I want.
 

Tommyboy

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Telemarkman hit the nail on the head. It really doesn't matter where it's made. Simply select a telecaster that appeals to you (feel, features, sound, etc.). Once you've done that, you will be well on your way to having a great guitar.

Keep in mind that the quality of workmanship can very from guitar to guitar, so the guitar you select might still require a little tweaking by a good guitar tech or luthier to get it playing at it's full potential. Just this past week, I received a call from a friend who picked up a used MIM Stratocaster at a local store for $270 US. He asked me to set up the guitar for him and put some new strings on it.

When I got the guitar, it had a little fret wear on the first 3 frets, some dead strings on it and the frets ends had some sharp edges on them but other than that, the guitar was in pretty good shape. No major scratches, dings, dents or damage of any kind.

I spent over two hours working on that guitar. I checked all the electronics. I removed the sharp edges from all the fret ends. I leveled, crowned and polished the frets. I recut the string slots on the nut to the proper depth and angle. I installed the new strings, adjusted the truss rod, bridge saddles and tremolo springs, and then did some final adjustments to the bridge saddles to set the intonation.

When I finished all that work, I tested the guitar through an amp and then adjusted the height of the pickups to make sure there was a nice tone and ouput balance when switching to each of the pickup combinations. After all that work was finished, that guitar really came alive.

When I returned the guitar to him, he asked me how it came out. I just smiled and said, "I buy it from you if you ever feel like selling it." He was amazed on how good it turned out.

So the point is, it doesn't matter WHERE the guitar is made. Fender has some excellent stuff available and you don't have to spend an arm and a leg to get it. Just find one that moves you that has some of the features you are looking for and you will be on the right track.

The Telecaster is an amazing instrument with a vast array of components available for upgrading and/or customizing it to satisfy your own personal taste and style. Good luck and best wishes! I hope you find a great one!
 

firetelestrats

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My advice is to buy one. Any one. I can assure you that you will buy another one after the first one and then maybe even a third one. They are that addictive and that attractive and that good. So go ahead, buy your first tele.

In short, buy the one that you think you like the most and is within your budget. I almost started with a MIA blizzard pearl tele, but then got the MIM 72 Deluxe ri because it was versatile, different and cool. Then got a MIM standard because it was priced low, on sale and played awesome. Then I had to try that Squier CV 50's tele and it was as good as they said. I play the CV 50 the most. So now I am still open to another tele, when it rolls around my way I will get it.

So go ahead, buy your first tele...
 

va3ux

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Gents - thanks very much for all the advice. Excellent.

What I don't see anyone saying is , " oh, steer clear of this or that", or " definitely spend the extra money for that if you can afford it". That tells me that decent tele's are available almost regardless of price or country of origin (within reason of course).

Good stuff. Thank you.

(PS. I do have a Yamaha MS311 - not exactly a tele, but reasonably close).
 

DOGGONE

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Any of the above mentioned guitars can be made to play, sound good by tweaking and changing parts, but if you are looking for a good guitar right out of the gate I would say you will find that the MIA is your best bet. It comes at a higher price, but the quality of the components is higher and when, or if, you should decide to trade or sell it you will get a higher price for it, and in time it will appreciate in value,
 

Snorre

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I have a couple of MIAs (American Deluxe, '52 Reissue, and American Standard), a few MIMs (a Nashville Deluxe and two Standards). They each have their own personality, feel (neck size/thickness varies), and sound to them. I love them all.

The MIAs are more expensive and have nicer components. Of the MIAs, the '52 RI is my favorite and I'll never sell her. However, there is a reason I have two MIM Standards - their mojo! I bonded with each of them as soon as I picked them up and they probably get more play time than any of my other guitars. There is beauty in their simplicity and if you test drive one, you may end up feeling the same way. Doesn't hurt they are less expensive, too! Why two of them, you ask? Well, the first one is an Arctic White and it's great but I was on the hunt for a Surf Green Tele with a Maple Fretboard and last year they came out with the 2009 Special Edition Standard and Surf Green (with matching headstock) was one of the color options. Love it!

image removed

Just be careful! You may end up getting the fever like me:

image removed
 

Telemarkman

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Any of the above mentioned guitars can be made to play, sound good by tweaking and changing parts, but if you are looking for a good guitar right out of the gate I would say you will find that the MIA is your best bet. It comes at a higher price, but the quality of the components is higher and when, or if, you should decide to trade or sell it you will get a higher price for it, and in time it will appreciate in value,

OK, let's say you prefer the vintage specs to the modern ones - or, as in my case, you just can't live with modern saddles, modern tuners, big/tall frets, flatter radius, modern "C" neck etc.

If you still want a MIA guitar, you've got no choice but to buy an American Vintage Tele, 'cos those are the only MIA Teles with vintage specs.

These are in my opinion the best Teles Fender make today - at least outside the Custom Shop..... But they cost!

If you prefer a less expensive alternative you have to go with the MIM Classics (or even a Japan reissue).

The cheapest MIA model, the Highway One, is no alternative if you prefer all vintage specs, and no one's gonna convince me that the Highway One is of a higher quality than the MIM Classics - no way!

If, on the other hand, you prefer "all-modern" specs, you have the choice between an American Standard or a Mexican Standard, and in this case I'd say the MIA takes the prize, but at a price so to speak ...
 

PaulBrennan

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Don't forget the Baja Telecaster. This is a MIM guitar but it uses Custom Parts. This is by far the best non-MIA Tele you can buy. Perhaps even better than many MIA models.
 

Joey

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I have all American made Fender, Heritage and Gibson guitars, but did not own a Tele. I tested/played, Highway 1 , MIA , Deluxe and MIM Teles in GC. The 2009 MIM felt, played and sounded the best to me so I bought it. I was very surprised and only tried the MIM last because I expected the worse, but I was wrong. My decision was not based on money.
I took it to my Tech (who builds custom guitars) for a basic set up with D'Adario 10's and was ready to go. My Tech found not issues with the guitar and said fit/finish was very good out of the box. The added perk was that it cost me $299 with a gig bag (Fender Friday special sale at MF which GC honored)
The motto of this post is if it feels,plays, sound good, who cares where it is made as long as you are happy with it.
 

Discosanta

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Don't forget the Baja Telecaster. This is a MIM guitar but it uses Custom Parts. This is by far the best non-MIA Tele you can buy. Perhaps even better than many MIA models.

The weight on some bajas can be on the heavy side, so you should try before you buy.
I bought a used baja unseen on the internet and it was much heavier than my Les Paul copy:eek:
Luckily I managed to sell it to someone who didn´t mind the about weight of the guitar.
 

DOGGONE

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The new MIA's are great guitars, as for the rest of them, it's trial and error. If you have a guitar store near you that has a good selection of Teles it might be worth your while to try out as many as you can, and you might luck out like Joey, but if you are ordering by mail you'll be safer with a MIA.
 

va3ux

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More great advice and insight. I appreciate it guys.

Vintage spec vs modern spec : I don't know the difference. What are we talking about here ?
 

Telemarkman

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va3ux said:
Vintage spec vs modern spec : I don't know the difference. What are we talking about here ?

Most folks prefer one over the other, rarely both.

Vintage specs include a small fretboard radius (7.25"), small frets, a 3-saddle "ashtray" type bridge and vintage Gotoh tuners w/center 'well'.

Modern specs include a flatter fretboard radius (9.5"-12"), bigger/taller frets, a 6-saddle bridge plate with no edges, and tuning posts w/holes-through.

These are some of the most important differences to me anyway.
 

chezdeluxe

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The thing I like most about my 2008 American Standard is the maple neck.

No extremes of too thick or too thin just a good comfortable handful.

Hand rolled edges that feel so smooth and a great fret job on a 9.5" radius that lets me get the neck straight with a low action.

Oh and the guitar weighs in at a very balanced 7lb 6.5oz.
 
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