/ Register

  1. Win a Broadcaster or one of 3 Teles! The annual Supporting Member Giveaway is on. To enter Click Here. To see all the prizes and full details Click Here. To view the thread about the giveaway Click Here.

MIM Strat ID help

Discussion in 'Stratocaster Discussion Forum' started by trey, Aug 24, 2020.

Tags:
  1. Aug 24, 2020 #1
    trey

    trey Tele-Meister Ad Free Member

    Posts:
    170
    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2003
    Location:
    s. austin
    I have a 2003 MIM Strat with what appear to be upgraded parts. The serial number lists it as MIM but as a Players Deluxe which I don't think it is.
    It has vintage style tuners, stamped saddles, full-size trem block. I'm hoping to pin down what it really is and what it might be worth.
    20200817_123157.jpg 20200817_123305.jpg 20200817_123350.jpg 20200817_123404.jpg 20200817_123436.jpg 20200817_123547.jpg 20200817_123615.jpg 20200817_123633.jpg 20200817_123645.jpg 20200817_170708.jpg

    Thanks for any help or advice.

    trey
     
    RhythmFender likes this.
  2. Aug 24, 2020 #2
    Togman

    Togman Tele-Afflicted Silver Supporter

    Age:
    61
    Posts:
    1,596
    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2004
    Location:
    Cambridgeshire, UK
    Sorry, I can't answer your question. But it sure looks a nice Guitar.
     
    trey likes this.
  3. Aug 24, 2020 #3
    schmee

    schmee Doctor of Teleocity

    Posts:
    13,892
    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2003
    Location:
    northwest
    That is in amazing shape.... yep the SN says 2003. Those are not original pickups I don't think ....IIRC they were still supplying ceramic bar magnets then. Wow like new! They are great guitars. My #1 is a 98 MIM. I play it far more than my US Strat.
     
    3-Chord-Genius and trey like this.
  4. Aug 24, 2020 #4
    trey

    trey Tele-Meister Ad Free Member

    Posts:
    170
    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2003
    Location:
    s. austin
    That's the year the serial number led to. I think I bought the guitar here about 10 years ago but, honestly can't remember. I was only using it while teaching.
     
  5. Aug 24, 2020 #5
    schmee

    schmee Doctor of Teleocity

    Posts:
    13,892
    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2003
    Location:
    northwest
    Yeah I looked it up and changed my post. Very nice! I dont remember seeing that color much either.
     
    trey likes this.
  6. Aug 24, 2020 #6
    sjtalon

    sjtalon Doctor of Teleocity Ad Free Member

    Posts:
    10,900
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2006
    Location:
    Upper Peninsula of Michigan
    Without a doubt, very nice.

    But a partscaster...................FWIW, and not that that's a bad thing really.

    I'm leaning toward the pups being Classic Series 50's-60's.

    Very nice 'ol school vintage tone. I call them the MIM 57/62's.
     
    trey likes this.
  7. Aug 24, 2020 #7
    trey

    trey Tele-Meister Ad Free Member

    Posts:
    170
    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2003
    Location:
    s. austin
    I think that's what it boils down to. It had the 'upgrades' when I bought it.
    Thanks for your thoughts.
     
  8. Aug 24, 2020 #8
    jvin248

    jvin248 Doctor of Teleocity

    Posts:
    10,030
    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2014
    Location:
    Lions & Tigers oh Mi !
    .

    Those look like Fender Alnico MIM plastic bobbin pickups. I would have though at least one different wire color pair but they may not have.

    There was a 'hickup' year in the MIM Strat production where they used Alnico then went back to ceramic bars. Tele did too but that one lasted several years, I have one from 2000 with Alnico bobbins. So you might just be stock there. Worth digging a little more though. Solder blobs look original factory from the corner of the picture I can see.

    .
     
    trey likes this.
  9. Aug 24, 2020 #9
    trey

    trey Tele-Meister Ad Free Member

    Posts:
    170
    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2003
    Location:
    s. austin
    The pickups are just a little hotter than old style.
    Thanks for your help.
    Btw, back in the early '70s I had a '60s Lake Placid Blue Strat just like this. Traded it for something. Worth a whole bunch nowadays but back then it was just a blue Fender and who knew...I try not to think about it.
     
  10. Aug 25, 2020 #10
    sjtalon

    sjtalon Doctor of Teleocity Ad Free Member

    Posts:
    10,900
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2006
    Location:
    Upper Peninsula of Michigan
    Never heard of that ??
     
  11. Aug 25, 2020 #11
    sjtalon

    sjtalon Doctor of Teleocity Ad Free Member

    Posts:
    10,900
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2006
    Location:
    Upper Peninsula of Michigan
    Could be Classic Series 70's then, can you post a resistance reading ?

    You are welcome.
     
  12. Aug 25, 2020 #12
    440mhz

    440mhz Tele-Meister

    Age:
    65
    Posts:
    143
    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2019
    Location:
    Englehart, On, Canada
    Just curious, but isn't that neck plate from an american made Tele?
     
    trey likes this.
  13. Aug 25, 2020 #13
    trey

    trey Tele-Meister Ad Free Member

    Posts:
    170
    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2003
    Location:
    s. austin
    I don't know. Maybe someone can confirm?
     
  14. Aug 25, 2020 #14
    Dana Rudd

    Dana Rudd Tele-Holic

    Age:
    72
    Posts:
    731
    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2020
    Location:
    Greybull, WY
    Nice looking guitar, can't help with identity though.
     
    trey likes this.
  15. Aug 25, 2020 #15
    sjtalon

    sjtalon Doctor of Teleocity Ad Free Member

    Posts:
    10,900
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2006
    Location:
    Upper Peninsula of Michigan
    Yes, Corona, California. MIM's don't have anything stamped on them, bare plate.
     
    trey likes this.
  16. Aug 26, 2020 #16
    Blue Bill

    Blue Bill Poster Extraordinaire Ad Free Member

    Posts:
    8,001
    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2014
    Location:
    Maine
    I would expect to pay $350-400 for it. It sure is in nice shape. The plastic truss rod insert indicates a MIM, which, like it or not, makes it worth half of what an American partser would be. It looks like a sweet Strat.
     
    Last edited: Aug 26, 2020
    trey likes this.
  17. Aug 26, 2020 #17
    trey

    trey Tele-Meister Ad Free Member

    Posts:
    170
    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2003
    Location:
    s. austin
    Thank you all. This has been a great help.
     
IMPORTANT: Treat everyone here with respect, no matter how difficult!
No sex, drug, political, religion or hate discussion permitted here.