Mexican VS American Telecaster! - Part 2

Check out this comprehensive side-by-side comparison of these two amazing Teles!
If you found this video helpful, be sure to like and subscribe :)
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Riff was from "Listen Close" by Maylene and the Sons of Disaster
Enjoy!

[@cameraz99]

Whether Mexican or American, nothing beats a Tele.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+cameraz99 😁👍

[@deanmccaskill5495]

Except a Les Paul Standard.

[@timcolorplay2543]

But Stratocaster got more attention

[@deanmccaskill5495]

+Daniel F I've got 3 strats and a tele. All American. Never play them.

[@deanmccaskill5495]

+Daniel F Just can't get the single coil sound to work for me. I like the in between ones but I use them not very often. If I had to pick I'd take the tele I guess.

[@allenslansky]

KZbin should give you an award. This video is a master class on a demo. 1. Great vocal audio. (good voice too) 2. Good balance of vocal and instrument level. 3. Camera on a tripod and doesn't move (thank god) 4. Camera is in focus. 5. Host plays the same riffs for both instruments. 6. Host doesn't try to show me how fast (or loud) he can play.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+allenslansky Thanks for the kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed the comparison :)

[@artiefischel2579]

They both sounded pretty good. The Mexican hardly had an accent at all.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+Arthur Fischel 😄😄😄

[@Criticochato1]

The sound of the american one is more cleen. The mexican one is warmer.It all depends on the player taste!

[@deanmccaskill5495]

I agree the Mex is creamier. I've got an American such and such. The guy that sold it to me had a hundred things about the pickups this and special edition that. All that stuff is gone out of my head immediately. I like it lots. I play it when I get sick of my les Pauls sometimes. The Strat is definitely my least favorite guitar. I mean I still love it but it's at the bottom of the ladder for me.

[@andrewptob]

I agree with your last statement, dean. I've never enjoyed the sound of the Strat. I've had Les Paul for several years, which I enjoy, but I recently decided I wanted a Fender and I never considered a Strat. I knew I was getting a Tele, just didn't know if I wanted the MIA or MIM. I got the MIM and it's simply amazing.

[@deanmccaskill5495]

AOB I've had Mexican Fenders before. Never found a thing wrong with them. I havent got any now but I'd buy one in a minute if I liked it.

[@andrewptob]

dean mccaskill Right on, man. I wish I had gotten a Tele years ago. Perfect tone for me personally. Maybe not the most versatile instrument, but it's probably the best at what it does well.

[@joseaquino8773]

Teles and Strats are supposed to sound brighter and cleaner than other guitars. But, if you like darker tones, you can get the MIM.

[@teleoneil7214]

Darrell, you do such a fantastic job of demoing & comparing instruments. Your approach is such a treat because you present the gear without injecting your personal favorite in a forceful way. Whenever you do offer your opinion it's usually a gentle nudge & very respectful to the manufacturer of the product being tested. I'm sure the companies appreciate the manner in which you approach these demo's & will continue to use your services for many years to come. Thank you!

[@snaggiz]

I closed my eyes for the riff test, and the only time I couldn’t help myself from opening my eyes to see what was making that sound, was when you played the Mexican!

[@Itsallawesome]

The American standard has more definition and clarity to it in my ears. The Mexican still sounds amazing though and that's the one I'm going to buy after all. I'm just admitting to the fact that yes the American is slightly better. But I don't think it's almost 700 extra dollars better.

[@Patmclean232]

I agree 100%! I'd say buy the mexican and eventually put better pickups in it. you'll probably get the same sound and still get out of it significantly cheaper.

[@rajdeepganguli2274]

Itsallawesome i'd buy a les paul for the extra price and make a tele vs. les paul video on my own

[@TheElOcean]

The thing is that the American Standard has micro-tilt, rolled fretboard edges, an extra fret, and it a wider range of routing options. American guitars tend to have better QC and attention to detail as well as higher quality finish. Still gonna get myself a Mexican one though because, you know, money. :D

[@Patmclean232]

El Ocean yeah that's my issue too. But with a pickup change and some setting up you can make the Mexican guitars pretty darn nice! Honestly with some Luthier work you could almost make a Mexican guitar as good as an American, maybe with the exception of wood quality. You would probably have to do some fret work and such though

[@Patmclean232]

El Ocean and as for the micro tilt you can shim the neck with business cards. I've done this and it works very well. It's more of a pain but totally doable

[@mikegeyer762]

First time I have seen this comparison. I happen to own a Mexican Std. Telecaster in lake Placid blue , identical to the guitar you tested. It is truly a great guitar and I could not be happier. I also own an American Deluxe tele with the noiseless pickups. Your comparison truly points out the differences between the two guitars. Both sound great but the mexican Tele is much warmer especially the neck pickup. Playing jazz on the mexican tele works just fine. The american deluxe is definately brighter with more twang but both sound and play fantastically.The mexican teles pickups are also much hotter than the american version as well. I love both guitars but from a value standpoint the mexican tele was a third of the price of the american deluxe. The mexican teles are GREAT values! Nice comparison.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+Mike Geyer Thanks! Good points. I'm glad you enjoyed the comparison :)

[@kramusic]

I have played both Telecasters and, I really do prefer the MIM Telecaster over the USA Telecaster.

[@michaelgarcia2050]

I'm just glad to see somebody who knows how to mic a guitar amp properly (hint: a phone camera is not the right way...). I've owned two MIM and two MIA Fenders and if there's a difference between them, I didn't notice it. I'm not too picky, however. The MIA construction may have felt slightly smoother, but sound-wise there were no significant differences.

[@FirestormAudio]

I actually like the sound of the mexican tele better. The american has more treble and less of the low end that I like.

[@FredPilcher]

I agree!

[@gethinap]

Same here.

[@MrCamarena1978]

I also agree.

[@names5508]

Confusing mud with low end is a common beginners error,lol.

[@FirestormAudio]

It's ok if you disagree, but don't try to act like good guitar tone is objective.

[@triumphantsam]

Just bought 2020 Mexi Nashville Tele. Decided after playing ever Tele I could get my hands on. Sweet neck, and that neck/middle pickup position is amazing. My first Tele and I am hooked for life.

[@andrewptob]

Just got a MIM today with your help. I'm smitten with it! Thanks again for these reviews!

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+AOB Awesome! Congratulations on the new Tele 👍

[@Dave062YT]

LPB is a fantastic colour .i've got my Vintera 60s modified in it .4 way switching and S1 to put pickup in and out of phase is a game changer for me and love my Mexican beauty.

[@l3ertuz362]

I like the MIA version - seems to me it has more bite, chimes and can cut thru the mix; more transparent in overdrive; MIM has darker sound and muddy in overdrive

[@DaveyG68]

I have a 2015 MIM Standard Tele. Great blues and rock machine with the hot pickups. Keeper!

[@ernestorodriguez4851]

Me too. The same year! As you said: a rock machine.

[@bebrave9108]

Gotta say, I love the Mexican tele. Because of this, I bought one in butterscotch baby!

[@LinkMassing]

Beautifully crafted and point WELL MADE!!! Nothing against my strat,..but I placed him back in the case within 3 months of purchasing my Mexican tele (Blackout 3 pickup/5 way). 1 year later,...I Purchased an American. LOVE THEM EQUALLY!!!! Best of both worlds! Excellent posts, pleasure to listen to this research. Thank you!

[@TheRycooder]

SO glad I subscribed, love your playing! tough comparison, I think the MIM dirtiest up better but cleaner tones by American but for the money difference, I'd definitely go MIM!

[@TonyAguirreJazz]

I started with a MIM and loved it. I then upgraded to the American with a Rosewood Fret and it took it to the next level. Both sound great but the American feels so much easier to play, plus you can see the difference in quality although very slight.

[@RockerThomas]

Wow! Wasn't expecting there to be so much difference. You can really hear the (electronic) refinements in the USA-made Tele: clearer, more detailed sound; wider frequency range. The Mex is quite endearing, though : )

[@allenwoody5909]

I own a Nashville Tele MIM Deluxe, Noiseless pickups, locking Fender tuners come standard on it, also has CTS pots and Oak Grisgby 5 way switch. Could not ask for a better or more beautiful (Daphne Blue Goodness) guitar. Yea Mexico.

[@kandyrew]

hrmm the american definitely sounds a bit more clearer here. The mexican almost sounded like what strings sound like when compared to new ones -there's just a slight lack in depth of tone. Worth the extra $$? iunno, maybe not? I'd say the difference in MIA vs MIM with telecasters seem to be much more noticeable than strats -but just in my humble opinion

[@matthare7321]

Yeah mate i agree with you but still for 550 dollars here in Australia I'll take the mim

[@the_joy_n_sorrow]

What in the Apex Legends!

[@shaunmcinnis1960]

Good comparison. Definitley more dynamics in the American pickups but very close for sure. The nice thing is you can always roll back the tone"American" for a warmer sound but but you can't roll it forward "Mexican" if you don't have it.

[@pleasure.93]

American sound brigther than Mexican, while Mexican warmer than American

[@dennisjonescentral]

I've been changing pickups capacitors and tone pots for years to make my guitars sound better. It's all about your personal taste. Both are great guitars!!

[@Errefxul]

wow, I think the difference in tone is massive. The MIM has (as we call it here) a "nasal tone" (more mid range between 300-500hz I think) and the usa has more crisp and better high end, which is crucial when you wanna record and mix guitars, you need to cut out all the mud of the MIM if you want a clear mix (for my type of music at least). Maybe live or just in front of the amp the MIM has a "full" or "warmer" tone, but it's pretty muddy for me. Now the next step is... put the USA pickups in the MIM

[@blacksnow150]

or try different value v/t pots ( or brand of pots, some have a higher pass than others ) or a treble bleed on the vol pot would brighten the top end ,as some volume pots also roll of some tone with the volume ,,,, it may not be as good a fix as swapping the pickups but it would definitely clean up the top end and would only cost about 20/25 bucks for pots and capacitors and possibly a resistor depending what type of treble bleed you want

[@3star2nr]

That's not a big deal, thats why u have high pass filters...

[@ernestorodriguez4851]

The best comparison video I`ve ever seen, Darrell! It seem you are not "forced" to prefer between MIM and MIA. You played the same parts with both guitars. My conclusion: if you are lookin`for the tradicional Tele sound for made country, go MIA. On the other side, MIM is a rock machine. Thank you.

[@somebodyelseuk]

The obvious difference in tone between the two is probably more to do with the 'bypass' tone control in the US guitar than the pickups... I would change that before changing the pickups. That said, my US Tele has one, too. I prefer them with a conventional tone control. From this end of the internet, I have to say, the Mexican Tele sounds better for me.

[@theexpert8163]

ALL THE FINISHES ON EVERY MEX TELE I HAVE IS SIMPLY FLAWLESS AND AS STUNNING AS CAN BE !!

[@clight77]

Yep I agree love my MIM 60's Baja 2017 is a fantastic guitar, I did get fret sprout 6 months after I bought as my relative humidity was way different at home, but that was easy to fix. I live in Canada and I had to pay $1400.00 for mine.

[@dickyalexander5988]

Yes i've got decisions, Buy mexican and changed the bridge pick up with seymour duncan hot rails

[@spideredu89]

dicky alexander i prefer changed by anilco pick ups

[@RokyJJ]

Your videos are always useful, full of many important informations.. thank you I am improving my guitar culture! I started few months ago playing guitar and your demos, your suggestions, everything you show... well they increase my will to play and my passion for music in general. Thank you!

[@Joker-yw9hl]

Either one sounded better at different points :) both great guitars!

[@Joker-yw9hl]

(I think your conclusion is spot on btw)

[@thomasmarlow1254]

Good vid, a week before Christmas I found a Mexican tele in lake placid blue, the same in the vid , for $300 here in Louisville ky, it is like new condition, for the price I couldn’t pass it up, great addition to my collection, and the lake placid blue is a gorgeous blue, the video dosent do its justice

[@hack-ta-guitare]

Definitely love the american brighter sound...But don't have the money to spend as much. Do you think replacing the mexican pick-ups will be enough to get this richer/brighter/well defined sound ?

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+hack-ta-guitare Hi! Yes, swapping out the ceramic pickups in the MIM tele for a set of alnico pickups will give you the brightness and clarity of the MIA tele ☺

[@hack-ta-guitare]

Hi Darrell, and thank you for your feedback. My next guitar will be a tele ;). Thanks for such great videos !

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+hack-ta-guitare Anytime ☺

[@AlmaRockeraOficial]

Or maybe just add an EQ pedal to add the brightness your looking for

[@tasosbull]

or change the capacitor

[@TonyAguirreJazz]

i just bought the MIM Blue tele and love it. I also have a Gibson LP Studio and my world is now complete.

[@osvaldoantuna8268]

bro a like your way of play . im love this model a have one tele cabrinita made in mexico and is the gret guitar!! gret video and sorry my inglish

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+osvaldo antuña 👍😀

[@reviewforthetube6485]

I love the tone of mexican fenders strats and teles alike

[@neshead80]

Wondering if the brightness difference is the pickups or the no-load pots on the USA model.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+neshead80 Hi! The main difference is between the modern ceramic MIM pickups and the low output Alnico US pickups :)

[@murderinc.hunting7686]

Never in a million years did I think i would hear "Listen Close" in a guitar video lol

[@byTakz]

I prefer the Mexican one! I feel like the sound is sweeter to my hears. It depends on the taste of the player and the songs he plays

[@johnnymcquinn6025]

I have run a repair shop for many years...reality is the MIM are brought in to be upgraded. MIA are brought in for setup. When played in my experience, MIM are not that warm, & the necks need work to be comfortable. Personally I like the USA special. I believe it's the performer now....the only thing I don't like about Fender, they change the names of the series to often. But it is always up to the individual. I like doing the upgrades!

[@jjd2065]

The American definitely sounds more "brighter", "clear" with more detail then the MIM. Thats due to the "Alnico" vs "Ceramic" pickups. The Mexican was much more warmer sounding to my ears. I see that many people preferred the sound of the Mexican, and I agree. i prefer the warmer tone as well. I guess if you like the brighter tone, it would make sense to get the Mexican, and switch out the pickups for USA fenders, or aftermarket. It would be MUCH more cheaper then buying a USA Tele. The Mexican made Tele is really hard to beat at its price point compared to the USA Telecaster. Thanks for making this Video! Great, honest Review!!

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+Dappa Don Glad you liked the comparison! 😀

[@kat834]

great vid buddy!! I tried numerous American and Mexican telecasters in a music shop and the Mex standard just had the edge for me. The shop told me they sell more Mex teles not because of price but simply the sound. I ended up buying the Mexican and it just sounds superb.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+kat834 Nice! They are such great instruments 👍

[@jasonandres3898]

I love MIM Fenders.

[@stringtherapy7577]

On the first Demo. (the one that said comparison #2) the A string on the Mex is a hair flat and the E string on the American is a hair flat...I do not like those bridges I prefer the American Special Tele with the original barrel bridge....just my preference,....you are exactly right about the different feel of the necks....very good comparison video

From a mexican dude that loves made in México products. I have to say that the USA made sounds much better to my ears (not a halve price better by the way...). The USA it´s a little crunchier-harsh like sound, rounded and fuller, it sounds like it has "soul". The mexican have a more "good but generic" sound. It would be interesting to upgrade the pickups in the mexican, with exactly the same ones the american have, and run the same test again... please!

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+Luis Enrique Otero Jiménez I'll see what I can do :)

[@jacoblim6621]

Luis Enrique Otero Jiménez. I like that idea too!!

[@GoonDick]

I have an 17' American professional and a 05' Mexican standard. The American sounds a little brighter on the bridge in clean. Both are beautiful sounding guitars. I think your MIM tele is a little smoother sounding if you will. Excellent comparison. Thank you for posting buddy. I love that second riff you played.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+Billy franks Sweet Teles! Glad you liked the comparison ☺

[@acloserlook5823]

switch the pickups and do it again video will go viral

[@JW23551]

I know this is an older vid, but I really appreciate the nod to Maylene...that made my day, well done!

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+Jwitt23 Thanks! They are a great band 😀👍

[@programmedwrong3795]

Also, i thought the Mexican sounded better.

[@3star2nr]

It sounds ALOT like a humbucker guitar

[@keithlarkins2149]

I have got a made in mexico Telecaster and Stratocaster and they are just great guitars, comfortable to hold whilst trying to navigate round the fretboard.

[@Guratza]

Woah.. The American really shines in every position... Very impressive highs but doesn't lose the warmth. Really impressive difference, didn't expect it really.

[@Thibz68]

Very well done .. The differences between the two isn't even close to the differences in cost .. I agree on the the difference I hear in tone .. The American made does have the more highs / twang tone .. On my Tele I have the volume up front and tone switch in the back, which was one of many selling points when purchasing mine..

[@WindOnMyWings]

Your videos are always a step ahead the others! ;)

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+WindOnMyWings Thanks!

[@grbrum]

Your videos are awesome and your guitar playing is even better. I really enjoy watching your videos. By the way I just bought a Tele MIM. Thanks for the videos

[@AchillesWrath1]

the blue one sounds better

[@samuraidave1645]

I have the same color mim telecaster from the 90’s and it still sounds great. My fav color in them, sucks it’s not as common.

[@edwardtoscano]

Wow I skipped ahead so I wouldn't know which guitar was American or Mexican. I honestly preferred the blue guitar way more maybe the strings set to low on the American sounded trebly string buzzy a bit

[@dorianvaltigoor]

if you don't know wich guitar is american and mexican why you write "the blue guitar" and "the american"????

[@davidoug22]

great video, helped me a lot I just started playing again and found a fender limited edition tele opal white (mexico)for 349 GBP reduced from 550, almost spent more on American but after watching this video I think I got the best deal !! I guess when I'm a better player I may look at american

[@Brendagrady32]

Squire classic Vibe just as good as both for $300 less than the MIM and $600 less than the MIA. Hmmmmm

[@gangnamstylegrandpa6352]

Great job on the comparison . I have an American Standard tele , a mexican 50's reissue tele , and a squier classic vibe tele custom . They are all a little different , all play and sound great , all made very well . I think it proves you can 't beat Fender for a great guitar at any price . The squier is unbeatable for the money , and I play them all with equal pride !

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+kenneth tamburro Well said!

[@davidlericain]

Am I the only one hearing a little clipping in the recording? Nonetheless great video!

[@johannessilver8653]

I bought Squier Affinity Tele crafted in Indonesia. I like it and it was not expensive.

[@peanutsarerising7173]

The Nick Jonas guitar.....

[@sirTimithiusReviewsProducts]

Thanks Darrell, you just saved me about $500. Honestly why not just switch the pickups on your MIM tele to American pickups. This is a no brainer. Great comparison!

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Glad to help!

[@OneMoreMileAnHour]

The American sounds so much better. I don't understand how you're all saying the Mexican is better! The American has so much depth to its tone. You can hear a lot more going on. Like the sonic version of good wine!!!

[@OneMoreMileAnHour]

I agree with your last comment, that the Mexican is definitely not half the guitar. It is definitely better value for money. However it's widely known that to get that extra little bit of sparkle you do have to pay more than you'd expect.

[@timreynolds99]

+OneMoreMileAnHour Yep - that's the Law of diminishing returns - the difference is more evident in this vid than in part one tho.

[@gangnamstylegrandpa6352]

I like the warmer depth of tone in the mexican tele ! I have both , and I play my American tele more with the neck pickup and the tone knob on 7 to get that sound !

[@juniorsanchez5651]

I kind of agree

[@candelariocardenas8783]

not really

[@cryath]

I have a Mexican standard and love it. Dropped in Fender Custom Shop Texas Specials and it sounds delicious.

[@angelmtz6225]

Viva México 🇲🇽

[@danhope77]

I like those ceramic pickups. Warm and round.

[@sonicdeviant]

American sounds better. More clarity and definition. More bite.

[@BooBooJonez]

I buy cheap, used Teles, Strats and Epiphones and order entire electronic from their American counterparts on ebay. I change everything. Pots, switches, wires, output jack. If you find a cheap guitar that you really like, plays well and has a good feel, buy it and change the electronics. My latest is a Squire Tele with American body specs and countersunk output jack just like a real Tele. I paid $150 for it. I then bought an entire Texas Special set of PUps with the original pots, switch and wires all from the same guitar. $139.99.... Now this thing plays and sounds like a dream. All that and a new fender $100 case from Statosphere. Total price, 389.99 and this Tele plays and sounds better than my original American Fender Tele that I had over $900 in... I play it though a Fender Deluxe Reverb, Bogner La Grange pedal and a Zoom Chorus, Delay, Reverb. I even made a custom leather pick-guard as the Squire Tele had a Humbucker at the neck...

[@davemelton3874]

That is exactly what I’m looking to do. Budget builds keep it fun for me and allow me to have more guitars

[@oscarsanchez4319]

Mexico is In America, America isn't a country

[@ericgomez1487]

Estados Unidos Mexicanos = we call it México United States of America = They call it America....

[@ericgomez1487]

+dare fernandez mean I know what you want to say, the way we call our countries are wrong :/

[@oscarsanchez4319]

Yes, they call it America, but America is a continent, not a country. If we let them say that, we foment its ok, but is not. But sorry, i think this is not the place to discuss this, my bad.

[@cameraz99]

Oscar, there are three countries in North America, and many more countries in South America. But only one country uses "America" in its name -- the United States of America. Therefore, we call it America.

[@oscarsanchez4319]

+cameraz99 I born In Mexico, so I'm american, is that true?

[@guitartec]

Biflex T-rod vs single action compression T-rod in the Mexi. String spacing at bridge. Neck width at the pocket. Oak Grigsby 3 pos switch vs CRL in the Am Tele. Korean jack vs Switchcraft jack (sometimes). Nut materials. Etc...

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+guitartec Good points!

[@jpb1231000]

Donald Trump will make the American Tele GREAT AGAIN!!! 4 REAL

[@SpiderMan-je9yy]

this made me lol. ty.

[@MonkeyBoy406]

Donald Trump will be named and an unidicted co-conspirator

[@MonkeyBoy406]

In a counter intelligence investigation

[@MonkeyBoy406]

Four Trump campaign staffers have been indicted on felony charges of lying to the FBI.

[@MonkeyBoy406]

If Donald Trump is not guilty, then he has nothing to be afraid of. If he is not guilty, then he has nothing to be afraid of and no reason to avoid fully cooperating with Robert Mueller and the special council right?

[@kevinwinfree4600]

This is the first comparison of these two guitars where I thought the american sounded better. I just bought a MIM and for the price I am perfectly happy with it.

[@bungy007]

The Mexican smashed it out of the park for warmth. Great job fella. Been looking for this for years!

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+bungy007 Thanks! Glad you found it helpful!

[@amac1010]

I agree if the threshold in quality of parts assembly and playability is met as is the MIM teles then it becomes the players/artist preference.

[@darylwinn8868]

I have a mexican Tele and I love it. I did put some Seymour Duncan P/U in it though and added some Fender locking tuners. I don't think a person could go wrong buying this guitar.

[@pajodato]

Since Spanish Colony times, Mexicans were top notch guitar makers, they got great woods and artisans, and exported them to Sevilla Spain (the born place of the spanish guitar). In the meantime, the British colonial people got little idea about what a guitar was.

[@ericvel]

I preferred the Mexican's clean tones. The American's overdriven sounds had more clarity, while the Mexican sounded a bit muddy in that regard. At any rate, I've owned four American made teles in the past and I have been lusting after that LPB MIM standard with maple board. Thanks for the comparison vid!

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+erivel Nice! Glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@zentime8047]

I think the American had more clarity in the tone, a better sparkle. But the Mexi sounded real good as well and for half the price I would buy it

[@harrys.3165]

I think the American sounds a little crisper but for the money a Mexican is not far off and I own a Mexican 60 anniversary left hand strat which I love.. Will be buying a left hand telecaster soon as well. Great comparison and video. Very informative.

[@solinadave5769]

Thanks very much for the excellent review Darrell. I think that the tone of the MIA is slightly more refined. It caught my attention sooner than the MIM. A pickup change would make that adjustment if one felt it was necessary. Other than that, the only difference I see is the tone pot and the rounded neck edges. The pot I can live with, and the little bit of extra care in finishing the necks edges would be an attractive feature on the MIM guitar. I believe, all in all, that the Mexican Standard is a much better deal monetarily.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+SOLINA DAVE Thanks Dave! Good points 👍

[@abath07]

I bought a white 2018 MIM Standard and then put an American Standard pickup ( part no. 005-0890-000) in the neck and a Fender Custom '62 Tele Bridge pickup

[@TheMKEWERBY]

Darrell, I think the only difference I noticed was a little more clarity in the middle position on the American. That’s about it.

[@shazamcraft]

Yeah dude!You're small now,but you have the potencial to get millions of subcribers.The videos have a good edition,good themes and the most important thing:you know about the thing.Keep doing it.I'm a big fan.hahaha greetings from Brazil.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+ShazamTele Thanks for the encouragement! I really appreciate it!

[@Darm0k]

the neck pickup on the MIM is like butter. the American is just a bit too harsh for my taste. maybe that's what people want out of Tele, but I'd be dialing that tone back a bit if I had one.

[@rockhoundingeasternwashing5308]

Here's why these tone comparisons seem kinda silly to me. There are nearly endless things that will affect tone. Type of amp, the amp settings, effects pedals, how one picks/strums the strings, pick/strum close to the bridge or close to the neck, or in between or, if you pick/strum hard or soft. Then of course, the tone controls on the guitar and amp. PLUS, everyone has their own preference as to what sounds good and what does not. Remember the stereo systems that came with an equalizer, this is a good example of what I'm talking about. I would set the EQ to where it sounded great to me, then someone else would come along and tweak the EQ to where it sounded good to them. JUST SAYIN'!

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+Bill Conn American and Mexican Teles sound very different from one another. Hearing this difference is important to some people (hence the popularity). It may be possible to make them sound alike with a lot of tweaking, but not everyone is into a lot of processing :) I certainly agree that any instument - Squier, Epiphone, etc can be made to sound excellent with a good player and a good amp!

[@Ticolocosf]

Thanks for the video Darrell. This is great! I like them both! I'm a strat guy but always wanted to add a tele to my collection. Your video inspired me to go and try a MIM Tele and the neck on them are really, really great! I'm getting one and if anything I can use some of the savings on some different pickups. There are a lot pf great pickup makers out there and they are pretty easy to replace. Thanks!!!

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+James Faerron Nice! Congrats on the new Tele ☺

[@jipplejapple3347]

Props on the Maylene riff. I like the Mexican Tele sound overall.

[@osvaldoantuna8268]

ok this choise is for a diferent scale between fender and gibson... the fender support more pressure in the neck and headstock... appreciation your help and offer your know how very thankful thank for yuor help grettings my frien

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+osvaldo antuña Anytime :)

[@nicholaskreider9728]

The cleans in the American had wonderful clarity the mexi was s little muddy in comparison but still nice. When the overdrive was added I liked the warmer lows from the Mexican vs the twang of the American. Depends on your style of music. The sounds of both could be altered with pedals and amps. I would not say the American is worth twice as much but that's just me.

[@johncaplis2598]

Dude - thanks - excellent down to earth comparison. Appreciated - keep going.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+John Caplis 👍 Will do!

[@MLoPeZ23805]

Both offered sound qualities I enjoyed. The fingerstyle piece you played sounded a bit more accommodated on the MIM..over driven it was tough to tell, but the American takes the cake on the twang/blues. Harder to tell the difference on Telecaster than on the Stratocaster In my opinion. Thanks, I'm going to purchase my first tele and it's going to be the MIM for now. Took me two MIM strats to work up to an American.

[@Joshua1995712]

Eyyyyyy Maylenee! Awesome riff choice for the demo Darrell.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+Josué Espinosa Thanks! 😀😀😀

[@scottanderson4175]

I have a Mexican Tele and 2 Korean PRS guitars a SE CUSTOM 24 and a SE Tremonti they are all I need for my skill level

[@DesertScorpionKSA]

I have a Mexican Telecaster I bought about a year ago. It was a great deal because it was blemished and I think I paid about $300 for it new. I love how the middle position sounds on the MIM Tele which is warm and chimey at the same time. I think the American Tele's pickups are a bit better and have a clearer ringing tone that would be great for country and would work for blues with tone knob rolled back at bit. The MIM Telecaster is a better deal than the American, at least in my opinion, since the fit and finish on my Tele is very good.

[@monmixer]

closed my eyes and couldn't tell the difference. I bought a mim nashville deluxe so I didn't have to take more than one guitar to use in the cover band. Worked fine for me. My babies stayed home. I did notice a bit of difference in the tone of the USA made one on some of the finger picking. Seemed a bit warmer but not enough of a difference that anyone would notice listening to a bar band and as an audio guy myself I just go to the board and boost a bit of low mid on my guitar channel. Yea, I cheated.