Why Guitar Players HATE Mexican Strats

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00:00 Intro
01:38 My First Strat
04:04 Does It Sound Good?
05:28 Strat Influences

[@jaycollins9244]

I have been a guitar teacher for years and a lot of my students have had Mex strats over that time. I never once saw one that wasn't exceptional. I have even had a few myself. Nothing wrong with them whatsoever!

[@MrGixxer1300r]

I have bought used MIM strats with a case or a amp for 500.00 us a new one from guitar center out the door is like 800.00. I have played my sons ultra, and a few of the pro 2 series guitars and don't like them as much as my modded MIM I have like 1400.00 in including the hard case as it is setup and modded to exactly how I play. and I own a american strat as well

[@NotAPacifist825]

I don't like the narrow nut, which 1 5/8" like a vintage American. They finally updated it on the high end Mexican models but the ones I've played seem to use low quality wood. To each his own.

[@RobertSmith-lw2bx]

I have one and I love it. Clean, great resonance.

[@billyshears6622]

If they are all exceptional then you are using that word incorrectly.

[@NotAPacifist825]

@@billyshears6622 lol. Grammar 🚓🚨

[@ekuryluk]

I’ve been playing for 3 years, and after borrowing my son’s guitar in my early lessons, I got a Mexican Player HSS Strat. Honestly, it sounds like a cow in pain when I play it. After awhile, I really wanted to hear what my guitar was supposed to sound like, so I asked my guitar teacher play it. The tone was exquisite. Everything you would expect from a Strat. Lesson here, at least for me, what country the guitar was manufactured in doesn’t matter until your at the top of your game.

[@robeddy3722]

And even then, it doesn't really matter. I saw a video with Zakk Wylde playing Balck Sabbath tunes on a Hello Kitty plastic guitar. It sounded amazing because he has the talent/skill to get the best sound out of it.

[@senecaturnpike9179]

I’ve been playing 30 years and have a bunch of expensive guitars. I took a buddies mex strat just to restring it for him and it is so fuckin monstrous that I don’t want to give it back!

[@letssee9]

be careful with that. zyou really have to go after what you want and know why you want it. With Fender, country of origin is a thing of the past. I just got a tele, after playing a few I got the anerican performer. American yeah, but not the top of the line and super easy to play.. The top of the line had different pickups and didn't really sound like the classic Tele. I got a Jazzmaster, went mexican. The frets are a little rough, I'll have them shaved, BUT the American doesn't have the classic Jazzmaster Switching that makes a jazzmasterr a jazzmaster. NOw I'm looking at the mustangs. Same deal, the 60s vintera has the Mustang switching and gets the classic mustang sounds, and there is no american pro version, the other mustangs lack the switching. . Just know what you want and get the one that does what you are looking for. The americans don't always deliver. OH I almost forgot, I got a Fender Talon long time ago, its Japanese and probably the best player! Good luck/

[@TurbulentJuice]

It is kinda funny when a friend buys quite an extravagant guitar, plucks a few strings then hands it over to hear what it's supposed to sound like 😂🤣 I always think eesh by the time you know what you actually like out of a guitar you'll probably wished you had bought something else.

[@cosmicbutthairs]

Lol cow in pain 😂

[@alexstrums]

My main guitar is a 1996 Korean Squier Strat which I found on the UKs version of Craigslist for £80. Tried lots of others but this has been my number 1 for the last 10 years. I also play a 2022 Epiphone SG Standard. Both guitars have beautiful necks and sound amazing ❤

[@jolkraeremeark6949]

Does it have the Fender 50 year sticker on the headstock?

[@dongmingzhu666]

These are poor man's Fender and Gibson

[@kyleworley1958]

The first guitar I ever spent serious money on was a 60th Anniversary Mexican Strat. I still have it 16 years later, and I absolutely love it. I put Texas Special pickups in it and have zero regrets!

[@tommcdermott11]

Yeah, Texas Special! That's what I did with my late 90's mexi-strat

[@firdausibrahim2574]

One thing that always being overlooked by newer players is that a guitar needs to be properly set up to play easy and sound great.

[@santosmadrigal3702]

All my guitars are profesianly set up . I do my hair line movements through out . I see countless good guitars that need a good setup . Now that I know of proper setups . There is no bad guitars . I recently had new pots in my Mex Strat . And it makes changing tones more fun and expressive .

[@michaellorah9051]

Yep. I have a 60s japanese made Tele-star branded Kawai guitar. I paid $375 for it through Reverb sight unseen. I would say I actually paid $250. The other $125 was for the guys at the guitar shop i bought it from to work their magic on it. They did an absolutely fantastic job with the setup and it is one of the best handling guitars I've ever played. Most people looked down on older japanese guitars for a long time because of build quality but get a luthier who knows what the hell they're doing to work their magic and its just as good as any other guitar.

[@WMDistraction]

I would say actual ability is much more overlooked than any gear lol

[@1001Guitarplayer]

This is what kills beginners. Mom and dad buy little Timmy a $99 guitar with no setup and it’s nearly unplayable with wretched tone. If they’d save $300 they could get a really nice beginner guitar from musicians friend , sweetwater or guitar center and it comes setup ready to play and that might be the difference between little Timmy giving up or becoming a prodigy.

[@santosmadrigal3702]

@@1001Guitarplayer my first guitar was a 1970 Les Paul . I had to put it on lay away , because mom and dad weren't going to get me that .

[@andycasile]

There are some absolute gems among the Mexican Fenders, especially in the last 10 years or so. In my experience, these instruments are pretty much always gig-worthy, and the area they suffer in is mostly setup and slight detail work. If you get one free from those issues, or take a little time to learn to address said issues, you have a guitar you can happily play for the rest of your life.

[@RockWonder210]

There’s been some gems in the special run Squiers and some of them sound and play great.

[@paulcasilio1119]

Andy, I wouldn’t trade my MIM road worn tele for anything.

[@philbert006]

The squier classic vibe series is my so far above it weight it makes no sense. The pickups in the Mexican strats aren't great. They will do what you ask, just not really well. But that's my opinion. USA made fenders just don't justify the cost they command, and that's a fact. You can upgrade a Mexican strat way beyond an American one and still fit comfortably under that US price tag and as mentioned, a little research and work, none of it difficult, and you can correct most any issue you find. The good old days are exactly that. Good old days. Long gone. American manufacturing just isn't what it once was across the board. Sad but true

[@troypalisi3757]

I was lucky enough to get a one piece solid body MIM Stratocaster. I up graded to locking tuners and Tex/Mex pickups and it rivals my 2017 Stratocaster Elite….😊

[@countinwermsuwu]

@@troypalisi3757 ​ My first electric was a purple mexican strat, and I’ve bought some “nicer” guitars since then, but my mexistrat that I put locking tuners on the headstock and a d-activator pickup in the bridge is still my main guitar, it plays great and just feels like home to me… so I feel you haha

[@ithinkmynameismoo5e]

My first guitar after the starter pack' was a Mexi Strat. Almost identical to yours, just a rosewood fretboard. It's sitting on the bed just a foot from me and even though it has since been joined by many more 'prestigious' guitars I still absolutely love it and it gets plenty of play time.

[@Tarantula_Fangs]

I am soo glad you posted this video, I own a squire, a pro2 and a player and I will admit that I grab the player more often than my other gear. I think it sounds fantastic and it’s HIGHLY underrated when being compared to other models like the player plus, performer, pros and ultras. I spent $700 on it thinking that I would upgrade it later and I was so blown away by how it sounded right out of the box that I just think any modifications are necessary.

[@srps2557]

i understand that you think player series is underrated but if you already have a pro2, why do you play the mexican more often? no matter how good it is, i cant imagine it being better than a pro2

[@joshuas8779]

@@srps2557 Maybe he prefers the neck or the pickups 🤷‍♂

[@christianguzman8310]

I love how honest you are with your growth about a lot of crappy pre-concieved notions the guitar community has. Some people never grow out of these notions. Just cause something is affordable doesnt mean its bad nor that you should feel bad for playing and enjoying it lol

[@callmeej8399]

A lot of guitarists are gear snobs that think they can hear the difference between the two. It’s in the fingers. Any pedal or guitar will do for a desired effect with a good player. The audience will never know the difference

[@RockWonder210]

@@callmeej8399 You can say that even louder for the people in the back, but they still won’t listen. 😂

[@aliensarereal7832]

@@callmeej8399 You are totally right. It's nice to know there are players out there like you. The whole tube amp thing always pissed me off. I very humiliated so many of those snobs with my tube amp taste test it's ridiculous. I personally quit playing in bands in 1980 because most guitar players are so full of themselves. Most of them are dudes that could never score a woman in real time so they used the guitar to fill that gap. Pathetic.

[@aliensarereal7832]

@@callmeej8399 Found some really cool people here. When a band calls me to fill in, it's so funny when I show up with my little Fender frontman 25r. Even better when I just show up and plug straight into the pa system. I don't use a lot of pedals so most of my shit fits in a little tool bag.

[@imbehindyou7250]

@@callmeej8399 how can they hear when they’re practically deaf, right?

[@karthain5742]

I bought a Mexican Stratocaster in 1998. It was my first Stratocaster. And it is also my favorite guitar. It’s a great guitar. Still have it to this day.

[@RaisingTiger777]

Hey, I just recently bought a mim 1998 fender strat. Anything I should know you want to share? Like mods or anything?

[@kevinogletree9195]

@@RaisingTiger777 I have a 98 MIM Strat since it was new, I had the Eric Johnson mod done, where middle pickup is wide open and tone knob runs bridge pickup & Orange Drop caps. Gives it a different character.

[@andrij.demianczuk]

I had a ‘99 MIM and I foolishly sold it. It was my first guitar. Biggest gear regret ever.

[@sledge1960]

My first was a 93' great guitar, I still have mine, wouldn't part with it and I was offered good money for it.

[@tommcdermott11]

Me too...late 1990's, played the hell out of it, still have it. I think I payed $200 for it

[@SnowDeity]

I've been playing on the Yamaha Pacifica 612VIIX for about 2 years now and its been an absolute charm to work on it. The natural satin finish and the tone from the seymour duncan pickups just gives me so much enjoyment from just picking it up and playing on it.

[@gergemall]

Thank you Mike. I’m pleased to have found you. It’s amazing how ‘ That guitar’ becomes the one . Showing your vulnerabilities is the road to triumph and growth.

[@leaharrington4472]

It took almost ten years for me to find a Gibson Les Paul that felt and sounded as good as the 90s Korean-made Epiphone Les Paul I inherited through marriage. It's much too easy to listen with our eyes and forget that no matter what guitar you pick up, you're going to sound like you.

[@stefanpolihronopoulos723]

Isn't that the truth.

[@gmac8852]

Thanks Leah.

[@thedevilwuster]

I so very love my Epi SG. It has a tone to be envied.

[@shawnstarks1743]

Real talk. Totally agree. I’ve probably bought 10 Gibsons over the years that I don’t own now, before finding “that one” that I won’t part ways with.

[@terrelbackes6037]

I've had a few Gibsons, maybe 8 different epiphones, and all variety of other guitars over the years. A made in Korea Les Paul Ultra (I'd guess very early 2000s) remained one of the best playing guitars I've come across - I think I got that off craigslist for $250. He's right on the money about knowing how to get the most out of your amp settings and your pickups (combined with knowing how to correctly setup a guitar).

[@skeksis1085]

Great video Mike, really think you're nailing the balance between short, funny videos, actual playing, and conversation pieces like this

[@chevychevelle5953]

Guitar players hate Mexican Strats? That's news to me

[@johnwallace7694]

Not me i love my rose hss

[@RobAu2bitfx]

Great video! It would be awesome to do a deep dive on how you would take typical desktop and beginner set ups and cheap guitars and show how you get decent tones out. Take a bullet, or other budget guitars and talk through your process of what you do to get the best out of your gear. You make such great content!

[@TheReelDealMC]

My first Strat was a 50th Anniversary American Standard that my grandfather got years before. After he stopped playing because of his age and some health issues, he’d listen to me play my classical. He gave me that guitar because he said he didn’t want it to waste away in a case, and I don’t think I could ever get rid of it, though it’s very heavy! It’s almost 10 pounds!

[@michaelshearer3559]

1996 Strats are some of my favorites. I have one with the absolute perfect neck I have ever played on a Fender.

[@shawnperico7221]

Mines was an Olympic white American standard(2011)my first real guitar in my opinion.sounded great with a small amp but when I upgraded all hell broke loose😂

[@theojmandude3995]

I love Mike's content because his ego is so unnoticeable in his videos and you can tell he loves the guitar just like the rest of us fellas and just wants to pour into the community! If more guitar players were like Mike, there'd be fewer problems in the world

[@millbankbagsusa2037]

Appreciate your Jimi H. impression. Took a lot of guts but come on, we all have those clips. I am 71 yrs. old and have a 2004 sunburst Mex. strat with a ash body and maple neck. I did put vintage noiseless pic ups in it which I like a lot. I still get the quack that I need at the bridge setting. 5 way switch with 2 extra pic up settings. I have left shoulder problems and need to have it operated on. This really keeps my playing down, way down. My dad told me ... Ray getting old is not for wimps and he was right. Had the frets redone last year, and the before and after difference is worth every penny. Well my serial # on the guitar is MZ4100705 Deluxe Series. God bless, Ray Oklahoma

[@njchas]

Mike, I came ‘back’ to guitar after a 50+ year hiatus. I was not good as a young player and had a guitar that required 2 fingers or more to make the high note up the neck. I started with an acoustic, didn’t like it, traded up for a basic Epiphone, didn’t like that, traded again for an Ibanez AR63 which I liked a lot. Like many players I was always looking. I did a lot of online research/listening to comparisons and decided I wanted a Mexican Strat. So, my trade was my Ibanez for a Mexican Strat and have not looked back.

[@marktulk4225]

Please explain you "didn't like" an acoustic ? If it was super- cheap, defective, made of laminate ( plywood) I'd understand. ** What if you have a severe power failure (grid), and want to de- stress by playing guitar? - Why not keep the acoustic, GET IT SET- UP RIGHT, and buy an electric, for your main interests? - In '74, I had MASTERED "Blues Harp" (seriously) - James Cotton had nothin' on me, but I wanted to learn guitar basics, so I could understand, and jam ( Why do I play the harp stamped "F", to jam- blues, in key of C ??? - up a "fifth"...) - I was acting/ singing in New York, couldn't afford a Martin or Gibson, so tried- out a lot, and bought a Jap copy of Martin D-28, 'cause of fast action. **Now, 50 years later, I still love it. Though a copy, the top is PERFECT, "Hokkaido Spruce", the growth- rings EXACTLY 1mm apart, the body mahogany, rosewood fretboard. With extra- light strings, PERFECTLY tuned, the unwound strings (.010, 13, 23) will "sing- out", even when un- plucked - by "sympathetic vibration" - like a sitar. - By comment from others, my '74 COPY sounds as good as a new Martin - proven, by wager- in "blind audition"... - BROTHER, just listen to Steve Stills, playing "Treetop Flyer", or Black Queen, and then say - " I DON'T LIKE acoustic guitar." - Please reconsider, and develop your "music appreciation" ( as my Ma used to teach little kids, before Piano) - pick- up an acoustic, just to experiment, and fun. **Hear, also, Dave Mason, many tracks... - Mark T, Michigan, 07FEB24

[@thseed7]

My first Strat was a MIM and I still have it. I've swapped pickups, necks and various hardware until it feels and sounds pretty much perfect. It's a 20 year old workhorse that's been gigged and recorded and now brings this old guitar player joy

[@TheTargetedScapegoat]

My first strat was a MIJ that I bought used - modified with Seymour Duncan live wires, Schaler tuners, and a Kahler trem bridge. Olympic white with a custom cut pick guard (this was back when a humbucker in the bridge was rare). It was made in 1986 and the only thing that made me move away from it was the setup for 9s, which with the tremolo and locking bridge seemed to be too much hassle to adjust up to beefier strings. So I ended up with a MIM sage green strat and a MIJ candy apple red Jazzmaster with matching headstock (just before they became sought after). Eventually I acquired an Epiphone 335 in Pelham blue and a Martin DM acoustic. I still see guitars that I would die to have, but I gave up on the notion that made in America meant anything - other than there are fewer of them and people with a lot of cash will always buy them. I tend to go straight for the Squiers these days, honestly. I have known some guitarists who swear by them and from the years they have put on them and songs played and written with them I would never question a Squier.

[@QueenBeeMedia]

My first one was a Squier bullet strat. The only bad thing about it IMO was the frets were a little rough when I first got it, which to me seems like more than a fair trade-off for knocking $900+ off the price tag

[@bjornlangoren3002]

A hohner classical guitar was my first. It is fine except for intonation. I didn't even know classical and a accoustic was different type of guitar. First electric was bullet strat. It had high action, the neck wasn't straight, guitar center let me swap it out no charge and the one I have now is just fine. Just had to file down the fret ends, something everyone ought learn how to do.

[@callumgordon1668]

I’ve picked up a couple of Chinese squires and for starter guitars they are excellent and decent enough players. I’ve also got a Squier PJ Bass which is more than good enough for my needs.

[@kcsvantasticvoyages9729]

always keep yuor first, it's a good rule to live by, miss my Stella.

[@holotape]

1996 Mexi Strat owner. Got it new for Xmas, and it’s still my main guitar. I have never felt another guitar like it.

[@GunShySunshine]

Funnily enough, my #1 guitar for over a decade now has been an Epiphone Dot, your first electric guitar. Same finish and everything. I bought it on a whim because I just got really into Silversun Pickups and really wanted a semihollow to nail those tones, and I found my dot for $200. Ended up becoming my absolute favorite guitar for years, it felt and sounded perfect 90% of the time with anything I threw at it. And then I sold it to fund another gear purchase while I was in the honeymoon phase with a couple other guitars. It left such a huge impression on me that a few years later I tracked it down and purchased it back from the guy that had it at the time. I was gonna get another epiphone dot or even the newer 335's that epiphone put out and I tried out several. While they were great, they just weren't "my" guitar, yknow? I thought it was worth talking to the guy I sold it to to see who he sold it to, and see who he sold it to, and so on and so forth. Got lucky it only changed hands once since it left me. When I got it back it was pretty beat up. Action was high off the board, polepieces on the pickups and other metal parts were heavily oxidized, it was missing a tuner, but it was without a doubt my old guitar. Still had the drill holes from when I tried to install a trapeze tailpiece and other little markings I remembered. Put a bit of work into getting it fixed up and playable again over the initial wave of Covid and it's become my favorite guitar all over again. I've even gone as far as to sell off most of my collection because most of my other guitars went unplayed. Went from about 10 guitars to just 2. My ol' reliable Epiphone Dot and a Squier Classic Vibe 50s Strat. It's funny how obsessive you get over gear when you first begin because you're trying to emulate the sounds of those you idolize. It leaves so huge of an impression that many players toil for years over not having the "right" gear. You spend time, effort, and money tracking down the gear you idealize but end up dissatisfied because of the unquenchable thirst that comes with acquiring new gear. Then you spend more time and money getting the "right" gear and so on and so forth, it's an endless cycle that plagues many players. We spend so much time trying to take the easy way out. Instead of learning how to make the gear we have work for us, we give up and fork over our paychecks over and over again in the hopes of capturing just the right sound and it ends up becoming an exhaustive and unfulfilling process. It especially happens in the early learning stages in the midst of the frustration that comes with mastering a new skill. You ask yourself; I don't sound like the greats already? Must be my cheap chinese guitar, better fork over the cash for an overpriced hunk of wood made in the USA. Great video, sorry for the wall of text. Very thought provoking and opens up a discussion that's much needed in the guitar world.

[@assazinoflight4301]

Silversun pickups is an absolutely underrated band

[@jr2904]

Awesome to see another SSPU fan out there! The first two albums are my favorite, but I love everything they've done so far

[@BeejayMorgan]

One of my biggest guitar regrets is selling my Dot I picked up on sale at Guitar Center years and years ago. I miss that thing...

[@cameronstewart8561]

I don’t have a dot, but an Epiohone ES-339, which is similar, but just a smaller body. Love that thing.

[@THISmusicGUY]

Congrats on y’all for reading this full thing. I have a short attention span! 😅

[@bearfamily2636]

It took courage to share that clip. I respect the journey. Easiest decision today to suscribe. I just restarted my journey and it is equally humbling 😅 During my first journey, I had a similar opinion to non-USA Strats. First Strat was a Squire Stat (sold). First real Fender start was a Korean made Strat, which I later traded for an SRV. I later sold that as well. 13 years later, I decided to jump back in and put in the actual work. I am now a proud owner of a Player Series Strat. I love it and I am enjoying the process. Cheers to the great video!

[@ordjk4797]

About a week ago I bought a player series polar white Strat and some fuzz pedals , so far I haven’t tried it because my amp hasn’t arrived yet but I’m super excited to get into the guitar ecosystem

[@voodoochild1975az]

Ensenada is a very different situation than most non-USA versions of classic USA guitars. In most cases, like Squier and Epiphone, factories are contracted to produce products to a detailed spec. But Fender owns the plant in Ensenada. The paychecks for employees there say 'Fender' on them. They are currently using some of the CNC machines that were used in Corona until a few years back. There are Fender employees that have worked at that factory for decades. I love the Corona guitars, but Ensenada has made some absolute gems. Fender MIM has been a serious bang for the buck option the entirety of their existence. The biggest difference between MIM and MIA was always features, not quality. And the player series has the features of the USA Standard from a few years ago. Two point trem, 22 fret neck and all (even the same CNC machine allegedly, moved to Mexico after Corona upgrade). The player series is basically the 2000s MIA Standard, but made in Ensenada, possibly on the same machines, by people that know what they are doing and have been doing it for years, if not decades. Even the stock Players Series pickups are very like the alnico pups on the old standard, a bit more color, vintagey maybe? They also claim they adjusted the body contours a bit. And it has a shite string tree. But it's basically the old MIA Standard, but from Ensenada at half price (adjusting for inflation, where it sits to the current MIA equivalent on pricing etc). Workhorse?!? Even IF you want something more.... It's a kickass platform for mods and upgrades. I said I hate the string tree.... That's a $10/5 minute fix. Done. Want something different for your pickups? Want noiseless single coils? Higher output? Active? Vintage repro? Get whatever you want. 7 way switching? Know how to solder? You get the idea. You get a great slab of alder, a really comfortable 22 fret neck, I call the shape 'the modern compromise ' not too far off vintage and REALLY comfortable to play (imho). You get top shelf hardware (even the tremblock is quite nice, details, details). And guitarist you want to name could use one of the Player guitars at a gig and sound great. I do my own setups, once I got mine home and started dialing it in.... The frets are freaky good on mine. I have the action lower, and without fretting out anywhere than I've ever gotten a strat. I love the frets themselves too. Of all the Strats I've owned over the years, including MIA, my Mexi Player is the best playing. Crazy good. And a cool limited finish to boot. So gorgeous on top of everything else. It's gig/studio worthy out of the box. And an incredible baseline if you want to mod. I'll piss some people off with this, but... Imho, the Mexi Player is the closest to the spirit of Leo's original vision. Dude was all about cost saving and getting the best guitar possible into actual working musicians hands cheaply. The Mexi Players are serious guitars. There is a very good reason they say 'Fender' on the headstock.

[@edgardgoncalves3982]

it`s the same american standar guitar but with cheaper parts and less costs

[@stephen_cannillo]

My dad surprised me with my first guitar it was a squier affinity strat, probably around 2007. Still have it. I have no problem with the mexican fenders I have played them and they sound great but the American strat I have just brings me so much joy. the neck and the fit and finish is just perfect, it just feels like a lot of care went into making it. (Could be all in my head lol.) all of that being said I am not a gigging musician, I just like playing

[@Charlie86RC]

My first guitar was a squier affinity strat aswell, sunburst, white single ply pickguard, you know the most generic guitar ever. But i loved it. Got it two years ago but only started playing a year ago, and the thing feels great. You're right, the neck is really good, i even sanded the edges and got the frets nice and smooth. Gutted the three single coils in favour for a gretsch humbucker with 1 volume pot, and over time i've swapped out the tuners and bridge. Now it's perfect, honestly!

[@thedevilwuster]

My Mexican Strat is my pride and joy. Such a well made guitar. It's one of my very favorites.

[@BrianGay57]

They’ve been making guitars in Mexico since WAY before Leo was born, and they do a great job! The first guitar I ever bought was a Mexican Strat, and I still have it.

[@rafemaxwell4143]

Same here. Got mine for about $350 back in 99. Gave it some nicer pickups for about another $200 or so a few years later and it is a fantastic feeling and sounding guitar to this day. Only electric guitar I've ever owned in fact. Played a lot of other guitars but never bought another, never felt like I needed it. Amps on the other hand 😂

[@ajelltone7320]

Yep absolutely love my 99 Mexi Strat. I also put in some good pick ups and a floyd and jumbo frets . Sounds amazing. Still in my strat arsenal today.

[@ginopini6484]

Agreed they been making guitars for 2000 years I think they got the hang of it by now

[@Allguitarinfo]

Most of Leo's staff was Mexican or Mexican-American

[@dooleyfan]

I bought my first Strat at a door crasher sale in the early 90s in Toronto. The neck was stamped “Made in USA” but I found out many years later that at the time Fender was moving production to Mexico. There was a point during the transition when there was a fire at the Mexican factory, so as with a lot of Fender history it’s difficult to trace the origins, although it has all the telltale signs of an early 90s MIM Strat. I’ve been playing it for over 30 years now. I struggled with the sound in the early years, but after upgrading the pickups it has been my go to player even after buying about a dozen other guitars.

[@bmalo4335]

The tone at 5:14 is great! My first Strat was actually a very pretty Japan-made Fender Aerodyne Strat. I eventually sold it to a friend as I found the 7 1/2" radius and thinner neck not really to my liking, and the relatively thin-sounding pickups uninspiring. (Of course, I swore her to an oath that if she ever sells it, I get first dibs!) I bought a VERY rough MIM Strat for around $200 and it really moved the needle for me. It had tons of mojo after having been obviously a working musician's guitar (given the fret wear, layers of cigarette smoke and badly dinged body). I gifted it to my kid and moved onto a 2010 American Standard Strat. That is still my "number 1" and has been modified with CS54 pickups and a Fishman PowerBridge piezo vibrato (a la Pete Townshend). I briefly had a MIM Fender "Squier Series" Strat that has also been gifted to my kid, as I needed to make room for my second USA American Special - also with the Fishman trem but this one with a Lace Sensor loaded pickguard. It's my workhorse. So if my experience matters, I guess I'd say that MIM Strats definitely serve a purpose but I'll stick with the USA ones. (One more thing: After getting into the music scene here in Spain I DID pick up a Squier Classic Vibe 50s guitar for short money. The neck on it is super comfortable and the pickups are impressive for the price paid. It's the guitar I use to play out on jam nights where the potential for dings and drops is all too real!!!) Thanks for this great video, Mike!

[@hkguitar1984]

My very first Stratocaster was a 25th Anniversary Model I purchased new back in 1979. I used that Stratocaster for both live and recording up until 1988 when a close friend purchased it from me. My friend had been after me for years to sell it to him, so I was more than happy when it went to a known good home. 6 moths later my friend sold it to the band leader of the group he was in!

[@AkikoNakashima-tm4dq]

I really aggree with Mike's points that dialing in settings and having a feel for your instrument has much more to do with your success as a player and finding tone that you love than reputation or cost do. I got obsessed with new gear and chasing different distinct tones and I learned a lot, but spent a lot of money and got obsessed with a lot of things that ultimately didn't matter. My workhouse ended up being an epiphone les paul jr with a single p-90 that I picked up in a shop and couldn't put down for about two hours. I keep getting surprised by that guitar, I can get tones from it and dial in amp settings better with just a single volume and tone knob than a lot of other guitars I've picked up. It's taught me a lot about how to use my jazzmaster and strat in a way that really gets them to shine. Also surprise surprise, I have a player's Mexican strat. I ADORE that guitar.

[@thomasfallaeriksen5646]

My first Stratocaster was a Squier Standard fat strat double that I got in 2005. I still own and play it. Over the years I have changed the pickups, rewired it, shielded the cavities added a treble bleed, replaced a worn volume control, replaced the tremolo block, enlarged the holes for the neck screws slightly and scalloped the neck. The one that have been used the most throughout the years is a 2004 Gibson SG Special. It is mostly stock except for a small wiring mod, brass saddles, shielding and some visual upgrades. The one that is used the most now is a modded 2001 Squier Affinity Stratocaster. I found it dirt cheap and it was in really bad shape, but after some work it turned out quite good. It has all the same mods as the other Stratocaster but it also has a Floyd rose, and it has been repainted. I really like the cheaper Squiers, because I can pull them apart and do what ever I want to them without any sense of remorse. The sleeper guitar is an old Les Paul copy that says Kimberley on the headstock. I rarely use it as I have never been comfortable with the Les Paul. It is also incredibly heavy. It is here mostly for sentimental reasons.

[@irishcommie]

29 years later and I still have my first guitar-a used, early 90s Cort Korean-made Strat copy, 2-tone sunburst. It was the only sub-$200 lefty I could find when I learned to play. Other than fixing messed up things (worn out nut, saddles with burrs), blocking the tremolo, and adding a Seymour Duncan humbucker to the bridge, she’s the same and was my workhorse for 10 years. To speak to your point re: gear, it took me years to figure out that the greatest limitation to the Cort’s sound-besides user error- was the (in terrible shape) used Peavey 2x12 amp I had.

[@kuyaemil2077]

My first strat was gift from my dad when I was in highschool. it was a cheap strat copy. Many strats later, my main guitar now is a highway one Strat, but my current favorite "Sleeper" is actually a Mexican telecustom. Thanks for sharing your story and your insights on strats and gear in general!

[@GameyRaccoon]

>sleeper >mexican bruh

[@bigcountryplatinum5150]

💯 Knowing your amp and how it’s settings work and how to dial that in for each guitar/genre/cab being used is huge! I’ve been playing for 30 years and feel like I just keep getting better at dialing in what I want from almost any gear.

[@coldbrrains]

My first and only strat was a mexican one. White with a maple fretboard as a gift from my dad. I kinda wished it wash rosewood at the time but i've grown to like the maple neck. It sounds and feels incredible and I've never been unhappy with it, aside from tuning stability lol, I plan to get some locking tuners soon to fix that.

[@larsfocken3456]

My first Strat was a 1995 Squier in white with a rosewood fingerboard. I sold it in 2004 after I got my first Fender Strat. A 2003 Classic Player 50s Strat in Surf Green with maple fingerboard. I still have it. Over the years I upgraded it from time to time so now it has Fender Fat 50s PUs in it and an ABM Trem System with a brass block. I still love this guitar although there are more than 20 guitars in my house today. MIM Fender Guitars are good, period! And you can try out upgrades without ruining their value. One would not do this with a custom shop instrument, right?. Thank you for your interesting and entertaining videos. Greetings from Germany and keep on rockin'!

[@dbmabe]

My first Strat was actually a Korean made Squier. It was a fantastic guitar that I had for years. I will say, in regards to the Mexican Strats, I believe they have improved a lot in the mid-2000s and on. The earlier MIM's never really made an impression on me when I'd pick them up in the store, but in the last 15 years or so, I've been completely blown away by the MIM line. I also bought into the "I have to have an American" narrative and bought an American Professional in the 2018. But in hindsight, I wish I'd gotten a MIM player model.

[@funkknuckle]

I've been a luthier for 5 years now and have repaired / setup around 30 Strats in that time. The best one I've ever played was a Korean Squire Strat that cost the owner £150 from eBay. Held tune really well, sounded a played amazingly and the fretwork was outstanding.

[@paulricketts1089]

....early '88-'99 Mexican Strats are know to be some of the best instruments available. In 1993 the Ensenada factory burned down and Fender went down there and salvaged all that they could, brought them back up to Corona and finished/installed U.S. and Japanese components. '93-'95 Mexican models are down right AWESOME Guitars, if you're lucky enough to find/own one. .......Just so you know, ALL Mexican Strat's/Tele's are made in CORONA, Ca. and shipped to Ensanada, Mexico to be finished. And in Corona, the percentage of employees that play guitar is 3%. And the percentage of employees in Ensenada that play guitar is 85%........yes, Mexican Guitars ARE pretty damn good........

[@j_freed]

@@funkknuckle - in the later 80s Fender wanted to push down the price point so they made plywood body Squire electrics in Korea. I did set up on one where the neck was like a pretzel, the wood was just bad I think and it made the thing hard to play.

[@funkknuckle]

@@j_freed I don't doubt that. Most of the Korean ones I've played have been trash, but this one was exceptional.

[@nathanielnicholson559]

I'm not a guitarist, but back in the 90s almost all my guitarist friends/bandmates kinda lusted over the MexStrats. "If you can't get an American Strat then find a Mexican one" was heard very often. Never heard a bad thing about them. Then again all my guitar slinging cohorts love my Lace Huntington, so... You've got a great presence and you used 'literally' twice... correctly both times. Subscribed.

[@Ottophil]

Figuratively is literally how literally is used now

[@nathanielnicholson559]

@@Ottophil lol well done. I know it is. I’m just not ready to accept it. Literally.

[@kylecranford9287]

Hey, Jeff Healey and Jimmy Vaughn had no problem while draining blood from their Latino baby's veins. I love mine. Almost sold her. I'm so glad the buyer backed out three different times. If there was ever a sign for maybe great things to come......I'm just saying, I think she and I are soulmates. But, damn. My Cali strat is sure suspicious of hanky panky. Whats a stratman to do? I am lost in love with two stratocasters.

[@hakan7346]

My first strat is a 1999 MIM Sunburst with rosewood finger board and it has this very cool natural flame top above half of the strings. I still have it in my room.

[@danduntz2539]

My first guitar was a 92 Korean made strat, which I bought new, and still own and gig with every once in a while. I upgraded pups and everything else and wired it with a star ground which makes it super quiet.

[@frankpratte8358]

1980s Squier Strat made in Japan was my first strat and I still have it 40 years later. I think it's a great guitar.

[@cgoebbert]

Those very early models are quite good. We had an actual Japanese Squire prototype (seriously, like sn#002 or something close) at the GC corp office back in the early 90’s, in a locked room affectionately referred to as the “Quality Music Room” that played far better than I ever expected. If I was a strat player, I’d play it.

[@jmatches01]

Bought my first guitar, Mim strat, in 1994 for about $250 then, still have it to this day, learned many things with it. It was professionally setup once, and as my playing improved, I replaced the pickups with Lace sensors and upgraded other parts. It sounds amazing. Might not be the most expensive guitar, but it is quality, and holds many memories for me.

[@nathanadnitt]

Yarp, my first strat was a 2005 made in China black bullet strat by squire, cheap as chips and very hard to play now ive got better guitars but it holds a place in my heart, it all started there for me

[@ericmacewen6232]

I got mine in early 98. It’s a 96, paid about the same as you. It’s the first guitar I ever modded. First with Texas Special pickups and then when I wanted something beefier in the bridge I swapped in a DiMarzio PAF Pro. It’s had that config since 2004. Last year I redid the electronics and wiring on it and replaced the worn out saddles with Callaham saddles. It’s great. I think the only thing it needs is a fret dressing, although I’m half tempted to just have my guy do a full refret with some 6105s. My other Strat is a parts mutt made from an American Special body and an old Allparts maple neck I had lying around. It’s also fantastic.

[@creedenjones9917]

My 1st Strat is a Fender Jeff Beck, humbucker in the bridge w/ split coil button.. Bought in 1992. Still have it. I ditched the lace sensors. Put in Duncan Texas special single coils and a Pearly Gates in the bridge. After 6 or 7 years changed the pickups. Neck, Fender 10.5 K, Middle, Buddy Guy 8.5K, Bridge JB4 16K,

[@SlideShowSidney]

When I was 7 years old I told my parents I wanted to learn how to play the guitar. I'm sure they didn't think I would follow through and it was just something I would stop thinking about, but for Christmas I got a black first act strat style guitar. It was awful, but 7 year old me didn't know that and neither did my parents who didnt know how to play any instruments. So it was not completely on them. I learned the basic chords and a few songs and honestly took long breaks because I was just a kid. Over the years I went through several of the worst guitars. The silvertones, mastro, and a squire. Finally when I turned 17 I used my first tax return to buy a used 1995 cream color Mexican strat, vintage tuners, had years of wear on it before I even started using. But man I love that thing, I still have it to this day and I'm so attached to it I doubt I could ever get rid of it.

[@ubellubo]

This is rapidly becoming my favourite guitar channel. The content is really interesting and the videography and presentation is so slick.

[@angusorvid8840]

Excellent video, great topic. My first guitar was a Squire strat back in 1986. By then I'd been playing an Ovation acoustic for a year and really wanted to go to electric. While I was thrilled to get the Squire as my thirteenth birthday present, along with a little Peavey solid state amp that could run on batteries, I soon wanted the real thing. I went through a series of shred sticks, like a Kramer Baretta (the EVH model), an ESP Horizon, and a Charvel before I got a non-vintage '61 strat. I absolutely loved that guitar and I wish I still had it. A few years ago I got a Mexican strat, and I must tell you, I loved that guitar every bit as much as the '61. But I ended up trading it along with an amp to get myself a PRS. While the PRS was a great guitar, I soon regretted letting go of the Mexican strat. I wish I had it back now. My next guitar will, in all likelihood, be another Mexican strat, and this time I aim to keep it. These guitars are a great value. I think it's silly to be hung up on American made vi Mexican made vs Japanese made, etc. It's not where a guitar is made, but how a guitar is made. They are making fine guitars now in Japan, South Korea and Indonesia, and Mexico as well.

[@justdave9783]

I have a very heavy 1980 hardtail with a stunning maple neck I bought for $400 in 1983. I swapped the cast saddles for stamped and it's rocking a set of Bill Lawrence noiseless pickups. I did build a Tele from MIM parts including the neck off of a Baja 60s player. It's brilliant.

[@Brykk]

My first strat was a squier affinity i got from goodwill for $60. I still have it and use it as a test platform for different hardware. My favorite right now is a cv70 i got over the summer.

[@sponeal7360]

I bought one of the Mexican Vintera Road Worn 60's strats and it's been my main guitar since it released. It feels great, it sounds great, and it looks great. For the money i think it's the best i could have gotten. Super happy with it!

[@eddiesigerexperience9803]

Same here, it’s a top level guitar

[@joeg6242]

Got the 50s version. Feel the same way.

[@rollereyes]

My first guitar was an early 90s Mexican strat that I bought brand new from Wildwood Music for about $300 and 30+ years later it’s still one of my best playing instruments. The 5-way started going out a couple years ago so I swapped out the electronics for a Fishman loaded pickguard, but otherwise it’s still got the original parts and plays great.

[@ChrisM19899]

First strat I got is a Mexican strat, the sunburst from the 60s vintera models and I still love it to this day, I have a couple Gibson’s that I had before this guitar and still have, but I always find myself liking the feel and tone of this guitar a lot more than my others.

[@BroHam214]

Subscribed cause that was truly a brave thing you did. My first strat was a Squire starter kit strat from 2006 but my favorite strat I have is my yamaha eg112e2 I think it's called, all black. Love the tones.

[@MrTd1964]

I am glad your building out longer content. This video is Rhett Shull level stuff. Sometime it's just nice to hear people who play better than me talk about guitar stuff. Keep up the great work!

[@the_real_beefchunks]

Rhett Shull would say that any mexican strat is trash lol!

[@shanegates6329]

This is much better than anything Rhett "Son Beato Wanted" Schull has put out

[@napynap]

To discover what guitars really sound like instead of what you've heard about, be open to trying new guitar makes/models to get the sounds you are looking for. I used to play a Mexican Telecaster as my main, but I needed more versatility for the songs my cover band plays, so I tried a Korean PRS Custom 24. Changed the nut out and put locking tuners on it. It sounds great as a main and I bring the Tele always as a backup, which has come in handy at more than a few gigs.

[@Terribleguitarist89]

My first was a 96 MIM Fender Squier Series stratocaster when I was 13. It has since had the pickups swapped but even 21 years later it's still my go-to daily driver. I've played some absolutely amazing strats but that one feels like "home" to me.

[@54bluesbass15]

Bought a used Mex Strat at Guitar Center that was in rough shape. Finally found a great guitar tech who did a great setup on it. It now has a DiMarzio Humbucking Single coil in the bridge position.

[@machieltipo]

Thanks mike for making guitar seem way less intimidating, you really pull back the curtain on a lot of common problems beginners have.

[@JosePineda-jn8jk]

I started on a strat copy (don’t have it anymore unfortunately) but, I ultimately had my best progress on my Epiphone SG. I am only now getting a strat again but, I am getting a squire contemporary not a fender. Truthfully I like the idea of ripping on a squier and the pickup configuration on this particular one is amazing.

[@jakeannett6720]

I just got an epiphone les paul and I freaking love it

[@paulcarter5117]

@@jakeannett6720 Those Epiphone Les Paul Standards are no joke! They are freakin fantastic guitars. Another killer good guitar is the Squire Classic Vibe 50s Stratocaster. Those 2 guitars will and do hold their own against the Gibson Les Paul Standards and the Fender MiM and American Strats. The only difference you can really hear between the Gibson Les Paul Standard and the Epiphone Les Paul Standard, the Epiphone sounds just a little bit brighter but not by much. The Squire, it has a very nice warm vintage tone to it compared the the American Professionals and MiMs.

[@jakeannett6720]

@@paulcarter5117 I’ve actually heard some people prefer the sound/feel of some epiphones even over the les Pauls

[@WalterStoermer]

I have my Lefthanded 1999 Midnight Blue, made in Mexico Fender Stratocaster, and I have taken it worldwide. The Poli-paint holds up well. It has a new quarter-sawn maple neck and Ebony fretboard (Warmoth). I changed the pickups to noiseless in 2006 and then to a Yosemity set in 2021. It also has a custom paisley-pattern pickguard, brass block, and saddles. I wanted it to reflect the California High Desert where I grew up and the classic rock I love. It also got a wiring upgrade to CTS pots, Orange Drops, and swichcraft hardware. It is a joy to play. The guitar I like to play that I never thought "this is my jam" is my black parts-caster (No brand; it is that cheap and mismatched). It came from the cast-offs in my parts bin (I repair guitars), and I got the no-name Acme neck from China via eBay. It is not supposed to work at all. It has a tilt-back, pointed, hockey-stick headstock. None of its parts are worth over $50, it has 99-cent-store electronics, and the body was carved out of the bingo tree, but it is fun to play. I am still working on it and making improvements. It needs locking tuners, a shim in the pocket, and new pickups might help.

[@tofersiefken]

I bought my sunburst Mexican Strat in 1995-1996 and it is still my favorite today. I also own a Squire Heavy Metal Strat and a Hohner SG Lyon (Super-Strat style) and a Squire Jazz Master Mini. I just took it into the shop to have the pots cleaned out and a set-up with a new string gauge I'm trying out after all these years. (Ernie Ball Power Slinky) It plays better than ever now and the finish looks as good as the day I got it.

[@megantorres1108]

I had a Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster that was my main gigging guitar for a few years, and my goodness, the tones I could get out of that thing. The feel was really nice as well, and most people were shocked to find out it was a Squier if they only heard it

[@denni5aur282]

Made in Indonesia Squiers are almost on par with MIM Fenders

[@mxrocketbeats]

I still use a squier telecaster as my main clean tone guitar, the bridge pickup just sounds great, the neck pickup I'll replace, but after I raised it quite a bit it'll do for now

[@foresworn560]

I've been playing on a Jimmy Vaughn signature TexMex for a while, and I haven't played any other guitar that feels more "correct" in my hands. I love it

[@glennlewis3108]

Agreed

[@ethrixhd7081]

the "I am the john mayer now" was on point

[@dimebagtribute]

I'm in the same situation as you, I bought a 1994 MIM Strat sunburst maple neck and fretboard a few years ago and it quickly became my n°1 Strat! I just replaced the bridge pickup with a Duncan Distortion, now it's one of the most versatile guitar I have...

[@nerfnerfification]

Speaking as one who went from a US strat to a Mexican one and is happy with that it all depends on the actual guitar - if it works for you and feels like an extension of your body then that's the one!! Once upon a time it was adjustability and other construction issues but that's long gone with the modern ones. I liked my Mexican so much I bought another in hardtail - love them both.

[@3Torts]

This is the way

[@ordinarypablo]

In terms of feel, how easy to play they are, which one do you prefer?

[@3Torts]

@@ordinarypablo my favorite guitar is USA body with Mexican neck

[@nerfnerfification]

@@ordinarypablo

[@JesusMowsMaLawn]

I own a couple guitars, but the first one I ever loved was a white Affinity series Squier strat my cousin had got a few years before hand when he tried to learn guitar. He ended up giving it to me after I had to stay at his place for a while due to moving. Having to take it with me in the car for a few hours scared the hell out of me, since it was packed in the trunk and I'd never had a guitar in there before lol

[@simonlinser8286]

let's be honest here, the main difference is going to be materials used and time spent on work. ie cutting corners to make more profit. if the people building the guitar are allowed more time they will learn better and build better but labor is the most expensive part of production. it is my opinion that the wood used will never be the same quality because over time we've cut down old old trees that were selected, now wood is produced on a schedule on a margin. some of those old trees grew in pristine conditions and it leads to a different material. maple might be less influenced by this than the types of wood used in an acoustic guitar. and let's not forget that there is a shortage of traditional tone woods to the point that there is tree poaching and species are being endangered in places like southeast Asia and south America. rosewood is the most common example. there are composite materials that can outperform traditional materials. Tim Sway is also a person of note (also a badass) in this field because he has developed his own processes in order to build instruments out of reclaimed materials.

[@slider3215]

My first strat was a 1982 Japanese Squier White 57 re-issue. I still have it

[@Imjoshnewton]

I still have my first guitar - a 2000 maroon MIM Strat that I bought in 2001. Since then it has a Seymour Duncan hot rails added and removed, the second tone pot wired to the bridge pickup and the paint stripped and refinished in black.

[@charlief.]

My first strat was a used Made in Japan 70s reissue. Saved up all the money I could to get it. It is a great guitar and has since become my backup since I’ve gotten my American strat. Great video, Mike!

[@miketripodo2879]

The MIJs are absolutely comparable to the US made..

[@charlief.]

@@miketripodo2879 I agree. They are very well made.

[@rgreenphoto]

I still kick myself for trading away my 80s MIJ.

[@EmpireCrusher203]

My workhouse guitar rn is a Mexican Fender Mustang. That thing is literally on every song I produce. It’s balanced, it’s versatile, and the middle select out-of-phase pick up option has saved my life more times than I can count. I started off on Strats and thought I craved for humbuckers my whole life but I ended up trying them out and hating how “boomer-y” they made me feel. But then I try the Mustang and it was like a Strat but with a darker tone and it was awesome. I’m also a short guy so the short scaled neck is an extra bonus. I will literally layer the Mustang multiple times in my mixes. I think the most I’ve done is five. It’s just that versatile. Three pick up selections and each one is a whole new world to explore tonally. I fucking love this guitar.

[@weilandcock]

Love Mustangs so much, I had a Squier CV 60s that I sold to buy a plane ticket for my friend to visit. Wasn’t worth it, he’s kind of a dick and the guitar was outstanding.

[@SlyHikari03]

My first strats was a Squire bullet my dad got for me and my other one was a mini strat i got for christmas of 2009 (before i knew was lefty). I later got a Fender Japanese 2016 Strat in Olympic White several decades later in 2018-ish.

[@Juniisandesu]

My first start was a failed school project. Me and my friends tried to make a strat out of cardboard but 2 days before the presentation the neck snapped. I ended up getting a proper neck to replace it and I kept it until today.

[@raoulduke344]

A Fender FSR that was Made in Mexico. It's a Black Strat "tribute", not the signature model, that came with Fat 50s pickups which sound great. I've customised it with the Gilmour mod and put a Seymour Duncan SSL-5 in the bridge and it sounds amazing now.

[@friedrudibega6384]

Super nice!!!!

[@raoulduke344]

@@friedrudibega6384 Thanks. They still have them in the shops as well as a tribute to the candy-apple red strat (same pickups but red with a white pickguard) he used from the late 80s to the mid 2000s. For £800, it's definitely worth it.

[@CanalCruisers]

Got the same one, shoutout to guitarguitar 😂

[@raoulduke344]

@@CanalCruisers That's the one. Did you mod yours?

[@CanalCruisers]

@@raoulduke344 not yet

[@mopetenstaub]

My first Strat was a candy apple red squier affinity strat. My grandfather gave it to me for my 13th birthday and after 20 years I still have it. First I changed the pickguard and the pickup covers from white to black - that alone made it sound 10 times better of course. Honestly, this guitar was my go-to workhorse! I rocked rage against the machine, rhcp, metallica, nirvana and tons of other stuff on that thing! Recently I decided to give the old lady a makeover and installed a prewired fender texmex pickguard and it totally rocks! Actually, I honestly like it much better than my golden MIM Strat.

[@mikepandel1646]

My first strat was a Squire and it played great. Like some young guitar players do, I repainted (poorly) and ended up getting rid of it. I since have gotten a squire deluxe strat and love it. Now I rock a Fender MIM Tele mainly and I'm finding I love it. Love the videos man.

[@maraviyoso8473]

Squire?????

[@mikepandel1646]

@@maraviyoso8473 Ops, My dyslexic mind - squier*

[@vikingmike8139]

My first Stratocaster was a Circa 1999 American deluxe Stratocaster with the new 'Noiseless' pups with Alnico 2 magnets. Ash body teal green transparent, rosewood fingerboard with micro-tilt neck, locking tuners and a stainless-steel push-in style tremolo arm. I still own that guitar, but it has two Abbygail Ybarra hand wound pickups in the neck/middle position with a Chris Klein hand wound alnico 2 'Dallas Blues' in the bridge. Also, a Callaham bridge block. Deadly awesome Stratocaster in stock form and modified is much more to my own liking. Cheers!

[@Luqmaninbmore]

My first electric guitar was a 50th Anniversary Mexican Strat. I still have it and it still plays well 26 years later even if it's accumulated a few scars along the way.

[@karterdowd606]

My first strat was an American Pro II in Miami blue. I would’ve got a cheaper one but I was in love with the color. I saved up all my cash during the summer before my senior year of highschool and got it. I’ve had it for ab 3 years and it’s still my favorite guitar

[@wolfgangandrewx2416]

Bought my MIM strat in 1999. Still with me. Aged like fine wine. All original. Sweet guitar.

[@Andre_Ons_Marshall]

My first fender was a 1988 American Standard Strat that I bought in 1988 and I still have it. I also have a Mexican Player Plus Tele. Both are amazing guitars

[@iangordon8078]

One thing to keep in mind. Mexico has a very long tradition of Luthiery. Many skilled Luthiers are being poached from Fender in Mexico to either work in other brands factories who have acknowledged how good Fenders Mexican guitars are including Martin or they are leaving Fender to build high end custom guitars freelance. As time goes on I expect them to get even better as well.

[@DjNorbax]

My first guitar was a Gio Ibanez which I sold, but my first “real” one when I started taking seriously the instrument was a Highway 1 Strat. Modded the hell out of it because it sounded “thin” (floyd rose, emg, the works). Now that I’m in my 30s all that metal phase has subdued and I was missing that strat tone. Bought a Mexican Player Plus a couple of days ago on New Year’s Eve. After all these years of learning tones, production, pedals, tweaking I realized “single coils are thin sounding” is a misconception. It does everything; It’s perfect!

[@jeremycatches9766]

For me, It is the maple fretboard. the first electric guitar I held was a Strat with a maple fretboard with that real glossy poly finish and I loved it. At the time I had only played classical guitars with nylon strings and I knew very little about guitar brands. But at 53 I still remember the moment from my childhood. I still have a love for the Strat with the maple. But my workhorse today is a Ibanez with the Floyd Rose setup. Oh, and I don't have a fender, just an Epiphone Strat :)

[@Thirdgen83]

My first Fender Strat (after 2 cheap copies) was a 1990 sunburst American Standard. I bought it new and still have it.

[@D4sF3lix2000]

I own many high end guitars, but my current go to workhorse is a 2011 Mexican Strat which I modded with Kloppmann ST60s and a 59 HB and after that it was a 3x better guitar. Also I did all the electrics with vintage correct parts.

[@jimi272]

Kloppmann pickups really are the best pickups out there…

[@matthewpalmer9711]

My first electric guitar was a Mexican strat from 2013. I still have it today, and it is still one of my favorites.

[@jasonburke4256]

Just recently bought a 2013. Literally like new. Not a scratch on it. Love it.

[@oliverchapman51177]

I have a 2013 white maple

[@HeathInHeath]

Great exposition on the topic of how experience leads to confidence and a better understanding of what gear you actually need.

[@billwhite5853]

I have a 2000 mim strat and once I got it setup properly, I fell in love with it. The only thing I wish is that I got 3 single coils instead of the hss

[@JetFixxxer]

My first strat was a Mexican Strat back in 1995 and I still have it. It's actually made with left over USA wood (which I didn't find out years later. ) with import electronics. The only thing I've changed out are the Pickups and pots within the last 10 years. I would put this guitar against any US made guitar. I also have a Squier Affinity Telecaster that I would use in studio or tour. Phil Collins from Def Leppard used a stock Squier on the new Def Leppard album.

[@MisterBrain]

Mike Rutherford's currently touring with a Squier Bullet!

[@87mini]

A friend gave me his old squire tele neck & hardware after he changed his out to a Mexican Fender neck. A set of Fender Vintage '64 pickups, an eBay Polonia body from china & various Fender hardware later, the "knockaround" guitar guitar I built is my go-to for nearly every gig, and everyone who has played it says "God, I love how it plays!" Plus, it holds tuning like no other guitar I've played - almost scary! My point is that aside from pickups and quality hardware, the marriage of wood and a careful setup is the key to a sweet guitar, not the decal on the headstock. At least, that's the conclusion I've come to after "chasing tone" for the last 50 years! 😉

[@jimmymartin9749]

I also have a “black label” Strat and made it my number one with some simple upgrades. They made some diamonds in the rough back then.

[@MrChopsticktech]

@@MisterBrain Thank you! I recently read where someone famous was using Squiers but couldn't remember who!

[@HigorHell]

My first and only Fender was a Mexican I got in 2011 maybe. I’ve played this guitar so much, it was completely incredible until the weather rusted most of the electronics. It got a complete makeover and once again is my main guitar

[@joelshields8807]

My first electric was an Ibanez EX160 (it was 1991, the last days of the pointy super-strat reign), which I had for a couple of years before getting a 1993 MIM Strat, which I played for about 5 years and loved. It was a sunburst with rosewood fretboard - in honor of John Frusciante and Mike McCready, who were my main heroes back then. But for some reason I eventually got in my head that I needed a Gibson, so I traded the Strat for a Gibson "The Paul," which was basically a Les Paul studio, but half the depth (think SG) - and the cheapest USA Gibson you could get at the time. I never bonded with it (or any Gibson since), and held onto it for a few years after college when I all but stopped playing. When I picked up playing again, I sold the Gibson, got a Tribute G&L ASAT special, and have played mostly Fender-type guitars since. My current #1 alternates between two (yes, USA) G&Ls: a S-500 (Strat) and an ASAT Classic (Tele). I do miss that old MIM Strat, though. I bet it would be a beast if I stuck with it, broke it in properly, and invested in a few upgrades.

[@chrispysaid]

My Mexi Tele has been my workhorse for the past decade, and only just popped Little '59/Vintage Stack pickups in it. I love it.

[@ThomasHendrickson]

My first electric guitar is a Mexican strat. I remember working my ass off for so long to save up the money to buy it. It’s also a maple neck with a sunburst. It sounds amazing, it sustains like crazy, and plays like butter. I still have it and I’ll NEVER sell it.

[@SmoltingWassie]

Mexophobia is a deep issue in the guitarist community and I’m glad someone has the courage to call it out. Thank you, hombre. #MLM

[@jeromewagschal9485]

For real 😄😄😄 I am a professional guitar repair tech with my own workshop and 90% of the time every customer who comes in with a Mexican Fender, regardless of the model, almost apologizes... Hell, I've seen Mexican strats and Teles and other models with the "made in Mexico" decal sanded off... Really... It's not that serious 😄😄😄😄 I own old strats and a few custom shop models but I also love playing my Mexican strats and my Squiers... Some people are funny...

[@Wyldwulf]

It's obviously not exclusive to Mexico but Asian manufacture as well. But for real the Japanese attention to detail in both guitars and cars is irrefutable. If given the opportunity that's my choice and the Korean and Indonesian guitars slap as well, comprising the bulk of my collection.

[@TheGuitarislove]

Mexistrat lives matter

[@donttalktome4696]

Really? Bc me and all my friends sold all our American fender stuff a few years back haha. We realized we are never gonna be proper "musicians"

[@jogmas12]

Messcans can’t fool us with their cheap knock off strats!!! Build that wall 🇺🇸 Trump 2024 !!!

[@bobbysumthinorother1725]

My first Strat is a hand me down squier from my older sister. She got it in 2003 when she was like 13 maybe? And I dug it out of the garage when I was about 14-15. A little love and tlc and it’s one of my favorite guitar now lol

[@justgivenofox9543]

When I get my own Strat it’ll most likely be an MIM since they’re just so affordable. It’s honestly not a bad sounding guitar! And your playing has come such a long way. You definitely earned a sub with that little clip!