Why Guitar Players HATE Mexican Strats

[@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 😂

[@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

[@chevychevelle5953]

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

[@johnwallace7694]

Not me i loved my Mexican made fender rose hss , sold it to pay bills , it played nicely.

[@abdulachik]

same to me but he is not being literal, its just clickbait, the video is very good though, i’m mexican btw

[@rockon609]

More like just internet guitar elitists, Not considered real people by many of us. But to someone new who finds all their information online they can come across this gatekeepy sentiment. Not quite clikcbait.

[@benjamincostello3373]

My first strat was Mexican. They are awesome.

[@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 .

[@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

[@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

[@archieallaway6718]

​@dongmingzhu666 Squier and epihone guitars genuinely sound and play nearly identical to fender and Gibson stuff, the law of diminishing returns is very real with them. My squier sounds practically identical to any other fender start

[@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

[@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😂

[@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

[@Jebus000001]

I have the same one in hss Olympic white, still my favorite to this day

[@Alextucci567]

I’ve done the same, I’ve got a player series strat that I put a set of custom shop fat 50s in and I prefer the sound and feel over my American ultra strat 😂

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@thedevilwuster]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@EM-km8em]

Great comment. Love MIM strats

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@JS_Guitar09]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@ubellubo]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@machieltipo]

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

[@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

[@tommcdermott11]

Yep, like everyone is saying, these guitars are great. Bought a Mexican Strat in the late 1990's to be my live "who cares what happens to it" guitar and after doing a setup and yeah adding Texas pickups (or whatever they're called can't recall), it became my goto guitar. Never changed the tuners, the bridge, tone pots, etc. It was a total workhorse, stayed in tune even after whammying the hell out of it. I still.have the damn thing all beat up and glorious. Good video buddy, thanks.

[@diesel1586]

Yup Texas specials, I have them in my MIM strat

[@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…

[@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 !!!

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@toddashley407]

My favorite guitar in my 35+ years of playing everything from an Ibanez RG440 to a Corona custom shop Jackson DK1 is my recently acquired Fender Player Plus Nash Tele. The great thing about the MIM stuff is they don't restrict themselves to "classic" specs but put modern appointments on them as well. I also have a Indo Tele SE FMT (actually made by Cort) that needed some setup work but is an excellent guitar as well. With these two guitars I can cover so much ground tonally its literally mind blowing.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@peterjarvis7335]

My first strat was a Squier Affinity Strat that I hated and eventually traded it nand used the money towards a new Fender American Proffessional Strat in 2017. I absolutely love my American Pro Strat. I also own a Mexican Fender Baja Tele that is an amazing guitar and I love it just as much as my American Strat.

[@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

[@joe_gore]

I’ve been reviewing gear for guitar magazines since roughly the dawn of time. Mexican Fenders are generally awesome. More than once in studio-condition shoot-our tests, they’ve bested not just US-made Fenders, but pricy custom-shop models. I wouldn’t hesitate to perform or record with a Mexican Fender.

[@gregs8685]

MIM bested a Custom Shop? Please step away from the crack pipe.

[@silas30]

​@@gregs8685 i think joe gore might know better than you, greg s... custom shop guitars sound amazing but you cant discredit all the MIM guitars because someone told you that a custom shop gretsch is going to sound the best

[@youcantdothisjack]

I have both in my studio, I always hand them the American one first, and then say try this after about 5 mins (the Mex). They never ask for the American one back. Ever.

[@BRZguy]

@@gregs8685 I mean, John Mayer's Custom Shop Strat came with a ground not soldered...

[@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.

[@weets69]

Have a 98 Mexican Strat. Both it used for $200 bucks back in 2006 when I was just starting out. It was all single coil. Upgraded it to HSS and added locking tuners. That’s it . Great guitar that I still have a use all the time.

[@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!

[@braydencarter2419]

I have a contemporary squire strat,($450) and absolutely love it. I have two other guitars being a Martin and a 800 dollar eppiphone 335 yet the strat is still the one I pick up the most. Great video!

[@tomaslopez2940]

I also got the Contemporary Squier Strat! Did you get the current model with the roasted maple neck?

[@braydencarter2419]

Yep! The roasted maple is gorgeous. I love the black headstock and pickguard as well. I have the “skyburst” color.

[@tomaslopez2940]

@@braydencarter2419 Nice. I got the black version with aluminum pickguard

[@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.

[@prentissdonnelly6540]

My friend sold me a 2007 Squier Strat made in India for $40 dollars. I slapped some locking tuners and tonerider pickups on it and have chugged on it ever since. The neck feels better than any other guitar I've ever held. And the tone is something out of this world. Its definitely my workhorse. And I'll never get rid of it.

[@matt_hayward]

Hands down best guitar I ever had was a Korean Epiphone dot. And I've had many Japanese, American and Chinese guitars since then. My workhorse guitar is an esp phoenix. An amazing guitar.

[@williamsporing1500]

I’ve got a Korean epi LP and a dot delux. Both have exceptional necks. Sold my gibsons because I never played them!

[@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.

[@ozlanden]

My dad used to work at a company in nashville and they once had the Fender executives come in bc I guess the CEO and fender people were friends. My dad asked what the difference between the strats. They said “the factories are about 40 miles apart and use the same people.”

[@anthonycraig1458]

Yes, it is said you can either buy a Mexican Fender made by Mexicans or a Californian strat... made by Mexicans!

[@joeking433]

The MIM Fenders are about 50% as good as the American Strats in my experience. And the MIM Fenders are way overpriced at $850. I'd go for a $400 Classic Vibe before I'd buy a MIM Strat.

[@OscarRodriguez-wm7dg]

​@@joeking433Yeah the current guitar market has inflated everything. I miss the days of buying a mim strat or tele for $500 new or $350ish used.

[@Onz70]

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

[@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

[@JaredGuitar]

I started playing electric guitar with a squire tele, and later realized all of my guitar heros played strats. Once I could justify buying a second guitar I got an american pro II strat and hated it... I was so disappointed and couldn't understand why I didn't get along with it. A few months later I was at a guitar shop and played a roadworn mexican strat and couldn't believe how good it was! I went home and sold my USA strat the next day, and went to the guitar shop right after and bought that exact mexican strat. It's been my number one guitar ever since. I even bought a USA silversky and sold it because I ended up playing my mexican strat so much more. I think what makes a great guitar is super subjective, and not every USA made instrument is better than the same models made in different countries.

[@w.english5368]

Those Roadworn strats were special. I picked one up years ago and felt like it was eerily close to a vintage 50's strat. They were made right when the Mexican strats were starting to improve a ton.

[@dwaiting883]

I kept thinking I would one day get an expensive American strat but as soon as I could get close, something would come up financially. Then one day I overheard a professional, creative, sick guitarist who I’ve played and learned along to for years on radio say that while he has a favorite American he plays in the studio, he has always toured with Mexican Strats. It could take the tour beating, stat in tune, perform to thousands and I realized if that dude trusts them then I’ll be fine. Even he, with a great amount of success, was like, why brings out guitars worth thousands if a Mexican is just as effective, live. Maybe u can notice in the studio but no one can with what I produce.

[@MrDavevr]

If you gig. You are not Clapton. You do not have a 25.000$ pa. You have a band, a drummer makes a hell of a noise, the bass player, the singer, and then you have an audience. Or in my case a rowdy bar, people talking, shouting and drinking. Nobody hears the difference between a usa or mex :)

[@MaestroJericho]

@@MrDavevr Yeah exactly, I saw Robert Randolph open up for Zac Brown recently and he was still using those Peavey Classic combos live in front of 10,000 people. Everyone that night but besides Robert and Zac's custom artwork stuff, everything used could have been picked up from Guitar Center for under $2500 besides certain custom stuff that people would use for a song or two.

[@AnthonyBC93]

Was on an unbranded electric for 5 ish years. Then got a mid level Epiphone Les Paul. Now I have a 2018 Strat Elite. Love it

[@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

[@humblegeorge]

At time stamp 3:22 I add this for you.I began at 10 in 1965.And began the musical journey never thinking I would own a Fender of any kind.I went Gibson in 1979 .But a friend of mine who is exceptional in music tried no less than 15 strats one day in a music shop and then found this.A used white 2006 Fender Mexican Stratocaster that SANG ! This Guitar out played and by far sounded better than every high end Fender Big Billy tried.To nock on the body with a knuckle it rang ! same with the neck.As time progressed he needed money and the instant I heard he would sell it I Jumped on it.Long story shorter I have Five Stratocasters now four I built as High end Builds and two are out of this World.However :>) I still have that Mexican Strat .And it stands shoulder to shoulder with the very best I have.

[@IsmailsGuitarWorld]

Nice to meet you here sir!!

[@Memu_]

My first strat and only electric I have is a custom built one since my dad is a luthier. It's one of if not the best guitars I have ever tried in terms of playability.

[@stephandelaney4097]

I’ve owned a 2019 MIM Player And currently own a 2013 American Standard. Must say this. I spent the same amount of money for both. USA just does it for me. It’s the nostalgia and feel and tone. Fat 50s pups are nice. I love the quality of mine. But that MIM was 95% of the quality/performance of this USA. But man. Nothing better than pulling the American Strat out and play. Showing the boys is fun too and I like taking it to guitar shops to try it on different amps. The shops always want me to sell it to them. Lol But if I didn’t get a good deal on the USA, I would be a proud MIM owner still. I’d say save your money and get USA. But if your gonna not be able to pay rent then get the MIM or heck even a nice Squier. But if i was rich I’d buy me a all original pre CBS Fender Strat just like we all would too.

[@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.

[@lbdhoyte]

My current workhorse is affectionately known as the "Frankenstrat". When I first got it, as an "I need an emergency guitar", it came with a Mexican body, Malaysian neck, American trem' and pickups that I never did identify. I never meant to keep it, but it grew on me. At this point, I know its quirks and the reactions that have when they hear what it can do amuses me. I have more expensive guitars, but I can't help smiling when I play "Frankenstrat".

[@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.

[@ncrider2000]

My first electric was an ‘87 MIJ Contemporary. Candy apple red with black fixins and a Khaler. I didn’t know what I had. HSS, split coil, rosewood, etc. After buying many more top line Fenders including Elites and whatnot, the ‘87 still plays better and sounds better than anything else I have. Even the Gibsons. It’s so versatile, the neck is magical. At one point, I put it away for about a decade when we had kids, and I got it out and it’s still in tune and sounds fantastic. Incredible guitar!

[@aldovergara9035]

I bought an Epiphone LP Special with the two p-90 pickups for $399.99, they've since raised the price about $50, but I'm very happy with its tone and the chunky neck. Your Mexican Strat sounds beautiful both clean and overdriven. Cool video!

[@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!

[@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.

[@Killionboy]

I got a MIM Strat back in the mid 90’s and I still love it to this day. It pretty much stands toe to toe with my American Pro 2 that I got a few years ago. It’s the guitar I will never sell.

[@jfrankcarr]

My first Strat was a 1963, a modified, "player grade" one that I bought in 1987 at a really good price. I still have it. Today, I would have probably bought a Mexican Strat if I was starting out.

[@kebab_boi]

I bought my first Strat in summer of 2018, as a graduation gift. I saved all my money up for it. It’s a gorgeous surf green Mexican 50s classic Fender Strat. It’s 2022, and my love for this guitar grew deeper as the years went by. It was my dream guitar at the time, and it still is to this day. I will never sell it, because I don’t think the vintera series are as good as this. I absolutely love the pickups on it, I won’t even bother upgrading them. The electronics on it are fantastic, and respond so well to the amp. At first when I bought it I was considering to upgrade the pickups but I realized it was the amp I had at the time that sucked balls. Never buying a digital modeling amp ever again. I had a crappy Marshall code 50, I sold it a few months ago cuz I haven’t played it since 2019, it was catching dust and I hated its tone. I bought a VOX Pathfinder 10, and I can confidently say that it’s one of the best solid state amps I’ve played (after the jazz chorus ofc). Best 70 bucks I’ve spent. I used the rest of that money to buy a BOSS FZ-5, tc electronic Skysurfer Reverb, and an EHX Canyon.

[@ednelson2850]

My first guitar was a Yamaha SE200, a strat copy, and I wasn’t into it at all. Eventually got my first Fender strat, but it was a Tom Delonge signature so a single humbucker and not SSS. I finally got my first “real” strat when I matured in my music preferences and I could appreciate the more traditional tones in the form of an American Professional 2 strat. Love it, but fell in love with a Mexican Tele I bought a year prior… oh well! Still love it for what it is and play it situationally when a street is needed.

[@gregyeager7220]

My Mexican tele is fantastic. I can’t think of any reason to grab an American version. I also have a Epiphone SG that is pretty beat up I bought from a friend. Plays better than any Gibson SG I’ve tried. Maybe him snapping the neck off at the body joint and then having an awesome tech fix it is why.

[@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.

[@CheesybiscuitStudios]

I've owned only "affordable" so sub $2000 guitars up until now. I own a Mexican made Charvel San Dimas Pro Mod that comes out of the same factory as your strat. The build quality and sound of it, for the €899 that I paid for it is insane. I don't really go off of rumors anymore, I go off of experience. And my experience with the Mexican Fender factory up until now is that they provide great bang for the buck.

[@jaimeflor4181]

My first strat was Korean made. I don’t have it anymore, but an old friend gave it new pickups and a Floyd Rose. It sounds pretty good now. It wasn’t horrible, but my American made 1997 Big Apple strat is definitely better. I’m not super familiar with Mexican strat’s, but it seems like the lower end strat’s have improved over the years.

[@JozettaStych]

This reminds me of an old story about Hendrix. His solos on "Are You Experienced" had this amazing, ice-cold, ultra-saturated tone-and almost every picture of him featured a Stratocaster. So an entire generation of guitarists set about modding the $#!% out of their Strats to get that amazing tone, a phenomenon which persists to the present day. Now, according to the story, Jimi's guitar tech-supposedly on his deathbed-reported that all of Hendrix' Strats were played straight off the showroom floor and modded only insofar as the nut was flipped and the strap button moved. Not only was it revealed that Jimi played on stock gear pretty much exclusively, but his tech went on to say that Jimi borrowed a Telecaster (some say it was Keith Richards') which he used for a lot of the lead work on the album-which it TOTALLY sounds like once you point it out. So the reason why nobody ever managed to get their Strat to sound quite like that is because it wasn't a Strat-and if you want a guitar like Jimi's, just get yourself a stock late '60s CBS Fender, or-by extension-any reasonable contemporary Strat with A-grade pickups. Tone is in the amp, the pickups, and the fingertips. To answer your question, my workhorse guitar of over thirty-five years is a Japanese-made Garnet SG Deluxe (minus the Bigsby rig) I bought second hand at the age of sixteen. I've long since upgraded the tuners (the originals were PLASTIC) soldered a few connections and put in a bone nut, but everything else is original. It just sounds great and is just too versatile. I really love my Strat for playing on stage, but always go back to the SG for recording. If you had told me back in '86 that I'd still be playing the thing twenty-odd years into the Millennium, well I just don't know what I'd have said.

[@JozettaStych]

@@chrisheath481: agreed, and well put-especially about the angled pickup. I've always wanted to flip a lefty Strat for that very reason!

[@russblack443]

@@chrisheath481 Steve Miller played a Left handed strat during the book of dreams and fly like a eagle sessions for the same reason. The Hendrix signature starts all have left handed necks to make them reverse.

[@russblack443]

Actually it was Noel Redding's 50's tele that he borrowed for those sessions. Jimi didn't own a guitar when he first came to England

[@guitarandstuff8265]

Purple haze sounds very tele

[@Allguitarinfo]

He had seymour Duncan had wound pickups given to him by SEYMOUR IN 1968

[@swangdb]

I bought a PRS DGT SE a few months ago. I was shocked at how good it sounded in the store. It’s now my first place humbucker guitar.

[@jameshoodmusic6414]

I've had my Mexican Standard Strat for almost 10 years. I bought it with the money that I had saved up when I was 13, I mainly bought it for the sole purpose of having a Fender branded guitar without the hefty price tag of an American made strat. I have studied, gigged and recorded with that guitar and can confidently say that it's genuinely a professional level of guitar that sounds and feels so unique to any other American strat. I really feel like those guitars are slept on a lot.

[@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!

[@diegoasalinas]

The only difference is the cost of labor.

[@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

[@victorbrown3570]

I'm a failed guitarist, can't play a lick. But I'm a guitar junkie, I just love the instrument and guitar players. That said I always remember the first time I ever held a strat (from where I have no idea). The main guitar players I envy all play strats mainly. Oh yes, just holding that strat felt fantastic. I was so nervous I barely attempted anything on it. Mike, your videos are possibly convincing me to give the guitar yet another shot even at my age and to not pay attention to my sister who for years has been telling me, "Forget it bro, that ship done sailed. You ain't never going to play the guitar." Well, even if I don't I love listening to you guys and gals who can play.

[@voidtremors5814]

Life is short do what you need to do and be patient with yourself you will be a guitarist too 🤘🏼

[@mknewlan67]

You can do it Victor! Doubters are just jealous they don’t have a passion for something like you do.

[@rhondacrosswhite8048]

Whoa, whoa, whoa. I’m fixing to turn 66 and now I have the luxury of time to learn to play. I’m an old lady now saving to buy a strat and I’ve promised that if I do learn I can have a voxac30. Yeah, I’m sure Keef Richards isn’t worried but maybe if it’s loud enough, my neighbours won’t notice that I’m not any good.

[@victorbrown3570]

@@rhondacrosswhite8048 Wow Rhonda, I'm impressed and encouraged. I really appreciate your feedback. I'm 68. My acoustic broke some time ago and I had not replaced it. You've encouraged me to do just that. Good luck.

[@BRZguy]

Give it another shot but just be easy on yourself. Learn some songs that you like, and take time with it. You never have the finger strength at first, but over time you develop it and get much better control out of it. And who knows, maybe after learning some songs and you starting to feel comfortable playing, you'll decide that you want to dive into some theory and really develop yourself as an individual player. Eventually you start to pick up on things and you hear your influences in your own playing.

[@smilevrsac7692]

At some point in the past the body of Mexican strats was made from around 10 sticks of mysterious wood glued together like Ikea furniture. To hide the lamination and to prevent the paint from cracking on the joints a thin veneer was applied on both sides. There were a few pictures from Ensenada factory circulating the Internet and I personally stripped a few bodies and confirmed it. The neck was so-so, even pretty good in some cases. The tuners were OK, tremolo system done very cheap with zinc block and pot metal parts. The pickups were ultra cheap with ceramic magnets and potentiometers often measured less than 250K, some even below 200K. You would start noticing the flaws in the sound (ie dead notes on the neck and other stuff) only later at home, as in the store you wouldn't have enough time. The price was definitely too high for a guitar of that quality. There were higher quality Squier guitars available which were only stigmatized with the name "Squier" and they were half the price or less. The Mexican Fenders have probably improved from that time (like late 90s or early 2000s), but the bad reputation still reverberates.

[@FuzzyDiceFilm]

I can confirm this as well. Bought my dream Strat back in 2004 at the age of 17. What I didn't know at the time was that the body was actually 6 pieces of wood glued together. The guitar felt strange, but I didn't know what. It felt dead, and actually discouraged me from playing for a few years. Wouldn't dare think of buying a MIM for years - until I found a Tele in 2017 that was perfect right off the rack.

[@TommasoPaba]

This is the truth, and not only in the past. Recently I bought a brand new Mexican Deluxe Active Jazz Bass, that is, the top of the line of the Mexican production, above the Player series and priced well above $1000. The nut slot was cut too large, and the nut was slanted. I had never seen anything like that even in my cheapes Chinese basses. Plus, it was impossible to setup the bass for low action, even with the saddles all down. The neck should have been shimmed at the factory. I returned it immediately and got a Cort bass for 1/3rd of the price that plays beautifully and without issues. And, if I still wanted to spend over $1000, I could have found lots of better instruments from other brands.

[@danveca8304]

People who think Mexican Fenders are "bad" don't know wtf they are talking about. It comes down to quality vs price. Is paying 3X+ more really getting you 3X the guitar? If you believe so, then the saying "a fool and their money will soon be parted" applies to YOU! There are good USA Fenders. But that price tag has no guarantee you are not getting a guitar another maker would toss in the wood chipper. Welcome to the reality of Fender! "At some point in the past the body of Mexican strats was made from around 10 sticks of mysterious wood glued together like Ikea furniture" ! Since day #1 in 1946 Leo insisted on not wasting wood. Leo Fender wasn't a musician. Leo was an Accountant (Bean counter) by education. He wasn't going to waste anything. Fender bodies have always been slap-dash, glued together abominations of guitar design. This is simply historical fact! If I had a dollar for every "American" (or higher) Strat I've worked on that had a 8+ piece body, saddles of varying metal density on the same bridge, horrible sounding pickups, and neck woods with all manner of good and bad grain patterns.... I'd be rich. The idea that multi piece bodies is something new or only happening at the Mexican factory is simply false. It's literally Fender DNA! Another fine "Tradition" at Fender is the neck "shim". When you see a $5K+ guitar with a shim in it's pocket, it's pretty clear the factory doesn't have high standards. Sure, some good guitars can and do happen, but many more are not worth the huge asking price just because it's "made in the USA".. In the last 10 years the Mexican factory has done nothing but impress me. The amount of time required to make a factory Mexican guitar "playable" is about the same for the American guitars that cost 3X+ more. I've setup a Squire "Classic vibe" in 3 hours (yes, I know Squire is made in Asian factories) that played as well as an Eric Johnson signature model (minus electronics) and Squire isn't even up to the quality of the Mexican factory! The Mexican factory guitars are also far less likely to include the "Shim" feature. Maybe 1/10 had one vs about 50%+ from the typical USA strat/tele. I've worked on roughly 100 Mexican, and 200 USA Fenders in the last decade. As someone who has spent the last 35+ years working on guitars, imo, you're over all far better off buying a Mexican Fender, adding better electronics and hardware to it, and having it SETUP PROFESSIONALLY! (relief, nut, level/crown frets, setup bridge, intonation etc) then spending 3x the money on the USA model and still needing to put that work time in. If the American guitars held their value better (some do, but very few) you maybe could make a different argument. But they simply don't. All production Fenders are "throw away" guitars. Buy em, play em till they die, repeat. So buy the American guitar if you like it. No shame. There's good and bad in all of them. But anyone getting on a "high horse" for anything less than a "Master Built", (even the custom shop is kinda meh imo) is simply deluded and uninformed. If paying more makes you believe you're getting that money in actual value...Have at it. IMO you're more than likely not. "Why buy a Mexican guitar from Mexico when you can buy a USA guitar made in Corona, CA for five times more.... by Mexican builders....using mostly the same materials sourced from the same locations....and the same building processes?"

[@smilevrsac7692]

@@danveca8304 I would disagree that buying Mexican Fender was better than, fr example, buying Classic Vibe Squiers, mainly due to the price. I agree that in general, Fender standards are low and so called American Fenders are way overpriced, not to mention Custom shop. I owned a couple of regular "American" Fenders and they were disappointment. I think I should have bought an used older Deluxe Strat, as they appear to be better and not ridiculously overpriced. I eventually settled down with one Pro Tone Squier and a few partscasters/teles which consist of various classic vibe squiers and the likes, which I improved with my own modifications. I don't think of buying anything run-of-the-mill by Fender anytime in the future.

[@ThatHuskyisCrazy]

The older MIM Strats are closer to Leo’s original design, except the strings are a little narrower and the 9.5 radius neck. The best tone improvement I’ve done is to replace the bridge with one from Callaham. Leo used cold roller steel tremolo blocks not the cheap pot metal blocks Fender uses now.

[@phantasm8180]

sounds good.. i'll try it

[@jhutt8002]

I tried both GFS full steel and Callaham in my main strat. Eventually ended up with Fender Am deluxe block & plate, with Fender black springs and Wilkinson steel saddles. Am deluxe is I think more balanced than those straight blocks, and has smoother action with good weight. btw: (If you need good steel saddles for narrow trem, buy Wilkinson WVP and just harvest the saddles. Trem itself is quite meh, but it costs only 40€ and those saddles are the best I've ever found).

[@swatchcovers5401]

Ive had and played my mex Jaguar for over 10 years and after a pickup change and a bridge upgrade it still plays amazing. All the frets are dented to hell and it’s chipped all over, but it’s still awesome to play.

[@DaddyDonDon]

Had a Mexican Tele thinline for about 15 years and I have always loved it. Bought a Mexican Strat just last year and absolutely love that too! Never understood why they get such a bad rep

[@maraviyoso8473]

Because they're Mexican guitars. . . made by many of the same people who build the American ones.

[@swissarmyknight4306]

I've had a Mexi Tele for years and its a great guitar. The fit and finish is great, the price was fair, I dropped in one replacement pickup and its one of my best guitars. Mexico makes great guitars.

[@danieljones8639]

Hey Mike. I started playing guitar when I was 13, I'm in my 60s now. I've owned hundreds of guitars in that time. Memphis, Ibanez, Alverez, Gibson, Fender (American), Guild, Gretch, and many more. My number one is a 99 black Mexican Strat, my number two is a 2000 Sunburst Mexican Strat. The myth that American made products are better is just that. Wood is wood, electronics are electronics, and the hands that put them together are nothing more than human hands. There's only one thing that makes a Mexican Strat less desirable, and that is a shame. And if you disagree, ask yourself why the Japanese Strat's are more highly sought after. And don't tell me workmanship, that's bullshit. I enjoy your show, keep up the good work.

[@igorz3551]

I don't know what the deal is with USA-made things are better built I mean just look at the houses lol

[@kelalamusic9258]

Don't be ashamed of your past playing. It's a progressive journey. Things have changed over the years when players would put down a guitar that isn't made in the US. Country pride, perhaps? A number of years ago, I was in contact with the one of big shots over at Fender's main offie in Scottsdale, Arizona. He gave me the whole rundown of Fender in Mexico. Bottom line is, they are top notch instruments at a fraction of a US made Fender. I have a Mexican player series Tele, and am very pleased with it. For me, there is one big advantage of having a US made Fender, and that is dollar value down the road. It will hold it's value, and, of course, increase in value over time.

[@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!