Author Topic: MIA std strat, a good choice? (vs JV and MIMs) (Read 6632 times)

math2014 · « **on:** July 05, 2006, 08:24:00 AM »

Hi all,

I am seriously thinking of a trade-in of my Laney LC30+Squier HSS strat + cash for a MIA std strat 3color sburst. I am super happy with my Tokai LP and based on the fact that i want to get rid of the Laney before moving homes, i was thinking trading in the amp and the squier for something else.

I am wondering if the MIA will be a good strat solution in general versus Jimmie Vaughan MIM strats. I have compared the MIA vs MIM Deluxe player strats (2 of them) and it was better than both.

Anyhow since i am a bit confused i would like to share this thought with you and get your advice.

1. MIA std strat good choice?
2. Trade-in makes sense?
3. Go for a strat or tele and NOT a 2nd Tokai LP?

Cheers all.

38thBeatle · « **Reply #1 on:** July 05, 2006, 08:40:31 AM »

Well there is the usual advice about trying out as many as you can.I have found that US Fenders are pretty good generally these days-I played a one a few months back in a store near me that was not too good but picked another up and that was fantastic and my credit card was all a quiver.I don't know about MIM Strats (I have a MIM Tele which is excellent) but the Mex guitars dont seem to be too far off the mark - those I have played, they feel pretty good. The Jap ones are always good but some say the electrics tend to be a bit suspect.My experience of ownership is limited to one guitar with an occasionally dodgy jack socket. My USA Strat has some finish faults but over the 27 years that I have had it, it has the patina of age anyway.Presumably you have other amplification and the Laney is surplus so if you no longer want it then why not sell it.Sorry, probably nothinh here you hadn't already thought of.

math2014 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 05, 2006, 08:45:04 AM »

Cheers mate for the reply.

I got me lined up for getting a Matamp soon hence the Laney will be made redundant.

As for the MIA, it is the only MIA in the shop. I have played with another 2 MIAs in another shop (acoustically) and they sounded the same (consistent and nice) as the MIA in my friends' shop. Based on the fact that this particular shop trades in my stuff and gives me a good price on the MIA (whereas the other shop gives me LIST price if i trade in) you see where this is getting to.

The neck pocket was perfect, it was lighter than the MIM, and felt more solid/more quality in my hands than the 4 MIMs i played (2 DLX players and 2 50s RI). I must note here that i DONT care where the guitar is made thus i am not under placebo effects based on the MIA tag.

jordan · « **Reply #3 on:** July 05, 2006, 09:50:11 AM »

You could get a USA strat, or you could do what I did and get a MIM one and upgrade it (see the link in my signature for a blog on the updates I made). The guitar and upgrades cost around £650 in all, and it now seriously outperforms every american strat I've played, including a couple of ludicrously priced relics. (don't get me started!).

But as 38thBeatle said, play as many as you can and make your own choice.

HTH,
Jordan.

Sifu Ben · « **Reply #4 on:** July 05, 2006, 02:53:41 PM »

If you're happy with your Tokai LP why not get a Tokai strat?

math2014 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 05, 2006, 03:08:14 PM »

Because i didnt really like the 80s lawsuit Tokai strat i tried ;) Small frets and radius.

Basically it is an opportunity to "sell" the Laney and the Squier prior to moving. I am just wondering what makes a MIA strat a good MIA strat (ie what to test).

Furthermore i wonder how the MIA std compares to a Jimmie Vaughan MIM strat. Thats about it.

Johnny Mac · « **Reply #6 on:** July 05, 2006, 06:11:26 PM »

Quote from: jordan

You could get a USA strat, or you could do what I did and get a MIM one and upgrade it (see the link in my signature for a blog on the updates I made). The guitar and upgrades cost around £650 in all, and it now seriously outperforms every american strat I've played, including a couple of ludicrously priced relics. (don't get me started!).

But as 38thBeatle said, play as many as you can and make your own choice.

HTH,
Jordan.

Interesting blog Jordan!

Kilby · « **Reply #7 on:** July 05, 2006, 06:20:35 PM »

A few years ago I tried several MIA strats and the nices one was a highway one. Later (that day) I tried several MIM and found them to be the same as the MIA.

I guess the lesson is MIA and MIA are incredibly similar, but a good one from either factory stands out.

I would suggest looking at the asian built Lite Ash models as the 3 Teles I tried completely blew the socks off the US, Mex & Japanese models, it really was nice. So try the strat model.

As for Tokais, the 80s lawsuit models started offering both the 50s & 60s neck options way before Fender got around to it. I would suggest giving a few Tokais a try (both old and new).

rob...

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #8 on:** July 06, 2006, 01:02:54 PM »

Quote from: Johnny Mac

Quote from: jordan
You could get a USA strat, or you could do what I did and get a MIM one and upgrade it (see the link in my signature for a blog on the updates I made). The guitar and upgrades cost around £650 in all, and it now seriously outperforms every american strat I've played, including a couple of ludicrously priced relics. (don't get me started!).

But as 38thBeatle said, play as many as you can and make your own choice.

HTH,
Jordan.

Interesting blog Jordan!

That was excellant - really impressed with that!!

jordan · « **Reply #9 on:** July 06, 2006, 01:51:02 PM »

Quote from: FELINEGUITARS

Quote from: Johnny Mac
Quote from: jordan
You could get a USA strat, or you could do what I did and get a MIM one and upgrade it (see the link in my signature for a blog on the updates I made). The guitar and upgrades cost around £650 in all, and it now seriously outperforms every american strat I've played, including a couple of ludicrously priced relics. (don't get me started!).

But as 38thBeatle said, play as many as you can and make your own choice.

HTH,
Jordan.

Interesting blog Jordan!

That was excellant - really impressed with that!!

Cheers guys. Having done it once now, I can't imagine ever NOT modifying a stock guitar (at least with BKPS :-) ). It makes me laugh to see £2k+ fender strats and gibbo LPs in shops that play like dirt and have sub-standard parts....It's not that much effort to really transform a guitarl

_tom_ · « **Reply #10 on:** July 06, 2006, 02:57:15 PM »

Quote from: jordan

Cheers guys. Having done it once now, I can't imagine ever NOT modifying a stock guitar (at least with BKPS :-) ). It makes me laugh to see £2k+ fender strats and gibbo LPs in shops that play like dirt and have sub-standard parts....It's not that much effort to really transform a guitarl

Just a question - how did you go about filing the nut well? I'm doing up my strat and want to install a graphite nut.

jordan · « **Reply #11 on:** July 06, 2006, 05:22:18 PM »

Quote from: _tom_

Just a question - how did you go about filing the nut well? I'm doing up my strat and want to install a graphite nut.

It was completely trial and error, and I've not actually glued the nut in. The graphtech nut came with a little notch in the middle that I had to remove using sand paper, then i just kept sanding the base and one side to make it fit height and width-wise. I assume i just got very lucky, because I've never since adjusted it.

_tom_ · « **Reply #12 on:** July 06, 2006, 06:06:36 PM »

Oh right so were the slots allready cut out? If not, what did you use to cut em? If you want, PM me so we dont clutter up this thread :P

jordan · « **Reply #13 on:** July 06, 2006, 11:09:37 PM »

Yeah, you can buy most GraphTech nuts with pre-cut slots, as I did.
Sorry to the original thread owner!!

math2014 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 07, 2006, 08:24:36 AM »

Quote from: jordan

Yeah, you can buy most GraphTech nuts with pre-cut slots, as I did.
Sorry to the original thread owner!!

No worries man, i got no such problems, we are here to chat, and sometimes we get carried away ;)

As for the original topic.

I tried this particular Strat vs an identical model/color, and "mine" was lighter, slight flame neck, better alder color (dark honey color the other was yellow-ish). So i guess i met a "good" MIA .

Now i just have to decide betweet two matamps... the 1224 and the KingStreet.