MIJ Strat

[John]

I've always played LP type guitars, have an Epi LP that I've played for well over 10 years. Anyway, this morning while I'm killing time in Coffey, I (stupidly) messed around with a couple Strats he had sitting there. One left me underwhelmed. The other one.... well, I've never really liked the "look" of Fenders or the sharp radius. However, this one has a flatter radius, more similar to my LP. Maple neck which I don't like the look of, love that rosewood. But man... it plays beautifully. All 5 positions sound good on the pickups, and only the neck pickup hums noticeably. Its serial # starts with V which means it's made ~ 97 or so.

Anyway, anybody have experiences with these? It's got a $595 pricetag hanging on it. It seems really well made. Thought I'd get opinions, especially from Gabriel, before plunking down any money. Especially on something I don't need.

Basically, I don't like anything about the guitar except the way it plays, feels, and sounds. 

[Willabe]

Basically, I don't like anything about the guitar except the way it plays, feels, and sounds.  

Well there ya go, I hate when that happens.      

[Ritchie200]

I've got a '97 Ritchie Blackmore model.  These were also MIJ by the USA equivalent of their Custom Shop.  The guitar is the best Strat I have EVER owned and it also plays like a dream.  And that is saying a lot since it was based on probably the worst Strat ever produced - the 70's model with the micro-tilt big headstock neck!  Fit and finish is perfect.  The neck is perfect, although it is rosewood.  I really dislike maple necks...sorry!  I've played some other MIJ Strats and they were really nice.  The Japanese are fantastic craftsman.  I don't think you can go wrong with that one!  Just remember, a Strat is not like flying all over a LP neck, you have to work a little harder.  I think it has made my playing better because of it.  Like Willabe said, "Don't you hate it when that happens!" BUY IT!  You could do worse - it could be a Tele!!!

Jim

[Platefire]

What's this talk "Could be a Tele" ??? Don't you know the Twang is the Thang man!! Love Teles!

I got a 1998 CIJ 1954 RI Strat that I removed the vintage type pickups and installed Texas Specials.
Plays and sounds great! I'll be keeping mine for life. I love that fat "V" neck. Platefire

[Madison]

MIJ guitars?
Sheesh.......who needs 'em?
(It's about all I own at this point)
I just sold off my only MIA black trusty Strat awhile back after finding my dream neck MIJ Strat.
Era/model Strat I have now? No comment. Took a lot of research.It's rare and feels fantastic.
Everybody's hand is different so it doesn't really matter anyway.

I have and have had many MIJ geetars.
V serial is a little late in the game for my taste but...... I have not played one of that era either.
Me thinks it's likely a fine guitar in any case.

CIJ....donno

You should prolly buy what you found.
I have come to find they just feel "right"......or not right off the bat.

I did the opposite of you years ago.
I was never in the market for a LP until I picked up a MIJ copy and still play it all the time.
I think it's my favorite guitar.

[John]

Thanks for all the replies. Bottom line is, I'd have to trade my Epi on it, and I've done too much work to it to get it just like I want it. I have 2 acoustics (cheapies) and 3 electrics (2 cheapies plus the Epi) and refuse to get another anything until I get rid of something. After another night's sleep and doodling on what I already have, it just wouldn't make sense.

Actually, I have an LP knockoff that I am betting is MIJ also. I bought it used n abused for 125, and the neck is great on it.

The absolute best neck I've ever held was on a '77 Ibanez Artist. I lost out on that one, but know the guy who bought it. If he ever sells he knows to call me first. The whole guitar was just incredible.

[Platefire]

I've had several LP copies and got rid of them all to keep this one---Epi LP Studio White. It felt and sounded better than all the rest. Platefire

[Ritchie200]

Oh man, bring back some heart ache!  I had a '82 Artist that was all black, 24 fret, ebony neck.  http://s93105080.onlinehome.us/Ibanez-Catalogs/catalog/1982/05.jpg  was a fantastic guitar that I wish I still had.  I had a couple of Strats at the time and the only time I ever used it was when I was in a Rush tribute band and in another band for a couple of Santana and Led Zep songs.  Gosh, it was a long time ago, but I think I traded it in on a quartet of Gold Lions and some new Tom Scholz gear.  I thought I got a good deal!  Heck, I could have bought six Artists for what a quartet of Gold Lions would be worth today!

Jim

[HotBluePlates]

I know the dollar has devalued some since, but I bought a MIJ Strat brand new in '95 for $450. I'd be trying to get the seller to knock some dollars off the price, but you likely won't get that to happen with a trade. Or you simply get less than the ~1/2-price you'll already get for your trade.

I really like the 90's-era MIJ 60's reissue Strat I've got (that's a mouthful!). It played better and sounded as-good or better than the 1983 first-year reissue Strat I had, which was american-made. I've sold the american strat of $$$ and kept the "cheap knock-off".

[John]

Yeah, if money was no object I'd go ahead and get the Strat. $600 isn't huge money but like I said, it's nothing I need. And for $600 I can buy lots more amp stuff. 

[G._Hoffman]

Fender's stuff is pretty good these days, and the MIJ stuff has always been pretty good.  As for Strats in general, they are the guitars I've played more than any other, so I guess you could say I like them a lot.



Gabriel

[bluesbear]

I have a '88 or so MIJ Strat, one of the early ones. There were a bunch of MIA models and this one in the store. It was by far the best on the wall. It played better, sounded better, and the fit and finish was superior to the American guitars. In fact, about this time the Fender people looked at one and suspended American production for a few months until they could bring the US models up to that level. It's a great guitar. Since I built my own with a 24 3/4" scale, my son plays it now. I don't think the US versions of any guitar have consistantly been any better than Japanese models... except Heritage. I love the MIJ Yamahas. No one's ever built better.
Dave

[jojokeo]

Gosh, it was a long time ago, but I think I traded it in on a quartet of Gold Lions and some new Tom Scholz gear.  I thought I got a good deal!  Heck, I could have bought six Artists for what a quartet of Gold Lions would be worth today!
Jim

Jimbo, this is an old thread but I just saw it today. I've got a little story for ya that this thread hits the mark on in several ways. I'll save the details and give ya some facts. I traded in my JCM800 stack since I wasn't gigging at the time on....wait for it....this made in Japan Tele, a MIJ Fender Sidekick 65 SOLID STATE amp...yes SOLID F*ing STATE! A Tascam digital 8 track POS recorder, and some other stupid crap! LOf*ingL!!! Amazing trade dont ya think!? Good ol' Guitar Center saw me coming a mile away. This was back in 1985. I still have the guitar and amp to this day as a reminder of my dumbassness. I hadn't played the Tele in over 10 years when I took it out of the closet 4 or 5 months ago. It needed some cleaning as you might expect and amazing as it is it was almost completely in tune. No kidding. She always did play great, action low, a split coil or parallel switch, etc. w/ locking tremolo, locking nut. Anyway, here she is.

[Ritchie200]

I dont know you.....

[alerich]

I have a 1987 MIJ Squier Strat with the Schaller produced System 1 tremelo. Vintage yellow with a maple neck. Although I am primarily a Les Paul guy this is the best playing Strat I have ever played. The pickups were crummy (as was the cheap single ply pickguard). I bought a new three ply loaded pickguard from Dragonfire with their alnico pickups. I really like them. I changed the bridge pickup to a Seymour Duncan Hot For Strat. Outstanding guitar. Lots of twang in positions 2-5 and a nice grunt in position 1. No plans of ever selling this one.

[smackoj]

A very interesting discussion, thanks. One of the posts described the "V" serial number guitars as newer and possibly not as good. Would anyone like to list here the years and letter codes that a guy should look for when seeking a "best" or better MIJ strat?  I personally like the big 70's style headstocks the best and I play rosewood fing. brds not maple.  Eric Clapton has done some great work with a maple neck, but I can't get the feel and tone from them that I like.

Knowledge shared is a good thing.

Thanks,  Jack D

[Platefire]

Regarding strats, my taste has drifted from a standard strat configuration to humbucker in the bridge position. I've got a 2003 highway 1 Tele, 1998 CIJ 54 RI strat with texas specials but my favorite right now is a 90's Peavey Predator International--made in???? It's the el-cheapo that Rocks! I have been eyeballing the American Deluxe Strat HSS but knowing me I would probably be content with the Peavey--it would be bad to get the strat deluxe only to find I like the peavey better

[jojokeo]

I dont know you.....

Hey, at least it's got hummies - that's got to count for something? 

[Ritchie200]

I STILL don't know you........

Jim

[jojokeo]

  Who said that???

[G._Hoffman]

I dont know you.....

Hey, at least it's got hummies - that's got to count for something? 

A Tele with humbuckers?  That's a tragedy, not a benefit. 


Gabriel

[jojokeo]

Sniper - shouldn't knock it unless you've played it.