Made in Mexico vs Made in America

[fredkayaker]

So I've been a big fan for over a year now. I recommend this site to any of my friends that are trying to learn to play.

I've been considering buying a Telecaster as my first electric guitar. I am wondering if there is a significant difference between the MIM and MIA Telecasters. The price difference is significant, but would a new player notice anything different between the two?

Thanks for any advice.

[gasman]

If I ever buy another guitar, it will be a MIM Strat. Fender MIM guitars are a great value! If you are a new player, I don't think you will notice any difference. Besides what it says on the headstock, the only difference any player can tell when they see a MIM vs American made Strat or Tele is that the MIM has a 21-fret neck and a USA model has a 22-fret neck. FWIW, some say a Squier Classic Vibe is just as good (or better) than a MIM, so it just boils down to what you want it to say on the headstock in some instances.

You can't go wrong with a MIM!

[rayden44]

If you're looking around at price vs quality I would seriously look at g&l's. their legacy series asat guitars are very cool (I'm partial to the asat special with the big soap bar looking pickups). They're an excellent quality guitar and very good value tele style guitar.

If you're particularly partial to the fenders... playing about a year I'd say go for the MIM tele. They're a nice guitar, and played through the same amp etc I doubt you'd notice much difference for practice. If you're playing live etc then you'll notice more difference but just practicing or little family things probably not enough to worry. I think you'll find more difference in the build quality rather than the sound. But both a very solid.

As always, play before you buy, take your time. Compare the guitars you're looking at, take your amp to the store if you have one and run them both through your gear. Make sure your comfortable with the neck feel and that it feels good while playing. I also strum an electric guitar without being plugged in, make sure it rings for a while. play the notes on the 5th, 7th and 12th frets, make sure they all still ring well. Then go home, have a think, come back and try again and decide everybody's ears are a bit different.

[colchar]

You could also look at the higher end MIMs like the Classic '50s, Classic '60s, and Baja. Those don't come up on the used market very often though as they are almost universally respected. I have a Baja Tele myself and, although I still haven't managed to bond with it, it is a great guitar.