MIJ Stratocaster

MIJ Strats are superior to the American Fender models. This is in despite of the actual reputation we have given these guitars for being budget guitars.

For instance I recall an interview with Mike McCready of Pearl Jam where he explains that in the early days of the group before he could afford vintage instruments he played a MIJ 62 reissue as his main guitar. Interestly he noted that he thought this was ironic given that these are generally not as good as the american guitars. I have read similar statements from Steve Via. When he had to pick a strat for a Hendrix tribute song he said the best playing Fender Strat he could find was a Japan model. Again he noted this was ironic given they are not American made.

On most forums, players rave about the quality of these guitars. Still however, the stigma prevailing, most players agree that Japan is just as good and only sometimes better than the USA Fenders. If you critically examine the comments however you get the overall impression that these MIJ guitars are very nice indeed. Many dealers and lutheirs will flat out tell you that a MIJ is better quality. Ask around.

An experienced lutheir once told me that their is a moment of uncertainty when a unknown customers pulls out a strat in need of some sort of repair or setup. If he sees that it is a MIJ instrument their is always a sigh of release because he knows that the guitar at least will be repairable and can undergo very precise setups.

In my own experience I see that the MIJ instruments are more consistent than the USA. If you take several MIJ 62 reissues from different years from (1992 to 2006) you will see that from one guitar to the next they all feek quite similar. Sure they are guitars and do have their own personalities but you would believe that they were all built around the same time if I told you. Try this experiment with any series of American models across this time period. I find the MIA's be be very inconsistent. Quality control is defiantly poorer with the American strats.

I am not here to down American made strats. I just would like to praise the quality of the MIJ strats. They just know how to build guitars over there. The guitar is held in high esteem in Japan where it is considered a fine musical instrument like a violin. Tradition and craftsmanship are important.

What?! Well whatever, they build fine guitars.

I guess the next level of comparison would be the Fender Custom Shop guitars. Well, these guitars take advantage of higher quality components and receive more attention.
Given that, it is amazing at how close the MIJ's can get. I wouldn't say they surpass CS guitars. Many or equal and most all can easily hold their own. Especially if they have been upgraded.

MIJ's are not perfect. They do suffer from poor quality hardware and electronics. This is not true for the newer models however. Bridges (especially the block) and pickups need to be upgraded but after doing so you have a superior instrument and still save money over the USA strats.