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FDP Forum / Fender Guitars: Stratocasters / "Downsized" from MIA to MIM
(This message was last edited by Tony F at 09:01 PM, Jun 19th, 2012)
FDP Forum / Fender Guitars: Stratocasters / "Downsized" from MIA to MIM
Previous 20 Messages
reverendrob
FDP Data Goon
Moderator
Hero, hero
you have done so well...Jun 17th, 2012 02:19 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Minor differences like that are what makes a Tele or most of the MIC/MIK/MII guitars unplayable for me that I've had, my forearm cramps like a mother within about 20m.
Wider radius solves it generally (as in 12"+ shredder guitars), some body shapes help a little as well for how it sits.
But it's why I cheered when the Squier Mascis Jazzmaster had a huge, bigger than MIA posted nut width to spec and was able to play it without incident.
I suspect on a lot of the imports that the specs scale down in size a lot more than up, it's cheaper to use a smaller piece of wood if that's what you can get. Old, 12ish years ago MIMs still had the necks and bodies cut in the US and shipped down, even the MIM Squiers.
nogin007
Alabama/USAJun 17th, 2012 06:25 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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What bothers you more, nut width, or string spacing. If I don't like the string spacing on a guitar, I just make a new nut with the string spacing I want. A lot of people blame nut width, when it's really the distance between the string that they are referring to.
ejm
usaJun 17th, 2012 07:33 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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"What bothers you more, nut width, or string spacing."
No one seems to consider back shape or thickness. IMO that should be first on the list.
Think Floyd
Contributing Member
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Eastern PAJun 17th, 2012 08:16 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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"Now the MIA Standard is listed as 42.8mm and the MIM at 42mm."
That may be the case now, but the guitars I'm referring to are older with a noticeable difference in nut width.
"If I don't like the string spacing on a guitar, I just make a new nut with the string spacing I want. A lot of people blame nut width, when it's really the distance between the string that they are referring to."
Great idea. I suppose that it would work on shortening the string spacing on a wider nut, but wouldn't widening the spacing on a narrower nut place the strings too close to the edge of the neck?
"No one seems to consider back shape or thickness. IMO that should be first on the list."
This is the major reason why I couldn't buy something on-line. My left hand is VERY picky about neck shape and thickness. And yes, you're right that neck size/shape can sometimes be more of a factor than nut width.
Actually, the most comfortable neck that I've played was on a Gibson LP Standard Faded with I believe a 50s neck. That had a 1 11/16" nut width with the 12" radius. The neck shape made it comfortable.
I just heard from my guitar tech who set up the MIM Fat Strat and installed Carvin H/S/S pick-ups in it. He said that this MIM now sounds better than my MIA Strat ever did. I can't wait to go pick it up!
StratQuebec
Canada
It's time to get it!Jun 17th, 2012 10:08 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Yep, neck shape and nut with are both important.
"f I don't like the string spacing on a guitar, I just make a new nut with the string spacing I want."
Well, and what about the saddles width? Are they really the same width on vintage compared to modern specs? I don't think so or maybe I'm wrong? The saddles width affect the string spacing too, especially where you pick the strings, over the pickups.
Think Floyd
Contributing Member
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Eastern PAJun 17th, 2012 12:12 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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There are times where I miss strings while picking. I believe that this is due to spacing, fretboard radius, and my poor technique.
It's funny; some people can pick up any guitar and feel comfortable, while others are fussy about minute differences in specs.
Think Floyd
Contributing Member
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Eastern PAJun 17th, 2012 06:36 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Well, my MIM Strat now sounds more like a Strat with the Carvin single coils than my MIA ever did with various Fender pick-ups over the years. I guess that the MIM's wood is more toneful than the MIA's wood.
reverendrob
FDP Data Goon
Moderator
Hero, hero
you have done so well...Jun 17th, 2012 06:49 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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It's the poly finish.
whall
Merry-Land
Another Mamby-Pamby Land JackwagonJun 17th, 2012 07:16 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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I hear ya, Think Floyd.
My favorite necks and frets are the late 90s to mid 2000s MIMs.
At one time a few years back I sold off every other electric I had to only have ones with 99-2004 MIM std necks. I am trying to expand my horizons these days, but the other necks still don't do "it" for me.
I have found that Rickenbacker necks are in the same league, so one of those may be in my future.
Alderandash
Contributing Member
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QLD AustraliaJun 17th, 2012 07:53 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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" It's the poly finish."
Nah, it's the seven piece body with veneer front and back. It's gotta sound better than 2 or 3 pieces. ;)
reverendrob
FDP Data Goon
Moderator
Hero, hero
you have done so well...Jun 17th, 2012 08:34 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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It's the amazing resonance from the poly, with the tone chambers as the sound waves bounce from piece to piece, and the poly never lets the sustain leave, so a chord I hit twelve years ago lingers on.
Alderandash
Contributing Member
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QLD AustraliaJun 17th, 2012 10:20 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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I hear it!
Think Floyd
Contributing Member
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Eastern PAJun 18th, 2012 02:17 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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"...so a chord I hit twelve years ago lingers on."
No wonder the Moody Blues couldn't find that chord... it's been stuck in your guitar!
Tony F
Long Island
When you come to fork in road take itJun 19th, 2012 08:58 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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I sold my Highway One Tele because of the narrow string spacing and those jumbo frets but other than that I'm comfortable with MIA or MIM.
As far as tone difference between mia and mim I would think that's due to the neck as the MIA has the graphite supported bi flex truss rod (hate it) and the MIM has a traditional truss rod.
Think Floyd
Contributing Member
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Eastern PAJun 20th, 2012 06:00 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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After a little bit of playing I realize that my muscle memory has to relearn how to finger chords. Some fingerings are easier on the MIM, while others were easier on the MIA.
Charlie Macon
Contributing Member
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**
Texas
Yeeeehaaaa!Jun 20th, 2012 10:01 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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My 2007 MIM Standard Strat has my perhaps my alltime favorite neck....except for the deep-U Nocaster necks.
ecfan
New Jersey USA
I-IV-VJun 20th, 2012 11:54 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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My 2008(MZ7 serial number)MIM Standard Strat HAS my alltime favorite neck, without exception.
Think Floyd
Contributing Member
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Eastern PAJun 20th, 2012 04:06 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Charlie, my MIM Fat Strat is also a 2007.
Think Floyd
Contributing Member
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Eastern PAJun 26th, 2012 06:07 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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After some more playing time, I feel that I made the right choice. The MIA sounded better acoustically and felt nicer, but this MIM is easier to play.
This neck and fretboard feels almost like raw wood compared to the MIA with its thicker (or different?) finish. It sounds nice, but just feels less "refined". I'll get used to the feel eventually.
mr_sooty
New ZealandJun 28th, 2012 06:46 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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I hear you on this. The wider neck width is one of the few things I don't love about my 08 American Std. The neck feels a little flat and 'Ibanez-ish'. I prefer a vintage width and shape but I like other features of the MIA, 9.5 radius, 22 frets etc. I also hear you on the muscle memory thing. I recently bought a Classic Player Jazzmaster which had what I would describe as the perfect neck for me, right thickness, right width, 9.5" radius, medium jumbos etc, but after 4 years playing on the wider MIA neck I felt like my fingers were going to fall off the edges of the neck. It was a bit wierd. Still, I would have liked to spend more time getting used to that 'perfect on paper' neck, but the CPJM didn't do it for me tonally and I sold it.
Previous 20 Messages
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