If you have enjoyed this video click to subscribe to our channel to see more killer Guitar Demos and other great content - kzread.info/dron/4QLDFTa-jS5JVOlwFnLymA.html

Seems like everyone in the Fender line (Gretsch, Squier included) has stepped it up, this is very good for the guitar playing community.

@reverb508

5 ай бұрын

The exception being Fender USA. I don't know what happened over in the Corona factory, but they've been shipping guitars with all sorts of QA problems. If I had to guess, the massive boom in guitar sales during the pandemic, followed by the layoffs when sales started to slow down caused some staffing/ quality issues. Hopefully Fender turns it around soon. I love their instruments.

@shadbizer2914

5 ай бұрын

Even brands like Epiphone are nailing it

@jogmas12

5 ай бұрын

That’s cause Harley Benton is kicking their back sides

@drg6161

5 ай бұрын

The Fender Player Series are absolute trash. Nowhere near as good as the 2014 to 2017 ish era MIM guitars. Not from the standpoint of materials, workmanship or anything

@Bigfoot-px9gj

5 ай бұрын

Squier stepped it up 25 plus years ago...

I want both the McCreedy and Isbell. I have a Classic Vibe tele right now and it's awesome, but I can't stop looking at those 2 mexico fenders.

I still own and love my MIM Stratocaster that I bought back in the late 80s. Great tone, and has held up to my abuse. Remember when they used to refer to them as "Taco Strats"?

@kurtz1993

5 ай бұрын

Hahahahaha, I'm Mexican and think this should be the name 🤣

@kurtz1993

5 ай бұрын

Almost tempted to engrave a taco in a neck plate and replace the "F" one 🤣

@jackphillips341

5 ай бұрын

Me, too!!

@5yearsout

5 ай бұрын

Never hear that before, my MIM Black Beauty has a new better nickname now.

I have 3 road worn fenders. Great guitars

Just bought a Gretsch 5655. Great guitar. Great setup out of the box. Very suprising.

I love Fender Mexico. There's a ton of value there to be had and they can be really fun mod projects. I gutted a player series and put some 51 Nocaster pickups, a new bridge, and some new tuners and in the year and a half I've had that guitar, I haven't had "the itch" that I need another tele. I'm sure there are some duds like every mass production guitar, but most of them I've picked up felt good or only needed minor adjustments. Also, it should be noted those EVH Relic'ed Frankies come from that facility and they definitely look the part, but not cheap to say the least.

I have a 2017 Road Worn 50's Strat. Incredible guitar, made in Mexico.

Still love and play my 20 year old plus Mexican telecaster (living room guitar) and have never had a single issue. Good to hear quality is back ( I have a Classic Vibe Strat which has been great).

My 60’s Baja Tele has no business being as good as it is. In a room full of “high-end” and custom guitars, it is still the one that I play the most. It truly is an outstanding Telecaster.

@DeplorablePepe

5 ай бұрын

I had a 50's Baja tele...hands down, best tele I've ever owned. I got to meet Chris Fleming, the Fender Custom Shop master builder who designed that guitar, I told him he made the perfect guitar.

@paulcartwright2810

5 ай бұрын

GREETINGS FROM GREAT BRITAIN...I own a 50s Baja.....its all the tele quality wise ill ever need....its as good as any USA guitar I own....only paid £450 2nd hand off ebay with a case.....kinda reminds me of the old 80s tokai and squires that I owned ..( and really should have hung onto instead of trading for "real " Gibson and fenders...later on )..as a young guy...

I really love what Fender's doing in the Ensenada factory. There are honestly more MIM models I'd like to own than MIA models at this point. Also, considering the QA issues at the Corona factory (unfinished frets, poorly cut nut slots, finish flaws, weird neck pocket gaps, etc...), I think I'd rather take my chances with an MIM Fender if buying sight unseen (not that the MIM guitars are immune to those issues either). Great video, guys!

I think there are good and bad guitars at every level. Well that’s been my experience, I’ve played some wonderful squires and at the other end I’ve played a few bad custom shops. The best guitar advice I was ever given was “never buy a guitar you haven’t played” and ever since I’ve never owned a bad guitar. Obviously not always possible for some people but it definitely works

Thanks for your beautiful content!

I bought a slightly used MiM Strat a year ago and I'm loving that guitar more every time I pick it up.

Always excited to see a video from Casino Guitars on my feed! But dang you for making me want another guitar 😅

I bought a Nashville Tele in December. It arrived with the low E string off the 22nd fret. But I was able to loosen the neck bolts and yank it back to straight, and it's been the nuts ever since.

@Duke-sr4pt

5 ай бұрын

I am sure it's a great guitar, but that should never have left the shop.

I have a MiM telecaster from 9 years ago. I swapped out the tuners and put in some noiseless pickups, and now my local tech says it's one of the best Teles he's ever played.

@officialWWM

5 ай бұрын

Your local tech says that to every customer 😂

My Ventera 50s tele modified is wonderful - great neck, great PUs and switching options. Plays incredible.

My first Fender is a 1995 MIM Telecaster in Midnight Wine. It came with a crazy flamed maple neck and fretboard. The only mods I did was changing the pickups to TexMex and a bone nut. It had aged beautifully, sounds great and absolutely no QC issues. I would never pay the price of a US made Fender when there is still MIM available

I have many American made Fenders. Recently got a Vintera II Jazzmaster. I did a fret level, crown, polish and rolled the edges of the rosewood board. When I did these things (same as I do to all my Fenders) I had a Great playing, Great sounding guitar. Every bit as good as my MIA’s, seriously. The gap has narrowed considerably.

Awesome vid as usual. My MIM is a 2019, it plays great but I wouldn't mind upgrading.

My 2012 mim strat kicked the crap out of my 2022 mim Tele in terms of out of the box quality. Recent Fenders definitely had room for improvement. Glad to hear they are making an effort to get better. Cheers!

Just got a minty Squier CV strat and I absolutely love it. Had a fender American strat I never bonded with. This Squier feels better. No upgrades needed. Truly ridiculous how good these things are for next to no money.

@davidepaolo276

5 ай бұрын

agreed--my 50s CV strat is one of the best strats Ive ever played, regardless of price point.

@ramencurry6672

5 ай бұрын

I have a USA Strat. While it’s good the neck doesn’t feel as good as the cheaper guitars because it’s a little too fat.

@seancollins3106

5 ай бұрын

I picked up a CV Jazzmaster last fall and I LOVE it! once I got the neck shimmed, and set it up right, it plays great. I accidentally put a huge dent in it that chipped the paint, but I got it on sale for 350, so it's pretty hard to complain about the damage... had it been one of my USA Fenders or Gibsons, I would've been devastated!

@crigonalgaming1258

5 ай бұрын

When it comes to Fender nowadays, Fender Japan is where it is at. However, they are truly difficult to get hold of.

@sgt.gruhnn

5 ай бұрын

@@crigonalgaming1258 They’ve been having an airline sale, 900RT to Tokyo from the west coast, small price to get your dream guitar IMO

I've got a Brad Paisley Esquire and I love it. I've also got an Albert Hammond Jnr. Strat that I love - I didn't know who either of those guys were before I bought the guitars. I just liked the guitars.

This video is representative of my Fender experience

I have a Mexican Fender strat. It was ok then got it serviced and the guitar guy did some hot rodding and its as good as any American sounding Strat. Its been my work horse now for the last 2 years. I think they come along way from what I seen of the early days.

Just got a 70th Anniversary MiM Strat with the Nebula Noir finish. Rosewood fretboard is nice and dark. The frets are properly dressed. The 59 pickups sound great. The satin neck is also very nice. Such a great guitar for 1K.

I’ve got a 2015 KWS signature Strat from Mexico. One of the most solidly built I’ve ever owned!

I have several MIM Fenders and they are all great guitars. I have a 2000 Tele Nashville and that guitar is solid as a rock. I also have a Roadhouse Strat, Chris Shifflet Tele Deluxe and a Tele Cabrinita. They are all great guitars and I use them more than my USA Strat and Tele.

Got 3 mustang pj basses and love 'em, once you replace the weak electronics (particularly the bridge pickup and toggle switch) they become a beast

I’ve got the JI and it’s a wonderful guitar!

I was looking for a new P Bass, since I gave my old one to my daugher that wants to learn bass, and I was looking at the Squier Classic Vibe 70's P Bass or the Fender Player P Bass, and I went with the Fender in Tidepool, and absolutely love it. Only had to do a slight neck adjustment and tuning out of the box, but it plays so well and love the feel of the neck.

My Isbell is one of the two best teles I've ever played ... not super light at 7.5lbs but comfortable and great fit and finish, playability... and it sounds just great.

@mikeomatic9905

5 ай бұрын

Mine had some QC issues. Some uneven frets, badly-cut nut, and the neck wasn't quite on straight. BUT it looks and sounds fantastic, and after letting my luthier go to town on it, it now plays fantastically. No regrets.

My Fender MIM is one of those second gen roadworn vinteras and I love the hell out of that guitar. It's so nice and comfortable

Black Friday weekend 2022, I bought a Fender Player Plus Nashville Telecaster (Opal Spark). It's amazing!

On my level as an occasional jammer and home player the MIM Fenders are excellent. I have three.I ordered some upgraded tuners FROM FENDER and they were made in South Korea. I hope that players would try them before the slam them. There are people dedicated to their work all over the world. Peace Out.

The road worn Mexiko fenders with nitro are epic

@Ashley-oi8cj

5 ай бұрын

I agree. Absolutely love mine

Bought a MIM p bass about a year ago. I had to tweak the setup a little. But the quality is on par with my USA Jazz bass. I’m totally happy with it.

I’ve purchased a half dozen Strats in the past three years. It’s about 50/50 in terms of half Corona and half Mex. All have been VERY good in terms of quality. Of the US trio, one Pro II and two Mod Shops. Build quality for the three is great. I bought a couple of Player Plus and one Vintera. The build quality on the Vintera was quite good, but unsurprising. The Player Plus pair are both REALLY REALLY GOOD.

@ebrens

5 ай бұрын

I came down to the AmProII or the Player Plus - what sold me on the American was the heel carve, black, and preferring push/push to push/pull. Really not much separated em for me beyond that.

I own both MIA & MIM Fenders. The MIM's are a definite value, never had any issue with a MIM guitar.

So many great options for the guitar player today without spending a fortune

Awesome

I just got the Mike McCready Strat last week, and it is absolutely amazing. It plays and sounds so great.

@ToddH76

4 ай бұрын

How does the neck compare to the American pro ii neck and/or the american vintage II 61 strat neck....I love the pro ii and haven't been able to play a mccready yet...would love to buy one.

MIM Fender stuff have always had good bones and are great mod platforms but I think we all know that. I only have one of the player series and it had some issues, fret sprout and lackluster electronics. Guitars are so much fun!

@honkytonkinson9787

5 ай бұрын

I had one 20 years ago that had frets so soft I wore them out in about a year. I replaced it with an American strat that still has frets, though they are visibly worn. It was only $350, but that’s like $600 to $700 now, so no, Mexican strats haven’t always been good

My evh frankenstrat is MIM. Its phenomenal. I enjoy playing it as much as my 07 japanese JEM or pretty much any of my american gibsons or fenders. A great guitar is a great guitar no matter where it came from and now alot of the mexi specs are very nice

I've got a 2012 MIM Classic Series that still stands with the top shelf offerings. Base level MIM guitars have always been ok at best, but they've been quietly making higher end gems for a while.

I have a MIM " brad paisley " silver sparkle tele. It's my edc guitar. Love that guitar. Good enough for me. And if the time ever comes, I can upgrade whatever needs upgrading.

The only Fender I have is a Mexican Strat. I picked over a bunch of American made strats when I was in the market. Zero regrets.

Last year I got a charvel (fender mexico) amazing amazing guitar for less than a grand I couldn't be happier than the Mexican made charvel

Johnathan, you should make a T-SHIRT that says, " I WOULD NEVER "....LOL

The Vintera ii strats are great the nuts are cut perfect and they stay in tune when using the Trem

My 2019 Vintera 50s tele is one of the best guitars I own.

My 2012 MIM Strat is still one of the best guitars I've ever played.

I have a 2014 TexMex...sold it...rebought recently....and compared to the my other 7 Tele's I now own (just got a LSL TBoneOne this afternoon!!)...with McNelly pups and tone pot disconnected from neck pup......it's fantastic in every way.

I was able to get a Mike McCready Strat when they first launched. It’s been a few months and I have been more than pleased with it. It is my number 1 since I got it. What didn’t you guys like about the initial run?

I have a Baja telecaster this is a play all the time favorite, a fantastic 🎸 guitar.

Ordered a Mike Mcready strat last September, Hope to get it someday

I've been upgrading MIM Player guitars lately. Sam Ash, upon closing, had a couple for sale. My conclusion is that they are basically the same as the lower American series (Pro I, Pro II), minus the setup. They produce a lot of these MIM guitars, making them a great platform to upgrade. Mine hits just as hard as my Ultra Deluxe (I named the Ultra Deluxe "The Lady" to show how much I love that thing so it's not a small statement to say it's comparable). Here are the upgrades I made: Upgraded the bridge (not a fan of vintage bridges). Added a graphite string tree or the Fender rolling string tree. Installed locking tuners. The pickguards are surprisingly great-big, solid parts, not the cheap ones you find in Squires, and they come with a proper capacitor. Upgraded the pickups? I'd say listen to them first; you might like them stock, so maybe upgrade. Necks were a challenge-sharp as can be. The issue wasn't the wood (pau ferro) but that it was totally untreated. It felt like a desert. I oiled mine with Danish oil (could have used tung oil), and after three days of treatment, the wood looked amazing and felt great. Problem solved. The gloss maple fretboards didn't have issues. Both necks needed major fret work: leveling, fixing fret sprout, crowning, and polishing. Overall cost: $1,100-$1,600. However, if you need to sell them for quick cash, don't expect to get much more than $600. It sucks that's the case, but the instrument will atleast rock. It won't be a custom shop guitar, but you might prefer it over your Ultra every once in a while. Where MIM guitars shine, in my opinion, is in the materials. The neck is worth fixing, the body is top-notch, and the pickguards and electronics are surprisingly good. I've compared them with higher-end Fenders, and they're pretty impressive. The tremolo block is beefy. It's not a case of skimping on parts. I think they keep the cost down by simply not setting them up. They take a good guitar, make sure it works, and then box it up. That's my theory because the parts are good.

@petersouthwell5971

Ай бұрын

Bonus tip. These guitars are re-sold ALOT... And they MOSTLY sell for under they're new value. You can get a MIM guiar used no problemo for $450-500. Now this is a great upgrade platform. It's literally cheaper then even building a kit. Great way to learn guitar tech skills. The MIM parts are good enough that all you have to do is love them to make a pro instrument. Now I know there's the Squire Classic vibe people... My issue there is.. They come in Millimeter measurements.. So there's less after market parts for options.

My player series fender sucked so I ended up keeping a classic vibe 40yr anniversary that feels waaaaaay better in every way

Fender did really up their game, and sort of started around '18 with the Player series and the sig models from Mexico. Like the Monterey Strat, people put it down cause it's MM, even though it has all the good stuff, vintage neck, and tuners, alnico pu's, etc. So I think those that aren't up on things or behind, Mexico has that stigma to it, and just talking to someone, it's hard hard to get them get it, unless they see for themselves, but if they're not in the market, they don't know

I bought a 1998 fiesta red Mexican strat roasted maple neck. It’s a masterpiece

I love mine, guys. 👍🎸

Bought Player Series tele a while ago and traded it in. Was just so generic to play and had some QC issues. Later bought a 75th anniversary Squier tele and it is a stellar guitar. Great fun to play and zero QC issues. Obviously can vary guitar to guitar but Squiers in general are too notch at the moment. Epiphone too are rolling out some seriously good quality guitars. Great time to be picking up affordable guitars especially when the ‘premium’ brands are charging outrageous prices.

I picked up a new MIM Tom Delonge reissue for fun and to be honest it semi rivals my AM Pro II. The quality is way better than I would have expected and it’s leaps and bounds over the original 2001 version that I have. Now I know it’s no where near a custom shop but still awesome you don’t have to break the bank to get a good feeling guitar. And any suggestions on how to pass the time and waiting game for my custom shop to arrive lol?!

Fender should make premium cases in Mexico and include them with the premium signature models > $1500. Call them J & J cases (juan and jose).

I am saving to buy a strat. I really like the american pro ii and the american vintage ii..1961. I love the mccready strat. Its a few hundred less than the 61 american vintage ii. I have not played the McCready because they are not available anywhere. How do they compare in your hands?

I bought the Jason Isbell Tele and have been very happy with it. I found the 2023 version of the straight MIM Tele uninspiring but this one has character. I sort of like the neck pup in the Classic Vibe a little more, but not going to change anything

What is your opinion of the mim Evh Frankie? I’ve been wanting one since they first came out. I had a mim early 90’s Stratocaster that wasn’t the best. I actually think the body was 16 pieces.

Of my many guitars, I have more Strats than any other model. I think I have 9. I have multiples of MIM, MIJ and American models. The two MIM models are very nice guitars. One is the Custom Shop "Designed" in Sonic Blue, that I believe Greg Fessler had input in its design. The other I think is a Classic 60s model in Shell Pink. In event, they both punch above their price weight in my opinion.

You’ll have to pry my AmProII Strat out of my cold dead hands, but I’ve got a CV Jazzmaster from last year that I kinda can’t get over.

I love my Vintera and Vintera II P Basses are way better than my late 90s USA Made PBass. I just upgraded an early 90s MiM Fender (Black Logo) “Squier Series” bass (Alder, Maple Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard). Upgraded, that bass is fantastic.

I have a 2015 Standard Telecaster MIM. It easily matches the fit and finish on my 2013 FSR Stratocaster.

Not long ago my MIM Tele was touted by channels like this as the best value (quality for price) in all of guitar-dom. Did quality go down at the Mexico factory? Has the quality of the Squire series improved that much? What is the combination that has you talking about the Player series now like it is a sucker’s bet? By the way, that 2014 MIM Tele was a great guitar, and a steal on sale for $400 at GC. I traded up for an American Original Tele a couple of years ago - a phenomenal guitar!

Hey guys will you PLEASE do a video on the MIJ Fender guitars? I think that’s something your viewers would like! I know I would!! Jamie McQueen from Detroit

I have a 2020 Fender Player butterscotch tele and 2 Vintera strats(2021/22), one is a Roadworn relic with nitro and they are great looking and sounding guitars, especially the roadworn strat! I have no interest in getting a US built at this time. I am not into signature guitars but it would not surprise me that because of how good the McCready strat turned out that the John Frusciante signature MAY be made in Mexico! I may be wrong but I can see John wanting his fans to be able to get a hold of a copy of his guitars easier than if it was a custom Shop replica. I could be wrong,,,we'll see

My buddy that is a professional musician just said recently that Mexico has figured it out!

Just ordered the Mike one. I’m hoping it’s awesome. I got that Joe Strummer last year. It’s pretty good but I’m hoping for more in the Mike.

@deanmccaskill5495

5 ай бұрын

Oh and I just got that butterscotch Vintera also. I love it. But it does smell strong. Not bad but strong. Nothing beats me Vintage 2 yet though. Custom shop is next.

Have you guys seen the Rick Toone tremelo ? Drop in replacement for strats etc Cheers from NZ 😎🎸🤘

Do you guys think Fender USA or Mexico will produce something similar to the MIJ Sparkle Telecaster? They're starting to show up stateside on Reverb.

I'm always curious why to get a nitro finish you have to get something like a Road Worn or something like this new McCredy. Why can't Fender just put out a light finish nitro guitar like they were built in the day (like the vintage series) but out of Mexico? Also, frustrating as a lefty that basically none of these are available at all left-handed. My first guitar was 90s MIM, it's still sitting next to me and is one of my favorite guitars I've ever had or played, only wish it was nitro and showed the work I've put in on it.

I had an Indonesian made Jim Adkins telecaster. Was a great guitar and one of the few I've sold I regret.

I’ve heard a lot of quality issues on the Isbell Tele actually. I’ve been following it since it came out always drooling over its looks but so many reviews have talked about bad frets, tuning issues, and dry fretboard. I played one in a store and the neck felt dirty and sticky.

I've always held MIM Fenders in high regard! I have a mid '90s MIM P-Bass that I kept while selling off a USA P-Bass. I owned a TexMex Strat for 25+ years and it was great as well as some other MIM Strats and Teles. I'm still mentally in the days when new MIM Fenders were $300 everywhere, all-day-long... Prices on them now make me cringe!

The price on used MIM guitars on fb marketplace dropped low, got a vintera 50 s tele used 500

@Echoes-

5 ай бұрын

Made in Mexico Fenders have horrible resale value compared to USA made ones.

Hey, how about giving G&L. some LOVE?!!! Last haunt of the Genius Leo Fender. What better way to embrace excellence?

I have a Jason Isbell, and yes it's very good. The problem was my 2010 60's Squire Tele sounds better. I traded necks and never looked back. The only thing I don't love is the poly finish, which I'm going to rectify soon. For reference, I also have a CS Nocaster...I still pick up the Squier 9 times out of 10.

I have heard you two speak poorly of the DuoSonic, I got a made in Mexico DuoSonic that I love, super light weight, plays and sounds great. no Squire I have played comes close.

I have an 2015 MIM Standard Tele and an MIM 2019 Vintera '50s Tele. I like them both but favor the Vintera. In Canada we have a few Vintera Road Worn '50s Teles country wide but it looks like I'm going to miss out on this run.

I bought that MM strat from reverb Bax!

I want a mike mcreedy but I've already got an Am pro 2 sl there's no reason to change

Do you think the Player Series is on the way out?

@charlesbolton8471

5 ай бұрын

Of course it is, but fear not it will be replaced by the Player II Series. After that we’ll get the Player Plus II Series.

Listen to them say ‘Mike McCready’. Magical.

I'd buy the Firefly paisley S type before I'd buy any Fender/Squire right now. For $169 bucks, you can get a killer mod platform, that a fret polish and inexpensive loaded pickgaurd will turn into a custom guitar. They hit way above their pay grade, and have excellent QC. They're back in stock and make a great easy project for some smart buyers.

I own a players P bass- player Tele and player plus Tele. All well put together. The sad part is I also own an Epiphone SE 339 PRO, 549.00 new that outperforms both Teles. I also own a short scale Gretch bass Electromatic 300.00, it knocks the shine off the P bass. Fender is riding a reputation of days long gone. There are better options out here for less money. No, I am not struggling financially, I could purchase any of them. The Epiphone ES 339 pro is the best sounding most versatile guitar on the market for the money.

Yes us Brits do say, and spell everything correctly!

I have a Player Mexican Fender tele. It's a beaut. How about reviewing some Washburn guitars ?

My running flat out pandemic Vintera has good fretwork and the finish is even and unblemished. It is a little heavy. The problem was they installed the 250K and 500K pots the wrong way around. Found out when I installed the CuNiFe pickup.

I love my MIM Jazz Bass, but my 2021 player Strat never could hold up to my Amercan Special. Sold it.

It would be cool if they have some of the Mexican builders do a “ Custom “ series. I bet there some talented cats working across the border. Would love to see what they would dream up.

I LOVE my new MIM strat. It's a great instrument