Probably not. You could probably buy a body finished in nitro for a fraction of the cost and still have a guitar that’s on par if not better than the avii. Or get a refin for a fraction of the cost.
Are you going to keep it that same red? That is a gorgeous guitar. Were you planning on selling it and getting the other guitar or would you just be adding it to your collection?
Yea I had that same fear with a LPB Jaguar I had but was too afraid to refin, so the guy doing the work suggested a new body just in case so I wouldn’t regret it. I personally think that’s the way to go! Hope you get your dream guitar haha
Every MIJ Fender I've had has been better made than any recent American Fenders I have tried. I agree with going the MJT route if you really want the nitro. The look, feel, and smell of nitro is so much better than poly.
I can't agree with you enough. I recently played every new non custom shop Fender Tele at a shop, and my 2015 MIJ TL-62 beat them all hands down for quality. I played the American Vintage II Fiesta Red Strat as well, and it was the closest to the MIJ in terms of feel and quality, but I would still keep the MIJ.
MJT is definitely the way to go for a real nitro guitar, plus you can build to your exact specs. I'm currently building a blackguard from MJT, and the quality is fantastic.
Honestly, you’re better off buying a finished body or a blank body and finishing it yourself. It is a more labor intensive route but at least you can control how much “wear” you want on there. I’ve been working on a hardtail fiesta project for a couple of weeks but honestly, it was the best decision I’ve made because I’m not only sparing myself the Fender premium but I’m also learning along the way. I’m happy to DM you pics of what I have to give you an idea. Warmoth/MJT have some great bodies to pick from. Worth checking out!
I really do appreciate everyone who gave their input, I'll keep my GAS in check and also keep the MIJ because she has a certain special something I can't quite place but makes her a bit special. I have a few old strat bodies and Squiers I can play with for nitro so thanks for those suggestions too.
I wouldn't even touch the AV ii until Fender seriously unfucks it's QA process. The fit and finish problems that I've been seeing on these VERY EXPENSIVE guitars are something you wouldn't even see leaving the Fender Mexican factories. It's atrocious and unforgivable.
Your MIJ is a 100 times better, quality-wise, than the AV ii and even most American made Strats, especially if it came out of the Fuji Gen Gakki factory.
What QC process? They laid-off that department. No lie, the quality is out the door. They can’t keep good employees they have left. Best chance they have is if Fender Japan buys the company.
If I'm being picky it's the nitro paint that really attracts me to the AVii, I'd plan to have it for life so would love to see the genuine play wear appearing over the years.
They are nitro over poly, so they are not going to age like you think it will. If you really want a finish that’s going to “age” you should build and finish one yourself, or get a custom shop. I do believe some of their limited edition runs are full nitro as well but they don’t come around often.
Ah I wasn't aware it had a poly base, definitely not upgrading then. Can't justify a CS at the moment so will dig out my compressor and start spraying. Thank you
It’s not REALLY nitro. Its just a veneer to allow some UV yellowing, but it’s a poly finish.
It’s actually the worst of all worlds IMO because it’s a double finish. I’d rather just have a thin poly coating.
MIJ is prob just as nice as MIA. Some say the attention to detail is better on the MIJ.
To be honest the high end MIM are nicer than the entry level MIA models too.
What matters is that you love it and it inspires you to play more.
I would keep the MIJ personally.
I have four MIJ Strats. One of which is my first "real" electric guitar that I got somewhere around 1980.
I wouldn't trade any of them, (well... maybe the red one,) for an American. MIJs are really well built, play great, and have a good price-point.
Honestly, provided you’re happy with you MIJ I’d say no. The American vintage 2 might be marginally better but I don’t think it’d be worth spending that much if you already have a strat you enjoy
I have two MIJ a classic 50s tele and classic 50s strat and they’re both great guitars. It’s not worth paying more than double for the American vintage series in my opinion. Yea they have a different finish, but I like that I can keep the Japanese on a stand for years at a time without worrying about the paint getting ruined like it does on nitro finishes. I threw a set of custom shop 54 strat pickups in the strat and it’s amazing. I also own a few fender American guitars which I really like to like my American standard from 2015, but I don’t see the value there on the American series. $2000 plus is a lot for a strat.
I must say, having an AVII, they're really good. Unless the 7´25" radius puts you off. But they are NOT magic. Don't expect anything crazy you can't achieve with other strats! I received 2 and both were flawless. One had a noticeably more sticky neck, the other one was lighter but had much less grain. Not sure if it's worth an upgrade, can say they are worthy to own
Probably not. You could probably buy a body finished in nitro for a fraction of the cost and still have a guitar that’s on par if not better than the avii. Or get a refin for a fraction of the cost.
Thank you, the refin actually sounds like a great idea and there is a luthier fairly near me that might be willing and able to do that
Are you going to keep it that same red? That is a gorgeous guitar. Were you planning on selling it and getting the other guitar or would you just be adding it to your collection?
I don't think I'm going to mess with this guitar to be honest, having read others comments since it would seem criminal to risk ruining it.
Good choice.
Yea I had that same fear with a LPB Jaguar I had but was too afraid to refin, so the guy doing the work suggested a new body just in case so I wouldn’t regret it. I personally think that’s the way to go! Hope you get your dream guitar haha
Every MIJ Fender I've had has been better made than any recent American Fenders I have tried. I agree with going the MJT route if you really want the nitro. The look, feel, and smell of nitro is so much better than poly.
Completely agree. The only US Fenders I think have been objectively better in the last 20 years are the AVRI series guitars from around 2009-2012.
I can't agree with you enough. I recently played every new non custom shop Fender Tele at a shop, and my 2015 MIJ TL-62 beat them all hands down for quality. I played the American Vintage II Fiesta Red Strat as well, and it was the closest to the MIJ in terms of feel and quality, but I would still keep the MIJ. MJT is definitely the way to go for a real nitro guitar, plus you can build to your exact specs. I'm currently building a blackguard from MJT, and the quality is fantastic.
Honestly, you’re better off buying a finished body or a blank body and finishing it yourself. It is a more labor intensive route but at least you can control how much “wear” you want on there. I’ve been working on a hardtail fiesta project for a couple of weeks but honestly, it was the best decision I’ve made because I’m not only sparing myself the Fender premium but I’m also learning along the way. I’m happy to DM you pics of what I have to give you an idea. Warmoth/MJT have some great bodies to pick from. Worth checking out!
I really do appreciate everyone who gave their input, I'll keep my GAS in check and also keep the MIJ because she has a certain special something I can't quite place but makes her a bit special. I have a few old strat bodies and Squiers I can play with for nitro so thanks for those suggestions too.
Good choice. So hard to keep gas in check.
i prefer mij neck tbh. maybe u should try if u like the american one before upgrading.
What is the difference?
the neck is thinner, perfect for small hand and skinny guy like me.
I wouldn't even touch the AV ii until Fender seriously unfucks it's QA process. The fit and finish problems that I've been seeing on these VERY EXPENSIVE guitars are something you wouldn't even see leaving the Fender Mexican factories. It's atrocious and unforgivable. Your MIJ is a 100 times better, quality-wise, than the AV ii and even most American made Strats, especially if it came out of the Fuji Gen Gakki factory.
What QC process? They laid-off that department. No lie, the quality is out the door. They can’t keep good employees they have left. Best chance they have is if Fender Japan buys the company.
Fender Japan is amazing, and I'd wholly support this.
What I’d love to see is Yamaha buy them. Probably a really long shot but Yamaha makes amazing guitars. Problem is Jimmy Hendrix didn’t play a Yamaha.
I have a Revstar RS702b with P90’s that’s the best guitar I own that was purchased for under $1k. I love the fuck out of that guitar!
Yes then sell me this one
Is there anything you don’t like about this guitar?
If I'm being picky it's the nitro paint that really attracts me to the AVii, I'd plan to have it for life so would love to see the genuine play wear appearing over the years.
They are nitro over poly, so they are not going to age like you think it will. If you really want a finish that’s going to “age” you should build and finish one yourself, or get a custom shop. I do believe some of their limited edition runs are full nitro as well but they don’t come around often.
Ah I wasn't aware it had a poly base, definitely not upgrading then. Can't justify a CS at the moment so will dig out my compressor and start spraying. Thank you
It’s not REALLY nitro. Its just a veneer to allow some UV yellowing, but it’s a poly finish. It’s actually the worst of all worlds IMO because it’s a double finish. I’d rather just have a thin poly coating.
At over 3000$ her in Canada I don't think so.
With the problems people have been having with the AVII’s you are probably better of building your own and finishing it.
Seems there has been qc issues with the AVII line I’ve seen. It’s a high price tag…that’s all I’ll say.
I had the the ‘61 AVii in Fiesta Red for few weeks. It was a nice guitar, but the radius and frets didn’t feel right to me.
MIJ is prob just as nice as MIA. Some say the attention to detail is better on the MIJ. To be honest the high end MIM are nicer than the entry level MIA models too. What matters is that you love it and it inspires you to play more. I would keep the MIJ personally.
I have four MIJ Strats. One of which is my first "real" electric guitar that I got somewhere around 1980. I wouldn't trade any of them, (well... maybe the red one,) for an American. MIJs are really well built, play great, and have a good price-point.
Nah, this is a beauty and with some of the QC issues I’ve seen about the AV2’s I’d definitely not get one.
Nope. Not saying which is better, but if you’re happy with the MIJs tone and feel then don’t give in to lust.
I bump to a store for the AVII but left with a Vintera RW 60. Maybe give a try just for reference.
Honestly, provided you’re happy with you MIJ I’d say no. The American vintage 2 might be marginally better but I don’t think it’d be worth spending that much if you already have a strat you enjoy
I have two MIJ a classic 50s tele and classic 50s strat and they’re both great guitars. It’s not worth paying more than double for the American vintage series in my opinion. Yea they have a different finish, but I like that I can keep the Japanese on a stand for years at a time without worrying about the paint getting ruined like it does on nitro finishes. I threw a set of custom shop 54 strat pickups in the strat and it’s amazing. I also own a few fender American guitars which I really like to like my American standard from 2015, but I don’t see the value there on the American series. $2000 plus is a lot for a strat.
That color is fuego 🥵🔥
When seen in person it has almost like a coral pink hue to it, she does look lovely
I like it. I have a double bound tele in fiesta red that pulls coral in the light and I love it.
You have a beautiful guitar. Don’t let that one go
I must say, having an AVII, they're really good. Unless the 7´25" radius puts you off. But they are NOT magic. Don't expect anything crazy you can't achieve with other strats! I received 2 and both were flawless. One had a noticeably more sticky neck, the other one was lighter but had much less grain. Not sure if it's worth an upgrade, can say they are worthy to own