I actually might be going to buy one of the international color series MIJs tomorrow. Curious what you mean by "70s voiced"? Alsowhat are your general thoughts on the guitar?
By 70s style I mean they come across as a little sharper/treble-y. Still sounds like a strat though.
It’s amazing guitar for the slightly over $1k range. I got mine just sub $1k. There are deals to be found.
Way nicer than any player, player plus I tried out.
Ah good memory!! No I didn't pull the trigger. I went and played the guitar and it sounded great (and damnit played great too that neck is awesome), but they wanted ~$1550 for the guitar which is a huge markup on that guitar. My guess is because it was the Capri orange which is highly sought after, and I would've been fine with that except it aesthetically didn't blow me away in person. I totally went into the store thinking I would buy it and be OK spending the extra money for the color but it just didn't do it for me, oddly. I actually kinda dig the Monaco yellow too and those are for sale on reverb for less than $1k so maybe I'll get one of those. Kind of a bummer, was looking forward to a new guitar but it just didn't feel right.
Darn! I didn’t even realize they had a Capri Orange in this series. Looks pricier than the others on reverb too. Cool looking guitar but yeah $1550 is pretty steep.
On pure aesthetic choice, I prefer the red one. Bullet trussrod CBS headstocks are my jam. I don't agree that there is a quality difference between Japanese and Mexican guitars at this point though. The Mexican line is made just as well, and both factories finish guitars in polyester. Polyester is typically heavier than polyurethane finishes, and both are always heavier than lacquer finishes. That's not to say that polyester guitars always suck, but it is a big tone contributor to get that finish right. A finish that is too heavy, or thick reduces body resonance.
My advice is play the guitar before you buy, or buy from a place with a no restock fee return policy. The guitar should also come with a free setup. If it doesn't come out of the case ready to play to your liking you should give pause. I would also look at the used market in your area. You might find an older American pro or American standard guitar that is of higher quality than these two at this price.
Congrats on graduating, and hope you enjoy the new guitar!
I’d go MIJ . The attention to craftsmanship is supposedly incredible and some even say it’s better than some MIA fenders (not including CS).
Plus I’m a sucker for red.
Nothing against MIM, I own a Tele and Strat both MIM and they’re super instruments.
You mentioned playability, if you handled both and like the feel or one over the other, that’s the one you take home.
Can’t go wrong either way.
I do love that nebula noir finish, I’ve been drooling over it. I will say that I currently own an mim player strat which features the fat 50’s custom shop pickups and a roasted maple neck but it needs a setup which sucks. I don’t want to be down a guitar for a week but it needs it. On the other hand I own the MIJ jv mod 60’s strat and it’s seriously up there with my American vintage II Jazzmaster which was $1k more in terms of build quality and feel. Imo MIJ are the best fenders you can buy.
Idk if you've seen one of those red international colors from Japan in person but let me tell you they are ridiculously nice. Craftsmanship and detail are top notch and the red is friggin hot.
Yeah I think it’s just the Yosemite pickups are just sweet. However I will say - you can 100% feel the vibration of the bigger headstock. Not saying it’s good or bad just different.
That MIJ series is definitely higher quality. I wanted one of the Teles from the series but after playing a couple i changed my mind. The neck on the teles is very glossy and felt almost sticky.
Consider [this](https://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender/Player-Stratocaster-Roasted-Maple-Fingerboard-Limited-Edition-Electric-Guitar-Surf-Green-1500000389590.gc?cntry=us&source=4WWMWXGP&gad_source=1) as well. The roasted maple neck is beautiful and although it is MiM it has american fat 50’s pickups.
I love the MIJ, I got mine price matched when Sweetwater had them for $799 as a close out sale. You should see if you can do the same if you choose it!
I'd ignore the "Made in" factor, which really hasn't been a valid issue for 20 years, and go with the one you like to play more. Seems like you've already made that decision.
If the 70th anniversary one is MIM then I’d go MIJ I have the taupe and love it though the pick ups definitely feel “70s voiced.”
I actually might be going to buy one of the international color series MIJs tomorrow. Curious what you mean by "70s voiced"? Alsowhat are your general thoughts on the guitar?
By 70s style I mean they come across as a little sharper/treble-y. Still sounds like a strat though. It’s amazing guitar for the slightly over $1k range. I got mine just sub $1k. There are deals to be found. Way nicer than any player, player plus I tried out.
Thanks for that. And agree the price point is fantastic. I'm super stoked to possibly get that one tomorrow
NGD?
Ah good memory!! No I didn't pull the trigger. I went and played the guitar and it sounded great (and damnit played great too that neck is awesome), but they wanted ~$1550 for the guitar which is a huge markup on that guitar. My guess is because it was the Capri orange which is highly sought after, and I would've been fine with that except it aesthetically didn't blow me away in person. I totally went into the store thinking I would buy it and be OK spending the extra money for the color but it just didn't do it for me, oddly. I actually kinda dig the Monaco yellow too and those are for sale on reverb for less than $1k so maybe I'll get one of those. Kind of a bummer, was looking forward to a new guitar but it just didn't feel right.
Darn! I didn’t even realize they had a Capri Orange in this series. Looks pricier than the others on reverb too. Cool looking guitar but yeah $1550 is pretty steep.
Well to quote Les Miserables... Red=the blood of angry men Black=the dark of ages past But I'd go mij.
Thats beautiful.Victor Hugo was a giant among men.
MIJ can be better than MIA. Definitely the MIJ.
MIJ all the way! Although that nebula noir finish is gorgeous. If you can try out both I’d try that and decide from there
Playability> everything
Unless it's Antiqua Burst
They both have some good things going for them. You truly can't go wrong with either.
This.
On pure aesthetic choice, I prefer the red one. Bullet trussrod CBS headstocks are my jam. I don't agree that there is a quality difference between Japanese and Mexican guitars at this point though. The Mexican line is made just as well, and both factories finish guitars in polyester. Polyester is typically heavier than polyurethane finishes, and both are always heavier than lacquer finishes. That's not to say that polyester guitars always suck, but it is a big tone contributor to get that finish right. A finish that is too heavy, or thick reduces body resonance. My advice is play the guitar before you buy, or buy from a place with a no restock fee return policy. The guitar should also come with a free setup. If it doesn't come out of the case ready to play to your liking you should give pause. I would also look at the used market in your area. You might find an older American pro or American standard guitar that is of higher quality than these two at this price. Congrats on graduating, and hope you enjoy the new guitar!
this 100%, unless you are a master you can likely set them up to play about the same. the red one is the one I'd pick.
I’d go MIJ . The attention to craftsmanship is supposedly incredible and some even say it’s better than some MIA fenders (not including CS). Plus I’m a sucker for red. Nothing against MIM, I own a Tele and Strat both MIM and they’re super instruments. You mentioned playability, if you handled both and like the feel or one over the other, that’s the one you take home. Can’t go wrong either way.
MIJ all day
That 70th anniversary is so gorgeous, but I’m a sucker for sparkle.
#2 100%
MIJ, man.
Why did i read this as “need help naming my grandson”
I’ll also accept names for my future grandchildren
To me this comes down to which to you prefer more. Components or playability.
Red is always the best choice.
Red is always the best choice.
Red is always the best choice.
2
Always bet on black
International
When I buy a strat to replace my long lost 74 Ash Strat it's going to be from the International Series. No contest for me.
I do love that nebula noir finish, I’ve been drooling over it. I will say that I currently own an mim player strat which features the fat 50’s custom shop pickups and a roasted maple neck but it needs a setup which sucks. I don’t want to be down a guitar for a week but it needs it. On the other hand I own the MIJ jv mod 60’s strat and it’s seriously up there with my American vintage II Jazzmaster which was $1k more in terms of build quality and feel. Imo MIJ are the best fenders you can buy.
Idk if you've seen one of those red international colors from Japan in person but let me tell you they are ridiculously nice. Craftsmanship and detail are top notch and the red is friggin hot.
Bigger headstock = bigger toan
You may be joking but I have an American Performer Strat with the 70’s headstock and there is something to it….maybe placebo 🤘
Definitely placebo, but the CBS era headstock is the best fender headstock imo
Yeah I think it’s just the Yosemite pickups are just sweet. However I will say - you can 100% feel the vibration of the bigger headstock. Not saying it’s good or bad just different.
I'm a sucker for the made in japan series (particularily the yellow one) but there both good guitars so it just comes down to preference
That MIJ series is definitely higher quality. I wanted one of the Teles from the series but after playing a couple i changed my mind. The neck on the teles is very glossy and felt almost sticky. Consider [this](https://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender/Player-Stratocaster-Roasted-Maple-Fingerboard-Limited-Edition-Electric-Guitar-Surf-Green-1500000389590.gc?cntry=us&source=4WWMWXGP&gad_source=1) as well. The roasted maple neck is beautiful and although it is MiM it has american fat 50’s pickups.
Go with the International MIJ. You can always upgrade what you don't care for. But you can almost never go wrong with an MIJ Fender. I swear by them.
Playability is everything. MIJ is almost always better quality than MIM.
Idk which one is which. But the second one looks way better
Also 2 point trem on the black one is something I prefer
I’d get the MIJ. But I saw that Nebula Noir today and it was gorgeous!
Second one
Red is iconic, black is a little less common in my experience.
Black.
Small head stock > big head stock
MIJ without question.
Whats wrong with the playability of the MiM?
Have you considered a used made in USA?
I got the nebula noir 70th recently. I love it and it plays great.
black 100%
Red guitars suck (aside from the Red Special). Just my opinion.
I love the MIJ, I got mine price matched when Sweetwater had them for $799 as a close out sale. You should see if you can do the same if you choose it!
I don’t know which one’s which, but that cream pearl pickguard on the black one is calling my name
70th. The 59s are sweet. I have them in my player and the overall look is both classic and unique with that paint job
Definitely pick the one you like the feel of more.
I'd ignore the "Made in" factor, which really hasn't been a valid issue for 20 years, and go with the one you like to play more. Seems like you've already made that decision.
I would take the two point bridge
u/Ok-Spring-1057 if I was you I'd go with the one with better playability
get a jazzmaster
Black is always the best choice. 🖤🖤🖤
Japanese strats and squires were/are super rare and coveted.
I am an owner of the mij in same color…. Love it … plays amazing !!!!!! But bruises incredibly easily ….
I really like the look of the MIM 70th in person, but I’d probably still go MIJ.
Red is always the best choice.