Yes, i have a '98 Tele and an 00 Strat, both in Midnight Blue. I believe they opened the Mexican factory in the mid nineties and it took them a few years to get really good at making them there so by that reasoning the late nineties and turn of the millennium instruments were made really well.
I have a 1996 Mexican Strat. Whoever picked the parts, put them together and dressed the frets was having a VERY good day! I bought is used for 150 bucks. It's easily as good as an American Strat worth $2-3000! Unplugged it has unbelievable tone and volume. The whole instrument resonates with rich overtones and harmonics! I'm amazed! The balance is perfect standing or sitting. The pickups were really good but I did put in Carvins. The bridge felt good but I switched it out with a really good, butter-smooth Wilkinson.
My 95 Tex Mex Strat is also part of this history. The carves on the necks and bodies are very similar to the Strat Pluses of the era, but for a fraction of the price. Lightweight too. A small correction, the Tex Mex Strat is what became the Jimmie Vaughan Strat, despite having fairly different specs. Both have Tex Mex pickups, but that's about all. I own one of those, too. Both are excellent in their own right. The Strat with the humbucker was known as the "Fat Strat."
I got a 96 Silver logo MIM strat in red during a trade about 10 years ago. I feel it has one of the best necks out of the dozens of guitars I've owned. Finally decided to swap out the ceramic pickups for a set of Tex-Mex pickups. Wow, it really woke up and is now a great instrument.
I could not agree more Robert! I put a set of 1996 62' Reissue Japan Fender pickups in my maple board 96 strat. By far the best of my entire collection.
I have a 96 black label no sign of anything being removed from headstock. It sounds and plays great. I play it more than my highway one Mine is a solid black and not a burst. It had really cheap tuners so I put on american staggered. I had to drill out the holes for them to fit. I haven't pulled the pickups but they sound great. I read somewhere that these may have leftover american necks which is why they feel so good. Love mine just as it is.
The fact that you had to drill holes shows that it originally had the covered back tuners and smaller import holes. These were the Squier necks (not to say they were bad either) just that they were not the "silver standard series".
I have a Midnight blue 99’ MIM strat that is currently getting refretted. I wasn’t sure if it was worth investing money into it, but it plays amazing, nice neck size, and a hard color to find. Thanks for the video!
I've got this same guitar/same color too. Bought it new in 2000. It is out of service currently but needs to be brought back to life. Has a rosewood fretboard and the maple used has some birdseye & flaming. Incredible feel. Needs some minor surgery but it will be put in to use again.....
Yes, i have a '98 Tele and an 00 Strat, both in Midnight Blue. I believe they opened the Mexican factory in the mid nineties and it took them a few years to get really good at making them there so by that reasoning the late nineties and turn of the millennium instruments were made really well.
The pic of me here is a modified 96 mex strat. Agave blue. It has dimarzio pickups in neck and bridge. With a push pull coil tap. One of my best guitars ever
I have one of these silver label mom Stratocasters. I did an inquiry with fender in 2019 and sent them the serial number and they replied back with specs and build date of 03/96. I’ve played this guitar more in the last decade than any other in 35 years of playing. I love it.
I have a 93 mexican strat, and its great, best sounding strat ive had. They were able to find the original documentation of it and photos of it from the factory despite the fact that everything burned down the next year.
I have a 95 MIM 50th anniversary, had the frets changed to dunlop jumbos and made it 9,5 radius by a good luthier, also changed the neck and bridge pickups to jb juniors and put teflon saddles and locked them, no tremolo. i think its the best guitar i have. still playing it since 20 years.
I have one of the ‘94 strats that came back from the MX fire to Corona to be built. The telltale sign is the scrape off ‘Made In Mexico’ logo on the headstock. Quite a time in Fender history
Thank you, a very interesting video I am in Russia and I found this black 96-97 MIM Strat with the MN6 serial number and the Silver spaghetti logo for a good price. After watching your video I decided to get it. Hopefully it's going to be great. For me personally it will also be kinda cool to have a guitar that is as old as me
My number one guitar Ruby Rose is a 95 MIM Strat, upgraded the pickups and wiring, put on locking tuners, changed to a 2 spring V shape setup on the block and dropped the action to the floor. It's a damn bending beast, and ive had a few really good strat players i know tell me it sounds better than thier American made ones.
Thank you for the video and information. I too own a MN6(silver logo) as well as a couple USA's and you're on point, it feels "different". Over the years I've giged the sap outta the MN6 since getting it in '05 for $350 after a few mods. Most importantly the stock bridge pickup was horrible and had to go. I opted for a stacked Tone Zone and installed a mini switch for humbucking/single operation which has served me pretty well over the years. The neck pickup isn't the greatest, but does that neck strat thing so I've let that alone. A fellow musician who's more of a strat guy than I am, always reaches for my MN6 when he in my studio and he's usually bringing custom shop stuff with him. "Where's el jeffe?" he'll ask! He too really likes the neck profile. Thanks for the fun video!
.......80+% of the employees at the Ensanada Plant play guitar. 3% of the employees of the Corona Plant play guitar. In '93 the Ensanada Plant burned down. Fender went down and brought as much a s they could salvage, and assembled them in Corona with USA and Japanese parts. So '94-'96 Mexican Strats are pretty interesting guitars. Back in '94 my son bought his first electric. A Mexican Strat. I took it to my Luthier and upon inspection called me and asked me "where did you get this guitar"? It's full of "GOOD STUFF". My son still has that guitar and loves it to this day......
Bad stat unfortunately as you are referring to the Mexican ethnicity in regard to guitar playing experience. It may be slightly more in the Ensenada plant, but the Corona staff is mostly of Mexican decent as well. I think that 80% - 3% is a bit oversold..... :)
I bought a Fender Champion 100 Amp for 60$ .... took the amp into a pawn shop to buy another guitar...I pointed and asked how much they would sell that guitar there to me for...the clerk took the 96 burst strat which was listed for 700$......and said 200$ out the door, she was offering me 150 for the amp, but then offered me 175$ for the amp and then dropped the price of the Strat to 175$......and seeing as I always used to pick up my pawned items when things were getting tough.....I had points saved up, so I had a 30$ credit as well, so I got the Strat for 145$ sold the amp I got for 60$ for 175$...walked out with my Strat and 30$....I've wanted a fender burst pre 2000's for about 10 years....and this literally fell into my lap, god is great!!!! :) feel so happy ,today was a great day!
I found a made in USA 95 white with black pick guard and pickups plus matching white headtock. The logo seems gold with a round string tree all for a great deal 400$. I would really appreciate someone with further information on this guitar
@@s.h.guitarworks3309 I just won one a 20 minutes ago, 1996 with the same spaghetti logo, looks like jumbo frets as well. Little costly, but $463 Ill take it 🤓
Thanks so much for this video! I found a '96 MIM strat on craigslist and this was really helpful for deciding if I should go for it. I ended up buying it, and so far it's my favorite guitar I've ever owned! It also sounds great because the previous owner swapped in some really nice custom shop pickups.
@@joeles2738 The black labels are more common and always get mistaken for the one you have. They are leftover Squier parts where as the silver label are the high end John Suhr (allegedly) productions. Greatest neck carve of all time in our opinion.
I have a 95 50th Ann Signature that I got new from Charlie Daniels in Fresno CA. (corrected date and model, looked up the serial #) He was talking about them being made in CA and finished in Mexico only. The pups aren't bad but I changed them out, but still have them. The bridge is American, I've checked it multiple times and it's all USA spacing as is everything else. Daniels was an old Fender dealer in the Valley and knew his stuff. His story was they were USA made and shipped to Mex for the finishing and were related to the TexMex thing Fender were working on but came out as separate product to fill the space while the Vaughn thing was worked out. So basiclly a USA Strat which is why they feel and play like USA Strats.
Very informative video! Thank you for taking the time to share this. As it turns out it looks like this Fender I have had for 22 years might just be one of these MIM models.. I always just assumed it was a fender strat copy since it says clearly on the head stock made in mexico but I have always loved how it plays. Question: Mine has the silver Fender logo, nothing noted at the top curved section of the head stock and a serial# MN6 followed by 6 digits. The body is black with a white pickguard but my neck rosewood. It seems most of the ones I have found online are maple necks? Does my guitar fall into the same category of mexican made instruments like yours?
I have a 96 telecaster and Stratocaster and I’m looking for some information regarding those …they are gold spaghetti logo and excellent guitars, but was curious about information about them. I can’t seem to find anything online… totally different Guitar’s, then once mentioned above..,, 4:23 5/09/2023…
I really enjoyed your video. I've been trying to find info on 95/96 MIM strats for a couple years now. I got my first electric guitar in early 1997. It was a MIM "traditional" stratocaster in arctic white. Over the years I've swapped pickups on it, replaced the.pickguard, filled in the nut, replaced the tuners etc...it's kind've become my "tinker" guitar. But one thing I never did was sand the word "Squier" from the headstock. It's a black fender logo, and reads STRATOCASTER with Made in Mexico underneath it. The serial number is MN5884XX. I'm not concerned about it's $$$ value as I'm too sentimental to ever sell it. Just putting it out there hoping you can shed some light on what I have. Again, great content. Thanks
@@oscargarcia6639 I just got one a couple of days ago no squier stamp on mine no evidence of one ever being there ,and I've seen a few others with out the squier stamp on line
I just bought one of these (totally beat up) for $100. I'm in the process of buying all new hardware to bring it back to life. Poplar bodies, maple necks, those parts were made in the US plant and finished in Mexico. I think the Pickups were Squiers but the electrics were Asian.
I have a really nice 95 MIM black label Strat....Mine has three ply pickguard and no sign of a Squire logo ever being there. It wouldnt matter to me even if it were one of the Squire logo guitars, as they are true MIM strats either way. The yellowing of the maple neck is outta this world.
That is definitely the “Squier” series then. Don’t get me wrong, those are not bad guitars. I have worked on many. They are just not the same quality of the silver label. Totally different neck carves as well. You should source one and try it. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
@@s.h.guitarworks3309 Ive read several times that a 95 black label with a 3 ply PG is not the squire series, but maybe youre right...that being said, Ive owned a dozen or more MIM Fenders and this one is as good as any. Besides, I paid thirty bucks for it lol. ya gotta dig that!
@@s.h.guitarworks3309 If there was a squire logo you cant tel on mine...I kinda wish it was because they are more obscure. I just dont see someone adding a 3 ply PG and not change anything else.
Thank you for all the information, great video! I got a 96 MIM Sandard Strat and it's always been my main guitar, the neck is outstanding. I was thinking changing the tremolo, do you have any suggestions?
A question for you guys in here; Where do (did) Made in Mexican Fender guitars get designed? Who revamped the models every year? As we all know Fender USA have pretty much moved their entire "business" to Arizona now. But who decides on what models and what specifications for the Ensenada Mexican Fenders?
I had a 1997 MIM Standard and a 1993 MIM Squier Series Stratocaster and I take the later anytime. There is a lot of lore around both models but its all hearsay. Those online forums are full of unsubstantiated rumors about American parts, blah, blah, blah. They are both good guitars with not so great pickups. The value of these is increasing, but they are a lot cheaper than new MIM Fenders.y experiennce is that if the pickups, bridge saddles, pots and string trees need to be replaced, its actually a better deao to buy a MIA Strat. The Performer models are excellent and blow these out of the water.
I bought my Mexican purple stratocaster in 2002 but it was actually produced in 99...I just switched the pickups for fender 69s, I changed also tuning keys...This guitar sounds great and I 'll never sell it!! I played American made strat and I still prefer my own guitar...For nearly double the price it's not really worth it..the differences are too subtle in my humble opinion...
Beautiful high quality instruments. The Mexican strats with the narrower neck were never for me, but I have to admit the quality was first rate. A guitar you could get new for $ 500 or so, just a few years ago, and gig and record with it.
Hi! I would like to try to find some info about my "new" guitar, an old '96 Fender Stratocaster standard series MIM, Silver label, and SN# MN6232939. It's a clone of the guitar you have on the right (the darkest red-brown sunburst) but, with a rosewood neck. After watching your video, I am sure you know much more about this model (96) than the actual Fender staff...I want to buy a more top-quality pickup set but I am not sure about the kind of wood of the body. I have two questions: 1. What kind of wood has my guitar 2. Is there a more specific denomination for the pickups in this model than "standard pickups ceramic magneto"? I will replace those pickups if it's really an Alder body version so I will appreciate so much more detailed information about these questions. Thank you and greetings from Barcelona, Catalunya!
I have a MN 96 strat with the back gold sticker but black fender headstock logo. Fender serial lookup doesn't say anything about squire either. I believe the black logos are traditional mx strats and the silver is tex mex, supposedly made in mx, assembled in us.
I picked up a 1996 Stratocaster Candy Apple Red MIM but it has the black screen print logo, no Squire on the end of the headstock, and there's no sanding or rubbed off finish. Could it be just a Squire and not a standard like yours?
Unfortunately I don’t think so. The black Squier Series logo was only screen printed on so people that knew what they were doing removed it with acetone vs sanding it. I could be wrong, as I’m only going off the ones I’ve personally encountered or seen online. You can find out easily by looking at the electronics inside as well.
There are many times more black label strats that Never said “squire series.” On them than there are of the squire series. In fact a squire series black label is pretty rare compared to the non- squire black labels.
I have the anniversary stamp. Black label. 3 ply pickgaurd, HHS, serial # MN5103589... all black, rosewood neck. Love this guitar big time. Could it be a good one?
If you love the guitar, then yes, it's a good one, regardless of the specs. I find the internet frothing about which specific years or runs of guitars are way better worse than others to be interesting, but I take it all with a grain of salt.
Someone local is selling one. It does have a badge on the back of the headstock but the serial number is in back of the headstock not on the front like yours. Does that seem suspicious to you?
Actually the artist series numbers were on the back so no not really. You can run the serial number on the fender web site to confirm. Sorry for the late response.
The bad thing about that era of Mexican Strats and Tele's is the ugly headstock logos. They could have done something more classic looking but they wanted to make sure there was no mistaking a MiM from a USA model.
not really,they sell for 3/400 used in uk,90s mim fenders have poplar body,many have small trem block etc the mim fenders were upgraded early 90s with alder body,big block,better pickups,ive owned mim fenders from 90s and mid 2000s,the 2000s models were a bit higher quality,and go now for 450/500 used
ceramic pickups, pot metal trems, veneered multipiece bodies. I do not get the hype. Oh yeah, vintage frets and small pot electronics. If they cost 200-300eur ...ok....other than that....there are better options out there.
I have a couple of these, and some black labels (one with the "squire series" label. the big difference is the hardware. Black label and "squire series" have cheaper hardware. Some people claim to have documented that the black label necks and bodies were made in USA and trucked to Mexico after the fire (this was a common story that fender dealers told in the 90's. The silver label guitars are not special. They are regular MIM standard Strats. There are so many stories being told about these guitars now, but its mostly just made up lore.
Have you actually played both? We have compared about 35 so far (good mix of silver label and black) and the end result is very consistent. The neck profile on the silver labels are night and day different than the black.
@@s.h.guitarworks3309 thats funny, most people actually think the black label models are the special ones (made of USA parts). I would say biggest difference between the two is the hardware. There is also a group of people who believe that the 2003 MIM fat strat is the greatest of all time. I consistently have 8 or 10 Mexi Strats in my shop from day to day, I would say all of them are hit or miss. Some great ones and some just ok ones from every era. I have one Japanese 80's strat now that is notably better than all of them
Made in Mexico Fender flat out OWNS the category called 'Bang for the buck'. You want the most guitar per dollar? Very few compete with Mexican Fenders. Good deals on used ones are the cheapest path to a pro caliber instrument. By professional caliber,I mean you can take into any studio to record or any stage to play. No one even looks at you funny when you use a Mexi on stage or in studio. For a few hundred used, you can actually get a guitar that would be right at home on stage with the Stones in front of 80k screaming fans... And not even Keef would blink to realize it was made in Mexico. That's a loose definition of 'pro' gear... But Mexican Fenders are the cheapest buy in to that level. Prices going up? Not a shock, they've been undervalued for decades. Kind of the working man's pro guitar hack.... Get yourself a Mexican Fender and hot rod her with pickups etc.... end up with badass guitar for cheap. How many Mexis have I seen getting it done on stage in bars with cover bands over the years? And the only times they didn't sound good? Player sucked. Sorry. Ensenada knows how to make a guitar. Period.
I don’t understand why people would buy an old Mexican strat for $500 or $600 instead of just buying a new one. Just because it’s old doesn’t mean 💩. Pre CBS, sure. Maybe E series MIJ, sure, ok. But a run on the mill 90’s? Waste of money!!! You are getting a worn out low level guitar. 😂
If you are buying a guitar to play then you know it's good by sound and feel. My black label 95 Squier Series felt awesome. I got is cheap at a garage sale and it was well worth upgrading the junky parts.
BUT, the wood.... after they lost the Japan plant the leftover Fender bodies were shipped to Mexico, and they have real bodies and necks. the staggered screw holes on the back, and the locating holes for the routing in the front! Are FENDER GUITARS! I have a couple. "Black Label 95's"
I found a made in USA 95 white with black pick guard and pickups plus matching white headtock. The logo seems gold with a round string tree all for a great deal 400$. I would really appreciate someone with further information on this guitar
My 96 was good but my 98 (to me) is something special. I love these 90s fenders.
I am going to start grabbing some 97-99 models as well when they pop up. I bet you're right.
Yes, i have a '98 Tele and an 00 Strat, both in Midnight Blue. I believe they opened the Mexican factory in the mid nineties and it took them a few years to get really good at making them there so by that reasoning the late nineties and turn of the millennium instruments were made really well.
I have a 1996 Mexican Strat. Whoever picked the parts, put them together and dressed the frets was having a VERY good day! I bought is used for 150 bucks. It's easily as good as an American Strat worth $2-3000! Unplugged it has unbelievable tone and volume. The whole instrument resonates with rich overtones and harmonics! I'm amazed! The balance is perfect standing or sitting. The pickups were really good but I did put in Carvins. The bridge felt good but I switched it out with a really good, butter-smooth Wilkinson.
Nice find!
I have a 1994 and I'm very impressed with the unplugged tone and volume.
My 95 Tex Mex Strat is also part of this history. The carves on the necks and bodies are very similar to the Strat Pluses of the era, but for a fraction of the price. Lightweight too.
A small correction, the Tex Mex Strat is what became the Jimmie Vaughan Strat, despite having fairly different specs. Both have Tex Mex pickups, but that's about all. I own one of those, too. Both are excellent in their own right.
The Strat with the humbucker was known as the "Fat Strat."
Just bought a 96 silver logo, in dark blue. The neck is the best neck I’ve ever felt. She plays beautifully.
I got a 96 Silver logo MIM strat in red during a trade about 10 years ago. I feel it has one of the best necks out of the dozens of guitars I've owned. Finally decided to swap out the ceramic pickups for a set of Tex-Mex pickups. Wow, it really woke up and is now a great instrument.
I could not agree more Robert! I put a set of 1996 62' Reissue Japan Fender pickups in my maple board 96 strat. By far the best of my entire collection.
I have a 96 MIM Strat and it's phenomenal. I've used it on every album I've played on. It's such a wonderful sounding instrument.
I have a 96 black label no sign of anything being removed from headstock. It sounds and plays great. I play it more than my highway one Mine is a solid black and not a burst. It had really cheap tuners so I put on american staggered. I had to drill out the holes for them to fit. I haven't pulled the pickups but they sound great. I read somewhere that these may have leftover american necks which is why they feel so good. Love mine just as it is.
The fact that you had to drill holes shows that it originally had the covered back tuners and smaller import holes. These were the Squier necks (not to
say they were bad either) just that they were not the "silver standard series".
Yes American necks and bodies in black label squire series but replace all electronics and hardware
I have a Midnight blue 99’ MIM strat that is currently getting refretted. I wasn’t sure if it was worth investing money into it, but it plays amazing, nice neck size, and a hard color to find. Thanks for the video!
I might have the same guitar. The neck is amazing
I will be scooping up some 99's as well when they pop up.
I've got this same guitar/same color too. Bought it new in 2000. It is out of service currently but needs to be brought back to life. Has a rosewood fretboard and the maple used has some birdseye & flaming. Incredible feel. Needs some minor surgery but it will be put in to use again.....
Yes, i have a '98 Tele and an 00 Strat, both in Midnight Blue. I believe they opened the Mexican factory in the mid nineties and it took them a few years to get really good at making them there so by that reasoning the late nineties and turn of the millennium instruments were made really well.
The pic of me here is a modified 96 mex strat. Agave blue. It has dimarzio pickups in neck and bridge. With a push pull coil tap. One of my best guitars ever
I have one of these silver label mom Stratocasters. I did an inquiry with fender in 2019 and sent them the serial number and they replied back with specs and build date of 03/96. I’ve played this guitar more in the last decade than any other in 35 years of playing. I love it.
I have a 93 mexican strat, and its great, best sounding strat ive had. They were able to find the original documentation of it and photos of it from the factory despite the fact that everything burned down the next year.
Still my favorite to this day as well! (23 guitar collection)
I have a 95 MIM 50th anniversary, had the frets changed to dunlop jumbos and made it 9,5 radius by a good luthier, also changed the neck and bridge pickups to jb juniors and put teflon saddles and locked them, no tremolo. i think its the best guitar i have. still playing it since 20 years.
I have one of the ‘94 strats that came back from the MX fire to Corona to be built. The telltale sign is the scrape off ‘Made In Mexico’ logo on the headstock. Quite a time in Fender history
Thank you, a very interesting video
I am in Russia and I found this black 96-97 MIM Strat with the MN6 serial number and the Silver spaghetti logo for a good price. After watching your video I decided to get it. Hopefully it's going to be great. For me personally it will also be kinda cool to have a guitar that is as old as me
привет. Купите это. Вы не будете разочарованы. После того как купишь? наслаждайся этим. ;)
My number one guitar Ruby Rose is a 95 MIM Strat, upgraded the pickups and wiring, put on locking tuners, changed to a 2 spring V shape setup on the block and dropped the action to the floor. It's a damn bending beast, and ive had a few really good strat players i know tell me it sounds better than thier American made ones.
I have one of these as well that I picked up for $300 on Craigslist. Looks and sounds great!
$300! Thats a STEAL Well Done
Thank you for the video and information. I too own a MN6(silver logo) as well as a couple USA's and you're on point, it feels "different". Over the years I've giged the sap outta the MN6 since getting it in '05 for $350 after a few mods. Most importantly the stock bridge pickup was horrible and had to go. I opted for a stacked Tone Zone and installed a mini switch for humbucking/single operation which has served me pretty well over the years. The neck pickup isn't the greatest, but does that neck strat thing so I've let that alone. A fellow musician who's more of a strat guy than I am, always reaches for my MN6 when he in my studio and he's usually bringing custom shop stuff with him. "Where's el jeffe?" he'll ask! He too really likes the neck profile. Thanks for the fun video!
.......80+% of the employees at the Ensanada Plant play guitar. 3% of the employees of the Corona Plant play guitar. In '93 the Ensanada Plant burned down. Fender went down and brought as much a s they could salvage, and assembled them in Corona with USA and Japanese parts. So '94-'96 Mexican Strats are pretty interesting guitars. Back in '94 my son bought his first electric. A Mexican Strat. I took it to my Luthier and upon inspection called me and asked me "where did you get this guitar"? It's full of "GOOD STUFF". My son still has that guitar and loves it to this day......
Bad stat unfortunately as you are referring to the Mexican ethnicity in regard to guitar playing experience. It may be slightly more in the Ensenada plant, but the Corona staff is mostly of Mexican decent as well. I think that 80% - 3% is a bit oversold..... :)
I have a 1993 MIM Duo Sonic 22'' scale. Fiesta red. Found it on a Goodwill on line auction $300.00
I bought a Fender Champion 100 Amp for 60$ .... took the amp into a pawn shop to buy another guitar...I pointed and asked how much they would sell that guitar there to me for...the clerk took the 96 burst strat which was listed for 700$......and said 200$ out the door, she was offering me 150 for the amp, but then offered me 175$ for the amp and then dropped the price of the Strat to 175$......and seeing as I always used to pick up my pawned items when things were getting tough.....I had points saved up, so I had a 30$ credit as well, so I got the Strat for 145$ sold the amp I got for 60$ for 175$...walked out with my Strat and 30$....I've wanted a fender burst pre 2000's for about 10 years....and this literally fell into my lap, god is great!!!! :) feel so happy ,today was a great day!
I found a made in USA 95 white with black pick guard and pickups plus matching white headtock. The logo seems gold with a round string tree all for a great deal 400$. I would really appreciate someone with further information on this guitar
Weird, because mine has a black, filled in “fender logo” . Doesn’t have Squier anywhere, and also has the 50th anniversary sticker on the back?
Same, some say traditional. Alot of lack of information out there
If the mexico plant burned down in 94. Then up and running again 96, where were the 95s built?????
The plant burned down 94
Does the spaghetti logo on front headstock show a tex mex in 1996?
Yes it does. It also comes in the Jimmy Vaughan series.
@@s.h.guitarworks3309 I just won one a 20 minutes ago, 1996 with the same spaghetti logo, looks like jumbo frets as well. Little costly, but $463 Ill take it 🤓
@@s.h.guitarworks3309 thanks for responding 👍
@@s.h.guitarworks3309 I'm seeing high prices on these around $600-700
Thanks so much for this video! I found a '96 MIM strat on craigslist and this was really helpful for deciding if I should go for it. I ended up buying it, and so far it's my favorite guitar I've ever owned! It also sounds great because the previous owner swapped in some really nice custom shop pickups.
Truly a great find!
Does it have the silver Fender logo?
@@s.h.guitarworks3309 yep, silver logo on the headstock. Why?
@@joeles2738 The black labels are more common and always get mistaken for the one you have. They are leftover Squier parts where as the silver label are the high end John Suhr (allegedly) productions. Greatest neck carve of all time in our opinion.
@@s.h.guitarworks3309 oh nice, good to hear!
96 super strat owner here. Swapped out the neck pickup for a tele.
I have a 95 50th Ann Signature that I got new from Charlie Daniels in Fresno CA. (corrected date and model, looked up the serial #) He was talking about them being made in CA and finished in Mexico only. The pups aren't bad but I changed them out, but still have them. The bridge is American, I've checked it multiple times and it's all USA spacing as is everything else. Daniels was an old Fender dealer in the Valley and knew his stuff. His story was they were USA made and shipped to Mex for the finishing and were related to the TexMex thing Fender were working on but came out as separate product to fill the space while the Vaughn thing was worked out. So basiclly a USA Strat which is why they feel and play like USA Strats.
I couldn’t agree more. They are some of the best ever made.
Very informative video! Thank you for taking the time to share this. As it turns out it looks like this Fender I have had for 22 years might just be one of these MIM models.. I always just assumed it was a fender strat copy since it says clearly on the head stock made in mexico but I have always loved how it plays. Question: Mine has the silver Fender logo, nothing noted at the top curved section of the head stock and a serial# MN6 followed by 6 digits. The body is black with a white pickguard but my neck rosewood. It seems most of the ones I have found online are maple necks? Does my guitar fall into the same category of mexican made instruments like yours?
Yes, if the silver logo is present then it is. Great guitar!
@@s.h.guitarworks3309 Thanks for the reply!
When you say the one on the left I assume you’re talking about the rosewood. Correct?
YEAH i HAVE THE 96 AND IT DOES SEEM TO BE SPECIAL SOUNDING AND PLAYING, AM GLAD IT IS ROSEWOOD NECK,TOO!
I have a 96 telecaster and Stratocaster and I’m looking for some information regarding those …they are gold spaghetti logo and excellent guitars, but was curious about information about them. I can’t seem to find anything online… totally different Guitar’s, then once mentioned above..,, 4:23 5/09/2023…
I really enjoyed your video. I've been trying to find info on 95/96 MIM strats for a couple years now. I got my first electric guitar in early 1997. It was a MIM "traditional" stratocaster in arctic white. Over the years I've swapped pickups on it, replaced the.pickguard, filled in the nut, replaced the tuners etc...it's kind've become my "tinker" guitar. But one thing I never did was sand the word "Squier" from the headstock. It's a black fender logo, and reads STRATOCASTER with Made in Mexico underneath it. The serial number is MN5884XX. I'm not concerned about it's $$$ value as I'm too sentimental to ever sell it. Just putting it out there hoping you can shed some light on what I have. Again, great content. Thanks
i have one of these traditional strats i read they replaced the squire series line after that ended
@@oscargarcia6639 I just got one a couple of days ago no squier stamp on mine no evidence of one ever being there ,and I've seen a few others with out the squier stamp on line
I just bought one of these (totally beat up) for $100. I'm in the process of buying all new hardware to bring it back to life. Poplar bodies, maple necks, those parts were made in the US plant and finished in Mexico. I think the Pickups were Squiers but the electrics were Asian.
Mine is exactly the same as the one on the right,such a good guitar.
Let me know if you ever want to sell it. 😊
I have a really nice 95 MIM black label Strat....Mine has three ply pickguard and no sign of a Squire logo ever being there. It wouldnt matter to me even if it were one of the Squire logo guitars, as they are true MIM strats either way. The yellowing of the maple neck is outta this world.
Does it have the covered back tuners or the ping style?
@@s.h.guitarworks3309 covered
That is definitely the “Squier” series then. Don’t get me wrong, those are not bad guitars. I have worked on many. They are just not the same quality of the silver label. Totally different neck carves as well. You should source one and try it. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
@@s.h.guitarworks3309 Ive read several times that a 95 black label with a 3 ply PG is not the squire series, but maybe youre right...that being said, Ive owned a dozen or more MIM Fenders and this one is as good as any. Besides, I paid thirty bucks for it lol. ya gotta dig that!
@@s.h.guitarworks3309 If there was a squire logo you cant tel on mine...I kinda wish it was because they are more obscure. I just dont see someone adding a 3 ply PG and not change anything else.
Thank you for all the information, great video!
I got a 96 MIM Sandard Strat and it's always been my main guitar, the neck is outstanding.
I was thinking changing the tremolo, do you have any suggestions?
If you don’t mind spending $250 the Vega Trem system is amazing.
@@s.h.guitarworks3309 thanks I'll look into it :)
A question for you guys in here;
Where do (did) Made in Mexican Fender guitars get designed? Who revamped the models every year? As we all know Fender USA have pretty much moved their entire "business" to Arizona now. But who decides on what models and what specifications for the Ensenada Mexican Fenders?
Buying a 95 Strat as we speak
I have 96 tele MIM ...worried it's a squire series that has logo sanded off...they were pretty similar to the standards/tradionals
I know you said the squire has black logo but not all of the teles had the gold.logo
I had a 1997 MIM Standard and a 1993 MIM Squier Series Stratocaster and I take the later anytime. There is a lot of lore around both models but its all hearsay. Those online forums are full of unsubstantiated rumors about American parts, blah, blah, blah. They are both good guitars with not so great pickups. The value of these is increasing, but they are a lot cheaper than new MIM Fenders.y experiennce is that if the pickups, bridge saddles, pots and string trees need to be replaced, its actually a better deao to buy a MIA Strat. The Performer models are excellent and blow these out of the water.
I bought my Mexican purple stratocaster in 2002 but it was actually produced in 99...I just switched the pickups for fender 69s, I changed also tuning keys...This guitar sounds great and I 'll never sell it!! I played American made strat and I still prefer my own guitar...For nearly double the price it's not really worth it..the differences are too subtle in my humble opinion...
Beautiful high quality instruments. The Mexican strats with the narrower neck were never for me, but I have to admit the quality was first rate. A guitar you could get new for $ 500 or so, just a few years ago, and gig and record with it.
Hi! I would like to try to find some info about my "new" guitar, an old '96 Fender Stratocaster standard series MIM, Silver label, and SN# MN6232939. It's a clone of the guitar you have on the right (the darkest red-brown sunburst) but, with a rosewood neck.
After watching your video, I am sure you know much more about this model (96) than the actual Fender staff...I want to buy a more top-quality pickup set but I am not sure about the kind of wood of the body.
I have two questions:
1. What kind of wood has my guitar
2. Is there a more specific denomination for the pickups in this model than "standard pickups ceramic magneto"?
I will replace those pickups if it's really an Alder body version so I will appreciate so much more detailed information about these questions.
Thank you and greetings from Barcelona, Catalunya!
@@kriskrash4961 Hi! I agree! After some little research, I asked directly to Fender and, it's an alder body!
Super helpful.
I have a MN 96 strat with the back gold sticker but black fender headstock logo. Fender serial lookup doesn't say anything about squire either. I believe the black logos are traditional mx strats and the silver is tex mex, supposedly made in mx, assembled in us.
Covered back tuners with the small tuner holes or the standard Fender labeled Ping tuners?
I picked up a 1996 Stratocaster Candy Apple Red MIM but it has the black screen print logo, no Squire on the end of the headstock, and there's no sanding or rubbed off finish. Could it be just a Squire and not a standard like yours?
Unfortunately I don’t think so. The black Squier Series logo was only screen printed on so people that knew what they were doing removed it with acetone vs sanding it. I could be wrong, as I’m only going off the ones I’ve personally encountered or seen online. You can find out easily by looking at the electronics inside as well.
There are many times more black label strats that Never said “squire series.” On them than there are of the squire series. In fact a squire series black label is pretty rare compared to the non- squire black labels.
I've got two James Burton Standard teles from '96. The necks are very different on them. One is much bigger than the other.
My Jimmy Vaughn signature from 96 is awesome
I have always wanted one of those. Maybe it’s time to find one….
@@s.h.guitarworks3309
They have an awesome v neck
I have the anniversary stamp. Black label. 3 ply pickgaurd, HHS, serial # MN5103589... all black, rosewood neck. Love this guitar big time. Could it be a good one?
Single pole pups are yellow and not sure if they are original
If you love the guitar, then yes, it's a good one, regardless of the specs. I find the internet frothing about which specific years or runs of guitars are way better worse than others to be interesting, but I take it all with a grain of salt.
@@franciskhoury4288just needs new pups. ✌
So a 95 Mexican black label
If so really good neck and 3 piece alder body
Someone local is selling one. It does have a badge on the back of the headstock but the serial number is in back of the headstock not on the front like yours. Does that seem suspicious to you?
Actually the artist series numbers were on the back so no not really. You can run the serial number on the fender web site to confirm. Sorry for the late response.
Squire series black label fenders used American necks and bodies
One of my friends gave me mexico Stratocaster MN62. Do you know how much is worth ?
$700 if it’s in good condition
@@s.h.guitarworks3309 it’s honestly not in good condition :/ I’m trying to get it fix. I wish I can show you some pictures
Email me them shguitarworks@gmail.com
I have just bought one 1996. It’s fantastic, even the pickups sound good. What about the trem block, it seems crap.
That being said the truss rods are different so somehow installed in Mexico
Do u belive this theory applies to the telecaster's? I have a 99 mim strat and am very pleased with it. I personally won't buy guitars made after 2000
Just bought a 95 mim strat
The bad thing about that era of Mexican Strats and Tele's is the ugly headstock logos. They could have done something more classic looking but they wanted to make sure there was no mistaking a MiM from a USA model.
not really,they sell for 3/400 used in uk,90s mim fenders have poplar body,many have small trem block etc the mim fenders were upgraded early 90s with alder body,big block,better pickups,ive owned mim fenders from 90s and mid 2000s,the 2000s models were a bit higher quality,and go now for 450/500 used
Cheep cheep said the little birdy
I have a 96 HSS Strat
1994 black with white pick guard rosewood 62’ reissue vintage tuners….. no one can tell me if it was a mim or USA … I’m thinking mim but weird sn#
what is the serial number?
ceramic pickups, pot metal trems, veneered multipiece bodies. I do not get the hype. Oh yeah, vintage frets and small pot electronics. If they cost 200-300eur ...ok....other than that....there are better options out there.
2004 and up is where they started getting good the paint and necks improved in the mid 2000s through 2016
No 96-2000
I have a couple of these, and some black labels (one with the "squire series" label. the big difference is the hardware. Black label and "squire series" have cheaper hardware. Some people claim to have documented that the black label necks and bodies were made in USA and trucked to Mexico after the fire (this was a common story that fender dealers told in the 90's. The silver label guitars are not special. They are regular MIM standard Strats. There are so many stories being told about these guitars now, but its mostly just made up lore.
Have you actually played both? We have compared about 35 so far (good mix of silver label and black) and the end result is very consistent. The neck profile on the silver labels are night and day different than the black.
@@s.h.guitarworks3309 thats funny, most people actually think the black label models are the special ones (made of USA parts). I would say biggest difference between the two is the hardware. There is also a group of people who believe that the 2003 MIM fat strat is the greatest of all time. I consistently have 8 or 10 Mexi Strats in my shop from day to day, I would say all of them are hit or miss. Some great ones and some just ok ones from every era. I have one Japanese 80's strat now that is notably better than all of them
Just cheap hardware and electronics.Swap them out you have a nice guitar
Made in Mexico Fender flat out OWNS the category called 'Bang for the buck'.
You want the most guitar per dollar? Very few compete with Mexican Fenders. Good deals on used ones are the cheapest path to a pro caliber instrument. By professional caliber,I mean you can take into any studio to record or any stage to play. No one even looks at you funny when you use a Mexi on stage or in studio. For a few hundred used, you can actually get a guitar that would be right at home on stage with the Stones in front of 80k screaming fans... And not even Keef would blink to realize it was made in Mexico.
That's a loose definition of 'pro' gear... But Mexican Fenders are the cheapest buy in to that level.
Prices going up? Not a shock, they've been undervalued for decades. Kind of the working man's pro guitar hack.... Get yourself a Mexican Fender and hot rod her with pickups etc.... end up with badass guitar for cheap.
How many Mexis have I seen getting it done on stage in bars with cover bands over the years? And the only times they didn't sound good? Player sucked. Sorry.
Ensenada knows how to make a guitar. Period.
I don’t understand why people would buy an old Mexican strat for $500 or $600 instead of just buying a new one. Just because it’s old doesn’t mean 💩. Pre CBS, sure. Maybe E series MIJ, sure, ok. But a run on the mill 90’s? Waste of money!!! You are getting a worn out low level guitar. 😂
The necks now are nothing like the 96-98 Standards....
they are not worn out, and they were not low level.
A old worn guitar plays better and feels better. Old is cool
If you are buying a guitar to play then you know it's good by sound and feel. My black label 95 Squier Series felt awesome. I got is cheap at a garage sale and it was well worth upgrading the junky parts.
The new player series have terrible quality control
BUT, the wood.... after they lost the Japan plant the leftover Fender bodies were shipped to Mexico, and they have real bodies and necks. the staggered screw holes on the back, and the locating holes for the routing in the front! Are FENDER GUITARS! I have a couple. "Black Label 95's"
I found a made in USA 95 white with black pick guard and pickups plus matching white headtock. The logo seems gold with a round string tree all for a great deal 400$. I would really appreciate someone with further information on this guitar