Post by ux4484 on Dec 9, 2008 18:12:07 GMT -5
I know we've batted around drooping Fender quality of late, but at GC to day I had some time, so I was comparing a MIM HHS to its American Standard counterpart. First off, Kudos to my GC (Bedford Park Il) to having almost everything I picked up from the racks set up and close to in tune. I tried both the painted and sunburst model (including the "new" sunburst that shows the wood grain through fade on the American Standard). Considering that the MIM is $399-$450 (depending on finish) compared to a grand for the AS, I expected a much bigger difference in apparent quality. Things that were obviously different on the American Standard: Better nut, 2 point bridge (6-screw on the MIM), better finish on the Body, slightly heavier/more solid feeling body, Better Sounding Neck pup, 1 more fret, and a hardshell case.
I personally prefer the 6 screw bridge, as I've had nothing but trouble on the 2 pivot one's I've had.
As mentioned, the Neck pup was juicer on the AS than the MIM, but I was hard pressed to tell the difference between the middle and humbucker on either Strat. Both had the new staggered tuners that eliminate 1 string tree, the AS's gears were almost identical to the MIM, except that the "Fender" stamped in each gears cover was deeper on the AS.
The AS was m a y b e a little hotter, but I wasn't swapping between them so I can't be sure.
Both claim to come with "sheilding", both were fairly low on hum in the middle position... but not as quiet as my '51 after sheilding.
Playability, this is the rub: there was little difference in either of them. The AS was set with a bit lower action and if you're a "slowhand" you'd love it, but the MIM's slightly higher action could take a bit more robust playing. Nary a buzz on either, though the AS started to buzz when I played more robustly. Did the AS "solid" Alder body sound different than the "select" Alder Body on the MIM? Not to my ears...again, it felt a smidge heavier, but that could be the new trem block in the AS.
Were I going to shell for one of these... I couldn't justify the extra $600 for the American Standard. I was also surprised that I just didnt' like hardly any of the "natural" color choices. In a Strat, the solid's just look better to me
Now that I've said all that...
For $399 the Laguna LE322 has both of the Strats beat. Wilkinson trem, locking Tuners, Ash body (very throaty), knockout finish, 22 frets...the only shortcoming being one volume/one tone....but that can be changed
What knocked me out was that after REALLY liking both Strats that this Laguna would make me practially forget them in a heartbeat. I didn't even get to spend as much time with it as I had to pick up the kids from school. The set up was the best of any I picked up (GC salesdrone said that Laguna ships them setup, they just tune them when they get them in). I played one of these over the summer at the NAMM tent at SummerFest (Milwaukee). I'm still likin' it. I know what Axe I'd use my GC Xmas coupon and gift card on...
I personally prefer the 6 screw bridge, as I've had nothing but trouble on the 2 pivot one's I've had.
As mentioned, the Neck pup was juicer on the AS than the MIM, but I was hard pressed to tell the difference between the middle and humbucker on either Strat. Both had the new staggered tuners that eliminate 1 string tree, the AS's gears were almost identical to the MIM, except that the "Fender" stamped in each gears cover was deeper on the AS.
The AS was m a y b e a little hotter, but I wasn't swapping between them so I can't be sure.
Both claim to come with "sheilding", both were fairly low on hum in the middle position... but not as quiet as my '51 after sheilding.
Playability, this is the rub: there was little difference in either of them. The AS was set with a bit lower action and if you're a "slowhand" you'd love it, but the MIM's slightly higher action could take a bit more robust playing. Nary a buzz on either, though the AS started to buzz when I played more robustly. Did the AS "solid" Alder body sound different than the "select" Alder Body on the MIM? Not to my ears...again, it felt a smidge heavier, but that could be the new trem block in the AS.
Were I going to shell for one of these... I couldn't justify the extra $600 for the American Standard. I was also surprised that I just didnt' like hardly any of the "natural" color choices. In a Strat, the solid's just look better to me
Now that I've said all that...
For $399 the Laguna LE322 has both of the Strats beat. Wilkinson trem, locking Tuners, Ash body (very throaty), knockout finish, 22 frets...the only shortcoming being one volume/one tone....but that can be changed
What knocked me out was that after REALLY liking both Strats that this Laguna would make me practially forget them in a heartbeat. I didn't even get to spend as much time with it as I had to pick up the kids from school. The set up was the best of any I picked up (GC salesdrone said that Laguna ships them setup, they just tune them when they get them in). I played one of these over the summer at the NAMM tent at SummerFest (Milwaukee). I'm still likin' it. I know what Axe I'd use my GC Xmas coupon and gift card on...
