The Differences Between Mexican And American Fender Guitars
There are a lot of guitars inspired by the Fender Stratocaster, but even official Fenders can vary wildly in quality depending on whether you buy an American Strat from a trusted guitar broker or a Fender made in Mexico.
The distinction is so important that Weezer even made a song about it, Mexican Fender, in 2017, and many guitarists talk about how they got their start playing a Mexican Stratocaster until they hit it big enough to afford an American one.
Are the two different Stratocasters distinct enough, and which one is best for your needs?
What Is A Mexican Fender?
A Mexican Fender is an official Fender guitar not made in Corona, California, but instead at Fender’s factory in Ensenada, where Fender guitars have been made since the 1990s.
They often retail for significantly cheaper than an American Fender at the cost of lower quality components and less quality control, although they are both more expensive and much higher quality than the explicitly budget Squier range.
How Do Mexican Fenders Differ From American Fenders?
In many respects, the guitars are extremely similar; they both use alder wood for the body, they both use the same bolt-on neck, and the fundamentals of the guitar are almost entirely the same. It can be difficult for someone without a trained eye to tell the difference.
So what makes them so different?
Finish
American models are typically given a polyurethane finish, whilst in Mexico that is replaced by polyester.
Both are highly durable, but they differ in density, which allegedly can create a difference in the guitar’s sound to a trained ear in certain configurations.
Electronics
Both Mexican and American Fenders use dedicated Fender electronic parts for the pickups and wiring, but some Mexican guitars may outsource the production of the electronic parts, whilst American Stratocasters use parts made in the USA.
In general, both will provide an excellent experience, but whilst an American Stratocaster is a premium purchase, a Mexican is a high-quality and great value alternative.
