Hey David!! I guess you haven't read my "pickups" post in the "that sound" section...
MIJ guitars aren't bad at all EXCEPT for some
certain hardware parts and ESPECIALLY the pickups and pots!!I have a MIJ Fender Jazzmaster and it's a real killer guitar,but only after I
bought some vintage correct hand-made pickups from Curtis Novak(!!!)He makes awesomely good true to original pickups for all kinds of guitars
and more!Anyway...the MIM Fender guitars would be a better choice if you ask my honest opinion coz those guitars have FAR BETTER stock
pickups than the MIJ ones have!Even the Fiesta Red MIM Strat is a beaut and does not cost that much either...around 595 Euro's!
Great guitar for the money...honest!!
Cheers,
Ernie