Originally Posted by
bigG
My 2 cents:
I have an '09 MIM Standard HSS, and I love it! The American Special series is not worth $300 more - same pups as the MIMs (Texas Specials) and pretty much the same guitar near as I can tell. (Try for an '09 or later, 'cause they really improved the trem block and neck finish on the MIMs in '09.)
Big G the American Specials do not share the same pups as the MIM Strats.
Straight from the Fender site
Standard Fender MIM
Pickup Configuration: H/S/S
Bridge Pickup: Standard Humbucking Pickup
Middle Pickup: Standard Single-Coil Strat® Middle Pickup
Neck Pickup: Standard Single-Coil Strat® Neck Pickup
HSS versions are as follows:
Atomic &Tex Mex pups on the older HWY1 more recent ones have
atomic & Hot single Coils
Atomic & Texas Spec. on Am Spec.
Diamond Back & TEX MEX on AM Stand
Atomic & N3'S on AM Deluxe
Since I have the the American Special HSS and chose it over the MIM for many reasons better neck, better pups, and Grease bucket tone setup and it sounded and play better to my ears. I highly recommend all 3 American Special Guitars.
Maxi...................
Bootsy Collins:
I pledge allegiance to the funk, the whole funk, and nothing but the funk, so help me James, Sly and George, Amen!!
Guitars: 2010 American Special HSS Strat, 2010 CIC Squire CV ThinLine Tele, & 2006 MIM FSR Strat.
Basses: 1979 Peavey T-40, 2007 Ibanez SR 500, 2013 Ibanez SR375F, 2013 CIJ Fender Geddy Lee Jazz Bass, 2014 Sadowsky Will Lee VI, & 2014 Sadowsky Will Lee Metro V
Amps: Mesa Boogie BASS STRATEGY:Eight:88, Aguliar DB 4X12, Augilar DB 751, Genz Benz CTR500-210T/Focus 1X15 CAB, Fender Hot Rod Deville 410, VHT Deliverance 60/VHT 2X12 fat Bottom Cab, & VOX DA20
Effects: Boss ME-25, MXR Custom Baddass 78, MXR Custom Baddass modified O.D., Vox Joe Satriani Satchurator, MXR Phase 90, MXR Bass Chorus Deluxe/Octave Deluxe/Bass Compressor/Envelope Filter/, Way Huge Pork Loin