Is Upgrading Your Classic Vibe 60s Strat Worth It?

When considering whether to upgrade your Classic Vibe 60s Strat, you might wonder if it would be better to opt for an MIM Strat. This decision hinges on several factors, including your playing experience, your budget, and your personal preferences.

Classic Vibe as a Solid Choice

The Classic Vibe 60s Strat is a fantastic option if you’re looking for a high-quality, affordable guitar. Fender’s reissue lineup often offers exceptional value while maintaining quality and authenticity. If you are content with your classic vibe and appreciate its build and sound, there might not be a pressing need to upgrade to a MIM Strat.

Considering the MIM (Magnesium Indy Magnets) Stratocaster, it might be more precise to describe this as a sidenote upgrade rather than a full-upgrade. The Classic Vibe offers a lot of value for its price, and improving your guitar might not yield noticeable gains unless you compare it to lower-end American Fender models.

Improvements Without Major Upgrades

Several mods can enhance the Classic Vibe 60s Strat without the need to replace it. For example, you could consider:

Replacing the pickups for better sound quality and tonal versatility, Upgrading the electronics, such as using a SwitchCraft jack and a five-way blade switch, to improve the switching options and overall feel, Adding rounded frets for a more comfortable playing experience, Utilizing better hardware like synchronous tremolo or a better quality bridge.

These modifications can significantly improve the feel and performance of your guitar, making it feel and sound more premium without the steep price tag of a new MIM Strat.

Deciding Factors

Ultimately, whether to upgrade your Classic Vibe 60s Strat to an MIM Strat depends on several key factors:

Playing Experience: If you are still learning and adjusting to the feeling and sound of your guitar, a Classic Vibe might suffice until you gain more experience. Budget: The MIM Strat comes with a higher price tag, and there are other options in the same price range that might offer better value for money. Personal Preferences: If your primary concern is the look and feel of the guitar, and you like the headstock placement, you might want to keep your Classic Vibe. However, if you want a different neck feel, the MIM Strat could be worth considering.

While the MIM Strat might not be inherently bad, it also has needs of its own. Higher-end MIMs will require additional upgrades to rival the US American Pro Vintages in terms of quality and playability. Updating your Classic Vibe with better hardware and electronics could give you similar results without breaking the bank.

Alternative Options

Given the investment you are considering, you might want to explore other options that offer better value and increasing resale value:

Made in Japan Tokai Stratocaster: These guitars, particularly from the 1980s, are highly regarded for their craftsmanship and tone. While they are not as cheap as they once were, they offer excellent value for money and are increasing in value as collectors appreciate their quality and rarity. Used American Pit Viper: These are often found in the CE (Custom Shop) line and can offer a fantastic middle ground between affordability and quality.

These alternatives can provide you with a similar or better playing experience without the steep cost of a new MIM Strat.

Conclusion

In summary, while upgrading to an MIM Strat isn’t necessarily a bad idea, it may not be the best choice if you are satisfied with your Classic Vibe 60s Strat. By making certain upgrades to your current guitar, you can enhance its performance and value.