Suggestions on buying new guitar plzz

[icy_wind500]

Hi everyone,I've being playing guitar for a year now, started off with a nylon string classical guitar. I think its time to get a good electric guitar.
I wanted to get a Fender stratocaster for christmas.
The USA standard feels really good on hands and the neck is really smooth. But the USA standard is double the price of the Mexican one >< !
And I've read from other places that it tends to go out of tune a lot when using the tremolo. Is the tremolo better in the USA version ?

I also took a look at the Ibanez SA220 which is much cheaper and has a nice look. But I dont like the sound of it too much because I'm not into metal, more on the side of blues and jazz.

Should I pick a guitar by looks or by sound >< should I pick the expensive or the cheaper one !!

So many choices !!!

Thanks !!
KT.

[dougjt]

Oh man I just went thru this

Should I pick a guitar by looks or by sound >< should I pick the expensive or the cheaper one !! So many choices !!!

I picked based on both, but I Finally decided what I wanted : neck Thru ,solid mahogany, fixed bridge and a normal headstock. I bought mine knowing the pickups are kinda crappy cause the feel was more important I can swap pups later..

The only thing I suggest is beat the street and play as many guitars as you can you will find the one for you. Read and ask questions about the differences such as bridge types, the wood, necks, fret boards ect.
and as far as money it seems the more expensive one's are always better.

Good luck it took me about 4 weeks

Oh ya I found about 5 others I wouldn't mind having neither

[icy_wind500]

Thanks dougjt
The only problem is....the sales person are usually not very friendly when u try out a lot of them without buying.....

I really like the Ibanez guitars for the sleek body and smooth thin necks
but the pickups are all sounding too hot for my taste.

I would love to get the fender strat but the tremolo worries me a bit.

hm....maybe I'll try some more in another store

[dougjt]

The only problem is....the sales person are usually not very friendly when u try out a lot of them without buying.....

I wouldn't worry about that it's their job......It is easy to feel pressured to buy but don't. Just sneak out when your done.
And If their not Ok with you trying their stuff go somewhere else.

I really like the Ibanez guitars for the sleek body and smooth thin necks but the pickups are all sounding too hot for my taste.

they can be swapped

[icy_wind500]

I did consider swapping the pick ups out of a ibanez sa220
It will still cost less then an American strat but my friend said playing jazz and country on ibanez is an insult to this metal machine....

[dougjt]

my friend said playing jazz and country on ibanez is an insult to this metal machine....

I've been learning a little classical style stuff on mine and it sounds pretty good.
Plus they make a whole lineup of jazz type guitars.like these (http://www.ibanez.com/HollowBodyGuitars/home)