There is so much BS about US and non-US (mexican and tex mex) strats.

I have 3 strats at the moment, and I challenge anyone on this site to take a blind fold, play them, take the pepsi challenge and tell me wether they were made in the US or Mexico, assembled in the US / mexico whatever.

the Jap strats are also very nice !

I have a very early one (still made in the US an I series w/ made in the USA stamped on the back of the neck) with a maple neck. Lovely axe, the only thing I'd change would be the Lordathestrings mod replacing the trem with a block of brass !!