Fender strat's are excellent, good tone, good looks, well made, feel as smoothe and sexy as they play. In my opinion they are the Mutts Nuts.

I find the Ibanez guitars lacking in build quality and need setting up with better pick-ups etc.

Dislike the ESP range and Kramer. Washburn are good and if you fit a Floyd rose on one it will still come in your price range.

Ive played a wide selection of guitars over the years and when I picked up my strat I fell in love with it immediatly.

Guitar buying is one of the most stressful times in a guitarists existence.