Word... Mexican Strats are considered inferior simply because they're not made in the US. The reason they're so much cheaper is because in Mexico labor is much much cheaper... and Fender can charge less... Where as in the US they have to charge much more becuase the luthiers that build the guitars are licensed luthiers. Me being a Fender man... I can tell the difference between a US and Mexi right away, but most people can't. I have a US and a Mexican strat and they're oth great axes.

The Tele is a great all around axe... But I've always been partial to the Strat for blues and rock.