[QUOTE=UnholySpirit]Listen to your heart, my friend..... if it's the VG you have your eyes set on, then the VG it must be. I don't suppose you've even considered an Ibanez??? QUOTE]

Thanks Unholy, but my heart doesnt know. I will of course take them all for a test drive before one is decided on. I suppose I am really looking for info from anyone who has experienced multiple Strats. The confussing thing about Fender is that they dont proclaim which piece is the example of their best work. With Gibson you know that the Les Paul Standard is their benchmark, yes, you can go custom but if you have a standard then there is no need to go higher.

I have not considered an Ibanez until now ;)

I am going to give the range a look and I will tell you what I think. I have to say though Ibanez is, to my limited knowledge, a guitar build for speed metal etc, right? Not that I have anything against it, I would love to give it a go some day, but it would be close to the bottom of my list of choices. I am just more mellow.

Thanks man