Like any other aspiring guitarist, I have my influences. My primary influences are Alex Lifeson, Eric Johnson, and David Gilmour. Since I picked up the instrument, I would try to play Rush songs until I was blue in the face. But after 20 years of struggling with even the most basic riffs and chord progressions, I've decided to start all over and devote myself to the study of the guitar.
Currently, I have a Peavey Raptor that I bought in 1996 for $250, and an Ibanez S Series that I bought in $750 in 2001. I didn't really do any research on either guitar before I bought them. I just bought them. Ironically, I play the Peavey better than I do the Ibanez. At any rate, I'm going to go sell both guitars and save up for a quality Stratocaster. Every time I touch a Strat it's like butter in my hands, and I have an easier time playing it.
Unlike before, I've decided to do some research on the instrument instead of getting seduced by its beauty. And I've found that there are many models of the Stratocaster...Deluxe, American, Deluxe Plus, American Standard, HSS, Highway One, Fat Strat, '57 Vintage, '62 Vintage, '70's Vintage. You get the idea.
I have no idea what the differences are between these guitars. I don't know the why different woods are selected for the bodies, like ash and alder. All I know is that I want a Stratocaster that was made in the US with a maple neck for around $1,000. If I'm going to devote myself to guitar, I want to have a worthy instrument. Now if I can just settle on a color. I'm leaning toward White Blonde, Olympic White, or Blizzard Pearl.
Anyway, are there any Stratocaster enthusiasts in the house that can point me in the right direction?