I'm sorry to say, that as a former owner of a Guitar/Kbd/ M.I. shop, I don't believe in the Mistique of the American Strat. I have had, in the '70s, as many as 15 different NEW Strats, and Teles, [C.B.S.]In stock at one time. I personally set-up those guitars, and some were Good, and then, there were those "Others". I restored a '57 strat, and while it was a pretty toy, the String Damping effect of the vintage p/ups drove me crazy. [Didn't have far ta go, to get THERE!] I have owned/played fer pay, almost every Vintage Ax there is/was. I now have/play a '70 ES 335, and a '65 Epi Casino [ES 330], A '65 Fender Electric 12, a '58 ES125-- on an' on. I, just fer Grins, bought a Squire Std Fat Strat Brownie [Nat wood finish] and after a set-up, was so PLEASED, I ran out an' got a Squire Jagmaster. These Instruments are as good as any of the "Real Fenders" I've played, an' thats a bunch o' axes! I remember when Jags an' Jazmasters wewe almost WORTHLESS!! :eek: Who knew??I strongly suspect that the American Fenders are constructed of necks/bodys/screws/electronics made in China/Indonesia, and assembled/painted/finished in the California shop. [Like EVERYTHING ELSE cars/machinery/engines--- that proudly say, Made In U.S.A. :confused: But, I'm jus' a "Crazy Old Man" Sooo---- Go and try out the Squires, ya may be Surprised! Course, ifn' ya got a cool Grand, wit' nothin' ta do,By all means, go fer th' Status Symbol. By th' way, I was a Workin Road Picker for mos' of my life, an', I can certainly afford ta Buy Any AX I want. In my Humble Opinion, the price of the American Fender is about $800 just for the Fender Decal!! Test drive one of each, Am. Strat, an Squire, Blindfolded, an be Honest about the results. Bear in mind, the Sales Weasels are not yer Friends they want ya to SPEND Spend spend!! [An' git that Big Commission!!] :cool:[When yer Cool, th' Sun Shines on ya All the Time, Even at Nite!]