So many Stratocasters

Im not really a beginner, but it's been a while since I went guitar shopping. Anyway, can any of you experts tell me if the difference between all these strat models besides the price?

I'm thinking of a standard, but then I found out they are made in Mexico. Not sure if that's a good thing.

Any thoughts...opinions?

Jeff

You can get standards made in America or Japan too. I don't know the difference myself, but I'm sure someone here will.

the ones made in america are usually more expensive but the japanese are just as good and a bit cheeper

I have just purchased my new Strat and I bought the American made version. I have been told it will hold its value much better. Not that I will ever sell it. I always try to buy American because I am.

From what I have been reading and have personally experienced the "Made in America" designation does not have the kind of ring to it as it once did. My preference is to keep my money in the good 'ole USofA, but I can tell you that the quality of products that are coming in from overseas has taken a quantum leap for the better. I personally have a Breedlove Atlas series guitar that is assembled in the United States (Washington State i believe). The tone woods and hardware however come from Asia. I can personally attest to the quality of the workmanship of my guitar.

As far as Mexican made strats and teles are concerned. No problem there. In fact I'm in a market for one now.

Hope this helps

I had Mexican strat in the past and it was great guitar.Now I have American one and it is also great.Try for yourself,check the feeling of the guitar,later you can customize your guitar (pickups,hardware..).I wouldn't be so concerned about where it was made,the design is the same ...

I have American made, Mexican made, Korean made and "Frankenstein" instruments (four Fenders, a Dean and a Peavey) and the best advice that I can give you is to forget brand names, forget nations of origin and to forget model designations.

Go to every single guitar shop in your area, play every guitar that they have in your price range and go first by its feel in your hands and unplugged tone and then secondly by how they sound plugged in.

I've played two 'identical' Stratocasters (same year, same model, same color) in the same guitar shop and one was a total dog while the other was amazing. Then I ended up buying a third Strat that I hadn't even noticed originally which was made from an American body, a Japanese neck that had been refretted with jumbo frets, five string saver saddles and one stock, and noiseless singlecoil pickups.

Just look around – you'll find something special.

For me I would look for the strat that has the action and fit/finish I like and then I would toss in a nice set of pickups that fit my taste. That way I get a guitar the plays/looks well for me and has the sound that I want at the same time. If you are looking to resell later, then go with American imho just because that seams to mean a lot to some people. If you do upgrade the pickups you can always put the original ones back in when you sell it.

Originally Posted by: RaskolnikovThe best advice that I can give you is to forget brand names, forget nations of origin and to forget model designations.

+1...

I have an American Standard Strat, and my two home-built "Frakenstrat" guitars blow it away.