The best new Strat I've ever played was a 1986 MIJ '62 Reissue. That one came home with me.

I keep telling people to audition gear with their eyes closed, and their mind and ears open. No one on this earth can hear a name tag.

One day back in '84, I went downtown with a fat wad of cash in my pocket to buy me a real Gibson Les Paul that I had been saving up for. I came home with a Yamha SBG-1000 instead. For less than half of the cost.

painter33 speaks true. Fender makes some great guitars, and they also make some fancy firewood. You can't tell the difference til you take it down off the rack and play it.

"Eyes closed; ears open", 'K?