which guitar?

I'm looking at buying a guitar, $800-$1000 price range (Canadian, so about $500-$800 American). I was considering the Washburn Idol WI-64DL, The Cort M-600, the PRS Santana SE, a Dean evo special, and a Fender Deluxe Powerhouse Mexican fat strat.

I play a lot of blues and classic rock
thanks.

I'd definitely go with the fat strat, strats can play anything, so with a humbucker, the sky's the limit...

I'd check out Carvin.

I would also go with the strat, but however not
with one built in mexico.
They are getting better at building guitars though,
in a few years they will probably be almost as good as the
american ones.
but for the moment, I would recommend an american.
They are very expensive I know, but you can try to find
a used one.
Otherwise I think you should consider a japan-strat.
They are pretty much as good as american guitars now.
That is if you buy a relatively new one.

I havent tried any of the other guitars you mentioned,
but I can tell you, you will not regret the purchase
of a genuine Fender.
(At least I havent).
/Marcus

I bought a Yamaha RGX 420S a couple weeks ago for 750$ cnd if I recall correctly.

It's an awsome guitar, you should check it out.

I think you can find what you're looking for among the Pacifica models from Yamaha. There are enough style and hardware variations to cover just about any style.

My own 'Brand X' is an old (1986) SBG 1000 Les Paul copy with DiMarzio pickups and some customized wiring. The new SBG series are a bit plain to my taste, (at least the 700 and 800 models I've seen), but the build quality is still excellent.

The price range you've given should get you a very good new guitar. If you can get past the urge for a brand-new axe, take the time to prowl the pawn shops and the 'used' sections of music stores. With some patient searching, $800-$1000 can put a really good guitar in your hands.

Good Luck :)

my advice is to go into a music store and play everything you see. you may find something that'll surprise you. for example, i went in to guitar center to check out some les pauls, but i ended up falling in love with a Jackson RR-5. so go in, get a feel for everything, see how it feels when you hold it. nothing we tell you will affect what you think about it or how it plays through your hands. that's the most important factor to me. so go see how different ones play and sound. you may be surprised

Try everything out but I would go with the strat or the Dean.