I got a Tex Mex fat strat second hand (I paid about $400 from a local store). It plays fine and holds its own next to my USA made strat. The Mexican strat I left in the UK also plays fine. The only difference I can see it the soldering under the scratch plate of the Tex mex strat is a bit messy (this doesn?t effect the sound). I like nice guitars (others include a PRS CE24) and Im very glad to have the Tex Mex fat strat with out paying through the nose for a US made one. My point is, keep an open mind and use your ears and hands to decide if a guitar is any good rather than relying on the reputation of a makes name, if the guitar was a dog Id never have brought it !

Indecently the USA strat I have has a Seymour Duncan cool rail bridge PU and stock middle and neck PUs. I really like this arrangement and as you were originally asking about refurbishing guitars thought Id mention it.