As for Strats, I've played both Mexicans and Americans. My friend has an American strat with something called a "Deluxe Neck" or something like that, and I LOVE the feel of it. The Mexican plays well, but just not as good. There's nothing wrong with it, per se. I, in fact, own a Mexican Roland Ready Strat (GK2 pickup built in). This is a good guitar, and cheaper than a good American Strat, BUT you have to buy a guitar synthesizer to have the full effect of the GK2 pickup, and a good synth can be nearly $1000. The other guitar I own, an Ibanez Talman, plays as well as a well made American Strat, but sounds a bit thicker, due to its humbuckers. I LOVE my Talman.
"You must stab him in the heart with the Bone Saber of Zumacalis... well, you could stab him in the head or the lungs, too... and the saber, it probably doesn't have to be bone, just anything sharp lying around the house... you could poke him with a pillow and kill him."
- Aqua Teen Hunger Force, The Universal Re-Monster
