I got a yamaha look-alike stratocaster for x-mas 4 years ago(First Guitar, so I still love it). the neck is kind of weird to get used to, and the toggle switch is about to go out. Is an original standard stratocaster the kind of commitment i need to make to have a good playing guitar. I couldn't really tell how it sounded in the store, because of the puny amp they had to play on, and the neck felt awesome.

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DEAD ZeBRA

With the quality of the MIM (Made In Mexico) guitars as they are, you can't go wrong with an MIM Standard Stratocaster purchase as a basic three single coil pickup guitar. We have Forum members who prefer MIM's over MIA's. Mexican guitars will have the letter M in the serial number on the BACK of the headstock for newer product.

You should be able to audition a guitar in a shop which has a wide variety of selection both in instruments and amplifiers. I don't understand a store which only has a puny amp. A reputable dealer with a large selection of Fender guitars, if honest, should be able to walk you through a broad enough selection for you to make a choice. Many of the mid-range priced guitars are Mexican built but have a variety of pickup combinations, electronic wirings, neck radii, and finishes, beyond that of the Standard, and too numerous to mention here.

Look through the online catalog. Generally, anything which says Amerian is built here. Those that don't are generally not but, as with the Highway One Series, are. There's another model, greatly popular, which you might consider other than the Standard, but is more costly.

You can use the online retail price list as a guide for range. Street price, of course will, in general, be somewhat lower.

Any questions....ask....and keep us posted on your progress.


Doc

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"Another day in paradise!"

Some of the online stores have great prices on "blems" which might be such a minor issue that it won't bother you much.

Good luck!

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

I'll look in to that, oh and that was the only amp open to play through in the store. It was packed.

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DEAD ZeBRA