Honestly, I'd try to find a used MIM or CIJ Classic Series guitar. As pointed out above it's hard to go wrong with a Strat. Definitely the most versatile of the Fender offerings and would be the best "all purpose" axe.

The Classic series guitars and basses are the best thing Fender offers in the bang for your buck department. Getting a well maintained used Classic Series will serve you for years to come. Possibly the rest of your playing career.

My CIJ Classic Series 51RI P bass is the nicest bass I have ever played. It plays better then my old 78 P bass, and any American Series Bass I've ever tried outside of the American Vintage Series. I can't imagine ever being without it. I love it so much I wanted to get a second one in Sunburst, but as they are no longer imported I'll need to get a Sting sig P to get that great tone and neck. Though I'll miss the slab.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do. Just make sure you PLAY IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT, if at all possible.

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2012 Fender Custom Shop 55 Precision Bass
2012 Fender American Vintage 57 Precision Bass RI
2014 Fender Super Bassman and Bassman 100T/410 Neo

Find yourself a nice Telecaster in your price range. Go out and play a bunch. It doesn't matter where its made, as long as it feels and sounds good to you.

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+1 on the Telecaster and not caring where it was made. I've never really bonded with a strat. It's just a matter of personal preference.

In your budget I think you could pick up a Classic Player Baja Tele, which gets great reviews, is really versatile and quite frankly gorgeous.

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Rated "M" for meaty.

Made in Mexico Strat or Tele. Great guitars!
Try both and see.

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-T

"You can't spend what you ain't got, you can't lose what you ain't never had" ~ McKinley Morganfield

I've never played a Godin, but this looks pretty bad-ass for $699:

Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin Archtop Hollowbody Electric Guitar With P-90 Pickup

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