People should buy whatever they can afford. But then shut up.

I've worked on over 2300 Stratocasters over the years, and the ones from the 50's and 60's require much less attention than MIK's or MIM's. The Custom Shop guitars are very well behaved that way as well. That's real world stats, brought in by real world customers. On the bench, measured, and time tested information.

I don't take guitar info from 15 year old thrashers. The reason is because I don't have to. I have had the advantage of age and years, and LOTS of guitars from 5 decades plus of Fender manufacture running across a simple work station. Also, I have gotten to talk to the guitar techs themselves. I know exactly what Henry Garza plays because his tech has told me. That's an advantage. I have talked to Brad Paisley's tech regarding Telecasters. All of us learn things from others...those techs claimed they learned stuff from me too. It's a happy fraternity. For Fender questions or just to share info, I have chatted frequently with Masterbuilders at Fender's Custom Shop as well. It doesn't make my experience superior by sheer ego, but it does make it easier for me to work on guitars with some direct information and knowledge.

With Fender there is certainly such a thing as " Good...Better...Best". It's a matter of meeting market demand with products that can reach everyone.
I am a former Fender dealer. These things are not a mystery. Fender is not stupid. They will meet any segment of the market any way they can. This is not a bad thing.

But to make claims of across the board equality on their entire product line-up is crushingly naive.

Remember when we were young boys, and our daddy's car was the best simply because it's what he drove? I see lots of that here, and it makes me smile And maybe that's OK in the end. Like I said, buy what you can, but then be quiet about it. Just play. If there's a question or concern, ask!...there's always help out there.

Cheers, Pete

ears are ringing and fingertips hurt......what more could i ask for??

I don;t no what you own I do no in past posting you have said you own two 08 Amer Standards, four MIA 07 Highwayones a Korean Ash and MIA Ash,and lets see I think you said you have a 81, 87 and then there were some 70's dates you said you have and even mention that you own Custom Shops and many MIM's. I am sure you have alot more then those 14 or so Strats since you are famous and I no you said you wont post any pics of your gear which for a famous player is odd itself but it be cool to no what Bands you played in. There is already a few posters here that I no have been in Bands that may no you. We even have one Member who worked for The Mid Night Special so the wealth of knowledge a famous musician such as youself would be welcome.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

I have just bought a 2008 American Strat but did so after a lot of testing.

Principly I was considering 3 guitars:

American Standard
60's Classic Player
Mex Standard

The Mex standard is a great guitar for the money and much better now then my friends mid ninety's one. The fit and finish are pretty good though the sunburst is a bit crappy. Go block colour. Sound is also solid but turning it up and wanting sharp clean strat tones can be a problem. Things seemed to get a little muddy.

The 60's classic player was a revelation though. For the price tag it should be on everyones radar. Don't be put of by the 12" radius fret board either, just try it. Especially if you're thinking about some Jazz tunes. The fit and finish are much better and the sound is very vintage no doubt giventhe custom shop designed pickups. In my oppion from what I have played it is the best guitar out of the mexican factory.

The American standard for me just felt right. The neck felt nicely worn in and the 9.5" radius seems to tick all the boxes for playability versus "cordability" (I think I might copy write that word!). I couldn't find a defect on any of the models I played and the sound is excellent. Even cracked beyond belief clean they sound awesome. If your looking for a pro instrument this one has to be the guitar of choice up to this price point. If you don't have the budget for it then go with the Classic Player. It is far superior to the Mex Std and gives the American Std a run for it's money.

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"For every one person who loves you there are five lined up to just hate you" - P. Westerberg

This is my difference between a (MIM) Mexican Made Stratocaster and an (MIA) American Made Stratocaster. I have 5 MIM’s and you have 1 MIA.

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1969 Tele Thinline "Natural Finish"
1994 Strat "Arctic White Squier Series"
1995 Strat "Red Squier Series"
1998 Strat "Midnight Wine Fat Strat"
2002 Strat "Sunburst"
2006 Strat "Electron Blue"
2000 Jazz Bass "Purple"

Good point. Though also possess a MIA Tele and a $@! Tele.

Quality over quantity?

Hey you can only play one at a time!!

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"For every one person who loves you there are five lined up to just hate you" - P. Westerberg

MMM that $£% thing was the common abrieviation for Japanease. Touchy these forums...

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"For every one person who loves you there are five lined up to just hate you" - P. Westerberg

you see its comments like this that tells me your not that bright.
so i'm done with you

Troll

Show that great collection.
Your post are Deju Vu of another.

An Internet troll, or simply troll in Internet slang, is someone who posts controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum or chat room, with the intention of provoking other users into an emotional response.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Exactly CV, it's highwayoneplayer revisited. I give up on talking to the fool! You should too because it's useless! Scared to post pics of his guitars!! I doubt he owns even one! He is a troll of some sort! Later!

I don't know what you own. I do know in past postings, you have said you own two '08 AM Standards, four MIA '07 Highway1s, a Korean Ash and an MIA Ash, and lets see, I think you said you have an '81, '87? Then there were some 70's dates you said you have, and even mentioned that you own Custom Shops and many MIM's. I am sure you have a lot more then those 14 or so Strats, since you are famous, and I know you said you won't post any pics of your gear, which for a famous player, is odd in itself. But it'd be cool to know what bands you played in. There is already a few posters here that I know have been in bands that may know you. We even have one Member who worked for The Midnight Special, so the wealth of knowledge a famous musician such as yourself, would be welcome.

There! Fixed that for ya!

oh please i havent read one comment from you that made any sense or helpful. have a nice day.

Why do adults always talk about how hard they had it way back when

^^ , im waitin for a "we used to play guitar in 12 inches of snow, up hill both ways!!!!" I kid I kid, since we weren't around I think we have to take their word for it...sounds like a fender was a lot harder to come by way back when then they are now

These are veneered Standard Strat body blanks
waiting for see-through finishes in the Mexican factory.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.