I think that saving to get a MIA strat is a good idea. Though the MIM's are awsome too! (that's what I have). I have a Standard, and I've found that you can get TONS and TONS of different kinds of sounds out of it. I've tried both the SSS and HSS strats, and I personally prefer the SSS. Having that bridge single-coil gives me that bite with GnR type rhythms. If I could, I would get a SSH, so I could have that neck humbucker

In other words, you just have to go and play with the gear, try it out and see what kind of sound you get. If you like candelbox, you could really go either way (HSS or SSS). If you want a rock sound with more bite, get the SSS. If you want a hybrid rock/metal sound with a deeper crunch, get the HSS.

Hope this was at least a little helpful.

Well I fianlly got one. I ended up with a MIM standard strat HSS. Midnight wine with a white pearloid pick gaurd installed on it. I went and played a few and the MIM felt good so I decided I would hold off on the MIA for a while. Thanks for all the advice.

Congrats on you purchace. Sounds to me like it looks nice. I love the Midnight Whine. Hope this is the start of a beautiful relationship for you and your guitar. Good guitar to start with, it able to grow with you. We like pics if you could, but if can't, don't worry about it.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

I haven't actually got it yet. It's in the back of the big brown truck, but this is one of the pictures from the guy I bought it from.

Nice stick! Enjoy and congrats!

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"I started out with nothing, and still have most of it"