I love my JYM, my American Standard, and to a lesser extent my 1984 MIJ '72 reissue.

But (BOO HISS), I also quite like my Ibanez RGA321F, although its uses are more limited than the strats!

"Is Fender Strat the best guitar?"

I won't even dignify that question with a response.

On second thought,

YES, of course it is!!!

Welcome!

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You dig?

I knew that.

Gridlok

An AM Deluxe would serve you well. Not only are strats themselves rediculously versitile, but adding the S-1 puts the icing on the cake.

I find that a strat gives me a wider range of tones to play a wider variety of music when compared to the Gibsons and Gretsches I've played. It's the best for me, but I think you should try one and see if it works for you and your playing style.

For what?
For who?

It could be--give it a try.
Check them out, check out others.

A lot of it is up to you.

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It wasn't Willy-Nilly, it was at crows.

I have a Tele and a Strat. In all honesty, I like the Tele better (on most days) but it really is a personal thing. The Strat is more versatile (especially with a Humbucker) than the Tele, but for me I love the bright, sustaining tone you can get from the Tele (and the lack of a whammy bar which keeps everything in tune during heavy duty double bends).

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2008 American Standard Tele
1987 American Series Strat
198x G&L (for slide)
Super Champ XD
Roland Cube

You say you are really just sarting out and are thinking of a Strat or an Ibanez with 24 frets and humbuckers. Well I banez produces some great guitars but that is aimed more for shred when you are talking 24 frets and buckers and it will never have the versatility of a Strat. I truly believe if you ask any pro studio guitarist if they could only take one guitar on a gig what would it be the answer would be a Strat. Now to be honest one guitar cannot do it all and if you stick around and play long enough you will wind up with at least 2 guitars singlecoil and a humbucking model as most of us on the forum have. But for your first go with a Strat.

I bought an American deluxe and you can get all the tones you want out of it. The S-1 switching is very clever and well it is not a prefect replacement for a humbucker, still fills that void very nicely.
I think of my strat as a one stop shop of tone.
JW

Questions like this get me thinking. I can get sounds out of my LP's that will never come from my Strat's or Tele's. And come on guitars are like potato chips in time who has just one? None will do it all!

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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

It really is an addiction I never will reach the bottom of the bag...

I have played many guitars and in my opinion Fender Stratocasters are the best ones out there for me. Play as many guitars in your price range and see for yourself. While Fender is not for everyone, there is a guitar for everyone out there.

RK

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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

Ditto that. It is one of the best, but there are so many options out there.

Fender is top of food chain however. You can't go wrong with a Strat or a Tele.

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08 American Strat - Blizzard Pearl
04 MIM Strat - Black Maple Neck
07 Gibson SG - Heritage Cherry
11 Gibson Les Paul Studio 60's Tribute GT
Martin Acoustic - 00CXAE
Marshall Class 5 Head
Blackstar HT5 Combo
Mustang V Head
Behringer AT108

I've been playing for over 30 yrs and have owned most of the major brand guitars, but always come back to the beloved strat. It really comes down to what guitar just feels right in your hands. As far as versatility
very few guitars can rival it. With all the PU options out there now-you can even have them installed with piezo pickups for acoustic tones- you'll find your tone. Why do you think artists from almost form of music play them Bro?