Not including the Custom Shop Strats, which is the best current production strat: I know the EJ and Hot Rod 62 gets a lot of mentions - I want to hear what YOU think. Also mention how many models and which models you have played to come to your conclusion. Thanks!!

You will get a different opinion with every post to this thread. There is no best, but there is a best for you stratocaster. I own a 2008 SRV and a 2009 Deluxe maple V neck. I use to have a 2008 mim lonestar and 1999 American standard. My favorite of them is the deluxe v neck.

I would have to agree with Pete here as in the higher range it is what you are looking in a guitar, and there are so many options. So it will come down to what floats your boat.

+2

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I hear you. "Best" is subjective to the player. I'm really amazed at how many variations of the Strat can be had - most if not all of which (at least in the American series) are very good to great. Right now I'm looking at the Hot Rod or possibly the Custom Shop Custom Deluxe. However, the Custom Deluxe is twice the cost of the HR so I'm not sure "I'm ready" for that yet. I have the EJ in maple right now so I'm looking for another Strat to complement it.

I've got 3 currently, all circa 2008, all recently bought used. An American Standard, an American '62 Reissue and an Eric Clapton Signature Series.

As mentioned above, it's going to depend on what you like (quite subjective), but the quality of all of these is very good.

In the past, I've had a couple of American Standards (early 90's models) and my current one is a far better guitar.

I also had an American '57 Reissue (early 90's) an SRV Signature Series (first year) and a 1962, 100% original. Fairly obvious choice, my 1962 was the favorite by far. #2 was the '57 Reissue (I'd put my current Reissue up against it, it would be a close call) and the SRV model, as pretty as it was, I just never really warmed up to that one.

I'd pick the EC model as the overall "best" of my current group, followed by the Reissue. But I'd rate the American Standard as the most improved, as it is a really nice guitar in it's own right. Pleased with all three, and they're all very good guitars.

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"If you don't know the blues... there's no point in picking up the guitar and playing rock and roll or any other form of popular music".
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I have a 03 Texas Special MIA , a 08 American Standard and a 06 SRV.The SRV is by far my favorite.Love the neck and tall frets .The others are no slouch , but the neck on the SRV is what sets it apart from the others.

Lots of similarities, such as body routing, neck profile, heel shape, etc... Lots of differences like body wood, number of pieces used to construct the body, pickups, controls etc..

The American Strats all meet a certain level of quality standard as far as I'm concerned, it's the nuances that make them desirable to individual players.

One of my must-haves is locking tuners and roller nut; That's 80% of the challenge of tuning stability IMO. I currently own an '87/'88 Strat Plus, and a 2006 60th anniversary American Deluxe HSS strat and while both guitars are outstanding specimens in the history of the Stratocaster, the evolved model is clearly the winner. The combination of rolled fingerboard edges, SCN pickups (another individual preference), and the hardware up and down the entire guitar are a testament to the evolution of the strat from a utilitarian axe to a very sophisticated instrument that offers something for everybody.

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60th Anniversary AD Strat, Deluxe Nashville Tele, Player's P Bass. Mesa/Boogie Mk IV combo, Marshall JCM800, 1960A cab, Genz Benz El Diablo 60, Genz 2x12" cab, too many neat little practice amps and kit projects!

I have 2 strats with a 2 point tremolo and one with a 6 point and never had a lick of problems with tuning stability once they had a decent setup.

I agree completely, although I prefer the two pointers. It all boils down to setup.

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60th Anniversary AD Strat, Deluxe Nashville Tele, Player's P Bass. Mesa/Boogie Mk IV combo, Marshall JCM800, 1960A cab, Genz Benz El Diablo 60, Genz 2x12" cab, too many neat little practice amps and kit projects!