I just finished College with the best results and I want to get me a reward.
I live in Quebec, so my choices are limited.

I currently own a Highway One HSS Stratocaster and a Blues Junior.
I almost only play Blues and I'm looking to get another Stratocaster because this one is really not giving me the tone I want.

I would really like something with lower output pickups, I'm really into John Mayer type of blues, something less overdriven than SRV. So Texas Special pickups would be the opposite that I'd want.
I'm currently looking at American Standard, Standard and Classic Series Stratocasters.
I could change the neck, pickups and relic the Highway One, but that would be as expensive, so I'd rather sell is cheap and make a kid happy, than get another Stratocaster.

It would cost me $150 for a maple standard Stratocaster, $900 for a Classic Series 50's Stratocaster and $1100 for an American Standard Stratocaster.

Do you guys have any suggestions ? Of course cheaper the best, but I really liked the American Standard. It felt right but the other ones are nice too, and cheaper.

I agree with Nevin.

If the Vintage is out of your price range, well the next best thing is definately an American Standard Strat.

If not the AM Standard, The CP60 is a Mexican Made Vintage Strat that is nice, but if you want a better quality vintage instrument in that price range, I would go for the Made In Japan and Crafted In Japan Vintage Strats, which are much better build quality made instruments than the mexican...Just my Opinion.

Don't talk about your reward, Go get that darn thing now , I would go out to some stores, pick up some Guitars and try them. You will then know which one you have to put money down on.

Good Luck Mate.. and don't forget to post some pic's...

I have a Deluxe Lonestar Strat that is not a lot of money but is pretty impressive. i have been looking at other guitars at the shop but other than an American standard, most are not as solid as my Lonestar. You also could look at the new Amaerican Specials.

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Deluxe Lonestar Stratocaster
American Deluxe Telecaster
Tim Armstrong Hellcat Accoustic
Vibrolux Reverb
GDEC 3 Thirty

Personally, I would concentrate on the neck first and go from there.Look for the right combination of neck profile,radius and type of frets ,then go after the other things.Obviously price range is limiting,but you can change pickups relativelyeasy,but if your neck is unfriendly ,it doesnt matter how it sounds.

Ever considered a good Road Worn series strat?

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"Speak the truth, and speak it ever,
cost it what it will
for he who hides the wrong he did
did the wrong thing still."
-Miss Uel

If you don't like your Highway One, I'm not sure an American Standard will work for you. Unless the change from a Greasebucket to Deltatone circuit makes a big difference.

Maybe a Players's strat, with the Vintage Noiseless? That seemed a lower output sort of sound to me.

Not an expert, though.

Sounds like an American Vintage ('62 or '57, depends on your fretboard and neck preference) might be right up your alley if you like the way they feel. The pickups should get what you're after anyway.

You have more options than you think. I'm sure American stores would be happy to work with you (phone, see who's got what, then make a road trip!- be sure to declare your new guitar at the border).

Or, have you considered used? I currently have 3 Strats, all recent, an American Standard, an American '62 Reissue and a newer Clapton Signature Series. Bought all on eBay, all used, and have no more than $950 shipped into any of them (of course again, you'll have Customs duty, and must find a Seller willing to ship to Canada). Still, a worthwhile option (I'm sure there are used guitars there in Canada too, just harder to find).

It's a reward for a wonderful achievement (Congratulations BTW!), so splurge a bit, and get something you really want!

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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".
Keith Richards