The shop I used to work at sold several different imports that weren't bad back in the mid-1990's. The Aria Pro II Fullerton, the Lotus strat, and Fernandes (Burny) models were decent enough and can be had in that price range.

The Squier Classic Vibe has phenomenal reviews. There are 2 models. I tend to agree w/the consensus here. Spend a bit more, & get a real Strat. If I were looking for a budget Strat, I wouldn't hesitate to get the classic vibe '60s model. I've owned an MIM Fender strat for 3 years, & I'm happy w/it. IMO it's excellent quality & value.

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HAVE AN ACE DAY EVERYONE, and have a few more after that

fender MEXICAN standard. cheap and sounds amazing

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Fender Standard Stratocaster
Maton ER90C

TRy bothe setups if you can with the pups......at the price Iron Gear charge having a Jailhouse or Steam Hammer 'left over' is a nice little incentive to do another guitar!!!!

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speak slowly I'm a drummer too!!

And I proudly lack a stick or a kazoo up my arse...........

As my father always used to say, "You buy cheap, you get cheap."

Do yourself a huge favor: Continue to save your money so you can buy something substantial rather than wasting it on something that is one step above a toy.

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You dig?

Are the Squier Affinity or Squier Bullet series not available in the UK...

If they are, the 2 Humbucker or Humbucker, Single, Single set-up should be more than enough to get that Iron Maiden sound......

As advised on previous posts, Don't waste money on a cheap knock-off, if it isn't a Squier Bullet or Affinity, then perhaps a Yamaha, Ibanez, Aria. BUt you must take someone with you who knows what a quality instrument should be. The price is not so important.

Just the thought of that I.M.
I'm having trouble breathing...

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

If you have the money look at the Squier Classic Vibe guitars, they are VERY good for the price.

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Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

Richwood are pretty good from Dangleberry Music ,Harrier guitars on ebay, are OK it seems .i have one of their necks ,not fantastic but useable ,A really good buy is a used Vintage stratalike .Go to www.jhs.co.uk for Vintage specs.There are loads of clones out there ,SX are pretty good but beware of dud ones,not all are good but they all are playable .You can also try Amazon . .Squiers of course are even better in the main .

My rule #1: Play the exact guitar you're considering buying. 2 of the exact model can give you one gem and one piece of turd. (usually because one is set up well and the other one....well....needs a setup)

If you're looking to save money, look at used stuff and learn how to do your own setups.

I bought this used Squier Affinity fat strat (20th anniversary) cheap and it sounded like a turd. Set it up, cleaned it up, tightened the stuff that was loose, clamped down the trem springs (using a trem on a non-locking tuner guitar is just stupid) and restrung it. It plays very well now. Although....the pickups are pretty noisy. I have it for sale now on craigslist for $99 because my quest is to find down and out guitars and bring them back to life.

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2002 mim Telecaster
Jimmie Vaughan Stratocaster
Mexican HSS Stratocaster
6 non-fender guitars
2 kids (not for sale)
1 wife (uh....no comment)