I've decided it's time to add a Strat to my collection. I have around £700 to spend, what do you guys suggest. I play punk/indie/garage and classic rock. I was thinking of a 70s classic reissue but don;t really know the differrences between the various versions out there. Also I do like a nice chunky neck. So what should I go for?

Thanks in advance

A Blacktop Strat would work well with those genres.
You'll basically be looking for one with humbuckers and a rosewood fretboard.
The 70's would be good for the classic rock, but would be a bit weak for the punk and garage, a Hot Rod would be an option, or one with rails too.

On the other hand Jaguars and Broncos lend themselves to indie and garage very well.
It all depends on which genre you would play most often, because to be honest, that spread requires two or three different guitars.
Just look through the product pages for which one you think would fit the bill, and also wait for more feedback from other people.

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Black Fender Jaguar HH Special
3x Black Squier Affinity Strat
Black Partscaster
Sunburst Jim Deacon JDST57
Tobacco Burst Westfield E4000
Redburst Hondo H180A
White Ibanez JEM 555
Brown Ibanez SX60
Black Encore Superstrat

Depending on the type of music you play. If you like a chunky neck, I found that the 62 hot rod has the best and chunkiest neck on all the strats I own by far. Like any guitar, if the pickups are not suitable for you, you can always slip in some more to your liking.

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YJM Signature - Anitque White
YJM Signature - Sonic Blue
62 vintage Hot Rod - white
SRV
Ritchie Blackmore
Jeff Beck Signature Surf Green
S1 American Deluxe - Antique Cherry burst
[b]Pink Paisley JPN
Vintage Strat MIM Surf Green

IMO just get an american standard and change pups if u like. just get the body wood and neck wood you want than customize pickups and electinics urself. getting fancy custom fenders is a bad idea... IN MY OPINION. some like em. my problem is they add things for no reason. cheap american standard is a blank canvas. super expensive custom shop fenders are hard to get YOUR tone out steada fenders desired tone. member... an american standard is a cheap BLANK CANVAS.

A fender Road Worn player strat (the pearly gates is realy good)
http://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_road_wo ... hss_is.htm

The strat deluxe player (whith 3 vintage noiseless pickups) is realy good too but without humbucker:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_deluxe_ ... _hb_mn.htm

Don't forget that you need a good amp if you want a realy good sound.

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"La plus grande révélation est le silence"
Lao-Tseu

Bear in mind that Fender's 'standard production neck' is what is called a "modern C". For reference, it's the neck on the American Standard, if you want to check it out for playability. Check out an American Deluxe V-neck, because that's pretty much the standard V-neck Fender uses. The V-neck on the Clapton and '57VHR are different.
Now, having done that, start looking at guitars within your price point having the electronics for the kind of music you favor. Remember, after-market modding is also an option if you want to tweak your sound beyond factory specs. Keep us posted.

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