I am considering buying my first Fender Stratocaster but they are so many models currently on the market I really don't know where I should begin. The Stratocaster is one of the most famous guitars on the planet. If anyone can give me some advice on where I should begin I would be very grateful.

Hey there and welcome to the forum.................

Put simply, begin by trying as many different ones as possible within your price range!

Everybody has differing ideas about their own preferences but until you have tried a few you won't necessarily know what yours are.

If you are looking at the lower price bracket, check out the MIM ones and work up from there......................have fun!!!

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speak slowly I'm a drummer too!!

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

+1

As well, give the Squier CV Strats a look-see......they're really a bargain for the $$$. They're also very amenable to whatever upgrades you'd like to do.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

+1 on the above... also depending on what shop you go to, try and play the guitars through a amp similar to your own one... sometimes the nice ppl at the music shop will plug you into a killer amp which sounds killer no matter wats pluged into it...

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blues - its a religion...

I'd say go with a MIM model. The quality can vary a lot, so check out the fit and finish. Also look at the neck pocket to see how tightly if fits. Tighter is usually better. Their are a lot of lightly used "I thought I'd learn guitar" deals out there with the MIM.

Welcome aboard, pawlyszyn!

Depending on your budget the sky is the limit, but you can always find a quality product within the range in which you're looking to spend.