I am on a budget of about £400(650 dollars), and need a "workhorse guitar" to take with me to places. I am thinking of the MIM standard. Is this a good guitar, what do people think of it? or should I go for a squire(classic vibe or vintage modified?) Are there any other alternatives, from other manufacturers?

i got a standard strat for Christmas and i cant fault it at all. i got mine for £360 because it was made in 2004 but had not been played so its all good as new.
I have played the American standard and yeah there is a difference but not a £600 difference so i would say the Mexican is best value for money.
Go for the Mexican in my opinion and also that way it is easy to upgrade if you want to change pickups or anything like that

Ash

thanks ash

another question-would carrying this guitar in a padded case(not gig bag, also not hard case)to and from my house and where I need it(using the train)about once or twice a week damage it?

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"reach for the sky and aim for the moon, for if you miss you will end up among the stars"

Zoom MS50G
72 tele dlx RI
2011 standard strat
Blackstar HT-5R
Taylor Big Baby

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All the guitars you mentioned are worth trying out. I have an MIM Standard & I like it a lot. I've heard very good reports on the classic vibe as well. Vintage modified I'm not familiar with. If you want a Strat, I would start with the ones you mentioned above. I prefer when it says Fender on the headstock, but that's just bias I guess. Cheers

No i only have a padded gig bag and i take mine on the bus to school and to lessons every week and its fine. the only thing i would say i remember to take the tremolo arm off or it can snap and make a mess as some people on the forum know all too well

Ash

Nothing wrong at all with a MIM Fender. I have one that I modded and love it.