Go for the custom shop if you have the money but know what you are buying.
There are certainly plenty of models out there and what suits one wont suit another.
You can get a great second hand custom shop strat for under 2 grand and if you shop carefully for $1600!
Hope all this helps

If you're looking for the absolute best player, the Custom Shop route is definitely the way to go.

Fender didn't make a HSS 50th Anniversary Strat. It's probibly not worth what the seller think it's worth. Also lately people have been trying to sell their used guitars for what they bought them for. They are used guitars. I'd do some some research first. I think that the price is too high.

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1975 Sunburst Stratocaster rosewood finger board
1979 Stratocaster with roseowood finder board
2001 Candy Green Clapton Stratocaster
2007 Andy Summers Inspired Telecaster
2007 '51 P-Bass
2012 Taylor 110
2015 Mystic Ice Blue Deluxe Stratocaster Plus

If you look long enough you can find used Master builts for 2500. CS is the way to go.

You might want to try this local sight. You can occasionaly get some good deals at least as far as the local market goes. This link will take you directly to fender guitars. good luck
http://www.yad2.co.il/Yad2/Yad2.php?Are ... nfo=fender