My first Strat was a '91 MiM, bought by my better half when we had no money but knew I really wanted a Strat. I will never part with it. But I always wondered what a US one was like and how much better it might be. Fast forward too many years and I am able to have a US Strat. You know what, apart from the point of origin it really isn't made that much better (pickups aside, and not knocking US craftsmanship). IMHO keep the Roadhouse and save for the US one if you can, I agree with others here, once a guitar is gone you can rarely get it back and you will miss it.

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Standard Stratocaster w/mid-boost & Lace Sensors
Am. Standard Stratocaster FSR Daphne Blue
Tele-bration Mahogany Telecaster
Fender Pro Junior w/custom 2x10 tweed cab - nice!
Koch Twintone 2
The odd Parker and PRS

I'm building my own Strat right now. I hate limited budget. Most expensive piece will be the neck.

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1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic

I'm telling you so I can save you the empty feeling you will feel when you sell the other guitar. Don't sell. Save and buy. There is lay away.

It's the same advice that Rick Neison from Cheap Trick gave to guitarists in an article he wrote about ten years ago.

If you don't give a crap about the 1st guitar than no big deal. Good luck with whatever you deside to do.

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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

Sorry all ..I did not keep up on this post ..At the time of posting things were a bit bleak financially..Things have turned around a bit and i picked up a weeks worth of work ..I did manage to give the seller have the cash up front and i'm making payments on the rest so this guitar is safely in my care..

I agree with you completely after buying this guitar i now own 3 MIA Strats and two MIM ..One MIM is the a fore mentioned Roadhouse the other a highly modded H.S.S including Calaham tremolo ,sprezel locking tuners and John Suhr V60LP pickups ..

In a darkened room if you would hand me a American Standard and a MIM with the exact same pickups in it and the neck edge rolled i would not be able to tell the difference between the two..

As far a feel goes my MIA and MIM's play no difference or at least those that share the same neck dimension...

I learned the hard way, don't ever sell a guitar you like for one you think is a better deal.You'll always wish you had it back!!If he's a friend work out a payment plan with him,it was a wall hanger to him and it'll be music to your ears.

Great news Invader! I was gonna suggest making payments, glad you got it and didn't have to sacrifice your Roadhouse!

Of all the horse tradin' I've done over the years, I only regret/miss two instruments--

A G&L Nighthawk and a Fender silverface/master volume Bassman Ten amp...I sold each of them to make house payments.

At least I still have the house, although I'm renting it out right now.

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals