I want to buy one of the reissue vintage 60s strats, but it seems like there are a billion different models.... '62 reissue, classic 60s, road worn, custom shop......

What are the main differences/ highlights of each and where are they made?

I have a budget of $1700-$1900

I want one that will hold its value, as I plan on babying it and eventually passing it on to a family member. Does this mean I should only consider the USA made strats?

I was leaning towards the '62 reissue, but noticed some of the ones for sale on ebay were made in Japan. How can I tell which 62' re issues are from Japan and which ones are made in USA?

The only 62 RI's I've seen are MIA and MIJ. The 60s RI are mainly MIM. The rest are pretty much always MIA. Those are the easiest differences. There are other differences that are less noticeable, but I don't feel like going into details.

_________________
1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic

Also, MIJ stuff is incredible. I honestly like it as much as MIA.

_________________
1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic

Sounds great Temple!
Congrats on saving the money. And seeing as you are almost there, in your place I would save a bit more and go for the Custom Shop. Best purchase I have ever made.
I have two kids so my plan is to get another CS, as in time all my instruments and gear will go to them.
Good luck and post pics when you bring a Strat home!

_________________
FIGHT!

'60s Classic Vibe - Squier, Chinese.
'60s Classic Player (Custom Shop Designed) - Mexican.
'60s Strat - Mexican.
'62 Vintage Reissue - either USA or Japan.
'60 Time Machine Custom Shop - USA.

There may well be more, but I think that narrows it down slightly. I'm assuming you're after early '60s, not big-headstock late '60s.

As Buxom mentioned, the Japanese ones are killer. I own a Japanese Strat and it simply blows my USA one out of the water. Another user here, Schritzer, swears by his as well. You can find plenty on eBay for a reasonable price, as well as Ishibashi Music- a shop located in Tokyo.

Example #1
Example #2

If you want American, you may as well- as already mentioned- save up for CS, as you're halfway there.

Example #3

If not, the '62 is a great guitar and well-priced.

Example #4

Hope this helps slightly!

_________________
'01 American Deluxe HSS Strat.
'87 Japan HSS Strat.
'11 Custom Shop FMT HSS Strat.

"Without music, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines and dates by which bills must be paid."

I have a AVRI and love it (a '57 reissue from '82) and also a MIM 60s classic series and too be honest both are fantastic. But since you want it to retain it's value, get the MIA...I paid like $700 for my AVRI back in 82 and now it is worth around $1500 on the dreaded E-bay, so it has actually gone up in value...no one could have figured this back then, but the trend for AVRI is what it is. Custom Shop stuff is great, but they haven't always retained all thier value...not that they aren't great guitars, they are, but for the money, I would find a really good AVRI and you will have something to pass on.

FWIW

T2

_________________
-----------------------------------------------------------
What time is it? It's Fender Time.

Don't forget to check out the '62 Vintage Hot Rods.
Essentially it's a 62 AVRI with added tasty bits like bigger frets, thick C neck, tone control on the bridge pickup, Reverse wound/Reverse polarity mid pickup and 5 way switch.
http://www.fender.com/products/search.p ... 0100140805

Snowy