[thunderman]

I am a bit OCD so you will have to forgive me

Opinions on which one is a better deal / value.

Both are standard series. squire = $300, MIM = $500

Then there is the highway 1 fender entry level. Highway 1 = $600

I can afford them, but I am a cheap bastard LOL.

[rugger]

http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/Videos-W61.aspx

These guys love the Mexican Strat...then again, they sell them. But, food for thought. I've been considering a cheap strat to add to the collection and they've got me pretty much sold. Of course either will probably need a good setup.

My local guitar dealer is trying to sell me an Andersen (sp?). They're sweet, but expensive. Anybody own one that can chime in about the playability/sound?

John in San Diego

[JonnyBoy]

Have you tried the Ibenez super strats? I prefer a thin neck I can move much faster up and down scales. It is like night and day for me. I play a Showmaster and it is my favorite guitar I have ever owned. If you like an Ibenez (metal style) guitar you'll like the showmaster. The show masters were limited editions and they have increased in value in the past few years.

[WSPHead]

I have a highway 1 and love it.

[dleonard]

American Standard Strats go on sale all the time on craigslist around $700. Better neck, hardware, frets, etc. I'm big on buying good stuff once.

[CoolBreeze]

I'm a big fan of the made in Japan "E" series squires. Made in 84-87. I've had mine in the stable longer than any other guitar. And, IMHO, I've yet to find a Strat- American made or otherwise- that even comes close.

[SarnoMusicSolutions]

It's funny but true. A good number of the Japanese Strats are about as good as Fender ever made them. Real nicely selected body tone woods. Very precise craftsmanship. Real nice finishes too. My wife plays my old '62 reissue Japanese sunburst Strat, and it's as good as any Fender Strat gets, seriously, top notch, and holds up with any custom shop or even most vintage ones. The electronic hardware wasn't the finest, but that's easy to upgrade.

With the MIM stuff, you really can find a good one. I'd say play a few and find one whose body wood has a nice tone. Play it acoustically and just feel and listen. Then know that the money you save on it needs to somewhat go into having someone clean up and dress the fretwork and nut slots. That's where they skimp and save money by not really setting them up all that well. The fret edges and crowns do need a pro once-over to feel and play like a pro guitar. If you clean up a MIM Strat and get it well set up, it holds up very easily with the pricier stuff. Even those cheap ceramic pickups in them sound pretty good and honestly do a fair Garcia, ceramic pickup tone. Not perfect, but pretty darn good.

Brad

[FretWilkes]

With the MIM stuff, you really can find a good one. I'd say play a few and find one whose body wood has a nice tone. Play it acoustically and just feel and listen. Then know that the money you save on it needs to somewhat go into having someone clean up and dress the fretwork and nut slots. That's where they skimp and save money by not really setting them up all that well. The fret edges and crowns do need a pro once-over to feel and play like a pro guitar. If you clean up a MIM Strat and get it well set up, it holds up very easily with the pricier stuff. Even those cheap ceramic pickups in them sound pretty good and honestly do a fair Garcia, ceramic pickup tone. Not perfect, but pretty darn good.

Brad

I've got a nice MIM Standard FSR, natural ash, RW board, tort guard that I put Fender 57/62s in. The only issue I'm having with this guitar is the 2-1/16 string spacing at the bridge. It's a tad cramped compared to my Teles and I'm having a hard time bonding with it. It's something to think about if your use to the wider American spacing of 2-7/32. Aaargh.

Trying hard...