I recently purchased an almost-new, Mexican-made "Classic 60s" Fender Stratocaster. I'd heard good things about the high-end "mexi-strats," and, looking at photos of the "Classic 60s" model online, I fell in love with the "aged" look of the pickup covers. knobs, and headstock. (I really liked the Shell Pink custom color, although eventually I decided Burgundy Mist and Inca Silver were acceptable, as well.) After dithering for several months, I finally bought this beauty on eBay; not only was it Inca Silver, but the original owner had installed US-made "vintage" pickups, lending it even more of a 1960s cachet.After first owning a nice Gibson SG years ago, I'd long played Squier electric guitars (Fender's budget line, generally made in the Orient) and didn't think there was much benefit in "upgrading" to an actual "Fender," whether made in Mexico or America. I still like my Squiers, particularly my Indonesian-made "'51," which was a heck of a bargain at $100; however, it was immediately apparent that "real" Fenders (starting with the nicer "mexi-strats" and moving on up to the American-made models) have significantly better electronics than does the Squier line. The difference isn't obvious at low volume levels and "clean" settings, but once you start driving the pickups a little, my new guitar has much more power and clarity of sound. And it has that look!
