hob said:
yea, i got to get an american made one, my mexican one is literally falling apart
The Mexican Strat's were nearly all pants, that was the main reason for switching production over to Squier in Japan, although the early Squier ones had Fender as the main logo.
Leo Fender himself said that quality wise they were head and shoulders above the Mex Strats at the time.
I used to have one of the very first (by serial number) bullet truss rod, 3 bolt neck Squiers and it was awesome.
I sold it because I got offered silly money for it and regretted it ever since.
Now I just have an early Silver Series, that runs American switchgear, heavy strings and pickups that were originally handmade for Chris Rea. The sound it makes is unique - (especially if I play the wrong chord

) Absolutely no amount of money could buy this one.......
Jap Strats's are OK (well the early ones are at least), but if ya want proper thick sounds and no hassle, you've got to change the pickups and particularly the selector switch for an American one.