The MIM line of Strats these days are the best deal going in my opinion. Particularly the Artist's Series guitars like the Jimmy Vaughn and Robert Cray models. Usually the lowered priced strats would need some upgrades like tuners, pickups etc...Not the case with these. If you can't spend $1,500 for an American made one, these guitars are pretty darn close and have the mojo factor that we're all looking for.