BTW: There is indeed not only a character difference, but also a quality difference between my Fender MIM Deluxe Ash strat body and my Squier MII Deluxe Basswood strat body. But my guitar tech (who leads the Fender Custom Shop division in the biggest music store in Frankfurt) told me already a few months ago that my Ash strat sounded "surprisingly great". So I believe this body was a lucky shot, resulting in a perfectly transparent sound. The Basswood body on the other hand produces a slightly muddier low end and less crispy highs - but this is put into balance by the Texas pickups. I'd like to A/B it to a Squier Standard, an MIM Standard and an MIA Standard. I'd like to know if my Ash body is really that good.
Strange feelings. When i assembled the blonde strat last week I was really happy with it - until yesterday. Now that I reassembled my blue strat it outshines the blonde one in my heart. Maybe I'll just have to play them for some time to establish a feeling for their different character.

Alex