Originally posted by RattleandHum1988:It does help. I've been looking at alternatives to the expensive American Standard. The thing is though, i've found that, yes you can get a quality guitar for a reasonable price. But in the end, the more expensive guitar, even if it isn't TOO different, is usually worth the extra money. Happened with my Gibson explorer, as opposed to getting an epiphone. The Epiphones are great, but in the end I'm glad I spent ALL of my savings and got a Gibson. It's become my favourite guitar. I will probably end up getting an American Standard. The only thing that's making me consider another strat is the large 70's headstock on the 70's MIm strat. Too bad the american 70's doesn't come in black with a maple fretboard.
If I were you I'd think about visiting a big store where I could play and compare a few of them.
For example, I tried the Lite Ash Strat twice. I really loved the sound but the neck shape between "C" and slight "V" was not my cup of tea. On the other hand, the Highway 1 was dreamlike for me - with the exception of the vintage vibrato - I prefer floating trems. In the end I chose a lot of Highway parts for my blue project Strat.
That's what you could do, too. Get yourself a black Strat body, get the neck you prefer, get some replacement pickups and get a few other itmes - and then assemble your personal dream Strat.
But out of experience I can tell you: If you're set on an American Standard then everything else will most likely be just a substitute, and you'll never be completely happy with it.
Alex
Thanks though strat. 
I thought ony fret twelve has to get the double dots in order to point the harmonics location, etc... 
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