Time for a Strat!

Right. That's why I mentioned craigslist, Reverb, etc. so you can buy one finished.

https://reverb.com/marketplace?query=warmoth

many more options.

Good luck with your search and purchase. After you've played it for a while I would recommend doing some research on the aforementioned lace sensor pickups.

I'm sure you'll enjoy that strat

BTW - to prevent wanting a SECOND strat for a spare, have you tried tweaking the Variax sounds with their software, to try to get closer to the kind of strat sound you want? I had the 500 series Variax, and was able to get some fat strat ones. They unfortunately had a more compressed dynamic range than conventional guitars, but a newer Variax likely comes closerl or eliminates that issue.

You likely can get a spare Soloist sound, too. I was able to get extremely close to the sound of my 80s SSH pickup mahogany Hamers using Tele bridge pickups in the neck and middle positions, and the ES335 bridge humbucker.

I'm assuming you are right handed. It can be said of many guitars that they are all individuals, but Stats are ever more so. And even a great Strat can be frustrating at times with temp changes on your action. Point is, if you find yourself frustrated with it, don't feel bad returning it, and trying another. I have gone through 5 of the same Fender model sometimes before finding THAT one which works best (when purchased online) Other times, I've played dozens over years before finding one that just "sings" to me, feel-wise. I've had MIM's that are better than Custom Shops even. Point is, all Fender lines have great and not-so-great individuals. I'm a lefty and have to buy sight-unseen. Right-handers typically can find variety locally and play before they buy. I guess what I'm saying is, scrutinize and don't feel bad about being picky. It's not you, it's just the way Strats are. Good luck, that is a beautiful looking Strat!

For me is a guitar a living beeing - each is different - from the same kind.

Fender and Gibson produce VERY different guitars - from the same kind.
PRS, Ibanes and others are more consistent.

So try to find a large shop and try all Strats they have ... even the ones which may be to expensive - and then buy the one you like most.

For a clasic sound I would use sss or as compromise a ssh where the humbucker can be splittet.

nice looking strats you're considering! it'd be great if you could play a few to find the one that fits you. Man pickups today are completely different my the old days; there's just so many variables even with single colis.. I was at Tom Anderson's shop a month or so ago and spent a little time with him; great guy, awesome builder. I was amazed at the tonal difference in his pickup line..

Oh yeah.. I saw a video on youtube not long ago where Jimmy Herring was discussing his guitars.. he really liked and played a Japan Strat.. his tech had switched to Lollar pickups and a new flatter radius on the fret board.. but hey, it's way less expensive, sounds fabulous, and customized to his specification.

Quote from DukeOURL

Jimmy Herring was discussing his guitars.. he really liked and played a Japan Strat.. his tech had switched to Lollar pickups and a new flatter radius on the fret board.. but hey, it's way less expensive, sounds fabulous, and customized to his specification.

Let's not forget from 1997 to 2011 Fender Japan guitars were made by Tokai in the Tokai factory.

But that's another discussion...

I read an Angus Young interview. He said he picked up his signature SG in a NYC shop (Manny's?!? I forget) in the 70's and it just was the bomb for him. When he got famous, Gibson sent him 10 SG's and he said NONE of them were right. None.

I don't know what he does today, if it's custom shop after studying his favorite one or not. We all know Gibson had issues with consistency, but truth be told, all Guitar manufacturers had that issue in the 50's, 60's, 70's.

About the only guitar I've ever seen that is the same every time is a Taylor, ha ha. I hear PRS are also very consistent, but have no experience.

I don't think it's the Bolt Neck for Fenders either. My Tele is consistent entirely. And my MusicMan Axis Sport is amazing. It's just Strats are finicky. Maybe I got lucky with those 2 bolt-on's?

As another Variax user here, I can concur, a common disappointment with the HD2.0 sounds is the Strat. Line6 really dropped the ball there. They turned it totally vanilla (besides the 2&4 issue too). I, like many other users, roll back to earlier versions just to get a decent Strat sound again.

Another note, don't be afraid to ask your Sweetwater rep for a discount on your new Strat. Mine discounts everything from their website price.

Great thing about Strats, with after market pickups is it's soo easy to get them to sound how you like.
If acoustically the Strat sounds mid-heavy or dull (no "Stratiness", you want to put low-output vintage pickups for it (like Lollar Tweeds). If it's too bright or thin, you want to go with higher output pickups in it (like Lollar Specials).

I like a lot of Stratiness in my Strats (vintage output pickups).

I need to use your Sweetwater rep. I think mine has a picture of me and throws darts at it, ha ha!

I have a GC rep that is the same way with me. Long repore does help with the discounts.

I've thought about getting a Variax in the past, but they don't make the good ones for Lefties.

My fav elec. guitars in order currently are: LP, Axis Sport (not the Super Axis Sport), Tele 52 RI, and then 50's Strat.

I would like a 60's Strat I think.