I played a bunch of strats and teles on Saturday at Guitar Center (my first GC visit by the way). I played both MIMs and USA models and was very disappointed in the workmanship. I had heard that Fenders were hit or miss and I saw it with my own eyes. Are you really expected to have to do major fret work after dropping $1200 or more for a USA made Fender? The fret ends were all sharp on the strats -- the tele fretwork was better. All I could think was that GC put the blems out on the floor since they know they're going to get beat up. If that's the case, I would understand.

I have to say the nicest playing guitar with the best workmanship that I played was an Indonesian Schecter (I forget the model). They are not really my style but I was impressed by the workmanship. If I played metal , I would definitely look at that brand.