Hey D-Dawn,
You should have a serious look at the Guitars from G & L Guitars.
The "G" stands for George Fullerton & the "L" stands for Leo Fender. Ssooo G & L !!!
Now! not alot of people will tell you, But Leo Fender sold Fender like over 20yrs ago.
Some years later he started this company With George Fullerton.
Leo Fender actually went back to the work bench to hand make Guitars again hence the Strat-like appearance.
And for those like myself who have one. Well we reckon they are actually better made than many of the strats of Fender today. Whoah,
I may well have said too much already. "OOPS, Sorry to all you Fender bent believers". Anyway G & L are certainly worth the looking at as I know that being in America you will find many of them at good prices.
P.S. ALL of the earlier models where "Made in America". And even for me an Australian like me, I know the american made Guitars are known to be better than off-shore.
My own G & L is a Leo Fender Signature Model of 1990ish. Which Leo was taken to court for this model (and Lost). Fender Co. charged him for using his name on there new "Strat" Guitar. - Go Figure !!!
Check these out !!! It's worth the look!
http://www.glguitars.com/instruments/bigpic.asp?pic=1
http://www.glguitars.com/instruments/bigpic.asp?pic=4
http://www.glguitars.com/instruments/bigpic.asp?pic=26