being a strat person myself, to me it's the best budget strat...with a good price also....I owned the sunburst strat with maple fret/neck....it's a good piece of guitar to put beside your bed together with a small parctice amp...when you can grab it anytime before you sleep or just wake up....without any worries of getting it knocked, bump, etc....has a nice strat feel on it....the neck is very comfy...the weight is abt the same to a normal fender strat.
this is better than some of the other budget guitars that I've tried so far....I've tried Ibanez GIO, Epi LP specialII, Yamaha Pacifica, LTD M50, etc...
but if you looking for a reliable recording and gig machine, better save some more and get at least an MIJ fender....The pups are not outstanding, very muddy and a lot of noise, the unfinished neck will get worn off quickly if you play it intensively, not a really stable trem and tuners also...