Fender Stratocaster info please?!

Fender Stratocaster info please?

I've been playing flamenco guitar for about ten years now, and my musical interests have broadened somewhat. I'd like to get into electric guitar, and the Strat always seems to come highly recommended.

The problem is that there seem to be over a hundred models, and it's hard to understand all the features.

Question: what features are most desirable, most important, etc.? I have no professional aspirations, but I would like a guitar that I'm not going to outgrow any time soon -- you know, one with sufficient features and quality that I'm not going to be shopping for a new one five years from now. I'm not interested in spectacular looks, models named after famous people, collectors vintage models, etc.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

First off, I lived in Spain and I must say, I love Flamenco..Props there.

I play a few guitars and i never have enjoyed anything as much as my strat.

You can't simply understand a guitar from numbers/models/parts/features though, you have to go in and play it and feel it for yourself. It's a comfort thing. I fell in love with my guitar at a guitar center when i was 16, i still have it and love it.

There are a few huge differences between Fender guitars, mainly it's either a Mexican or an American. American is where the quality is at.

Maple necks are my favorite and the most playable for me, it just seems more smooth.

As for Strings, Fender bullets work great on a fender and you will love them.

Pick-ups are a massive part of guitar quality. I really don't have enough knowledge of the subject to influence your choice here.

My advice: Go to a local music store, pick one up, plug it in, see how you like it and go from there. People who work in music shops are very good about that stuff too and just explain what you're looking for.

Best of luck to you!