I wouldn't rely on forums for accurate information, no more then I would reviews at guitar center.

It's all opinion, and an opinion based on your budget. If money is no object, you will opt for usa. If money is tight, you will try to find a rationale as to why the foreign ones are equal.

The Mexican ones are interesting because the same people who work in Mexico also work here in the states in us factories.

It's all about budget. If you want to believe all strats are created equal, then you are going to.

There are many intelligent, well researched guitar players, who buy usa stuff, and they wouldnt do it, if they didnt see value in doing so.

Its funny marks article mentions Pete Townshend using dan electros. Pete Townshend is also the guy who had Marshall build him a stack so big and loud it wasnt even on the market yet.

These guys have all kinds of access to different gear and amps and rooms in studios, and as well as live gear.

Part of their art is creating soundscapes and revolutionary sounds.

In other words their sounds arent based on the guitar they buy alone. With all the outboard gear and processing units and great amps, and sound people helping, as well as thinking uo all sorts of creative ways of micing and positioning speakers, any guitar can sound great.

For most regualr folk looking for a world class sound from a store bought squier may be a strech.

I bet these guys wouldnt use a imitation acoustic, that sound comes as is.