Can you get the Japanese Fenders easily in Australia? That might also be an option. I've got several (1 strat, 2 teles), they're tasty
After a few minutes of digging around it seems like I can get MIJs but only second hand. They're also pushing the aud$1000 mark. I'd also have to source it from over east (I've actually found really good prices for the roadhouse etc in Perth so I won't have to order from over seas like I initially thought - which is surprising because you normally have to pay an arm and a leg over here).
Despite the fact that it's a present and that he would be over the moon with a guitar regardless of where it was made, he probably wouldn't 'appreciate' that it's an mij rather than mim. Although good suggestion! Always great to have heaps of options.
How old is he? And does he have a "I'd like it proper like they used to do it" attitude? That could affect the choice of fretboard radius etc. Also, how might he feel about relicing? If he likes the idea of "vintage" (old style radius, bridge assembly, etc) and he doesn't mind the idea of "bashed", then telerocker's right - the 50s and 60s Roadworns are fantastic strats for the older strat fan
Pretty sure it's his 60th. It's a surprise present too, so it's all on the hush hush, making it near impossible to find out what he would personally choose if it were up to him.
Also, the only other electric he's played is his daughters guitar when he was restringing it, and that thing is the same quality as those hello kitty guitars you see about. So i doubt he's going to have any attitude towards which era the strat is based on. I also think he'd prefer it looking 'new' rather than reliced.
Although, that fire reliced guitar posted a few months back would suit me! But I'd put that one to shear luck rather than intentional relicing.... Can't find that post now that I've mentioned it.
