I collect both Stratocasters and Gibsons
My personal take:
1. Standard stratocaster pickups on the MIM guitars do not hold a candle to the output of the Gibson LPJ humbuckers.
2. Hardware on the MIM starts is not as nice as Fender USA guitars.
What I would recommend to check out as a collector:
- Check out the Fender Strat plus guitar line. These you can find on Ebay all over for anywhere from $800 to $1500 ... These have standard: Lace Sensor pickups (Much hotter than standard Strat pickups, plenty of power. ) a Tremsetter to keep your guitar in tune no matter how hard you wang bar it. Also nice roller nuts for the headstock and really really nice tuners that lock down the strings.
The Fender Strat plus was made from 1989-1999.. These were just one step down from the custom shop strats. Mine: I'd never sell as they are just that wicked of a guitar.
- Check out the Strats with noiseless pickups. I recently picked up an Eric Clapton Strat from 2006. This has Noiseless pickups that are active and honestly - It has as much power as my Custom shop, Gibson Les Paul custom.. Insanely nice craftsmanship of the entire guitar.
- The LPJ: That is a pretty nice guitar and NOWHERE near a straight trade value for a MIM strat. The guy would trade up even as he's making out on the deal for getting the better guitar.
I play the blues, Jazz, Metal and rock... the Clapton strat is by far the ballsiest guitar I've ever played. The active pickups scream when needed and have that classic strat tone.
Jam on !