One of the strats I have at the moment is a California Series Tex-Mex Machine (parts made in the USA and assembled in Mexico).

Whilst it is not a Heavy Metal machine it has the best tone I have heard from a strat. If doesn't play as well as my Mex or USA made I series (Jap) but sounds better than both of them on a clean channel!

For high gain my Mex and USA strats are both great with really tight crunchy bottom ends and really fast action. The I series has a cool Rail in as an after sale mod and whilst it doesn't have much personality at low gain really heats up on the dirty channel.