Quality Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable? First rate all around. Most Strats will last 3 lifetimes. Anyone who has ever owned a Fender knows that already. Reliability How has it stood up over time? This guitar is indestructible--its already been destroyed! Hee, hee General Your general opinion of this product. I absolutely love this guitar--everything about it except the price. Seems guitars in general are getting outrageously expensive. I've noted the same with Gibson to be fair. In defense, I must say (I could be wrong)there are most likely a lot of man hours spent on each of these instruments--so the price is what it is I suppose. Playability and Feel How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing? Ah, this is the magic of this guitar. The feel of that neck is some else altogether! I've played a lot of guitars over the 35 yrs I've been playing but have never owned anything like this before. To say it's like an old friend from day one is an understatement. It neck is so comfortable it gives you the feeling there's nothing you can't play! Tone Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin? Again, the tone is amazing! You're not looking at this instrument if you're not a fan of Rory's music (are you?). Well the tone is pure Rory Gallagher! And that to me (along with Hendrix) is what The Fender Strat Tone is all about. To me those two gentlemen were the unfailing Strat Gods and their tone was the Fender Strat. It was rare for them to be seen with any other instrument! So it's not very surprising that you can get some excellent "Jimi" tones out of this beauty! Finish How did the stain or paint job look? Well, it's kind of funny commenting on this one for a Rory. I guess the joke would be: "Finish? We don't need no stinking finish!" Action How was the action out of the box? Perfect out of the case!