Looking for another electric equivalent to my Strat.

[Straight6DOHC]

I bought an american standard strat about 15 years ago. 1995-1996 model. Sundburst with rosewood fretboard. I've never played it much as when I got it I'd moved on from live gigging to having a real job and not having the same interests. I might also add that the guitat, for me, wasn't the most aesthetically pleasing instrument for me when I bought it. It was however, probably the best guitar I played on the day of purchase.
I'd went into the city to buy a guitar with a wallet full of money and came back with a guitar that played and sounded great, but wasn't anything like I'd imagined I'd come home with. (I really wanted a Jaguar) Unfortunately, I've never really become that attached to the guitar. It wasn't love at first sight and the love never blossomed. We had our moments but now I'm considering changing it, preferably for something that attracts my eye as much as my ear.
I'm not much of a guitarist now (and wasn't then), maybe it's a mid life crisis where I want to change the guitar in order to get something I really, really want. As I don't know much about guitars, and as aesthetics seem to be ruling my head, maybe other more knowledgable can advise. I love the looks of a Jaguar, but I think they are made in Japan now. A friend also stated he was massively dissapointed at how it sounded. I've never played one.
I see there are Vox Teardrop and Phantom models being produced in Italy, they look amazing, but....am I being snobbish in thinking anything outside USA is inferior?
Those Valco or new Eastwood Airline guitars look awesome but I'm sure I read or heard Jack White say they are not the best guitars in the world.
The difficult part is getting to play and feel, hear and see a new guitar so the object of this post id to get recommendations from others about the guitars I've mentioned vs the standard strat or even anything else that would be a good audition for my strat at trade in - give or take.

[Gaspode]

If you're in the UK, take a trip up to Oswestry and visit Patrick James Eggle. His guitars are superb.

[just1]

PRS NF3 or DC3.

[davepoth]

Japanese Fenders are usually built better than the USA ones. They have the USA spec electrical bits now too. This is reflected in the used prices; the equivalent MIJ Fender is worth more than a USA one.

[Straight6DOHC]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll head to the guitar shops and see what king of trade in they will give me on the Strat. Still thinking along the lines on a Jaguar HH but I know it's best to audition as many guitars as possible.

[suthol]

I know I harp on about these things but find a Shergold Masquarader and have a strum.

Will give you both single coil and humbucker sounds at the flick of a switch combined with an incredible neck.

So many top shelf muso's have played them it's not funny and given that the company folded quite a while back and one of the principles is dead they will appreciate in value.

Website and forum here you will find a guy on the forum who is making replica replacement parts and a source of NOS stock.

[Straight6DOHC]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Thought I'd better tie up this thread. I'd went into Glasgow with the strat and visited a few shops. Trade in value varied but even if I'd added a couple of hundred of my own cash I still couldn't get as good a guitar. So I've decided to get it set up and start using it more than I had done.
I have to say, the choice of guitars nowadays is much better than I remember it 20 odd years ago. Plus, the internet has made learning the guitar and about guitars in general, a lot easier too. I wish it was around when I was a kid. Kids nowadays have no excuses - just a shame what the x factor / pop idol stuff is doing to music.