It was a close battle but I think I officially have a favorite now. Each has had their moment in the spotlight here and there but I have decided on the one that I am most excited to pick up most of the time. 

Here’s some additional context:

1. Me- I almost exclusively play soul and blues inspired jazz and instrumental blues. 
2. American Professional Classic Strat- stock, but it arrived with a pretty close to professional setup.
3. Player II HH Tele- D’addario strings, but otherwise stock
4. Robert Cray MIM Strat- Built up from the raw body with a Fender Custom Shop loaded pick guard with 69 pickups and paired to a 2009 MIM neck. D’addario strings as well. 
5. American Performer Timber Strat (Spruce)- also built up from a loaded body, paired to a Fender replacement American Performer neck with a 70s headstock. Also with D’addario strings and Fender locking tuners. 
6. PRS SE- this was my very first guitar. I recently upgraded it with Gibson 57/57+ Classic pickups and D’addario strings. 

The winner? The American Professional Classic. While I enjoy them all for different reasons, I can’t find any flaws that the APC has. It’s light, the pickups are articulate in every position and have enough umph to them, it doesn’t have that reverse polarity thing that annoys me, and the neck and the fretboard feel perfect, etc. Surprisingly, the Player II HH Tele is my number two for similar reasons. Just great instruments. Super thankful to have them. 

The Battle To Become My #1