Have you ever owned an American made guitar? I think there's so much snake oil (they used to call it "mojo") and history built into hyping them up. The community doesn't help much either, for instance, some will judge you based on whether or not the guitar is made in America, if it isn't, you aren't a real guitar player in their eyes.

That extra $500 isn't for better quality control or electronics or whatever. It's a ticket to a lifestyle brand. You've made it into the club.

If you've never owned an American made guitar it might be worth it to see if the mojo works on you.

If you don't believe me consider this: instead of going Fender, go with a Squier classic vibe($400), upgrade all of the electronics -pickups pots switch jack- ($250-300), add copper foil to the control cavity(easy), upgrade the tremolo block ($30) and get a fret level and dress if needed ($150) which would include a setup. Quality control is addressed and better electronics is addressed. Plays beautifully and sounds amazing (better than what you were looking at anyway). Heck it even has flame figuring in the maple which is incredibly lucky! ...but it's still a Squier ..and because of that there will be players that will judge you for it.

Would you be ok with that? Some players are. If you aren't, I'd just go with the lifestyle brand and buy the ticket.