I currently own a Fender Blacktop HH Strat (MIM) .

Didn't really know strats at the time, and I think it was recommended to me based on the artists I named when the salesman asked me if I like to the tone of specific artists.

I taught myself guitar in the early 2000's, and never really advanced past being able to ride the pentatonic scale, basic bends, hammer on and pull offs, etc... Zero theory. Zero training. So I decided I'd go back to basics and learn things correctly.

Along with practicing the fundamentals, I've been researching Stratocasters and realize that I love the cleaner, glassier classic tone of the single coils.

Now I'm overwhelmed with the options: Fender Player vs Pro vs Performer vs Vintera. MIM? MIJ? MIA? Classic? Standard? Reissue? Traditional? Should I go Tokai ? Squier?

If I like the tone of the traditional '62 strats, what specs should I be on the look out for?

How much can I sell my Fender BT for? Is going from a Fender BT Strat to a Squier CV 60's technically a downgrade on paper? I heard nothing but great things about the SCV 60's for the price point. Some even going as far as to say it can be as good as a Fender Standard/Pro.

I know that I like the '62 tone, I would really prefer Fiesta Red with the darker brown fretboard (rosewood?), am partial to the Japanese strats, am satisfied with the 9.5 inch radius fretboard, will go up to $1k.

How realistic is it to have specific origin, tone, color, fretboard in mind when shopping around? Does this limit options?

Any help would be much appreciated. Sorry for the rambling post.

TLDR: Shopping for a strat. Overwhelmed by options. $1k budget (including whatever I make by selling my Blacktop). Looking for a fiesta red strat with a classic '62 sound. Leaning toward MIJ. Heard amazing things about the Squier CV 50's and 60's. Happy to save the difference in money if it's truly almost as good as a Fender standard, but would prefer a Fender.