If you don't have the budget for a fender, then Xaviere in my opinion makes excellent strats, teles, Les Pauls, 335 copies and Casino copies. I've got a Xaviere Tele and it's an all ash body, with all wilkenson hardware. Price around $189.00 plus shipping. Actually arrived perfectly in tune. Sounds as good as any Fender out there because they come stock with GFS Alnico pups.
Be well,
Doc