I think that early on, trying out as many different guitars as possible, each one for a while, matters a lot. We used to "trade" guitars with bandmates for a while, or at least leave various guitars lying around various places, often under the pretext of trying it out... it seems there are less people playing with each other these days, but a fairly liberal return policy among retailers makes up for it, if you don't mind the shipping. Once you've had serious relations with a half-dozen very different guitars, you'll have a much better idea of what suits you, as does paying attention to what people who play music that you like too. But still - I'd rather have guitars as
unlike one another as possible, within limits - just to keep my interest kicking along. I do like boltnecks, not for some refined judgement about "vibrational transfer" but because YOU CAN CHANGE THE NECK.
You can be quite sure that even if you think "Les Pauls suck", "Telecasters suck", "Strats suck" - there is such abundant evidence out there proving you're an idiot, you'd be best to confine your sentiments to like-minded boards... looking at the huge variety of things that have been used to make great music upon - even cheap things, made by manufacturers who were looking to TURN A PROFIT (!) - Gasp! - it would seem as though talent, sincerity, and being in the right place at the right time with the right lick has a lot to do with it too. As far as spending money goes, it's just a question of what matters to you. I tend to "invent" things that end up taking on a life (and budget) of their own but then, I don't play GOLF, fer god's sakes - not only is it insane to blast the piss out of a little ball that you then have to chase after yourself (shouldn't somebody hit it BACK to you? :icon_scratch

but then you have to go to SCOTLAND to do it right! Right.... so price out a round-trip to SCOTLAND, then buy a nice guitar. You won! :hello2: :hello2: :hello2: (and wasn't it
easy....)
Wanna talk about piddly equipment details for hours on end? Find a bow-hunter... ask just
one little question.... a serious bikee... friggin' DARTS, even, nowadays.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dynasty-LIMITED-EDITION-1-OF-200-Larry-Butler-Eagle-Soft-Tip-Darts-95-Tungsten-/130698020731?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e6e35877b
gee when i was a kid darts had feathers and points and stuff....