Quote Originally Posted by Simon Barden View Post
There's certainly no need to move to a premium brand like there once was to get a good playable instrument.
Couldn't agree more. I traded a Fender Telecaster - which had been extensively 'modified' - on a new Vantage VA900 in 1980 and never looked at another guitar until the late 2000s, when I became more aware of the Matsumoku factory offerings of the 80s and started a small collection. That Japanese Vantage was played without backup for over 20 years in all kinds of venues and apart from having the frets dressed 4 times - they are now as low as a snakes navel - has never had any work done. The gold plated trim is as tatty as all hell, particularly the volume knob, because of years of blood, swear and tears but it still plays like a peach!
However, the comments from unenlightened band members and audience members alike was always - without exception - negative because it wasn't a Fender or a Gibson; there seemed to be some rock'n'roll pact which said you had to play a strat/LP/Tele if you wanted to be a rock god!!
Tell me guitarists are forward thinking and clear headed about kit, and I'll disagree with you! :-)