strat/teleacoustics are usefull tools that are a very practical solution for clearly recognised individual performance requirements..
and no they dont sound 'bloody awful'

they sound ok..

and can be made to sound pretty good by any reasonably accomplshed
player and/or sound technician..
in fact the potential of these very keenly priced
and intelligently designed guitars
is only limited by the prejudices and lack of immagination
of a very conservative and insecure guitar consumer market..

next..