I've never had a new guitar in my life. And that's quite a long time. The one I use now was £10 in a charity shop needing a bit of loving care and attentioin a couple of years ago, and I wouldn't sell it for 20 times that. (It's in my picture in bbc's archive's.)

I can't remember being 17 too well, but I think a $600 dollar guitar would be likely to cramp your style. Particularly one bought for you by your father. You'd be scared to take the bugger anywhere interesting in case someone threw up on it or sat on it. For example the beer tent in a festival.