I bought a s/h Epiphone Texan in 1967 - mase in 1964 - which was the (cheaper) sister of the Gibson J46, both then made in Kalamazoo. It was a great guitar, though some of the fittings were plastic, with a cedar top which, eventually, went dead. I had it for 40 years and traded it in for a cheap but excellent Martin. The cost then? £90 - a lot for me in 1967.

Over the years I've had - and sold - a Gibson Les Paul, Fender Strat, Gibson SG, a Larrivee, and various others of American make. Apart from a second Martin, all my guitars have been custom-built for me, with not one costing more than £1,500 - and all beautiful instruments. I think I might disagree with the statement that only rich amateurs buy expensive guitars. I know several professional players - and I used to be fuller-time professional than I am now - who have top quality instruments.