Lonesome EJ These days you can make your electric guitar sound pretty much the way you want with relatively inexpensive effects pedals. Yes, there inherent differences, but after you add your Delay pedal, chorus, distortion, etc. the differences lessen.

The important difference for me is the neck, the action, the 'playability' if you will. If the neck is straight (critical) then your guitar tech can set the action where you want it. Your comfort with the neck is what I recommend. Go to the music store several times and play the Gibsons and the Fenders. See how the neck feels to you. Play your chords up the neck, close your eyes and do it again. I play an American Standard Telecaster. I paid $600 new 4 years ago here locally. I like the Gibson 335 or SG for blues, but I find the Tele more flexible to move into Rockabilly. The Gibsons are heavier, also important by the end of the 3rd set.

I strongly disagree with the "stay away from brand names". I urge you to stay with Gibson or Telecaster. Not only are they generally better, but they hold their value. Go price a 1965 Fender Stratocaster and see what I mean. I will recommend one inexpensive guitar that is highly rated, the Yamaha Pacifica. Play several if you can. It's Tele-like and can be had under for about $160 here in DC. Go here http://www.yamaha.com/cgi-win/webcgi.exe/DsplyModel/?gEGU00004PAC120S.

If you do go with Fender pay for the American made, they are, in general, superior. The same is true for Gibson, I believe, chose American made.

So that's my 2 cents. Scholars differ. Around here, the Roots musicians have been Tele players. Danny Gatton, Bill Kirchen, etc.

Just don't be in a hurry. And it's not like getting married, you can have more than one guitar at a time! regards, fortunato