Shopping for a guitar is a complicated affair. On one hand, you have to consider how you’re going to look on-stage. When I decided “That’s it, I’m getting a guitar”, the first thing that came to mind was a Les Paul:

The problem with a Les Paul is that, let’s face it, we’re not all Zakk Wylde. Or Slash. Hell, even Jimmy Page, who is about the dorkiest 110-lb. weakling ever to lay hands on a guitar pick, looks about 10,000x better than me slinging a Les Paul. Besides, one thing they don’t tell you: Les Pauls are heavy. Heavy with attitude.

Which is why I settled for a Fender Strat. Not only does it veer me straight out of any guitar acrobatics, it fits my general attitude towards guitar playing. That is, making funny faces while playing, having shitty hair, and not having a 12 inch dick.