OK, I'm disqualified, I guess!
I admit that I actually have two Gibson Firebirds and I even LIKE them!
The others are 2 Ibanez and a Burns.

GUILTY AS CHARGED!
Still below 50% Gibson though!

_________________
Kindest regards from Germany, Dee
My recordings --> http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_mu ... dID=564337
STRATS ROCK!!! but Teles and Firebirds, too!

+1
That's me exactly except for the percentage of electrics which for me is about 75-80% Fender at present. That number used to be lower but when I was culling my collection a few years ago I found that when push came to shove I was deciding more of the Fenders were essential and needed to be kept. The only Fender Acoustic I ever had that I regretted selling was a twelve. It had a nice round tone and a slim neck. I wouldn't mind having that one back.

_________________

Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

For the money nothing beats a USA made Guild dreadnaught or jumbo. I would compare them to Martin or Taylor any time.

You can find a used D15, D25 or possibly even a D40 for just a little over you price range and you'll have an awesome instrument.

Here's a decent D14. I found that just now. With some patience you can find some nicer and still be in that price range.

You'll also get used to the increased difficulty of an acoustic. Put in about half an hour a week on an acoustic for a month and your hands will be so tough you want even feel your electric.

Cheers,

_________________
In my opinion Leo Fender had essentially perfected the guitar amplifier by 1964.