Always wanted a Strat, so went on eBay and took a chance on a 2004 American Sunburst (love the cobalt blue, but I grew up in the sixties, and it's a law that we have to buy sunbursts). Kinda beat to hell in some places, but I lucked out (it coulda been a log). It feels like it was made special for me, and it sounds great.
So, now I just like to think that some starving, dedicated artist poured heart and soul in to every ding, scratch, and chip. Kind of makes me feel honored to be playing his/her axe.

...very well put.