I ended up getting a Fender Strat (Mexican) and a Fender Champ 12 amp, with the pedals (a DOD Metal X, Boss CH-1 Super Chorus Pedal, and a DOD Digital Syntheizer<--not sure if that is spelled right). My dad's boss came down and he is always interested in what my bro and I are doing; my Dad told him that I was getting a guitar and he gave me all of this stuff, pretty awesome! I really enjoy the Strat! But when I crank my amp in my garage to play with my bro and my friend, it feedbacks, squeels and sounds horrible when its turned up! My ears feel like there bleeding by the time im done. I think ill go check out that Boss DS-1 =). Anyways I have been practicing everyday form I guess maybe a month now? I can play some whole songs and im addicted to the guitar. But I want to be able to get over my bro playing the drums without feeling like im going deaf from all the squeeling. Thanks for the reply, I am also looking into a PA system (Kustom Profile One) do you know if these are any good? I tohught about micing the amp to it, what do you think? Also, for you Fender guys, sohuld it be as hard as it is to hold the frets down? I have Ernie Ball Heavy Top Skinny bottom, and unless I hold really hard towars the front of the fret, it wont make a good clean tone, but my friend has a Iceman ICX### (not sure the rest of the model number, but its the value Iceman that is smaller and lighter) and you can just put your finger on the fret barely and without any effort the note sounds perfect. Am I doing something wrong? This Strat was bought about 7 years ago if that helps at all... Thanks!

-Erik

[Edited by Erik2005 on 12-15-2001 at 05:01 PM]