Before I joined the Navy I had a Japanese Strat and a standard MIM Telecaster. Both plugged into a late 80s-early 90s Fender Dual Showman 100 watt head (all tube) with a matching 2 X 12" cabinet.
When I joined the Navy, I let an old buddy of mine hold on to my gear. Unfortunately, I seem to have lost touch with him so I have had to face the sad realization that it is unlikely I will ever see this gear again.
Now my gear consists of a Gibson Les Paul Classic (in Honeyburst, natch) and a cherry-red Epiphone ES-335. I also have a cheap (but very nice) Samick solidbody that I take to the boat when I go to sea. My amplifier is a British-made 50 watt Marshall Dual Super Lead (again, all tube) powering a Marshall JCM800 4 X 12" cabinet.
I just re-enlisted in the Navy and earned myself a nice, little bonus. Needless to say, I am currently suffering a severe case of G.A.S.!!! I love my Les Paul but I really miss my Telecaster. And I really miss my Stratocaster! What to buy? Should I buy one of each?
I also need a new practice amp. My cheap little Marshall CDR died on me and my half-stack is simply too loud for my apartment. 50 watts of Marshall tubes will blow away most 100 watters. The tone is thunderous! Even at the lowest volume setting possible, those four 12" Celestion speakers just seep through the floor and walls and into my neighbors' apartments. After the police visited me on two seperate occasions and told me to turn it down (thankfully they left without ticketing me) I have decided that playing this amp in my living room is an eviction notice waiting to happen. I have no desire to ever sell my Marshall DSL but I need something smaller for playing at home. I'm leaning towards a 15-watt Vox Valvetronic. They've gotten good reviews at Musician's Friend and I can buy one brand new for under $200.
Check out www.benfordguitars.com. Steve is a great guy, and he'll build you one to your specs for less than a Mexican Strat or Tele would cost.