I first started playing the guitar in 1992. I still rock out on my fender telecaster for at least 15 minutes a day and often more. I have a 36 year old Gibson Les Paul too but I mostly just admire it these days. The tele is more playable IMO. I run the tele into a Vox wah wah and then into a very affordable Fender half stack and not much else.
Hubby has a telecaster and just acquired a 2016 Les Paul. He says it helps keep his hands moving from the arthritis.
Go into a pawn shop in any town and they are jammed with guitars for cheap.
My Gibson collection is valuable too but guitars were meant to be played and I still play them. Not every day, but when the mood strikes me. Mostly play the stuff I bought in pawn shops for next to nothing.