Tom, if you're going to do praise music and you want maximum flexibility at a descent price, look at the Ibanez Montage. This is the hybred based on a very successful new acoustic body. It has a conventional piezo pick-up, with a handy on-board tuner. Plus, it has a magnetic pick-up, two outs (some put the piezo thru a separate acoustic amplifier) and pretty effective on-board effects, including some distortion, phase and others. They were introduced at the last NAMM and are on back-order at many stores and on-line places.

I'm waiting for mine. Do a Google search. A Strat is nice, but you'll never get anything but a single-coil sound out of it. If you're just wanting a "player", get the Mexican Strat at $449.00. Sounds as good as any of the pure single coil Strats.

I'd definately get the Montage for what you want to do. It's the most appropriate and versatile one at a reasonable price. Can't wait to get mine.

Good luck!


Russ