SPudman, I disregarded your excellent advice. I did make the trade. In my convoluted way of reasoning, I rationalized that the looper wasn't as much as a neccessity anymore since I am taking lessons, and have also managed to make friends with a group of local musicians who get together and jam regularly. I get invited to (and attend) their jam sessions for the past couple weeks. They are really cool, I'm the youngest there, but they are very supportive and helpful. So I don't feel as chained to the looper as my sole source of evaluation or feedback on my playing.
I also figured that I had $175 into the looper, and this was an opportunity to try a very well made guitar for an even trade. So I did it. I made the trade.
The Godin is a very nice guitar. I ran home and hooked it up after work. My friend stopped over (a shredder) and gushed over it. He was super impressed...As for me though, I played it for about 20 minutes...and the guitar itself is nice, very nice. But then I spent the next hour and a half playing my tele (again). I tried to break the tele spell with my MiM Strat, that worked for about 5 minutes.
Other observation, Holy SH!T that EMG is a hot pickup. My god does it deliver some crunch.
