Calling all guitar players!

So in the avatar thread I posted that I wanted a Stratocaster with the tuxedo look. Well, I went to Guitar Center with my son Friday and they had one. So I tried it... I was all excited and looking forward to it.

I plugged into the amp of my choice, back in the corner.

I turned up the volume and the overdrive.

I turned up the guitar volume to 10.

I hit a G chord (my go-to when trying a guitar).

And...

I didn't like it.

I know a lot of players love Strats, and I thought "Well maybe it's because it's a Squier and not a Fender." So I grabbed a $1400 Fender and I didn't like it either. Guitar players - you understand. You take one in your hands and in a moment you know whether you like it or not. This one I did not.

So... what do you guys think? What's everyone play/like? How did you choose what you have? I've had 2 electrics over the years and had to sell them because we needed the money more. I had an Indiana Telecaster copy (which was actually really good) and an Epiphone Les Paul Jr. I liked the Epi a lot. The neck was smooth and the tone, even with just the one pickup was great. I have an Epiphone acoustic (the Hummingbird Pro) and love it.

I've had people tell me to start with guitars that people you like play. My favorite guitarists play a mix of everything...

Maybe you're just not a Strat guy....I know I'm not. I prefer a heavier guitar with humbuckers...I don't mind playing around with a Strat just for fun once in a while, but they sound too thin for my sound for me to ever play one on stage.

You won't get any complaints from me.  I don't like any Fender strat I have ever played.

I like a dirtier sound with my guitars than what a Strat gives.  Also, most Strats have really slender necks as far as width goes.  I have trouble chording them.  So, I play big, chunky semi-hollow body guitars (think BB King's Lucille) that don't look metal but definitely snarl.  I also have plenty of room on the fretboard for my big fingers.

I had a Jackson Rhodes V, production model, that I really liked.  It had a nice, thin neck and sounded great even through my cheap gear.  My current guitar is a Gibson Les Paul and I love it!  It's heavy, a little thicker neck but it plays and sounds great!

I have a strat..i love it but i have played fenders since the 70s..i like the neck and the bridge and the sound...
I also have a Charvel loaded with the hottest humbuckers I have ever heard..the body, neck and bridge are very fender..the headstock looks like a Tele..
I play through Marshall amps..strats through Marshalls is a great sound to me..

I love the sound other players get from a Strat - but I'm with bassdude - I need a neck that's a little bigger.  I think I'll look at a Les Paul again. I had a LP Jr. and liked it but would prefer something a little more advanced.

Maybe I'll go alldat's direction and look at an Epi Casino...

I have a wooden Peavy from the begin 80s.
An an Epiphone Les Paul "Black Beauty".

I love to play a bass, but haven't bought a bass.

My main guitar is a Peavey HP Special....very similar in design to the old EVH model.

Mahogany body, maple top, 2 humbuckers with a single coil in the middle, Floyd Rose.....it's a shred machine.