And it's a good observation about bespoke guitars: I feel like the problem is people trying to go beyond that, with the illusion that "even more expensive" will be even better. Then they start buying things that are hella expensive but don't give much more (due to diminishing returns, or sometimes they actually suck, like bad handmade instruments), or doing things like collecting 20, 30, 40 overdrive pedals just to find the "perfect one".
I think I disagree here - You don't have to dig for cheap and quality anymore. An entry level squier from the last 15 years is sufficient quality for a beginner IMO, and one step up (classic vibe) is firmly into the "instrument for life" territory these days. You only need to upgrade for preference/feel.
I have the luxury of regularly getting to play a Gibon SG from the 70's which has been well maintained. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful instrument in it's own way, but my 2007 MiM strat is a _far_ superior instrument.
Even the Pod Go (which I had before this) is completely usable up to a level where you can absolutely afford to replace it with a helix.
By "dig" I mean you can't go to a store and get a random $100 instrument, you gotta figure out that Squier is good.
I no longer play, but did get get pretty good. In that case, the tool made the difference (and a buttload of daily practice. I felt I needed to earn the right to play that thing).
But I think everyone knows some rich bastard, that has a handmade bespoke axe, and is absolutely terrible.
[0] https://cmarshall.com/MulletMan.jpg (I still have that guitar, and the neck is still true.)