I have an Ibanez Strat copy equipped with a Roland GK-3 pickup which I installed a few years ago for use with my Roland VG-88 emulator system. I love this system and rarely use the actual sounds of the guitar any more, preferring the sounds of the Roland. But it isn't a true synth. I bought a Roland GI-10 a few months back, and like you haven't begun to use it for the same reasons you mention. The hope is to eventually use it with my Roland JV-1010 synth module and with Propellerhead Reason.

I also have a pre-MIDI Korg MS-20 monophonic analog synth with built-in pitch-to-voltage converter. I have used it with guitar, bass, and mic inputs. There are few patches which really sound good through a guitar that is played like a guitar. I have found it best to simply think of the guitar as a controller and 'play to the patch.' When I'm playing a big square wave sound I tend to emulate Keith Emerson more than I do John McLaughlin (or at least I try). Maybe I'm limited by experience and prejudice. One possible exception is that I find it easier to play a bass like a bass, usually with a massive sawtooth sound, by itself or doubled with the bass sound.

If you want to explore the limits of what can be done with a guitar connected to s synth, listen to Alan Holdsworth's Atavachron. The controller isn't actually a guitar, yet he does more with it to preserve the gestures normally used with guitar than anyone else I know of. Search youtube for users of the new "You Rock" MIDI guitar controller, too. Again, it isn't actually a guitar, but comes very close, and we're starting to hear some real sonic innovation from new users.

HTH,

Richard

"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."