And I am sure Anderton et al, would all agree that MIDI guitars, yes are close, sometimes! And then only using the best sound emualations (not GM)! However they are NEVER the same as the real thing. Go ahead, ask them!

And @ Notes Norton - I've heard your stuff. As in demos of your tracks, and they are quite obviously MIDI tracks. The live clips of your duo playing are quite obviously MIDI tracks. And they sound like it! Sort of like an arranger keyboard. Creates background noise at a gig, and for the most part is pleasant. However folks give it the same respect they would elevator music!

Whether played by you (or someone else wink )dress it up anyway you like, create any sort of argument you like. A real instrument played by a real musician is always better (even with basic comping) than the best MIDI created track! JMO of course.