Interesting thread guys. Here's my 3 cents
I just got one of these.
first, I had no idea about the political issue OR the hype. I don't know how I feel having put money in their pockets if they use some of it against peoples' basic human rights. But through ignorance, I have. Maybe I'll take some of the money I saved buying this instead of a Jazzmaster and donate it to the opposite cause. take a penny, leave a penny and my karma will wash, right?

second, I was surprised at the quality of this thing (where it counts). The aluminum pop can control panel, semen swirled pickguard, and toothpaste cap knobs are crap, but that's the point. If you need custom inlaid rare wood, precious jeweled, wieghted and balanced tone knob, then this isn't your thing anyways. But the vintage look tuners are nice and tight and smooth with obvious modern tolerances, the fretboard and frets are perfectly dressed and crazy comfortable. the maple neck it straight and seated razor tight into the pocket. The jack, pots, and switch are not cheapos. The bridge and vibrato are weird, but they do the job. A metal nut and wooden bridge are a cool combo for an electric

. The vibrato does the job and comes right back to tune. Overall, the action, playability and bone structure on this thing are great.
third, AND it sounds fantastic. The lipstick pickups are hotter than the vintage and have a much better bass response. Clean tone is nice and jangly without being tinny. Great percussive response to picking and muting. Dirty and it ROARS. Nails the Sonic Youth/Dead Milkmen/Man or Astroman? tones I love and pulls off spaghetti western themes in its sleep. This thing gives me all the attitude and punkness that I just couldn't coax out of my Parker

which is going up for sale now.
I'm wanting to try one out with my amp before I decide. I've got a Peavey Triumph PAG 60. It's such a sweet dark amp. I'm thinking the '67 would complement it nicely.
I play guitar (and bass) through an Ampeg 115 and this guitar definitely benefits from the bass response and dark EQ. This guitar, this amp, and my Devi Ever Bit Mangler made me
