I ended up buying
three axes!
A '62 reissue Fender Custom Shop Japan Jazzmaster in metallic turquoise (rare). This is my Surf Guitar. Jazzmasters and Jags are actually the
de rigeur axe for Surf. Down the road I may upgrade the pups for Seymour Duncans, we'll see.
A Rickenbacker 330 six-string. This is my JanglePop guitar. Nice twang too. Rickenbackers aren't very common anymore, and it's puzzling as to why. Some of the best made guitars around.
An Ibanez Hollowbody. This is my everyday practise guitar. Nice log with killer tone. You can play it unplugged. Howls like a pack of Bloodhounds on a kitten amped up. Helluvalot cheaper than a Gretsch too!
This is my amp. A Fender Hod Rod Deluxe Emerald with Celestion speaker upgrade. Cranked up, it violates several municipal bylaws.
Thanks to all you cats for the advice.