@Billy T Scrapper 😆

Damn, William, why you got tempt us like that?! Haha, I just thinned out the herd by selling 2 guitars that weren't really my style to another local musician, but I picked up a used Firefly HSS strat for real cheap that I'm upgrading pickups on, so I really don't NEED more at the moment. 😅

I have NOT done this personally, but yeah, lining the pickup cavity with foil is a pretty common technique. Single coil pickups tend to pickup 60hz buzz from the electricity coming out of the outlet (60hz in the US, at least!), particularly in older houses/clubs/venues that aren't grounded properly. I've also noticed, fluorescent lights and TVs/monitors tend to add noise. This is NOT typically a problem with humbuckers since they're wired to be noise cancelling, although I've seen a lot of folks have noise issues with active humbuckers. Similarly, a Strat-type guitar w/ a 5-way switch and 3 single coil pickups is typically wired to be noise-cancelling in positions 2 and 3. All that is to say, if you find your guitar is picking up a 60hz hum, go for it. If not, I wouldn't worry about it. Good article here from StewMac, and they sell the copper tape (or as @Tommy Thompson said above, you can find cheaper options on Amazon or Ebay). https://www.stewmac.com/video-and-ideas/online-resources/learn-about-guitar-pickups-and-electronics-and-wiring/single-coil-buzzkill-the-why-and-how-of-electric-guitar-shielding/

@Rich Corey A few others have mentioned this, but if you're interested in learning, I think a great way to get started is by getting a "build your own" guitar kit. It does require some time and patience, but they're pretty affordable these days, and it's a great way to go in whole hog so to speak and learn first hand how all the pieces work together mechanically. After your first build, swapping out pickups, tuners, or even doing some routing work like I did here, won't feel so intimidating!

@Stenio P. Thank you!

My advice is to find some other musicians in a similar situation -- aka, they have jobs, families, whatever -- and then make sure you're all the same page with your commitment level. My band Wheel House makes it work, and we're all in our 40-50's with full-time jobs and families. We agree to 1 rehearsal per month and 1-2 shows per month on Saturday nights or Sunday matinee shows--all local. It entails a good bit of practicing on our own when we want to add new songs, but it works because we plan our rehearsals in advance to make sure we know exactly what songs we're gonna work on instead of just showing up and wanking it!

Nice. At that price, you practically can't lose. Curious, does it feel solidly made or light and flimsy?

@Stephen Bickel Nice, can't beat that for a guitar you're toting around to work and whatnot!