Yup. Guitars don't make sound. I guarantee if you take even a $65000 vintage gretsch penguin (I've only seen it in arctic white..how ironic) and hold it up to your ear you won't hear anything, unless you hit it on something. I think there was some famous violinist who coined that idea a while ago after a misplaced compliment after a gig.

On the other hand, something an american strat is probably going to be way more playable and last way longer with way less problems than something like a epi or the lower range of ibenhad. :)