I'm good enough to hold my own in most situations, and I'm confident in my abilities as a player.
But I'm pretty hard on myself...........................I'm nowhere near the player I want to be. I guess that is what keeps me happily spanking the plank.
Strengths? I have a good ear and I think my touch is pretty good.
Weaknesses? I get lazy and skip personal practice sometimes. I'm not a fast player by any means. My knowledge of music theory could fill a thimble.
All said, though, I'm pretty happy with where I am as a player.
On the Strum's beginner question:
I think you transition out of beginner level when you develop enough feel for it to start playing and working on your own - you start building your own foundation and finding your own direction.
Guitars: 2008 Gibson SG Classic, 2006 Gibson Les Paul Standard LE, 2002 Gibson SG Supreme, 2001 Gibson Les Paul Studio Plus, 1996 Les Paul Studio Gem, American Deluxe Double Fat Strat, Bluesville "Super" Strat Copy, MIK Fender "Limited Edition" Tele, JD Bluesville "Night Pilot", Yamaha AES 820, Steinberger Spirit GT Pro, Taylor 355CE, Ovation 1897 Adamas, Ovation CC057 Celebrity
Amps: Axe FX centered rack rig, Mesa 4x12 cab. Germino Club 40, Johnson JM150 Millennium, Johnson JM250 Millennium, Gibson Titan Medalist Frankenstein.
Effects: Tonebone Trimode, EH Holy Grail, Boss CH-1, Dunlop Crybaby Classic, Framptone Amp Switcher, THD Hot Plate, Yamaha AG Stomp Acoustic Processor, Boss BCB-60 Pedal Board.