Guitar Nerds Anonymous

I love my Gretsch.

Unfortunately I can't take it to uni though because of insurance issues/too much sentimental value to keep in my student house. Reckon I'm going to get a fender strat to fill the electric void this year, or maybe an Ibanez artcore, does anyone play either of these, good/bad experience?

I've got a strat, and, amongst others, a Washburn hollow body (not as nice as your G, but still). If I were you I'd get the strat; it complements the G very well, and you have a foundations of a great stable right there.