Totally agree with the previous. The fender squire strat is the way to go. In fact, go with a Squire strat pack, that way, you get a guitar and amp in one package. I'm 46 years old and when I was a kid lower priced guitars were toys. That is not as much so now. There is a lot of quality built in lower priced, entry level, name brand guitars. There are many guitarists I personally know who gig with these guitars. Go with the Squire Strat. Good guitar, good price. If they stay with it, then upgrade later when they no more about what suits their style.