If I were just starting out, I would go with the same guitar I began on, a Silvertone SG that came with a 15 watt amp. It was under $200, but I believe Silvertone no longer makes the sg. But they do have a nice looking strat type guitar. Another guitar I had early on was a Yamaha, just under $280 and it was a nice guitar. I currently have a Fender Roadhouse strat and love it.