Well Mike, here's what I suggest, go down to the local music store, play a few different types of guitars to get an idea of what you like, find out what your comfortable with, look at the amps, play thru whatever strikes your fancy, talk to someone there who is knowledgable enough to tell you about the amps you like, after doing all that you will have an idea of what you are looking for, now search every local newspaper, classified, pawn shop, thrift store etc... do your homework, save more money if you can, there are thousands of barely used-used guitars and amps out there, for the money you are willing to spend, you will have to do some work to find them, but stay paitient and keep hunting! Good Luck!