Originally Posted by: chrispike306

Looking around at Guitar shops in Gloucester (where I live) they seem to have a wide variety of prices.Thinking of spending around £250. Any recomendations/ones to avoid?

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What style of music do you want to play? What is your current skill level & what are your musical goals?

[quote=chrispike306]

I've got a dirt cheap Chinese electric guitar which I changed the strings on and now it sounds terrible, but that came with a cheap amp. Would a really cheap (£50 for guitar, amp, cable etc) amp be ok or do I need to be thinking about a better amp as well?

What kind of guitar is it? A copy of a Strat?

Anyway, you can get a great beginner electric guitar & amp as a package from Fender or Epiphone for about $200. Examples:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/StratPkBSB--squier-strat-pack-sss-brown-sunburst

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PPEGEGL1VSCH--epiphone-les-paul-player-pack-vintage-sunburst

I strongly encourage you to go to a local music store & try several guitars. There's no substitute for putting your hands on an instrument to see which one feels good in your hands, against your body.

Hope that helps! Please ask more if necessary & best of success guitar shopping! :)