Beginner needs help in selecting guitar #2

I've been playing an acoustic for a while now. I've gotten to the point where I can play some Springsteen and U2 and I'm looking forward to getting my first electric. My problem is, I have very little money to spend, and I would prefer getting a new one (bad experience trying to get a used). I love the sound of a Tele, but I can't afford anything over $300-$400, and thats a stretch. Does anyone have any suggestions, based on the type of music I play and my financial situation? Thanks.

get a Squire Telecaster or Strat. they alot cheaper than the Standard Tele or Strat. their like more affordable fenders and if u get one from a Musicians Friend or Guitar Center (any big music store) from my personal experience their prices tend to be considerably cheaper. and i'm pretty sure u can buy a Squire Tele for under 200 dollars. my friend got one when he started playin and their great for low end (price wise) guitars

New or used, play it before you buy it. Make sure you like it's feel.

Mmmm, a U2 fan eh? I love playing U2 stuff, I have a squier Strat at the moment, which is a great guitar for the money, it's versatile, I play blues jazz, and harder rock, and has a good feel. Problams are probably the action, but I don't play lightning fast runs anyway so it doesn't affect me much. Also, they are constructed with less quality than a standard strat, which is why they are so much cheaper. If you have only being playing for a little while then I think a squier is a great choice, especially as it is versatile, so as you find your style you will be able to adjust before forking out for a more specialised guitar. I'm looking at a deluxe strat now, with vintage noisless pickups which I would love, but they are sooooo expensive.
By the way, you should think about getting a delay pedal, then you will be able to easily reproduce anything from Streets have no name to Discotheque and Beautiful Day.

Keep an eye out, my "Mutant" Strat is an American body, Japanese neck (with jubmo frets, go figure), 5 graphite saddles, 1 stock saddle, and noisless single coil pickups. I'm talking tone and playability that put custom shop strats to shame and I got it for $300 used with a hard shell case. It's beutiful too, a sunburst finish with a "mother of toilet bowl" pickguard. Someday I'll probably replace the pickups with Texas Specials or something, but no time soon; this guitar is very well rounded and has plenty of balls as is.

*I tracked this guitar down as a Squire Affinity Series Stagemaster.....It's listed in the current "Musicians Friend" catalog (Top left, page 4)...It lists at $409.99, but suggested retail is $269.00, BUT IS ON SALE FOR $179.99 !!!!!!! BUY THIS GUITAR !!!!




*www.musiciansfriend.com

Thanks for the help guys. I'm trying to get the Stagemaster or another one of the Squiers. I'm thinking about getting the delay pedal too, since The Edge definetely gives it a good workout.