comments:
I have that exact model of Squier Debut Strat, and it's pretty great. It's got good tone and very impressive manufacturing for the price. The fret work is solid, and they do a full setup at the factory so it should be ready to play right of the box, once you tune it. Easily the best guitar I've ever seen at that price. Once you're more experienced, you might decide you need a different sound, and this guitar makes a great platform for modding. For example, when I upgraded to a nicer Strat, I replaced the pickups on my Debut with humbuckers and it sounds beautiful. I also own the Yamaha Pacifica 012 that others are suggesting, and love it. I agree that it's essentially a professional instrument at a student price-point. However, it costs $70 more than the Debut Strat. If you're willing to spend the extra money, then go for it. Thinking back to the days when I was just starting out, the advice I would give myself would be to spend $150 on the Debut Strat and then the extra $70 on a decent practice amp. Plenty of cheap guitars sound great on a good amp, but a $5000 guitar will sound horrible on a bad amp. Here's a bundle available now that still costs less than the Pacifica alone.