making the switch - acoustic to electric (need help)

steve3434

hey folks-

this past year i taught myself to play guitar. it hasn't been easy, but i've got all my scales, chord progressions, basic and barre chords and some good songs under my belt. i started pretty late in life (i'm 20 and at college), but i really love it and can't go a day without picking up the guitar now. i've also been working a lot on learning music theory.

anyway, i stuck the last year out on a crummy ibanez acoustic (one of those starter kit ones), but now i'm ready to go electric, as that is what i've always wanted to play. none of my friends are too musical, i don't have a teacher, and nobody in my family plays, so i need some advice.

basically i play a lot of classic rock...tom petty, neil young, floyd, dylan, dead, and some newer stuff like my morning jacket

i've been saving for a while so my budget for the guitar is around $200-500ish, plus a practice amp whatever that may be. i think it would be a waste to start on a starter kit/beginner guitar now, especially b/c i am advancing more quickly now, but i don't want something out of my league. just a nice reliable something.

any suggestions b/c i really don't know where to start

yamaha ? squier ? fender ? epiphone ? what's the scoop

moster78

A made in Mexico Fender Stratocaster are supposed to be really good value for the money. Check out MusiciansFriend.com for prices, but I want to guess that they're around $350 US.

enharmonic

I'd go with a Tele personally.

ntt117

The mex strats are nice for the money. I would look at some pawn shops too because i got an american tele for $350 and its in great shape. Les Pauls are also good and ive heard that the LP copies on http://www.rondomusic.net are great for the money. You may want to chech thoes out