If you are committed to putting in time to play and progress on the guitar, I would buy the best you can afford, whatever it may be.
agree. if you start thinking small, well what do you anticipate? fine if you do that, but don't kid yourself, if you are not willing to invest in yourself, that speaks for itself.
I started off with a 58 Les Paul Reissue 2 years ago when I started. Paid $2,500 with shipping. They now sell for $3.700 at MF.
I wouldn't actually agree. I think when you're a beginner you don't particularly know what guitar fits your style. I think a mid range guitar like a Mex Strat or an Epi is perfect for the beginner until you practice a lot and know exactly what you need and want from a guitar. But I guess others may disagree.
If so, you can get a used one and sell it for what you paid for it. Or a Gibson and sell it for more if you wait a few years.
Get a Gibson Les Paul. Regardless of OC's dislike of them, they are by far the world's most pupular guitar, that never changes, and never will. So they have resale value. I would suggest a Studio from MF. I believe they are reduced $200 for Christmas.
edit: I looked and the sale of over. They have the Ebony for $1,200.
However I would get this Dent and Scratch from American Musical. Those are invariably just returns, either you won't even find any mark at all, or it will be very superficial. The guitar will be the same as it will be a month after you own a brand new one out of the box, maybe a few scuffs. You can always return them. But I have gotten 3 or these, a Gibson SG, Gibson Firebird, and a Parker Nitefly from MusiciansFriend and AmericanMusical, and all were great. And should you sale it, you pretty near right away can get what you paid for it.
It is the last one on the list, just over $1,000.
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-GIB-LPSTUG-LISTI have an American Strat. No, the mexican are not typically as good, and not as well supported by Fender. Talk to a luthier that does repair work about that, no, there is a reason they are cheaper, and it is not just the electronics. You might get lucky and get a great one, but the odds are not on your side. They are not manufactured under the same conditions as the US items are. Get the real deal if you possibly can afford it.
A lot of guitars made with cheaper labor cut corners, in ways you may not be aware of from observation.
edit again: also for the Amp, look at the Carvin BelAir. I love my Carvin Bel Air. They make them in California, you could drive out there and get one I expect. But shipping is not much. My Carvin sounds so good, I don't even like to use any device most of the time. Even playing at low volume, it has a beautiful sound. They are $649 new, made of real wood, I would get one over a Fender any day of the week. Cheaper, and better. Definitely get a full tube amp. Others may disagree. They would be totally off the planet to do so, but they still might. I can understand arguments about guitars. But not suggesting a solid state amp over a tube, not in this corner of the universe, at any time, in the past, present, or future.