I think you have to decide first if you want a guitar with a floating bridge (whammy bar Strat style) or fixed bridge like a Telecaster. I went with a fixed bridge style guitar.Looked at SX Tele's for a cheapy.Not a bad guitar and definately upgradeable.In the end I found a brand new Parker P42 for a little bit more that I dont have to change a thing on.Play's beautifully too,just wish I could do it justice.Gotta start somewhere.