Quote (AXIS @ Feb 21 2012 12:26am)
You could get a strat for 400 or maybe a decent set neck epiphone. IMO id either go with a start or les paul (/epiphone if you cant afford a real LP)
A Start eh?
With a budget of $400 a Mexican Strat is plausible.
An actual Gibson? Perhaps a garbage SG that's been beaten up a bit willl get that price point.
Legitamately, for a beginer, to learn the ropes, and have some freedom of experimentation, I'd say an Ibanez RG, and a Line 6 Spider 10-15 watt amp.
Though I'm not pro modeling amps, they save you a crap-tonne of money from buying pedals that you may find you dont utilize.
That and you're not just stuck with one overdrive switch.
http://www.zzounds.com/item--IBAGRGA32Tnew from 299 used @ 219 for minor blemished factory seconds.
Amps should run you about 120-150 used and 199 for NIB.
For your playing style mentioned (OP) then I would recomend the more versatile Ibanez.
My opinion, is that Fenders are great starting guitars as they are comfortable and true to tone. That said, I don't find them versatile (enough). Plenty of tonal capabilities, but short of changing pickups your not getting a value/fun ratio that I enjoy.
Epiphone make better quality guitars in the 4-600 dollar price range. Anything less, and you've got a temp guitar that will be firewood in a couple of years tops.
Ibanez at that pricepoint, can get you a good set up, with a floating bridge and nut lock, to keep your axe tuned, and future ready for dive bombs!