[Rick Lee]

It's insane to spend that kind of money on a starter guitar. You won't know the difference between a vintage Strat and a Mexican one, except for the few thousand dollar difference. Go buy a $300 Mexican Strat, which is probably better made than the vintage ones. It's a real Fender too. Then get a cheap practice amp - no more than $300 and you're good to go. I have a Gallien Krueger 250ML I got in 1988 for $325 and it's still the best practice amp I've ever heard. First practrice amp was a $150 Marshall Lead 20.