It's time for the newbie to get his first real guitar (my current one is some Strat knockoff)! I prefer a cleaner and mellower sound to crunchy and metal sounds even though I don't really mind. Sure, metal's fine, but I won't play metal much. I sort of idolize Stevie Ray Vaughan, Santana, Al Di Meola, and guitar players like them. My budget's around the 600's and 800 is pushing it a bit. I was looking at PRS SE Singlecuts, but I just wanna know what else is good before I go with it.

Carvin custom shop.

ESP/LTD Delux EC-1000 VHB $825ish new $500 ish used. basically a Les Paul with Seymour Duncans or EMG's, an awsome guitar for a great price but I would suggest getting any of your guitars used, you get a better deal and when you get a scratch it won't matter as much! Carvin custom shop is uber awsome but costs alot, less than most though.