BuckeyeJohnny

Hey wasn't MATT DILLON in "My Bodyguard" too... he played the bully named Moody right? I guess he topped that with "There's Something About Mary".

The whole "but you can't go out on a date with a loaded gun..." skit with Ben Stiller is classic...

Thanks guys...it turns out the final purchase was just a little over budget.

Fender Strat Highway One HSS, 2007 model, (american made). Used for 6 months by a regionally popular artist from Indy named Henry Lee Summer. It was traded in and on sale at Guitar Center for $450.

Roland Microcube Amp for $125.

I know a beginner on a seriously tight budget:

They desperately want to play the RUSH "sound" from albums like Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures....

What would be the best guitar & practice setup to buy for under $500 new?

I know there are probably some serious musicians lurking here with some big time equipment. But if you had to compromise into this $$$ range, any decent choices out there?