www.zzound.com has great prices. umm i started with an ESP. dunno, depends what sound you like. ESP is more metal (Metallica's exclusive brand) while other brand i'm not sure. you can get a decent ESP through zzound with maybe 400 dollars. make sure you get a good amp too. a good guitar without a good amp sounds like crap. but i'm saying this all based on the assumption that you will keep playing. if you are just trying out and are not sure, just get a crappy/usable/used set than go for a decent one.