In this opinion, watch for sales on MIM Fender Strats and Teles and find one which truly resonates with you. Some of them are just plain outstanding guitars.

Then get a pro setup and you have a keeper.

Best of fortune.

If you want a semi hollow body the Ibanaz Artcores are real nice inexpensive guitars.

If you were in Europe I would recommend a Squier Simon Neil signature, unbelievable guitar for the money.
But since you're talking in dollars I presume you aren't.
Helpful, I know.

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Rated "M" for meaty.

what about (dare i say it?) non-fender brands? Ibanez, washburn, ltd?

Here is the best advice I can give to anyone looking for guitars. Go to the music store(s) and play all the guitars in your price range. Fender, Epiphone, LTD, BC Rich, Ect...
Remember the ones you liked to play and sounded the best. The next week, try only those guitars, let you hands and ears be your judge. Good luck with the search. Post pics on whatever you decided on.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

Absolutly.

I got this one brand new for $300 and sold it 2 years later for, well $300.



Get funky.

Hi Stringslinger in that price range you can get excellent used MIM Strats and Teles as well as some great Squiers such as the Custom and Thinline Tele reissues.If you'd like suggestions for a good non Fender brand look into Epiphone.In that price range you should find some great used G-400s(S.G.s) or Les Pauls or you may even be fortunate enough to luck into one of their hollow bodies(Casino) or semi hollow bodies(Dot).Epiphone in many cases surpasses its Gibson parent company in quality and even tone(my daughter's boyfriend prefers my Epi G-400 Custom to his Gibson SG).Next to Fender Epiphone is my favourite brand but having said that the Ibanez Artcore guitars are also a great bargain.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

My vote is either a new squier classic vibe 60s... I own one and love it
Or if you are looking for a complete opposite sound and feel I would be on the look out for a Godin LG
You can find them used on CL for around that price once in a while. If I didn't already have a Godin LGXT, or if I ever sell it, I will buy an LG in an instant

Just my 2cents