You're absolutely right. On the other hand, the investment of large quantities of money by a novice is not necessarily a sound decision. A cheap, awful practice amp is more than sufficient for working through the rudiments of guitar. In fact, I would actually advise any beginner to start playing acoustic guitar -- preferably an enormous old beast with an almost unplayable action. I did just that and it tested my dedication, made me a better player, and instilled me with a fundamental love for the instrument.

There are different methods of madness in this arena, it seems.

If you think you want American - then go American. No regrets that way! There is nothing wrong with 'pride of ownership' having a part in the decision.

MIM are fine, but they are not the same, and if it is not what you want, then don't get one - you'll just be thinking about/looking to trade up or dump (probably at more of a loss!). When learning and playing you'll have enough to think about...you want to be...content, not wondering whether you should have...

I would go for the American Special at least, if not the Am Standard. With the Am Standard you'll get a step up in quality, and a nice hard case -that is worth some $$, and it will hold its value better. Different PUPs though, so A/B them - that's part of the fun. (and don't be embarassed to ask someone to play them for you since you are just beginning). Looks like the HWY-1 may have hotter PUPs you might like, so throw one of those in too, but that too only comes with a gigbag (and only SSS(??)).

Although the SSS Strat is THE classic, if you can only have 1 and think you might like/need the HB, then an HSS sounds like it would be better - and because they are a bit different, that can be cool (& fun) too!

As mentioned, don't forget to budget for the amp as part of the 'system'. Don't skimp, but I think a pretty-decent sounding practice amp can be had for comparativley less money then a quality playing/sounding guitar.

Take your time, enjoy the shopping experience, and get what YOU really want...nothing AT ALL wrong with your 1st guitar being a keeper you are proud of, and something that motivates you all the more to want to stick with it!

i agree with pretty much everything pickguarder has posted ITT. as someone who has never played a guitar before, it will take you a while (as in years) to get to the point where you feel like you've "outgrown" your instrument no matter what kind of guitar you get. i have an HSS mexican strat with a vintage noiseless pickup in the neck and it sounds excellent. i got this guitar for my 17th birthday, i took lessons for three years (i'm 21 now), and i'm just now feeling like i may be getting to the point where i am confident enough in my skills to want a better guitar (american strat). mexican strats these days are excellent quality.

now on the other hand, there is a certain element of pride to owning an american strat, and if you have the money and feel like you have the motivation then go for it, you only live once. keep in mind though that you are going to want to spend a similar amount of money on an amp if you invest in an american strat. no point in playing a $1200 guitar through a fender frontman 15G. if you do go with an american strat, you're going to want to drop at least another $400 on a good sounding amp, depending on which kind you want (in my opinion, i'm sure others will argue with that range but i think the principle is valid)

good luck with your search, do whatever feels right in your heart.

I have noticed one thing. That a good guitar does not sound like a good guitar through a cheap amp. However, a cheap guitar does not sound as good as a good guitar through a good amp, but still better than it does through a cheap amp. Electric guitar is more about the amp than the guitar.

For a first guitar, the most important thing is how well it plays imho. You want it to play good so it does not impede your ability to learn. Even the most seasoned guitarist can struggle on a guitar with terrible action. With that in mind, you will not find a cheap American made guitar, but you can still buy from an American Company like Fender.

Case in point, I bought a $100 Peavey Vypyr amp for my son. I paid $100 for his Washburn X-series with a H-S-S pu configuration. We played several amps from $200 on down, and the Peavey and his Washburn sounded the best together. I am even satisfied with the tones he can get. So I thought hey, this little amps sounds great with his guitar and so I tried mine. They sounded not much better if any on his amp. This is a modeling amp, so it kinda sounds the same and the guitars individual character does not come through like my more expensive amps, while I can still hear the differences, just not as much. Either way, this combination is extremely versatile, and he won't be looking for the slightly better nuances of tone for years. I wish I had something like this when I was a kid.

His guitar on my amps though, sounds a bit less lush and full than my guitars....but good.

Bottom line-focus on a good amp that is easy to use and dial a good tone, yet has enough features to keep you interested, and a decent playing guitar....Don't try to get the best quality guitar and play it through a cheap amp...the amp must come first or you will never find a satisfying tone

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Guitars:
1. mid 70's Ventura MIJ Gibson l6-s clone (Pre-lawsuit) in Black with Rosewood FB and EMG 81 BR/ 85 Neck
2. ESP KH2 Neck Thru
3. 2008 Am Std Strat in 3 tone sunburst

Geeze, got as many different opinions no here as I did people! lol