Re: Buying a guitar (electric)
If you want a hard rock guitar with a whammy, look for an old Hamer Centaura, Chaparral ("Chap"), or Diablo. If you don't want a whammy, look for a Hamer Studio or humbucker-equipped Special. With all Hamers, make sure it says "USA" on the headstock next to the logo (you don't want the imported models). Hamer is one of the few affordable brands that I'm comfortable buying without trying. For any other brand in your price range, I highly recommend you try the actual guitar in person before you buy.
For a total beginner, the Line 6 amps are a good way to get educated about the various flavors of amps out there. The Tech 21 Trademark 60 is also a surprisingly good amp. Tube amps like the Fender Blues Jr. and the Peavey Classic 30 are fine, but for the kind of music you're looking to play you'll need to buy pedals to get the kind of distortion you need. For your situation I think a Line 6 would be the most sensible route.
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