How to choose the right guitar.. Please help..

well, that depends on your preferences. do you like the fat sound or the thin one? if you prefer those solid sounds then go for a les paul otherwise buy a strat. but whatever you purchase, don't go to sta. mesa. everything there sucks. if you don't have the budget for branded guitars, then i suggest you visit RJ in robinsons. its cheap but it sound the same as the imported ones. check out for inconsistencies in the fretboard and if the neck is bowed. just an advice from someone who was duped once.