angeling>> since u r new to guitar, i would advise u to avoid choosing guitars with trem/ floyd rose . tuning / restring them is sometimes pain in the arse. i think the strat is a pretty good choice! Well, i know u like LP guitars (seeing that u 've brought up quite a few times), but bear in mind that it is VERY heavy, n limited access to higher frets. but if u like thick, warm tone, then nothing beats the les paul!

cheers

Hmm... since you're new to guitar, try checking out the new Fender G-Dec amp. Basically it's a digital-modelling amp with a 'band' in it. There're some presets for drums & rhythm patterns inside, great for keeping up with the beat.

& I second evo.com's choice of amps : Vox AD15VT & Roland Cube 15.    

hmmm... go for squire start la bro coz it a fixed bridge... or else u want to BOMB sure must used the floyd rose bridge hehehe... If dloyd rose go for Ibanez la or ESP or Grassroot (but LTD hampeh sket for the neck) hehehe... but very expensive la if the one from japan... then for the pick up if got budget change the pick up to dmarzio or seymour duncan... amp then go for marshall, peavy or fender also nice... if got enough budget go for the Line6 modelling amp... hehehe sure puas hati punya... then u will need gadget @ efx... ie multi efx or stompbox... if multi efx i sugget go for Line6 XT live... hehehe... but price now rm1.5k la... but puas hati la... or stompbox paling cikai pun sure must use the Boss mtal zone, then nak delay sket sure use the digital delay DD3 or DD5... peace...

:: try the guitar 1st before buying it.. feel the neck with your hand grip... 

Just so you know, the advice "Any Pacifica within your budget should be considered as they are value guitars" is not taken from my mouth, but Guitarist magazine itself, which is a magazine focusing on gear reviews.

As I've said, go out there any try as many guitars as you can, remember to use your ears, not your eyes.