Jay and I have been talking about this for a while. I'm considering getting my son a starter guitar for a good job this semester in college, and this is what Jay recommended:
Squier Vintage Modified Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar
Features
Bolt on construction
Basswood body
25.5" Scale maple neck, 9.5" radius, rosewood fretboard, 21 frets
Duncan Designed SC-102 Stack middle and neck pickups
Duncan Designed HB-112 Humbucker in the bridge
Whatcha think? Comments?