If you're going to be playing mainly rhythm, an ES-335 type guitar is a good choice. If money's an issue, it needn't be a real Gibson. Heritage Guitars, founded by ex-Gibson employees in the old Kalamazoo, Michigan Gibson plant, are great guitars for a lot less than Gibsons. But be forewarned that the buzz on guitar forums is that Heritage's customer service has gone to hell in a bucket and the company may be on the auction block soon. If you can find a used Heritage, great, but don't plan on a new one. And there are plenty of cheaper Asian-built 335 clones out there as well. I own a Yamaha, and have played decent versions made by Ibanez, Washburn, Schecter, and Samick. There's not much difference between 'em except for the name on the headstock. In fact, they're probably all made in the Samick plant in Korea.