What type of (electric) guitar would be right for me?

Question:I'm looking to begin teachin myself how to play guitar, so naturally I'll need to go buy one (this will be my first guitar.) But I'd like to make an educated purchase so tht I end up w/ a guitar tht'll help me learn rather than frustrate me into quittin (aka the "right guitar") My budget is 250$ maximum, and I think I would prefer an electric, but you may convince me otherwise...
(btw the intent here isn't to rock out, but learn so I can woo the ladies, so... yeah ;)
Songs I aim to play:
1 Hey There Delilah~Plain White T's
2 Tonight~FM Static
3 True~Ryan Cabrera
4 Your Body Is A Wonderland~John Mayer
5 I Knew I Loved You~Savage Garden
(I know these all sound more like acoustic songs, but I figure if I get the settings right, and don't use an amplifier, an electric should sound "about" the same, right? (plus electric is generally cheaper) Also, please give more feedback than; "acoustic u fool" or "go for the electric man!" PLZ tell me what type, suchas Fender Stratocaster ect
THNX!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I'm looking to begin teachin myself how to play guitar, so naturally I'll need to go buy one (this will be my first guitar.) But I'd like to make an educated purchase so tht I end up w/ a guitar tht'll help me learn rather than frustrate me into quittin (aka the "right guitar") My budget is 250$ maximum, and I think I would prefer an electric, but you may convince me otherwise...
(btw the intent here isn't to rock out, but learn so I can woo the ladies, so... yeah ;)
Songs I aim to play:
1 Hey There Delilah~Plain White T's
2 Tonight~FM Static
3 True~Ryan Cabrera
4 Your Body Is A Wonderland~John Mayer
5 I Knew I Loved You~Savage Garden
(I know these all sound more like acoustic songs, but I figure if I get the settings right, and don't use an amplifier, an electric should sound "about" the same, right? (plus electric is generally cheaper) Also, please give more feedback than; "acoustic u fool" or "go for the electric man!" PLZ tell me what type, suchas Fender Stratocaster ect
THNX!

Go ahead and try strumming an electric with no amp. Not the sound you thought you'd get, eh?

So now that you know you want an acoustic, I'll advise you how to shop. I'm not going to give you brands b/c different brands appeal to some and not others--I love Ovation but most guitarists think they're a waste of material--so let's find one for your own taste.

If you can, get a friend who's knowledgeable and go to a good guitar shop--Sam Ash, Guitar Center, or the big music store in your town that sells orchestra and band instruments as well as rock-n-roll.

Try out as many guitars as you can find in your price range--don't be afraid of used or scratch-n-dent or closeouts if they come with a little warranty. You want to figure out which ones FEEL right--right arm falling comfortably over the body with strings naturally under the fingers, neck nestled nicely in left hand with all strings within easy reach.

Once you have several finalists that all feel good, turn your back while your friend or the store clerk plays the same tunes on each one. The one that feels right and sounds best with your back turned is the one you want.

Now a little more advice than you asked for--

As a beginner, get at least a dozen lessons so you can be certain your fundamentals are sound. Cheapest lessons, if you can arrange it, would be found by putting a note on a bulletin board at a nearby college music department and reeling in a guitar major; otherwise, ask at the music store. After the teacher makes sure you're not risking repetitive motion injuries (they really happen!) from bad finger or wrist position, you can then go on to self-study using whatever cheap books, cds and dvds you can access.

At the outset, try practicing for ten minutes or so several times per day. You'll make faster progress that way. Each week, add a few minutes to each session, and slowly drop the number, until you've naturally built up the stamina to play for an hour or so at a time.

Nope. An electric without an amp will sound like zilch and you will not get lady one.

So if you want an electric, plan on an amp or figure out how to play it through your own amplification

Yamaha acoustics are worth checking out.

The Squire series of Fenders are a good starting point for electrics. I know guys who use them and have other guitars costing over a grand. The Tele is usable. Can't comment on the Strat.

Ive heard it is easier to learn on an electric, but i cant know for sure.. im planning on getting an electric guitar soon. I have an acoustic guitar and i really like it. and by the way, and electric guitar sounds a lot different from an acoustic guitar, even without an amp. I think electric guitars are so much cooler looking, so if you cant get two guitars (acoustic and electric) id say go for electric

btw if you want to play those songs i think it is best to play them by ear. It is also a lot easier if you play another instrument like piano. Thats how i learned how to play guitar

Fender guitars are classic.

Doesn't matter what song you plan on doing. get the Fender squier combo. It comes with an amp and tuner. That is a good guitar to begin and actually, have little comeback or maintenance.
They sell for $250 and well worth it. After 2 years, buy a good one and not in between. make it or break it.
Fender Strat is more expensive. don't buy it. If you do not like the Fender Squier, you won't like the Stratocaster. Why? They are both the same except the wood and hardware a little better qualit on a Strat. Who carez, the instrument won't make you play any better, nomatter how much you pay.

You're so not gonna get a Fender Strat for 250 dollars. Think four times that and that's how much you would lay down for one.

Basically, the two best makes of electric guitar you can afford are a Squier or an Epiphone. Each of these represent the budget lines of Fender and Gibson respectively: Squier's guitars are mostly inexpensive Japanese-made versions of classic Fender models, while Epiphones are inexpensive Korean-made version of Gibson models. Of these, I recommend the Squier Strat - I don't know any of the bands you mention except for John Mayer, and he plays a Strat, so if you really only want a guitar because you want to get girls, this will be the appropriate one to pose with.

An electric will sound hopelessly weedy if you don't get an amplifier. It really won't sound like anything except somebody playing a tiny guitar far, far away. If you get an electric, you will need an amp. I suggest a Roland MicroCube - small, cheap, sounds pretty good and it's versatile. It also takes batteries as well as mains power, so you can play it outside if you want to.

If you get an electric and don't bother to get an amp, then you're not serious about learning the instrument and I'd prefer you don't get a guitar at all, because you're just taking one away from somebody more committed to music who deserves the instrument more than you do.

But it's your money, so...