Don't limit yourself to just the strats even if most music you listen to are amde from them! I myself listen to mostly British rock bands that mainly use Teles and Les Pauls. For my case, I went down to SV and found myself liking the feel of a Strat more as it is easier to play FOR ME. TO ME, the contoured body, weight and the shape made it easier FOR ME to practice the stuff I have been learning like chords, barres, appegios and scales. As for sound, I could always modify the tone using EQ and whatnot to sound similar. Since I am not gigging or performing, sound and tone are not as important as being able to enjoy practice and YOU YOURSELF liking it!
FYI, I am a beginner who started learning about 3 months ago on an acoustic and have been holding off purchasing an electric guitar. Nevertheless, I am more or less convinced to get a Swing electric guitar as soon as stocks arrive in SV in late May. The reason I have been holding off buy an electric is because the acoustic has been serving me well for practice. I MYSELF feel that the acoustic teaches stronger basics in rhythm and fretting, at the same time training finger and gripping strength(Learning barre chords now). As of now, having tried electric guitars, I feel that they are very easy to play with the high output and soft strings, although control is another problem.
I wouldn't stop you from starting with the electric though. It could be less frustrating and easier on the fingers for someone starting out, while having that sexy appeal rather than the boring wooden box image most low-end acoustics portray. I do admit that starting out with the acoustic does require some passion because the beginning is frustrating with the finger pain and muscle building. With the Smash and Timbre having such good quality and price, it is definitely an option you can't really go wrong with. Main thing now is to continue on with the passion to learn and practice as much as you can! Just don't expect miracles to happen or big jumps in playing level.
Also, there is nothing wrong going to your first lesson without a guitar I feel. For my first guitar lesson, we mostly talked about music and guitars, hardly playing any tunes. Maybe you could arrange for your instructor to let you handle both an acoustic and an electric,see how they both feel. I am sure your instructor would be okay with that.
Sorry for the long post even when I am still a beginner, but I hope my post helps you decide!
