oops, sorry.
went off topic.
anyway, just to share my experience.
when i first started, i bought a cheapskate Ibanez guitar from a soft deal. it was brother leecs.
eh, for $200 bucks, got steve vai authentic signature on it ok!
then i bought a marshall MD series 15 CDR for $199.
but i realised the guitar really cant do shit for me after awhile. the steve vai signature can admire, but the guitar's playability really cannot make it la.
so, i got another second hand offer, this time an Ibanez GRG270. and its been with me since. so yar, the damage for this guitar is $300.
my suggestion would be to search for a second hand guitar deal and get a modelling amp like line 6 spider.
try to get second hand deals la, then there is still hope for your $499.
and anyway, i think its quite impossible to get the various tones of the above players laa. i am sure some people spent even $4999 trying to achieve those tones.
BUT, dont be limited by your budget! if you are determined, spent $49 buy a TGM acoustic guitar also can practice.
the tone is in the player also mah.
:lol: