Starter guitar

Gibson's SGJ and LPJ are terrific guitars - made in the USA and affordable. Prices are starting to drop on the 2014 line up these days. I've seen the 2014 SGJ go for $490 last week.
 
Gibson's quality control being what it is, I'd advise trying a few of them before making up your mind, of course.
 
There are plenty of other great, valid options, and I'm sure you'll get tons of recommendations - Fender, Ibanez, Dean, etc... I only happen to be a big fan of Gibson's J.
 
It's a great time in history to be starting out on electric guitar - much better than when I started out.
 
 

You can say that again, Rain. I wish they had all of the You Tube lessons when I grew up in the sticks of Northern MN.

I'm a fan of the Gibson's that you have mentioned for starter guitars as well. I would also consider a used MIM Strat, I've seen them going for $250- $300 all day long. Depends on whether he's a humbucker or single coil fan.

You know, the MIM Strats are one of the best values in guitars nowadays and you can find them used at great prices.  The Squire Classic Vibe series are almost the same, but actually just about as expensive and hard to find used, as they seem to hold their value for now.  The Teles especially.  Should he ever *grow out of it*, it'd be a great guitar to join pop's herd.  I've had several MIM Strats ...own a "tricked out" one too...with a Super-Vee whammy ...and of course some Amer Standards.  The Mexis hang in there for sure.

From a young gentleman's Strat up to a big boy version, ought to make his day.

IMO the most important factors of picking out a starter guitar are the scale length and playing action.
 
The scale length difference between the LP and Strat, for example, are not only major factor of feel but also sound.
A young person may prefer the feel of a short scale over a long scale and not realize why.
 
Another major difference is the angle of the neck. The LP and Strat again are good examples. The short scale combined with a tilted neck may be much more comfortable for a smaller person to enjoy playing.
The distance between the frets and the longer feeling neck (with no tilt) may not "fit" a young one and size of the person may or may not be reason...it can be just a preference.
 
Fretboard radius and fret size can be a major factors and also ones that are not easy to change if needed.
IMO everything else following those can be modified if needed. Some changes costing more than others so it's best not to overlook all of them in any price range.
Example; a radius of 9.5 may be much easier to play chords than a 14" and since the young player may not be shredding or a lot of string bending so the advantage of the 14" (or flatter) is of no matter.
Fret height and width can make a major difference to how the neck feels to the player and to a young one too...pointed out and comparing may help them notice and make a decision.
 
These differences can be found in every price range so knowing the differences and knowing how to explain and help the young one understand increases the odds of getting the one that he/she will enjoy playing for years.
When comparing and pointing out the major differences while the young one is trying them out has to help.
 
It's the beginning of learning to feel and listen to the instrument and may help the shopping experience with a perfect purchase. Again...JMO.
 
 

Rain
 
 It's a great time in history to be starting out on electric guitar - much better than when I started out.
 

I wore out so many Robin Trower and Deep Purple records learning those licks back in the day.
 
Rocky

short scale..
but long enough for folks like cobain, rundgren, adrian belew, john fogarty, pj harvey, pat smear and jimi hendrix to use to make famous albums with...
 
also, my first real guitar (not a squire, but a regular fender.. the squire is still big bang for buck)
 
 

I bought two used Strat Squires in the last six months. Neither was a MIM. But they both played unbelievable for what I paid for them used: $225!

Then I bought a '93 G&L Legacy with the intention of selling both Squires to recoup some money. That was four months ago.

I only recently let the Strat Squire with the maple neck go to my stepson. But only after he promised the sell it back to me if he ever went to get rid of it. He said that was unlikely to come back to me. He loves it too!!

The other Squire Strat I am keeping (MIC) has a unfinished maple neck, someone upgraded the pups to Seymor Hot Rails, and the whammy is an upgraded version!! All this for $225!! And it plays and sounds great!!

Yep, guitars have come a long way since I started.

...but if he is doing alright with the PRS, then maybe he would be fine with 25.5"  Seams like it is always best to know the options and differences and then go try them out personnally.

With Cheap guitars they make a zillion Strat copies and a lot of them are very playable... but.. a kid will want distortion. Cheap Strat copies have terrible PU's.  So just make sure what ever you buy has at least 1 humbucker. At least a cheapo Humbucker will distort. 
Another thing to think about is re sale value, A $200 no-name guitar when you go to sell it will get you $50 back if your lucky. A brand name, even if it's a POS will fetch more, some don't depreciate much at all like Gibsons and PRS.  Gibson LP's are often a little heavy for teens. 
Musicians friend is always selling G&L's for half price on Stupid deal of the day. I own one myself and it is one of the best production guitars I've ever owned (I've owned a lot) 
PS, Last time I tried an Ibanez it was typical Chinese junk. At least the lower end ones are now, same with Yamaha who used to make great cheap guitars. 

I bought a pair of starter guitars from ESP - $198 each, and then paid to have both set up - frets, action, etc, for another $40 each.
 
They both play REALLY nicely, and the sound is good too.  They are not quite as dense as the more expensive ones, meaning less wood used in the body, but still quite nice.
 
Bob Bone
 

Xaviere guitars at GuitarFetish.com. Around $200. I have two Xavieres, a Tele knockoff and a semihollow body. I love them. Great guitar for the bucks

He likes his Mexican Strat :-) And it's not bad? Plays nice, sounds good. 500 bux @ GC. 
 
H-