My Axe(that means guitar, posers)

[nichomachean]

Nice.

For a good little 5w tube amp, see if you can pick up a used Epiphone Valve Jr. It only has a gain knob, with nice cleans, and breaks up nicely as you ramp it up. You should be able to pick up the amp for about $100, and the matching 1x12 cabinet for $60-85.

In terms of guitar, in the $300-500 range there are all kinds of great guitars. I am actually a big fan of Schecter guitars, which for the price play really well and have room for upgrades. I am also a fan of Dean guitars in this price range, as well as some of the Ibanez (the S-series have some of the smoothest necks I've ever played). I would recommend the Schecter Omen series if you like fixed bridge, or the Damian series if you want to mess with the Floyd Rose vibrato. They both come with passive or active pickups.

Good luck!