I usually dont bother with anything but fender, so I cant attest to other brands, but there IS a dinstinct difference between a japanase strat or tele, than a us one.

about 400-500 dollars in price for starters. But I havent found a japanese one that could fool me yet. Sometimes salesmen will try to get you to try out the jap one thinking you wont know the difference and will buy faster.

Not that the Jap starts or teles are bad, but there is a reason why us ones are double the price. They are made better, play better and sound better.

But that may just be my taste, so if you are happy with one, you will be the one playing it.

Acoustics I lean towards taylor, but I dont play acoustic as much.