[goldtopper]

Originally Posted by TG

A squier strat (or a telecaster if he wants one...) is a fine starter guitar. But what would probably be worth your while is taking it to someone who sets up guitars for playing. Guitars don't often come from the factory ideally set for comfortable playing...they certainly don't at that price level...and a good setup can be the difference between a guitar he'll enjoy playing and one he won't.
The guitars players pick up and go 'Gosh, this one is nice...' are generally the ones set up nicely.

And if he doen't 'get the bug' and continue, a well set up guitar will be much easier to sell on.

What he said too!