I, personally, don't like Flying Vs
Anyway, if you've got $600 you got quite a wide choice. Your best bet would be to pop in to a local store, if you have one, for their advice and to look at a few different makes and models.
I personally, currently have a Squire Stratocaster. It plays well, best guitar I've had so far.
My dad has a Line 6 Variax 700 which is awesome
![:P](images/smilies/msn_tongue.gif)
But it was expensive ;[