He doesn't need anything special to start out with. I'm actually still on my starter, a hideous Squier strat that sucks for metal. Ibanez have some decent lower end models that are good for playing metal. Out of the brands you named, ESP is probably the best for metal, but I never like their lower end stuff. He can buy himself a brand new expensive ESP or Dean in two or three years once he's made good use of the guitar you buy him.

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