Kitt

Look great, but I don't like the feel of them. I changed the one on a guitar I have for that reason to a plastic guard. As for tone, I shielded all the cavities with copper tape at the same time and I did notice what I perceived to be a slight tonal change. Was that the shielding or the change of pickguard? IDK to be honest.

Peach are pretty big retailer but I've had very good service from them. Coda music is good from experience. Guitar Centre in Slough have a good range of guitars. My favourite guitar shop is Charlie Chandlers Guitar Experience in Hampton Wick near Kingston Upon Thames. They don't sell new guitars, but usually have a good range of used instruments and gear. They do a PLEK service and for repair work they're pretty much second to none IMHO. Charlie has done work for some of the biggest names in the music industry.

Boss Waza Air headphones are superb, but at over £300 they cost more than a lot of guitars. Obviously much cheaper headphones are available but none I've tried come close the Boss Waza Air.

I'd be looking at used Squier, Yamaha and Ibanez models with a £200-300 budget.