flash4master, either an Epiphone or a Yamaha would make excellent first instruments, andif you have the choice, go with the yamaha. I've recommended them to several friends, played them after they've gotten them, and they're very satisfactory instruments and will carry you a long way.
My first serious acoustic was a Yamaha, which got stolen whilst loading out after a gig. 25 years later, I'm still looking for that guitar, it sounded that good. These days, for a few bucks more, you can get an Epi, or Yamaha with built-in pickup and electronics and get loud when the time comes
I'd have to warn you off the current crop of Deans. I played my way through almost the entile line recently and didn't find a one that sounded like anything more than a crappy plywood box, cosmetics notwithstanding.
The Ernie Ball books are very good and the Mel Bay books are excellent. I have a bias toward Mel here as I knew that crusty old coot for over 40 years
