I need a new guitar please help?

My old one is a shitty no-name one and I want a good one. I play well but only recreationally- no formal training- but am going to start lessons soon. As much as I would love a gibson darkfire, I am lookin at a budget of preferably under 1200. I usually play rock, country, or pop-rock kinds of things. I'm more of a riff kid than a chord kid ability-wise. What do you recommend that will last for a long time?