The ESP Guitar Company

Hmm ok, I'll go for the horizon. but umm, whats coil tap? sorry im a noob

It saps some of the power away from a humbucker to give it more of a single coil sound.

Yeah, and it's kinda made it so that both phrases are assumed to mean the same thing.

It wouldn't be a hard thing for them to explain. I've always thought that both phrases are pretty self explanatory just by the name of tapping and splitting. Although I've seen the confusion a lot on UG.

You cant really go wrong with an NTII no matter what style of music you play. You certainly can with a Strat although they are also great guitars. Strats are far less versatile than Horizons.

Ultimately though, you should go to a decent (independent if possible) guitar dealer and try some guitars out.
But if you're asking my advice on pulling the trigger on one of these two, it would be the NTII by a country fucking mile.

It really is much more versatile than a strat.

A strat is very very versatile

horizon wins

Anyone who plays Linkin' Park on a 2000 Euro guitar deserves to be shot in the back of the head.

Get the Strat...

Strats are really versatile, but for the sounds he's looking for the humbucker would probably suit him more.

I still think an H/H would better suit the sound he's looking for rather than an H/S/S.

gfunk likes men.....

H/S/S strat would suit those styles that you listed above, especially if you are playing some of John Frusciante's songs, which the majority of it is done through the strat. Prepare to use the single coils in your H/S/S.

I'm not dissing Strats and I think they are versatile but a Horizon in the stock configuration in comes in, is more versatile than a Strat.
Why?
1- It can cover any range of sounds. You split the coils and it does the glassy strat sounds. You cant make a Strat sound like it has buckers unless it actually has humbuckers.
2- Its made of Mahogany which, in my opinion, is more suited to a variety of sounds than Alder. Especially when you put a maple cap on it.
3- Ebony fretboard. Isn't as bright sounding as Maple or as warm as Rosewood. Again, more suited to a wider range of sounds.
4- TOM bridge. Easier for quick tuning changes. Again, versatility. (Although divebombing is out of the question, granted).

If I had to pick one guitar to do everything (or as near as damn it) I would choose a PRS CU22, an Ibanez Jem7V or an ESP NTII.
Its only my opinion though and again, I do like Strats.
But, Horizon wins.

A J Custom would be the next bet.

Hence why you fail.