If you go with a stick, go with the GP big stik for several reasons, IMO. First, you do not need, nor should you mess with, the quad flaps that come on the US. If you buy the US, then you'll be tempted to use them. Wait until later for that. The GP BS has some dihedral in the wing. Not much, but just a smidgeon, making it a little more stable. The US has no dihedral. Both planes are very aerobatic, and great second planes. I've owned (and crashed) both. The GP stick I owned first, and it tought me a ton before I forgot when inverted, down is up, and up is expensive. Splattered all over the runway. I replaced it with an US, and I love it. Again, I'd flown many airplanes before messing with the whole quad flap thing with the US. The US was crashed due to a connector failure in the radio system. It was rebuilt, and I still fly it today.

If you want low wing, tail dragger experience, then go with the four star, or tiger. The four stars are hard to get right now, but I'm pretty sure CG is still supplying the tigerII!

Fun, fun!