Well, when starting out its important to maintain a high level of enthusiasm, and its harder than one thinks to get an electric guitar to sound good in the first few months, (with proper muting and everything.) And although a lot of people tend to rely on distortion (to hide their failing technical abilities,), you should be sure to get in touch with the notes where you can differentiate the sound of one chord from another. Buy an acoustic guitar, learn the basics, and once you feel comfortable enough, take up the electric guitar, but remember good technique is important, because just about anyone can sound loud, but not everyone can sound really good.

-Joseph