Beginning anything means spending some time developing the tools and techniques that you will build on as you progress. I can understand the temptation to grab a flashy-looking electric guitar first off. Don't do it! :eek:

Nobody sounds like their fave guitar hero first time out. :cool:

Electric guitar involves adding a whole bunch of equipment and technique on top of the basics that you can acquire on a decent acoustic. Too many distractions!

If you can possibly scrape enough coin together, get yourself the best used acoustic guitar you can find. Yeah, I said [u]used[/u]. You get more guitar for your hard-earned dollars by buying used. If you decide to sell or trade your first guitar later, you can recover most of your original investment. A wretched, cheap, 'beginner's guitar' is likely to frustrate and discourage you. If you try to sell it, you are likely to take a major loss on it, if you can find anyone who is willing to buy it. And another avoided distraction is the worry about denting or scratching a brand-spanking-new instrument.:o

Get a good one, though; the playability of a quality guitar is an important factor in encouraging a beginner to keep going. You should be able to find something that will have low action when fitted with light or medium guage bronze strings. Also, the feel and sound of an acoustic guitar is instinctively recognizable. You will know when you're doing things right, because it will sound right.:) And you won't be getting sidetracked by fussing around with amplifier settings.

Sign up for some lessons, too. I was self-taught for 30 years, which means I was getting my instruction from a guy who didn't know [u]jack[/u]! :p

I now spend a half-hour every week with a fella who is half my age, and has twice my technical skill. We get along great, and we have fun. A skilled, enthusiastic teacher can make all the difference.

Welcome to the world of guitar. Work hard when you need to, but always remember:

:D What we all do, is [u]play![/u] :D