you said you dont have a music store close? do you have any friends/family that play that might let you try out a guitar? as for a buying over the net, i almost always buy over the net.most music shops cant compete with musiciansfriends prices. i always try what i want before had though.
a wide neck is good if you have big hands because the smaller the neck the faster youll get tired and cramp, but the wider the neck is also true unless it fits your hands. if you have been playing a while you should look for something around the $250 to $500 range, if not look for something cheaper. epiphone squire and ibanez a few other too i think offer amp-guitar starter packs but i dont know how good they are.
i do know if you want an ok starter amp you might try a pignose protable. its small and it can be powered by 6 aa batteries or a wall plug (the wall plug sounds better) and it is under $100. i have one and any time i do work on a guitar or travel with an axe i take it along. just my two cents
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