As New as they come....

Just finished watching one of my fav bands playing live and got me thinking about learning to play the guitar. I have thought about learning before but life always seems to get in the way.

I am no musician and never really played any instruments in the past - a few questions:

Do you have to know to read sheet music?
Acoustic or electric?
What defines a "good" guitar?

My goal is to learn some of my fav songs - have a hobby and entertain the wife.

I learned how to play golf just by observing and putting in the time - I was hoping the guitar could be the same.

Let me know about the above and if I will make it as I don't want to be the guy who buys thevequipment then it sits in the basement...let me know!

B

Hi Brad, welcome to Guitar Tricks
?1.. No you don't need to know sheet music.. Tablature is commonly used these day. There is tutorials here to teach you TABS..

?2.. Either type guitar is fine.
They musically the same. It depends on what music you like and want to play. Acoustic is a bit harder to play..

?3.. Basically it the playability... Low end guitars have lesser quality parts which may not hold up or not be suitable for good set up.. the best way to pick one is buy trying.. How it feels to you, how it sounds.
Don't discount the Asian made as they have become of better quality.. The major brands have guitars made over seas..

If possible borrow a friends guitar and learn a chord or two and or have a guitarist friend go with you to try them out..

Brad -
In MY opinion, there are a couple of mid-range guitars whose price is an awesome deal for the quality. For acoustic, check out Seagull. For Electric, the Epihone Les Pauls. Both for about $500.

To tag on to rickgrubb, here's some considerations from acousticguitar.com; "High End, Low Budget", http://www.acousticguitar.com/News/High-End-Low-Budget-Even-with-600-or-less-to-spend-guitarists-can-still-find-a-great-instrument?spMailingID=11469792&spUserID=NzQ2ODYyMzQ5NzYS1&spJobID=403351860&spReportId=NDAzMzUxODYwS0