Help me get into picking up guitar.

[Harden Knives]

Hey everyone.

I have never played an instrument and thought it would be awesome to get into electric guitar due to my love of all things metal.

A little background: I was never very musical as a kid but did pretty well in our church choir (took a big turn to me being my crazt metal head self ) but never played an instrument.
I have no idea what the hell I'm doing and would like as much help in the right direction as possible.
If height or size matters for guitars, I am 6'3.
I will be transferring from my community college to a university at the end of the summer so it would be optimal to be able to plug in some head phones and jam out in my dorm.
I'm looking to get into it for around $300-450 ish. Maybe including amp.
I have been looking at fenders and what not but get overwhelmed with the differences and kits and everything.
Again, no idea what I am getting myself into but am ready to expand my talents and explore another art.

Thanks for your feedback!

 

[Bob W]

I'm looking to get into it for around $300-450 ish. Maybe including amp.

I'm not a musician, but I've spent some time guitar shopping and own a Stratocaster. Admittedly I don't know much about guitars, but I've seen some nice Jackson, ESP, Gibson, Ibanez, and Schecter instruments in that price range. For example, at GuitarCenter last week I fell in love with (but didn't buy) a Schecter C-1 with a flat blue finish for $350.
The biggest advice I can offer is to get to a store and start handling the instruments. Some will feel more comfortable than others, some will be more attractive, some might seem 'weird'.

Something about amps, I suggest a modelling digital amp like the Fender Mustang I that costs about $120. It doesn't respond the same way that a tube amp does, but it doesn't have to be loud to sound good, and they're capable of a wide range of sounds and are even computer programmable for custom sounds. They have headphone jacks for private listening, but they speakers are loud enough to jam out a house or garage.

It might help you to read the responses to my similar questions:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/993348-Guitar-just-to-own-one
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1237073-Beginner-guitar-for-youth-Full-or-3-4?p=14220177

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There's some technical jargon to learn too. Probably helpful to know what this stuff is before getting to the store so you know what you're looking at, and so your questions make sense to the sales staff:
Bridge: tremolo vs hard-tail
Pickups: active vs passive
Pickups: single-coil vs humbuckers, or some combination

 

[tinman207]

Hey bro, I'm a guitar player for 27 years, and build custom guitars. I help a lot of folks prepare for and negotiate the clown show you will encounter at the major guitar shops. It doesn't have to be intimidating, and with a little knowledge, you can get into some decent gear within your stated budget. I'd be happy to chat with you and help you get it figured out. Shoot me a PM.

 

[cchu518]

I would pick up a super strat if it were me. Solid starter guitar with enough sound configurations to play anything.

 

[gbuskirk]

I recently picked up an Epiphone G400 at a great price ($15; I did have to put a new nut on the output jack!). I'm way over the hill, but wanting to learn to play a little. I plan to pick up some software called "Rocksmith" this Christmas; it seems to be one way to start at naught and learn at my own pace. You may want to check it out on Youtube. Have fun!

 

[Mitchell Knives]

I've been impressed with some of the Ibanez guitars in that price range.

 

[cchu518]

For a total of that price range I say get Roland Cube and a superstrat or epiphone les Paul.

I played a Robin Ranger for about ten years so I appreciate weird underrated guitars. The Gibson epiphone nighthawk and old peavey T series fall in that range. The peavey's might be good for you as they have big necks. But you really gotta dig to find a solid one as they are from the 80's. Yamaha also had a high end Pacifica series that are excellent. The old ESP NYC/48th St custom built the Rangers btw.

This is a T60 it's pickups have a phase switch/tapped, so you can get a true humbucker/single coil sound unlike on some of the more modern guitars. It's a sick guitar and if you get lucky can find one for $300. I don't know a better built guitar in this price range than this oldies. There are also old Kramer American series from the same era, whose necks you would swear you were holding a C neck strat on a $1,800 guitar.

[video=youtube;AsKtoGn6qbk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsKtoGn6qbk[/video]

Oh how can I forget! A Korean PRS SE or Fender Classic Vibe are super solid choices! So much to choose from!

 

[paniconthenet]

I'm a bass player, but own about 14 electrics, Gibson's, fenders, prs are the higher end ones I have. I started playing guitar with a peavy tracer. I still have it. It was cheap (120 bucks), vintage, and American made. Just play every thing the store has in your price range, and then research all the pro's and con's of the ones you like.
Good luck!