My gf/now fiance got me a nice Yamaha acoustic for valentine's day last year but I still really haven't learned how to play much of anything yet. I just haven't messed around with it enough yet. I'm really hoping to get into a groove here soon where I really try to pick it up for more than 10 or 15 minutes at a time. :hs:

 

Solid state amps are trash. I have a solid state marshall and it's piss compared to a full tube oranage amp. But if you don't want to spend a lot of money, get a solid state with built in effects. If anything get one of those DOD pedals with built in sound banks. Or you can get say the behringer direct box and a sound card. Plug those in then download Guitar Rig 2. I just downloaded it. It's probably the most advanced amp/effects/processor modeling softwares ever. It's sound is almost identical if not better than when I mic my marshall with two shure sm57's off axis and straight on.

As for buying a guitar, never buy new and never pay sticker price. It's like a car you gotta talk the seller down even if it's at a guitar center. Ibanez, ESP, Fender and Jackson are very tone and noob friendly.

I also just left Sonar for Cubase SX3 and Wavelab. But Steinberg has far superior recording abilites even though they were bought out by Yamaha. I'm also about to pick up an Alesis 3630 compressor and BlueTube pre-amp.

 

Precisely. I bought an electric as my first guitar, and I wish I would have bought an acoustic first. Personally, I prefer tablature...it makes it so much easier for me. I just play for fun, so there's no need for me to learn how to actually read music.

 

I agree. If you're just learning, effects will mask your mistakes and distract you from actually progressing. Cheapo basic amps (can usually be rented for $15-20/month or bought for under $100) or acoustic.

:edit: its the same concept as learning to autocross on R tires. You wont notice your mistakes, and you wont learn to correct them. Learn on basic stuff, when you've mastered that, and your skill warrants it, upgrade.

 

i agree. sorry i was thinkin more of down the long-run it would be something that he would eventually have to invest in. unless he wasnt planning on doin much else.

 

You can get a decent guitar at a pawn shop for $50-100 and an amp for just as much or less.