Desperately need help choosing first guitar

[zabrak]

Right,


In three years from now, my band (which I will form next year) will release a debut album that’ll end up being as critically acclaimed and commercially successful as GnR’s debut. It won’t sound anything like GnR’s debut, but it’ll have a similar story: A relatively new band’s first album will be an absolute landmark.


Thing is, I never seriously sat down to properly learn how to play the guitar. I've picked it up and learned a few chords here and there, but I never took it seriously.




Anyway, I'm my plan is practice 6 hours a day on weekdays, and all day during the weekends, from here on.


However, I need help in choosing what kind of a guitar I'll need to suit my band


The genres on the album would be:


Hard Rock


Metal


Indie Electronic Rock-


Power Pop


Blues Rock


Progressive Dream-Funk Rock


Neo Soul Rock


Indie Folk


Arena Rock






So, because it'd be a varied mix of genres, it's a bit hard for me to choose a set guitar, you know.




Growing up, I thought the Gibson Les Paul was the coolest guitar made....But, I'm not sure if that guitar's sound would be appropriate for some of the genres on here...




Gah, can anybody help me out here? I'd spend around $2k or so

[zabrak]

ALRIGHT BROS


After asking around the internet, I've jotted some notes down. Again, I'm trying to pick a single guitar, so I'm doing my best to narrow these notes down, you know


It'd be fantastically appreciated if you could give me your thoughts on them....




difference between a telecaster and a stratocaster? When answering, please keep in mind that I'll be attempting to tackle the variety of genres noted above


difference between an SG and a Les Paul? Again, trying to play a variety of styles here, so I suppose I'd be looking for which one would be better for the genres that I'm playing.


should I get equipment that'll make Fender guitars sound like a Gibson? Say, a humbucker and 2 single-coil pickups on astratocaster? Or a humbucker on the neck of a Telecaster? In other words, should I avoid a gibson and just play with a modified Fender?


And for my last question, should I purchase this Les Paul?


http://www.guitarcenter.com/-i1774374.gc


It's some new Les Paul Mode. The Shred Les Paul Studio.


I'm thinking this just might be the answer to all of this, really. Especially when there's a model on Craigslist going for just $1,000 that I'm looking at, heh.


I'm really tempted to go with that, actually. Fenders or Ibanez may be superior for shredding when it comes to Metal, but this just might fill in that void?






Also, here's some other random brands and what not that were mentioned as well. However, the above Gibson Shred Les Paul may make these irrelevant:




G&L Legacy
Silvertone
Charvel
ibanez
Squier mini
Parker Fly with a whammy bar.
ESP LTD Deluxe EC-1000 with EMG 81
Music Man John Petrucci 6 Electric Guitar






Help on this would be FANTASTICALLY appreciated.


I mean this is it bros. After this, I'm going absolutely head first into this gigantic project of mine.

[Jerome]

I find it hard to believe that your first album will be critically acclaimed seeing as you do not even have a band yet, but 10/10 for confidence anyway. As regards guitars, these days there is very little between them, but maybe consider a PRS. You can get any sound you want from any instrument with all the modelling amplifiers now available, not to mention software plug-ins as well, but the most important thing is not what it sounds like but whether you are comfortable with the instrument or not. If you are serious about HM & shredding you are going to have to make sure it matches your fingers and playing style - a VERY important consideration. All electric guitars are essentially dead - they do not produce their own sound - it's the amplification and processing that's important. Find an instrument you are comfortable with first - the sound quality comes later. After many years of practice I might add.......oh yes, learn scales - boring, but it will unlock the neck for you to a point where you will not have to think about where your fingers are going - they just fall into place. Good luck!

[Music Head]

As regards guitars, these days there is very little between them, but maybe consider a PRS. You can get any sound you want from any instrument with all the modelling amplifiers now available, not to mention software plug-ins as well


speaks volumes as to where music is at

[SteveO]

Welcome aboard MD, zabrak!

Jerome , our esteemed MD technical music advisor, is right on! Heed by his advice, zabrak! Good name for your band - ZABRAK - lol! PRACTISE your SCALES !!!!...very essential and mandatory for learning the guitar! It takes strict discipline ...practise , practise, practise! ..and make sure your guitar is properly tuned!!!!!...otherwise nothing sounds right!

I have been struggling with the guitar for years...lack of discipline on my part!...lol..I own a cheaper model of a Fender...a Red Squier Strat...a Japanese knock off I think. I have a 50 watt Fender Frontman 15G amp. Bought the amp and guitar for only $75 from a guy who lost interest in learning! The gear is in immaculate condition! I didn't want to spend hundreds of dollars on an electric guitar that I knew I wouldn't play every day!!!!..lol.

Good luck in attaining your goal! Keep us posted on your progress!

[Jerome]

I am sure there are many members on the site that can give you better technical advice than I can. All I can tell you is what I know and what I have experienced - and that's not a whole lot either but SteveO makes one point which I omitted in my post - it's takes DISCIPLINE to achieve things. You have got to be committed - 100%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!