Electric guitars - need some guidance

Ok, Ive been taking guitar lessons on and off since the mid-90s (also practicing on and off). I started with a guy who just wanted to teach me classical. I learned a lot from him, but eventually I got tired of classical, it not really being my thing. Then, I went to another place near me, and began picking up basic rock/blues concepts. But then, I had to stop the lessons due to life intruding.

Now, I am going through a creative upsurgence in my life, and my singing voice is getting pretty good, so I'm going back for more voice and guitar lessons soon. I used to have an imitation les paul, but I ended up selling that a while back, so all I have is my acoustic, which is nice, but I miss having an electric.

I'm not an expert with the guitar, however - right now Im basically at the stage where I can pick up new chords ok, and read tablature, and play stuff like the 12 bar blues. My hand strength and flexibility is good for someone with my inexperience due to my classical teacher, but I think I would like a guitar that doesn't require as much strength to use as others, for the sake of control.

If you can't tell, Im not an expert on electrics either - I think action is the term used to refer to the strength required on the strings, but I can't remember if thats correct, or if Im getting it confused with another term.

Can someone please give me some info I can use to make a reasonably informed purchase? I'd like as much of a variety of sound as I can get without it being too expensive.

 

No, action is how far the strings are up off the fretboard.

And in my opinion, it depends on the person... I find paying someone to teach you lessons a little... inefficient and unnecessary. Kind of like buying an SUV and not driving it because you put gas in it. I'd rather do it my own way, "correct" or not, I can get by, trust me. I'd be happier if I found it in myself that I could play without having someone teach it... Atop that, they're going to try and tell you what is right or wrong or habits and things you shouldn't do (your natural tone/technique) based on personal politics... and I'm not saying what I'm saying isn't personal politics, it is... But it's a hell of a lot more comfortable than forking out cash to someone and getting tired with dealing with them, which is the same damn reason I decided to homeschool myself. My guitar teacher also doubled as my guitar tech and I ended up walking out on him over a D chord because he wanted me to do it how most other people do it, but I find it irritating because it allows me to go into fretboard runs alot quicker.

What kind of tone do you want? hollowbody, semi-hollow, chambered, solid, chewy, dark, bright, distorted, clean, meaty, creamy, humbuckers, single coils? Tone is generally in your hands anyway...

Also, what price range are you looking at?

 

the flexibility of the strings has to do with their size, not the guitar

if you want to be able to play without having to use alot of strength, then you would use ultra light gauge nickel/steel strings

 

The guys at this little store near me are pretty cool, there is of course going to be a preferred way of doing things, but theyre pretty laid back, and try to give you as many options as you can. Plus, while things like drawing and writing come easy to me, instumental music is a bit harder for me to pick up, and those lessons I had with the last guy at this shop really helped a lot.

I'm figuring I'm going to be spending around 200-500 bucks. As for all the words you used to describe tone, I only vaguely recognize humbucker as part of the guitar (I told you I'm nowhere near an expert on electrics). Coils I assume refer to the bassier strings? Distorted and clean I can figure out, but the rest leave a big question mark hanging about inside my skull.

I guess since I'm unclear on a lot of things, I'll pose this question: whats the main difference in sound between a stratocaster, a fender, a les paul, and a gibson? Which has action closest to the frets?

 

single coil and humbucker are different types of pickups, (found near the bridge of the guitar) used to pick up the electromagnetic frequencies and run them into the amplifier

when you start getting into all that tone stuff, dont worry about knowing all the specifics and minute details, if you like the sound your guitar makes then youre pretty much set

the sound is essentially determined by two factors, being how you play the guitar and what kind of tone alteration you apply to it, (amplifier settings, pedals, etc.) and theres tons of that stuff for every style of music

but the main thing about the guitar that really matters is that you find it comfortable to play

stratocaster = made by fender

les paul = made by gibson

I think a les paul probably has the lowest action, but as you probably know they generally go for at least three times your price range (and in my opinion they are NOT worth it)

you should check out ibanez and yamaha guitars

 

Ok, this has helped me a good deal. I feel a little more prepared for going into that shop now.

 

http://agileguitars.com/