As a beginner you really should get an acoustic to start with. I would highly recommend getting a classical guitar with nylon strings. If you start on one of those and get good, you will have no problem playing electric guitars and you will not wind up as a sloppy guitarsist. I have found that many who start on electric guitar, with extremely rare exception, are some of the sloppiest guitarsists, and they usually wind up only able to play some sloppy pentatonic riffs. That is not in the case for everyone. There are some people who can get really good starting on electric. But personally, I would really consider an acoustic first. Or at least a semi-hollow electric-acoustic. Ibanez makes some very good semi-hollow electric-acoustics. If you insist on playing electric immediately, however, then I would suggest you start playing on something like Fender. Fender is not such a great company these days, but they are good for learning on. When you buy a guitar though, make sure the action is comfortable--in other words, make sure the strings are not too high when you push them down. Playing on a guitar that has strings two inches above the fretboard gets very annoying, especially when playing fast riffs, and it can hurt too. Also, if you get an electric, when you practice, do not use the distrotion effects. It is very tempting, but they are not good for practicing. Once again, practicing with distortion is another step in the direction of becoming sloppy.

Anyways, the type is up to you. Just go out and try a bunch and decide on the one you think fits your hands best. Avoid the fancy looking guitars--like the Flying V's--for now, and just get something comfortable and easy to play.

By the way, if you decide to play with a plectrum (pick), you should learn how to alternate pick as soon as you feel comfortable with playing basic chords and scales. Not knowing how to alternate pick with a pick can limit your playing severly. But if you decide to play with your fingers (which you probably will not, since you want an electric--and most electric players use picks), learn to use as many fingers as you can. Many finger pickers only use their first two fingers and sometimes the thumb for dual part playing. I use all of my fingers and my thumb for whatever I can get them to do, and it makes learning new riffs and playing arpeggios very easy.

Good luck starting!

James Dowdy Moose

Your welcome. When you get your guitar, tell me what you got--curious.

James Dowdy Moose

I agree with James that you should get and acoustic Guitar first but when you are prepared for an electri Guitar I suggest u get a Squire Telcaster they are good for beginners and not TO pricey.