Electric guitars

[KaiineTN]

So I've been playing my same old acoustic and a ukulele for a number of years now, and I'd really like to try out an electric, the problem is, I don't know the first thing about them or what would be best.

Since I've been playing for years, would it be better to start with something not on the cheap end? Should I go used? What's good for what kinds of sounds? What's the most versatile? How much would a non-crap package cost me? Guitar, amp, distortion, whatever I'd need to get going.

Anything to watch out for? Red flags?

My style of music is mostly pretty mellow, some rock, alternative, etc., but I'd like to be able to recreate the sounds that a lot of recognizable/popular rock songs have had over the past 4-5 decades or so.

Any suggestions? >_<

[Tikker]

just go to a guitar store, and pick out the one that feels right in your hands

you can get a really nice package for 500 bucks, np

I went with a Zoom over a regular amp

it's basically all the pedal effects you'll ever need, plus it has built in drum tracks
it'll also let you record a rythm section, then play lead over top of it

it's nice, you can plug in headphones to it, or just plug in whatever speakers you want (i plugged mine into my home theater receiver when not on headphones)

[brinstar]

fender g-deck can do that too

but yeah just grab a few and strum, see what feels best in your hands

i would recommend something inexpensive since you may end up not liking the switch from acoustic to electric-- yes they are the same chords and notes and strings but the feel is totally different.

personally i still swear by my $94 squier '51, i get better sound out of it than guitars i've played that cost 8x as much

[Kramer]

1) make sure that you get what feels good, but make sure you like the pickup(s) and the literal sound coming out, b/c if you aren't going to buy pedals you'll be real sad with a "jazz" or "tejano" sound as opposed to a more rock sound
2) like tikker said, i think, don't spend more than $500, but shop around, b/c just like acoustic's, if you just shop a bit you can get alot more for your cash
3) and just like acoustic's 500 isn't much adn it won't be a great guitar, so have fun, get one that you think looks cool and has good feel