I am wanting to learn guitar...need help?

Question:I really would like to take up guitar. However I'm not sure where to start..I don't even know the terms/notes etc.

Anyways, I want to play stuff similar to "The Devil Wears Prada", the band, not the movie/book.

What all do I need to start out with?
I decided to get a
"Schecter Tempest Custom Electric Guitar (Vintage White)"
What kind of amp would be good for me to get? I want something that will last a bit...

What else do I need to start practicing?
And ABOUT how long does it take to get good(assuming I practice a few hours a day? I basically wanna know when I can cover their songs.

(http://youtube.com/watch?v=ufN6olJ3P8s an example of music I want to play)

I know this isnt going to be an over night thing, I don't expect to be wailing on the guitar by the end of the year. I don't need any "Get a cheap guitar from walmart cause you're going to quit in a couple weeks comments" I'm looking for serious answers.

Thanks.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I really would like to take up guitar. However I'm not sure where to start..I don't even know the terms/notes etc.

Anyways, I want to play stuff similar to "The Devil Wears Prada", the band, not the movie/book.

What all do I need to start out with?
I decided to get a
"Schecter Tempest Custom Electric Guitar (Vintage White)"
What kind of amp would be good for me to get? I want something that will last a bit...

What else do I need to start practicing?
And ABOUT how long does it take to get good(assuming I practice a few hours a day? I basically wanna know when I can cover their songs.

(http://youtube.com/watch?v=ufN6olJ3P8s an example of music I want to play)

I know this isnt going to be an over night thing, I don't expect to be wailing on the guitar by the end of the year. I don't need any "Get a cheap guitar from walmart cause you're going to quit in a couple weeks comments" I'm looking for serious answers.

Thanks.

The guitar looks pretty cool. The foreign made "Duncan Designed" pickups aren't great for music that heavy though.

I think about the best value out there now for heavy music is the all mahogany, set-neck Epiphone Les Paul Standard. You could buy one and install name-brand pickups geared towards heavy rock for about what the Schecter costs. Maybe change the tuners to something name-brand someday and have a have a high-quality nut installed for the ultimate tuning stability.

If you want the capacity to get together with a drummer and play... You'll need at least a 100 watt combo amp with dual drivers. You could go simple (something with no built in effects) for around $300.00 A Line 6 with built in amp modeling and effects for a little more. You wouldn't probably have the urge to buy any other pedals and effects for quite a while with something like that and some heavier pickups.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/L...

The built-in distortion on the cheaper amps usually sucks for heavier music. But, most of the name-brands do a fine job of basic amplification. You'd need a good distortion pedal... Additional pedals or a multi-effects unit if you desire more effects...

You may want to have the strings changed over to .010 gauge strings for heavier rock (almost all guitars come with .009 installed). This would require adjusting the relief in the neck of the guitar and resetting the intonation. A beginner should have a pro set the guitar up and only use the same brand and gauge of strings after that.

You'l need a good electronic tuner if your amp or multi-effects unit doesn't have one built-in... http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/K...

Some picks... Medium is a great place to start. You might eventually prefer something heavier for heavy rock.... http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/F...

A strap if you want to practice standing... http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/D...

I don't think it would take you too long at all to learn that style of music. Sounds like mostly power chords to me... a few other chords thrown in... solos that aren't too complicated and could be invented or duplicated without knowing anything... You'll be playing stuff like that in no time once you learn about power chords and how to get a heavy enough distortion out of your guitar. You could check out tabs to their songs to learn any of the chords that aren't obvious.

As with most musical instruments the time it takes depends on your dedication as well as your natural abilities. As for an amp, I reccomend Go!Amp. They are cheap and great for practicing. Get an electronic tuner, they are a life saver, and a set of extra strings.
I recommend finding some easy guitar Tabs of popular songs to start. Songs like Smoke On the Water and the intro to 7 Nation Army are easy to learn and make you feel like a rock star. They also teach you how to switch frets fast and not fumble as much.