What do I need to start playing electric guitar?

Question:

What do I need to start playing electric guitar?

I'm left-handed and I'm not sure about what I need to buy, besides a guitar (duh). I've seen those beginner packs but not any for left-handed people.. so could someone provide me with a list of equipment I need to start playing? Some recommendations for each would be cool too.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I'd be more than happy to help. Basically, you've got a slew of choices. Because you're left-handed, it's your choice if you want to play just a regular guitar and use your forehand on the neck and pick with your weakhand, or specially order a lefty guitar, which limits your options and is more expensive. My recommendation would be to just get a regular guitar; the bassist in my band has been totally fine just play with his forehand on the neck and not ordering a lefty.

As far as other accessories, it's your choice of if you want to get stuff on the cheap side and see if you like it, or if you want to jump right in and, in the long run, save money. If your choice is the first one, then any of the big companies, Ibanez (which I play), Fender (which are also great guitars), or Squier (which honestly aren't so much, but they are cheaper), have great starting kits that give you everything you really need except for maybe an amp. If you're just getting a little box amp, I wouldn't spend more than $100.

If you do want to jump right in though, you'll need picks (about 50 cents each, probably just buy a pack), a 1/4 mono cable (I'd spend between $20 to $50 for one, and the best companies are Monster and Planet Waves), and a tuner (a Korg chromatic tuner, which is the most popular kind, costs something like $10 or $15). Beyond that, you'll obviously need lessons or a book to actually learn to play, and there's a million different accessories depending on what style of music you want to play and how much you get into playing. Let me know if you want more detail on that, but your teacher or book will probably explain it.