Like may people, after playing a shitload of Guitar Hero,
I figure I could probably have the skillz to do it for real.

Now, I'm not a complete guitar virgin- I did have an acoustic 6-string when I was in primary school and knew a handful of chords, and I also had an electric bass from 14-18 with an amplifier of sorts, even did a couple of battle-of-the-bands with my college mates. But that was 19 years ago.

So, about 2 years ago I suddenly get an urge to try my hand at the real thing. Of all places, Toys-r-Us do a Squier Strat (a cheap copy of the immortal Fender Stratocaster) kit with a guitar, a gig bag, an instructional DVD, some picks (plectums. Sorry, Plectri...?) and a lead and a matchbox-sized practice amp for £130.

SOLD.

Walked out with it under my arm and was pretty pleased with myself. Went home, twanged about, felt chuffed.

Now the story takes a turn along the same lines as MiracleFish's story down there.

It's an electric guitar alright, yeah, I can hear but it's a bit tinny.

Next day, off to the music shop. Medium-sized amp bought.Rockin'!
It's quite loud now, SHAZAM!

But- the quality of the Squier is a bit suspect, little details et cetera such as knob engraving, fretwork, bridge and machine heads all a bit cheap... back in the music shop I was perusing what was on offer and an identical Fender Strat was on sale... the real deal!
. Part x'd my Squier strat in for a proper Fender... Result! The action is much better, the quality is much better allround and I am suddenly a better player because of the superior equipment!

But the gain/overdrive/reverb on the amp is a bit limited. It might be holding me back from the Rock God I could potentially be...

Next week, back to the music shop for a multiple effects unit.

It's groovy now, flanger/phaser/chorus/echo/reverb/overdrive/compressor/pitch shifter/compressor/noise gate and of course a Wah-wah. And a shitload of presets that can make you sound like you're playing anything from a Marshall Stack with an all-valve head to a Mesa Boogie. Fantastic!

All was well. Then Prof Kenny Martin let it be known that he had a maHOOsive 2x12 twin hybrid amp with enough power to saw adamantium in half, a mere bagatelle for £xxx (classified). I was in.

GREAT! I Now have all the power, all the sounds, a decent guitar, and NOW...

I can currently play some early Cult and easy Iron Maiden (one of the guitarists, anyway).

If success is 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration, then my guitar playing career so far is 99% investment in equipment, 1% skill....
( Rotating Wobbly Hat That's not a banana. THIS is a banana., Fri 22 May 2009, 20:41, 3 replies)

*click*
...as I decide which of my guitars i should slaughter Under the Bridge on tonight...
( TheMattInAHat has a particular... odour..., Fri 22 May 2009, 21:33, closed)

Nothing wrong with a bit of early Cult....
Ketlafish are still murdering She Sells Sanctuary on a regular basis! :)
(Professor Kenny Martin Hmm? What?, Sat 23 May 2009, 1:11, closed)

Bass messiah here
The more you spend, the better you will be pmffffffffff!
(grumpynurse ,is playing minigolf on, Sat 23 May 2009, 19:00, closed)