Looking at the variety of electric instruments available it can get confusing. Here are some bullet points that I hope help you make the decision.
- Easy! What sound are you looking for? Check out what your favorite players use or what instruments were used on a favorite song, and find something with the same features that works within your budget. So once you have the right kind of tool then all you have to do is practice :).
- Construction/materials matter. Traditional Fender Strats are made of Alder or Ash with bolt on Maple Necks and have many combinations of pickups available, however, they are renown and famous for the classic 3 Single Coil pickup configuration. The Les Paul is made of Mahogany with a glued set mahogany neck and are famous for their 2 humbucking pickup configuration. As you can tell by just reading this paragraph...they are not exactly alike so do some research as to which configuration you like before making a buying decision.
- Some cars are not built to be racecars and the same can be said for guitars. Thus: MODS! The instrument can be customized with replacement (aftermarket) parts and give it a different character or even just a cosmetic look. Some things that can be customized on an instrument include the Electronics IE:Pickups, Tone and Volume controls), Body Woods (Mahogany? Alder? Basswood?), Neck Woods (Maple, rosewood, Eboby, Wenge). Tuning keys, Bridge, saddles, String Trees...
- All modifications should be installed by an experienced repairman unless you have the proper tools.
- Buyers remorse for guitar? There is no such thing...because there is...Variety! Guitars are so different from one another that to own more than one(or several sometimes) is not unusual. I own a Singe Coiled instrument (A telecaster copy) and a Humbucker (Jackson) guitar and between them both I am covered for almost anything.
- A semi-hollowbody electric is on my radar as a future investment...don't tell my wife :).
- Price? All instruments need to be set up after you buy them. It's the beauty of the instrument in that it is customizeable to the individual player. Plan on spending an additional $50-100 to get the instrument set up the way you want it.
