My friend had a show at a local mexican resturant/bar. (Pretty big place, fit 300+ people) and they had a guitar center raffle. I take pictures for his band and the other band on his label. They called my ticket number. I won an Ibanez RG. Now, I'll be honest, I know nothing about instruments. I love metal, but I don't play, thats why I am the photographer. I love the band and the music and I wanna contribute, but I take pictures.

So, what do I do now? How do I learn, what type of equipment do I buy, should I keep it etc. I honestly have always wanted to learn how to play, so what the heck is next?!

Learn to play! It can be time-consuming but it's very rewarding surprisingly fast.

Well, you need an amp. 15W is enough for practicing and learning. Maybe a Fender G-DEC or one of the smaller Roland Cubes or some other modeling amp would be a good choice, since you get versatile sounds on a real budget.

Then you need a strap, a cable, picks, strings, and a tuner (if the amp doesn't include one) and you're set. Look up some Metallica tabs on http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/ and start playing


EDIT: Essentially the gear is stuff you can find anywhere. Go talk to the staff at your local store and see what you like.

Ibanez RG.

Can I have it?

It depends what you want to do really, I just started downloading tabs and just playing. After half a year I'd categorise myself as an advanced beginner, or maybe close to intermediate. My playing is pretty sloppy though. I've considered taking lessons, since a tutor can answer your questions and show you how to do stuff unlike a book can. I'd say you keep it, just play for like 20 minutes or something each day, when you want to.

So I ended up playing for 5 hours on my first time playing. I have a few friends who are guitar players, and I spent 5 hours with one of them tonight just learning riffs and basics. Playing an instrument kicks ass!

Playing an instrument kicks ass!

Awesome! Couldn't agree more. Playing music is the greatest thing one can do with other people with clothes on.

Out of curiosity, which kind of RG is it? And did you buy any more stuff yet?

It's a RG120. A friend of mine gave me his old amp and I didn't buy anything else yet cause I am super low on funds. I have a bag, strap, picks, etc. I need strings, and other sound enhancing products when I learn more / have money.

PS: I already learned Let it Roll and the first 2 parts to Hyperdrive. Couldn't be happier.