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Another vote for the Tele, good call there, I would would say that it’s nigh on impossible to go wrong with a Tele. @Skinnyman’s suggestion of selecting a shop that does pre despatch set ups is certainly worth looking into. Whilst I agree with Dad up to a point about addressing your social anxiety (and you should, the more you get out there, the easier it becomes, take it from someone who was so painfully shy, I wouldn’t ask for directions and would rather be lost), a guitar shop is potentially a high pressure situation and a number of outlets will hassle you to ‘see how you’re getting on’, they are, after all, hoping to make a sale and some shops are better than others at being helpful rather than pressuring the customer. Another thing about ordering online, is that you have long distance selling regulations on your side and can send it back within a week or so, if it’s totally wrong for you. Regarding set ups, I was on my 5th guitar before I ever had a set up, so don’t overthink that aspect too much. Given your acoustic guitar experience, you already have a good idea of what you find comfortable. Best of luck and don’t forget to keep us updated with your new purchase, with photos if possible. Also, don’t forget to try and get ‘out there’ more, small steps to start with, but followed by bigger ones and then long strides and feel free to share that experience here too, you’d be surprised at how much support a forum can offer, with all sorts of things.

What Dad said. To add a little more… There are some incredible guitars at very reasonable prices these days and it’s hard to buy a real ‘lemon’. A Squier Tele should come set up pretty well from the factory (or order from a shop that offers a setup service if you really feel the need). Certainly, it will be set up well enough to see you through the initial phase of learning the instrument. For versatility I think a Tele is hard to beat and all of the big online retailers have good returns policies - just keep the packaging and leave the plastic film on the pickups until you know you’re keeping it. Happy hunting!

Hi all, I made my first post here back in September, and got some really good initial advice on electric guitars that might be well-suited for a beginner. As a reminder, I've never owned an electric guitar, but have played an acoustic guitar a bit. I want to achieve a jangly, twangy, melodic sound reminiscent of guitarists like James Honeyman-Scott (Pretenders), Johnny Marr, etc. (though having a versatile and beginner-friendly guitar is also something I'd like). At present, I'll most likely be opting for a Squier Telecaster of some kind, probably something from the Classic Vibe range (I like the look of both the 50s and 60s models from this range). Something I need to mention though is that I have suspected Social Anxiety Disorder, and so going into a guitar shop, trying out guitars, comparing guitar tones, and being able to discuss features and make considered decisions in that environment is not going to be possible for me at present (working on fixing that lol). Due to this, I wanted to ask if buying my first electric guitar online, based upon online research, online demo / test videos and general user ratings / reviews is a good idea? It feels as though I have little choice other than to do that, but I wanted to hear people's thoughts on this? Furthermore, I remember reading about guitar set-up, which I think is like a set of various tweaks and calibrations made (including probable strings replacement?) to improve the initial playability of a new guitar? (correct me if I'm wrong). Again, I'd be keen to get this done if it means the new guitar is checked-over, fine-tuned and calibrated for a better playing experience, but I'd be unlikely to be able to be the one to take the guitar to a guitar technician myself due to the same social anxiety issues, and would most likely ask a relative to help me out here, who would take my guitar to a technician for me and relay what it is I want done. Would this throw up any problems? Do I need to be there for a set-up to be carried out, considering I'm the one who will be playing it? Or is it a fairly standardised thing that a good guitar technician will be able to carry out without too much input (other than being told how extensive the set-up needs to be / what strings to use?) I'd be grateful to hear any thoughts you guys might have on the above, and thanks for taking the time!

Hmm... My first thought is that, even if it implies suffering a little (or even a lot..!), getting out to a music shop might well be a Good Thing, whether you buy a guitar there or not, simply as a step in getting rid of this Disorder..! Easy enough for me to write from the comfort of my own armchair, I'm well aware, but it's as much an Opportunity and Challenge as it's a difficult thing to do for you. That being said, and if it's really impossible (but needs working on, just the same...), there are few downsides to ordering a guitar from a reputable on-line supplier.To be blunt, most guitars are much of a muchness when starting out, and any tweaks needed could only really be minor, and unknown at first. It's only really over time that one feels that such and such could be improved, or optimised, for one's own playing; that's not acquired 'in the box' anyway, but only over time. I would say that, in the range of instruments you're considering, any would be 'set up' from the factory and playable straight away, as long as you know how to tune it (you already play acoustic, so that shouldn't be an issue...). I've not counted of late, but, with my own guitars, those of Our Eldest and those of the other members of our little group, there must be at least two dozen guitars, all very different. Any of us can play and enjoy any of these guitars, albeit modestly (disclaimer : I'm a drummer...). I suggest that it's not an issue for a first purchase, and that a set-up should only really be considered after having played the acquisition for a while 'as is'. It may be that we (all four of us...) are either not too fussy, too experienced or just plain lucky in having guitars that we can all play. Obviously I'm not talking about a fault, such as a seriously bowed neck, or a stripped tuning peg, but these are not what is meant by 'set up', and would imply simply sending back any instrument so delivered. No, order the guitar that inspires you the most from wherever you have most confidence and play the darned thing for a few months. That's time enough to get to realise if there's anything to 'tweak', enough time to learn how to do it yourself, and enough time to get yourself in the state of mind that enables you to consult a tech, if needed. There, that's my opinion. Others may well have others; but that's my tuppence-worth. The joy of playing will out-weigh any reticence you may have with the contact of shop folk, or techs, and can only help in improving any such condition. It's an Opportunity; seize it, I say.