Like live concerts, live lessons are always more successful.  I'm not one to go online and take a lesson.  The teacher is often more adept at dealing with common problems when one is in person.  OTOH, make sure to find find a good teacher.  Some are skunks.

I find other's opinions interesting and useful. They might just point me towards something I wasn't aware of and like.

Equipment is something that can fascinate me, not because I want to emulate someone in the way some gear obsessives do, but because discussions amongst people who are actually knowledgable rather than repeating what the local "forum gods" decree is the "ultimate fuzz/delay/amp/whatever" can point me in hopefully useful directions. Where I lived 40 years ago there was no-one within 30 miles who knew how to properly set up a guitar, no-one who could (or would) explain how to use a fuzz face with the guitar's volume control, no-one too explain harmonica note-bending. There was a total of three or four venues that once in a while put on local musicians within 15 miles and one of them was pay to play.

This wasn't a remote area in the backwoods either, but the English midlands.

So knowledge about techniques and equipment was either a closely guarded secret that those 'in the know' kept to themselves or simply not to be found. Come to that, the electric guitar, bass and the synthesiser weren't even regarded as "proper instruments" worthy of serious attention - things drugged-up layabouts played because any fool could make them make a noise and the other drugged-up layabouts were daft enough to pay for their noise.

People starting playing now are really fortunate, the amount of easily found information is amazing. So, unfortunately, is the amount of disinformation, but that's a different story.

I wouldn't anymore.
 
I'm glad I was turned onto Robin Ford and Larry Carlton when younger but not so much anymore.

bitman
I wouldn't anymore.
 
I'm glad I was turned onto Robin Ford and Larry Carlton when younger but not so much anymore.

I can sure relate to that. Although when I was growing up the music was what I was being turned on to. It wasn't someone telling about a guitarist. I could hear it and decide if it was of interest. That was a big thing...someone would get a new album and everybody would get together and give it a listen. Someone could point out something about the guitar player...it didn't matter...you were either going to relate to that player or you weren't. You were going to buy their releases and study or you weren't. Nothing anybody said was going to change that...UNLESS you had to learn it for the cover band. Well that's the way it was for me anyway.
 

eph221
Like live concerts, live lessons are always more successful.  I'm not one to go online and take a lesson.  The teacher is often more adept at dealing with common problems when one is in person.  OTOH, make sure to find find a good teacher.  Some are skunks.

I studied with a teacher the day I started in 1962. Around 1964 I had a round trip of 180 miles to study with a very well known private instructor and continued for a couple of decades. Of course while holding down bands and studio work...and a day job.
 
tlw- I understand. I too was in a world of my own. Things were much different back then and if there were anybody to recommend much it was at a music store. I learned a lot at the stores but it wasn't from the employees- it was from having the goods to test out. Then, as now, others opinions are for them (to me). I've always made my own and the only thing is if we agree. That just doesn't help me...nice to know we might agree but what do ya do with it. Smile?
 
Even now with the internet and so much to check out and listen to...lots of opinions but nothing compares to hands-on. That's when it has meaning for me.
 
 

Other people rarely have my opinions. Some of my opinions are based on known facts and some are based on complete and total ignorance and outright lunacy. Sometimes, I hear other people's opinions and reconsider the validity of my own. When I give my opinion, I do so with the understanding that no one wants to hear it, but sharing it may satisfy my need for self-expression. Most people, on the other hand, use that time to check their email, update Facebook, take a nap, or "test their headphones."
 
In this particular area, however, I am an ignorant lump, so I would be interested in hearing the opinions of people who actually know what they're talking about. I would not give an opinion, because I Am not a guitarist and have not earned the right. 

UbiquitousBubba
Other people rarely have my opinions. Some of my opinions are based on known facts and some are based on complete and total ignorance and outright lunacy. Sometimes, I hear other people's opinions and reconsider the validity of my own. When I give my opinion, I do so with the understanding that no one wants to hear it, but sharing it may satisfy my need for self-expression. Most people, on the other hand, use that time to check their email, update Facebook, take a nap, or "test their headphones."
 
In this particular area, however, I am an ignorant lump, so I would be interested in hearing the opinions of people who actually know what they're talking about. I would not give an opinion, because I Am not a guitarist and have not earned the right. 

You could give your opinion. You do have the right. Many people give their opinion all the time and don't know what their talking about or it may even be based on very limited experience.
You don't have to be a guitarist to have an opinion on who you may like the sound of.
 
I have the opportunity way to often to offer mine. "It's only my opinion" without doubt weighs differently to folks and I guess is flattery when one is asked. I think "when asked" is the key for me. Sometimes I do and I know when I do that it probably doesn't matter and/or even understood and goes south. Knowing I should have STFU.
 
Well I'm learning why some people find opinions valuable. Even so, I haven't learned anything that would make opinions have value to me UNLESS I'm involved with them.