Showing someone Steve Vai who,s intrested in starting to play the guitar is like showing a video of Valentino Rossi at Phillip Island in 2003 to someone doing there CBT
I agree with everything thats been said regarding equipment.I started playing at around 14 with no help or music in the family.Not brilliant tone wise either but practiced,read alot and met other players and with huge enthusiasm i came on fast.Did the lot up to about 22.Studio work live work chasing record deals,etc.Got into Steve Vai around 1985 through his work in Guitar player magazine and Frank Zappa.Anyway burnt out on it a bit and haven,t really bothered for 18 years until my 12 year old recording and asked me to teach him.Really getting back into it again now but only for pleasure
What a different world to learn in now.Dvd,internet sites [try finding a video of Steve Vai in 1985] tablature programs make it alot easier.My lad has been playing fairly leasurely for 6 months and his progress is very rewarding.He is into Green Day etc and is capable of playing When september ends to a competent standard in that time if that gives you some idea.Obviously i can show him exactly what to do but that should give you some idea
Enthusiasm is worth alot to
All the best