Well .... I love playing guitar. I started my string instrument journey with one. The "problem" I learned was that whenever I went to a jam there were already too many guitar players there. So I started working on mandolin. And while it has some similarities to guitar it has more differences. Don't let that stop you , just be warned. Also many beginner guitar books have pictures of a guitar players hands making the chords. That might help you identify by watching. Secondly or thirdly I suppose I took up with a fiddle, which being tuned like a mandolin and made of the same woods has no similarities in the techniques of playing one. But, ta da there are rarely too many fiddles at a jam. Insofar as investing more money in The Loar mandolin you have made the best decision not to. Save or spend that money on a guitar will it be a worthy journey either way and Blueridge makes a very good guitar for the money. Enjoy R/