I got my first real guitar at the age of 12 (a Gibson Melody Maker). I traded it in (along with a good bit of cash) in the middle 70s for a Les Paul Custom that I still play to this day. I'm a CPA by day, and have spent the last several years being involved in my kids' lives. I'd play my guitar whenever I got the chance, but it was nothing regular. Now that my son and daughter are both in college, I have more time for myself. So, I've been able to seriously ramp up the amount of time I spend playing guitar. I recently formed a band with friends (The M.O.O.D. (Masters Of Our Domain)- www.myspace.com/themoodrocks).