I am a beginner too in the upper age area too. I have been learning for just a few weeks and didn't like the sounds I was making (your garbage can analogy is a good one).
I fell into the GAS trap (Guitar Acquisition Syndrome) and maxed out the Visa on guitars, amps etc and still my guitar playing sounded terrible (you would think at my age I would have learnt that any better equipment of any type does not make a better user be it cars or power tools!).
It turns out that I enjoy my cheap first guitar which has now had a professional setup better than the more expensive name brands I have bought.
Now after visiting and reading forums, and having a few lessons, I realise there is no substitute for practising, practising, practising and learning.
