Clueless Newbie Questions, Karaokeing recordings. Options

[nickdaum]

My current hard and soft:
Mac G5 dual
M-Audio FireWire Solo
GarageBand
Audacity

I'm not a professional musician and don't intend to be. I just want to start singing and playing guitar Blues on my own as a retirement hobby.
Instead of using loops for the drums and bass backing I would like to use actual recordings of my favorite musicians as karaokes. Is it possible to remove both voice and guitar from a recording? If so how?

Secondary question, a little off topic: I need to buy an electric guitar, not too expensive, possiblly second hand.
As a matter of fact I'll stick to a slow tempo, like Blues does, so I don't need a "fast" guitar. I don't care about the look or the shape since I find them all ugly whether Strato or LesPaul or whatever. I don't care about accessing the highest treble notes.
I care only usability and sound.

What are the specs I should put on my list? Any brand you would recommend?

TIA

Nick

[gonechan]

hi nick

well ,the sales person that told you that should be selling chips at the McDonalds rather than selling musical instruments i think.
there are many factors that make a guitar's sound,for example the type of wood it is made from,if the parts are glued toghether or are screwed,and of course the pickups ,but the pickups basically amplify the results of the above.a guitar made with bad quality materials will never have a good,stable tone ,it will never be in tune.
now about getting an acoustic guitar first,it all depends ,if you intend to just ply the electric i don't see the point on getting one ,but if you're also interested in playing diferent sounds and styles ,is better to go first with an acoustic(spanish guitar) and learn some classical music on it ,it will make the perspective on things a lot wider and you'll learn the proper way of positioning your hands,wrists and how to control the instrument in many ways.
maybe to have a clearer perspective ,it will be helpful to contact you're future teacher(if you have one) and consult him .
good luck!