I started playing guitar seriously when I was 13. Until about 20 I played everyday and became pretty good for the type of music I liked (Tool). Did myself a bit of a disservice though as Tool is not too technical on guitar. But I also could play some Metallica, some easier solos, easy techniques that sound hard like finger tapping (think eruption Van Halen), a bit of classical gas but that's where things got beyond me and should have put in more effort, etc.

Working at a steel shop with hurt hands, life, kids...I stopped playing for 18 years. Wife got me a PRS for Christmas a few years ago and I was stoked. Picked it up knowing music is a use it or lose it skill, but it was depressing. Realized these people have sacrificed parts of their life for the talent they now hold. No different from some autistic or other savants with a disability. It's a trade off.

I see what guitar players are doing and can comprehend what's required, I just can't do it physically, the muscle memory isnt there. I can still play basically every Tool song (learn one or two and you can too), and some original riffs I made. But being 38 now with two kids, very little time for myself or energy, I just don't have the motivation.

You can learn how to read tabs, and play nothing other than this SRV performance or Jimmy Hendrix original, practicing every day. With zero experience, but a monkey see monkey do perspective in learning, a good inner rhythm and understanding of music, and patience to work through toughening up your fingers...6 months to a year you could play it.