Acoustic or Electric

The first step in buying a guitar is to decide what kind of guitar you want to play. There are essentially three different kinds of guitars:

There are guitars that fall outside of these categories, but you likely wouldn't want one of these instruments as your first guitar. Within these three categories there are many kinds of guitars that will work for a variety of musical styles.

Electric Guitars

In general, electric guitars are easier to play than classical or steel string guitars. They usually have lighter string gauges and lower action. Both of these things make electric guitars easier for beginners to play.

Electrics are also better suited to certain styles like rock, heavy metal, jazz, and blues. There are many kinds of electric guitars that may be more suitable for certain styles than others. A good way of determining which guitar would be good for you is to look at the guitars your favorite players use. Here is a short list of guitar models and manufacturers, and some famous players who play them:

While you may not want to spend enough to buy the high-end models these players use, there are many options that have similar features and sound for less money. For example, a Gibson Les Paul will likely run you several thousand dollars, but you can get an Epiphone Les Paul for around $400. The Epiphone may not sound quite as good and the construction won't be up to the standard of the Gibson, but it will still be a good guitar for a beginner.

Steel String Acoustic Guitars

A steel string acoustic can be difficult for a beginner to play. There is a common myth that starting on an acoustic is better because of this and that you will be able to play electric guitars more easily as a result, but this is nonsense. You should start on the instrument that works for the kind of music you intend to play.

Acoustics usually have larger strings and a higher action than an electric guitar. This makes them harder to work with, especially for beginners.

If you intend to learn fingerstyle or want to accompany yourself by strumming, an acoustic may be a better choice than electric. An acoustic guitar works well for folk, Celtic, acoustic blues, and other styles.

Classical Guitars

A classical guitar is an unlikely choice for a beginner unless you specifically intend to learn classical music. These instruments feel a lot different than an electric or steel string acoustic guitar. The neck is wider and the strings are nylon.