Clueless Beginner: What guitar should i get?

Question:I want to buy a guitar 2 basically learn off of it. I've been wanting 2 learn guitar for a while, so i figured it's time 2 take action. The only problem for now is.... I dont know what guitar 2 buy. I'm clueless about guitars. Any tips/advice?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I want to buy a guitar 2 basically learn off of it. I've been wanting 2 learn guitar for a while, so i figured it's time 2 take action. The only problem for now is.... I dont know what guitar 2 buy. I'm clueless about guitars. Any tips/advice?

If you are a complete beginner, here's my advice. First, buy from a music store and nowhere else. Not a department store, toy store, and certainly never, ever, EVER buy from a pawn shop.

Second, try a number of different guitars. Go ahead, try them out. The stores want people to try the instruments. (If the store doesn't let you "test drive" the guitar, leave and go someplace else.) Also, you should probably start out with an acoustic unless you have your heart set on an electric guitar. If you're just learning to play, you don't want to be bothered learning what's what with the electronics (and yes, there's more to learn than just adjusting the volume controls).

Be prepared to spend at least $150 to $200 (US). Less than that, and you are probably going to get a piece of junk. Learning and playing on a poor quality instrument is FAR more difficult. You'll have a tough time doing anything, and may be tempted to quit in frustration. My first guitar had very high action (that's the height of the strings above the fretboard); playing barre chords was almost impossible, but I thought it was me, so I gave up trying to do barre chords; then i bought a good quality guitar and the difference is like night and day.) Some good brand names are Ibanez, Epiphone and Yamaha.

When you go to the store, take a friend or relative with you if you know someone who plays guitar. They can give you pointer or advice. Also, don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions. The sales people at the store want to sell you a guitar that you'll be happy with. If you're happy, you'll probably go back to the same store for future purchases, like replacements trings, capos, and other accessories.

Speaking of accessories, the only "must have" accessories to buy with the guitar are a decent case, a strap and some picks. Other accessories, like a capo (a clamp-like thing that goes over the fingerboard to quickly and temporarily change the key) can be bought later on.

Hope that helps.

go with a Jay Turser. I wish i went with one of those as my first axe, but i didnt know about them. my first came from a pawnshop :\

I've got an Ibanez, which I LOVE. My dad has a Yamaha, which is also great. Either of those I'd recommend.
Good luck with your playing!

Ibanez:
http://www.ibanez.com/

Yamaha:
http://www.yamaha.com/guitars/

Good advice from previous person. I agree that someone who plays guitar should go with you to the store.

Another important accessory is a tuner. $20-$30 will get one that's good enough. One of the first things you need to learn how to do is tune the guitar.