There are a few things to consider when buying a guitar. What type of music will you be playing? Do you want new or used? What is the budget? If you are smaller there are smaller scale guitars

Nylon String Guitars 

• Typically, less expensive
• Softer strings – easier on your fingers
• Great for beginners
• Does not require an amp
• Not super loud. If you play with others, you may get drowned out
• Necks are typically a little wider
• Great for classical, folk, bossa nova

Acoustic Guitars 

• Can get expense
• Cheap ones are usually hard to play
• Strings are going to get harder to get used to
• Does not require an amp
• Louder than a nylon
• Often can be amplified if you have a pickup

Electric Guitars 

• Cheap and expensive – depends on what you get
• Versatile
• Requires an amp, strap, cable, and every pedal and effect you can dream of

What to Look For 

• Does the guitar stay in tune
• How far away are the strings from the fretboard
• Is it hard to play
• Does it buzz
• Does the neck feel comfortable
• Is it heavy
• Do the knobs, tuners and everything work smoothly
• Beat up or excessive dings

New or Used – Your budget 

• There is no shame in buying second hand. Sometimes you can find older guitars, or more interesting models.
• If you are buying used, make sure you try it out before leaving the parking lot of the shady Craigslist deal.
• I have bought brand new online without issues. I have also done the Craigslist thing with great results. However, not every used guitar online is going to be a great experience. Just watch out for scams.
• Buy new if you want to spend a little more. You can be confident that it will be in good working order, may have warranty. You can also get a specific size, specific scale or model.
• Again, watch for scammers – notice the pattern
• If this is your first guitar, don’t spend a ton. $300-$400 should get you a decent guitar. That being said, there is a world of difference between a $300 guitar and $2,000 guitar. Night and day. But only spend the big money if you know you are going to be dedicated.
• Don’t be afraid to try the Squire or the Epiphone. Brand doesn’t matter ever.
• You don’t need an American model either. Some Mexican, China or Korean guitars will play and sound great.
• You can always upgrade to a cheap guitar later on as well. I have an Epiphone with some killer pickups in it and it plays and sounds amazing.
• Often people think they want to learn guitar but quit quickly when they realize it requires effort, time and practice. So, take your commitment level into consideration when buying an axe.

Where to Buy 

• If you are going the new route, online is great. I’ve had incredible luck with Sweetwater. I have no affiliation, but their customer service is ridiculously awesome.
• However, you should touch and play a guitar first. So, go to a big box guitar store or local music shop, try a few out and see how they feel, what you like, etc. You can then go online and buy something like what you have already tried.
• I prefer to buy from smaller music stores, no offense, to the big box guitar stores.
• If you are looking for used, smaller music stores are good. You can also check pawn shops.
• Craigslist is an option. Or Reverb.com. Facebook marketplace.
• Just beware if you are buying a used guitar online.

Other Things You May Need 

• Picks
• Extra sets of strings
• Tuner
• Guitar strap
• Amplifier
• Effects/Pedals
• Cables
• Guitar case
• Guitar stand
• Capo
• E-bow
• Slide
• Guitar software
• Music stand
• Music books
• Lessons

All the above things add up, and some things can be very expensive. Be aware that being a guitarist does not come cheap. Be very careful buying equipment, buy decent stuff but don’t break the bank. If you can get by on $200 amp versus the $5,000 boutique amp, do it.

Don’t be a gear chaser. So many players keep buying all the new stuff in hopes it will make them better players. How many people do you know that have a million pedals and still sound terrible?

Becoming a better player requires practice, dedication and learning the equipment you currently have. If you only have a beginner nylon guitar. Become the best nylon guitar metal player you can be. Equipment does not make the player. Time, dedication, and talent wins in the end.