With such a wide variety of guitars, styles, brands, models, where does one begin the process of deciding which one is the best one to buy? The list of manufacturers alone can be daunting. Is hand made better than mechanical made. Some say hand made is the best.
There are a number of factors that can eliminate many of the choices, but ultimately it all comes down to personal preference. The type of music you like to listen to, which is most likely what you’ll like to play, or want to learn to play, plays a big part.
Many people say that Acoustic guitars are best suited to country, jazz and that style of music. These same people will tell you that Electric guitars are best suited to rock, pop, blues and that style of music. I have personally heard both types of music played quite well on either type of guitar. However, having said that, I must say that whether you plan to play in front of a small group of people, or if you have aspirations of someday playing in front of a large crowd can affect your decision.
If you want to play a bass guitar, then your choices are automatically a lot slimmer. I have been told that tuning a bass guitar is difficult, but then again so is any guitar until you learn how to do it. Steel guitars have their own unique sound, and if that interests you, then that is the way you should go.
The acoustic-electric gives you the option of being able to play either way. Some people say you sacrifice sound quality with these guitars, but I know of a family band that produces excellent music, even has their own albums out that use acoustic-electric guitars and they sound excellent. I also personally have both an electric and an acoustic-electric. I don’t notice a whole lot of difference in the sound of the two.
If you have a preferred artist, and you want to simulate their sound, then that answers a lot of the questions for you on what type of guitar you should buy. It is pretty hard to simulate the sound of an electric on an acoustic. If this is the style of music and sound you are going to be looking for the majority of the time, then that is the type of guitar you should be looking for.
Once you are ready to choose a guitar, the best way is to go to a few music shops. Remember that while these people are in business to sell you a guitar, they also want happy customers. From my experience most of the people in these stores will take the time to go over different types and styles of guitars with you, letting you try them out to see how they work for you.
Wendy Racklave writes for Playhouse MM which has details of best price Ibanez bass guitars and discount vintage bass guitar.