Buying the right guitar, and amp for that matter, is important if you want to make fast progress, and even earn some money! I can point you in the right direction as a result of 30 year's experience, not all of it good! I don't claim to know everything about guitar construction, but I own some great instruments and also do a lot of research. This includes reading all the reviews in many of the guitar publications. Guitar Player magazine is widely available, and also does online editions where you can see and hear demos of guitars and amplifiers.Their reviews are comprehensive and excellent.

I'm happy to give you advice via the comments box below, so feel free.

Problem No.1: There is a bewildering amount of choice. It is dependent not only on your favourite styles of music, but also on physical limitations such as hand size. Fortunately, the internet has made it easy to research other player's reactions to different guitars,including build quality, comfort, sound and customer service. I would be very circumspect about buying from e-bay due to various scams, but I have found that internet shopping from shops, including international shipping, has been totally reliable, and even fun.

Acoustic Guitar magazine, December 08 issue has a very good article on guitar construction which will help you reach an informed decision on what to buy.

Martins are generally good,Collings are fantastic but a big investment.

All-round electric: Fender Telecaster, but USA made or new Mexican Road-worn series.

THE TWO VITAL THINGS: Action (height of the strings above the neck, whether there is any clanking or buzzing on frets) and neck size. Both of these factors have to be right.

1. Classical nylon-string. Nice sound, but wide necks and limited stylistically. Could well slow your progress.Very poor design for lead playing, as the lack of dots or inlays make it easy to get lost. This is because Spanish people want to stop competition on their instrument. Discuss. If you have unusually large hands, this type of guitar could suit you well.
   
2. Acoustic steel-string. Generally good, but small bodies are better. Must have low action. Yamaha acoustics are often a good inexpensive option, or Baby Taylors. Ideally, solid woods should be used, not laminates, as this will give you much better tone, and an instrument that will continually improve over a 20-year period.
   
3. Electric. Often the best option because they are easier to play, and loud enough for playing in ensembles.The Telecaster and Stratocaster are popular partly because they are so comfortable to play, and not too heavy - an important consideration in a gigging guitar.
   
4. Hollow-body electric (or "semi") Great for blues and Jazz. Gibson 335 type guitars are great.
   
5. Electro-acoustic. Don't like them. At all. The worst of both worlds - sorry if you've just bought one! The piezo design of pick-ups never really works that well.
   

If you are a beginner with small to medium hand size, try electrics such as Stratocaster, Telecaster (Fender designs) or a 3/4 size classical nylon-strung guitar. Acoustic steel strings can be hard work, so try small-bodied types and use a capo on fret 3 or 4 to reduce the action (height of the strings) and fret size.

You should definitely visit your local guitar store and try as many as possible, as the neck width especially will make all the difference. The action is the other really vital aspect - take a guitar-playing friend for advice. Electro-acoustics are nearly always terrible when amplified, best avoided. Acoustics- check for solid woods,which always sound best. Anything with pointy bits, pointy headstocks,camoflage or skull finishes - don't say I didn't warn you!

There is good news and bad news. Almost inevitably you are going to want to change the guitar you start with. Although generally guitars hold their value well, if you buy the wrong one in the first place you can expect to lose 50% on depreciation when you sell second-hand. By the time you have done this three or four times, it would have been cheaper to get something great in the first place, and playing guitar would have been a lot more fun. You could start with a cheap electric and then upgrade the pick-ups and tuning machines at a later date - but this is a fast way to lose money in my experience.

Should I buy a vintage instrument? No, I think the market is going to crash very badly. Also, many people believe we are now in a golden age of guitar-making, when standards have never been much higher, and you get more for your money from entry-level up to professional-grade instruments.

Go beyond your means if possible, and get something built with craftsmanship. First, research. I like Ed Roman's website, particularily the section entitled rants. Here you will find some great advice and humour.

G+L guitars - USA made, not the tribute series. They are all great, and good value. Asat classic, George Fullerton signature are wonderful guitars.

Fender custom shop -Telecasters, Stratocasters. Excellent guitars, but I would find one second-hand. And relics - why pay to have your guitar distressed when you can do it yourself by being a bit careless/gigging a lot/letting small children near them.

Archtop guitars - generally great value and the best for jazz. Gibson 175 is the best bet, or D'Aquisto,or D'Angelico guitars. Triggs guitars are also fantastic

Collings guitars - they are brilliant and totally recommended

Martin acoustics - another good option

Gibson 335 - a classic design, easy to play, sound great for blues, rock and some styles of jazz (like fusion). Hard to go wrong with this guitar. The new 339 is highly rated in the press.

1. Case- is original case included?
2. Damage - scratches are OK, but should be reflected in the price
   
3. Headstock repairs - especially on Gibsons, where neck breaks are common
4. Electrical switches and jack sockets - are these OK? Many guitars of Far East manufacture have real problems with these parts, Japan -made are usually OK.
   
5. Have pickups been changed?
6. Is the neck fairly straight?
7. Any fret buzz might indicate neck or fret problems
8. Is this guitar a fashion victim? - not everybody likes metallic pink finishes with strange pointy bodies. The Telecaster is a design classic for a reason!
   

A CAPO is probably the single most useful thing to have. The Shubb capo is good, and will enable you to play lots of Beatles, James Taylor and Beatles songs in their original keys.

Plectrums: an ongoing debate here. I like Jim Dunlop 73mm picks, as the embossed surface really helps, and use the 88mm ones for lead playing. It's a personal thing though.

Tuner: I like the intellitouch type which you clamp to the headstock, as it picks up vibrations and generally works very well.

More detail is in my other hub Gifts for Guitarists

The link below is for Acoustic Guitar magazine - a great source of songs, guitar reviews etc. Another recommended website is musicradar.com, where you will find gear and guitar reviews, and lots of free tuition videos.

This is a tricky area, and a lot more subjective. I'll put some links in later. From my experience, in terms of price, service and choice:

Elderly instruments (USA)

Petercooks' Guitar world (UK)

Buffalo brothers (USA)

www.andertons.co.uk