How do I choose a guitar? (Acoustic focused)

I get asked this question alot and in terms of build and construction, there are lots of resources online, such as www.frets.com. What I will touch on is purpose: what are you going to use the guitar for? A possible list of reasons could be:

1) To learn the guitar (duh!)
2) To upgrade an existing instrument
3) To play a particular style of music
4) To have tonal variety
5) To impress girls and to look cool
6) To collect and simply for the love of ownership

Let's touch on 1). For a learner, its best if the guitar is easy to play. Too often beginners go for the cheapest option and usually, guitars less than $100 have no setup done and hence very poor playability. The poor beginner then struggles to press down single notes, let alone barre chords. After 2 weeks of trying, he/she gives up. A setup can cost up to $80 so it doesn't make sense to stinge on the guitar. Music lessons alone are at also least $80/month. A good initial investment would be around the $200 price range.

Next, let's look at 2). Preferences come in feel of guitar and sound. Which is more important to you? If price is a consideration, it's usually one or the other. Having a big budget potentially solves most difficult choices :)

3). Do you want a fingerstyle guitar, strummer, or something versatile. You might love the OM sound but if you're primarily a strummer it's better to get a dreadnought or a jumbo. The common rules apply but there maybe exceptions to the norm.

4) 'Auditorium' shaped guitars might fit the bill here. However exceptions can come in other guitar shapes as well. I've played articulate sounding jumbos and dreadnoughts that are equally at home when strumming or fingerpicking. Bottomline, use your ears to decide rather than base your decisions on some magazine review.

5) I think if you want to pickup women, learning the art of conversation is perhaps more effective. There's only so many times you can play 'more than words'.

6) Hmm, consult the blue book of guitars perhaps. Study vintage guitar market trends perhaps. Again, not my area of specialty although I used to work in a used/vintage guitar store.

Ok, hopes this gives a buyer some purpose when looking for the next instrument. I would be touching on electric guitars very soon.

cheers,
KC