Finally, you have decided to go to the music store and spend your hard-earned cash to buy your dream toy: a guitar. But as you enter the store, you realize that there are so many choices, so many brands, models, all shining and glowing just waiting for you to take one (or two, depends on your budget!) to its final resting place – your home.

It can be confusing with all the wonderful and colorful guitars just right in front of your face. You want to take them all home. Well, to help you figure out the simple way to buy your first guitar, and to narrow down your choices, just try to follow some of the tips below.

First on the list is your budget. Know you limits on this one. This should be on top of your list. Know how much you can spend for the guitar. Even if the salesperson is pestering you about a new, ultra-cool looking guitar, proclaimed by a magazine to be the best acoustic guitar ever, try not to give in.

Second, what style of playing do you like to emulate?  Blues, rock, classical. Be honest to yourself when choosing a guitar. Some of the staff may entice you into getting a Paul Reed Smith electric guitar, but it may not be a good choice if you are into folk and classical music. Alternatively, you may hear things as if an electric guitar is really the best, acoustic guitar is so old school. Remember, you are the one playing the guitar, not others. Be selfish on this one.

Test the guitar. This is the most important step in buying a guitar. Do you feel comfortable playing it? Try to remember that even if the guitar you are holding is the best acoustic guitar on the planet, but if it feels bad, then it probably will not work for you.