What makes a good guitar for a beginner?

[Gurm]

So, Gurm, what do you play?

Ha. At the moment, I play a Taylor Koa wood 400 series. Nice warm tones. I like my brother's better - every Koa guitar is a bit different and I just like his tones better, but mine is still pretty damn nice. Maple top, koa back and sides.

A ... bit ... pricier than the ones FT would be looking at.

[az]

So, Gurm, what do you play?

[Gurm]

You get... what you pay for. That said, there are perfectly decent guitars for a hundred bucks (USD) for beginners that are full-sized and don't sound terrible.

If you get serious, you'll outgrow anything under $300 pretty quickly, though. But if you don't get ery serious, you haven't wasted $300.

That said, don't even ASK what I play.

[az]

Why don't you go to a musicians' shop and play around with the cheap models they have on display there, and maybe get some advice there (in addition to what you get here, of course)?

[Fat Tone]

My son got an acoustic guitar for Christmas, and I've really enjoyed playing it. Trouble is it is only 30" and the strngs are too close for me to play chords reliably (although the close frets makes it a little easier for me to stretch).

So, I'm looking to spend a little on an acoustic for myself. I'm looking at a Squier by Fender (only £80 from www.argos.co.uk) as it seems a step up from the cheapest they sell and I'm not sure its worth going to the next price bracket (£120 and up), but I know very little about this.

I see EBuyer do some acoustics at £25 but they must be awful, despite the reviews. I got a trumpet from them for £35 (normally £50) and the valves are quite temperamental and it puts me off playing as much as I would.

ISTR there are some guitar players on here. All advice welcome.

T.