Let's start by discussing the basic types of guitars; Electric, Acoustic and Bass guitar. Which one should you choose? To answer this question, let's examine these types of guitars a little closer.
Electric Guitar - This type of guitar is characterized by one or more electric pickups, a fixed or tremolo style bridge, and usually has a solid wood body, thought there are electric guitar models that have a semi-hollow or hollow body.
Solid Body Electric Guitar
Acoustic Guitar - The Acoustic Guitar is just as common as an electric guitar these days, and is characterized by its larger hollow body, made of thinner wood, usually with a sound hole in the middle of the body under the strings.
Dreadnought -style Acoustic Guitar
Other considerations for this type of guitar include the style of body-
dreadnought; which is the largest of the acoustic body styles,
parlor; which is a smaller version of the large dreadnought style,
cut-away; essentially a standard acoustic with an extra cut-away for providing the player with extra access to the upper frets, and finally a thin-body or stage acoustic which is a type of acoustic offering a thin body, usually about double the thickness of a standard electric and this type of acoustic will have an electric preamp and an output jack built in for amplifying the sound of the guitar for performances in larger venues and to larger audiences.
Bass Guitar - Easily the most identifiable of all the basic guitar types; characterized by its longer, bigger neck, electric pickups, and much larger gauge strings than the electric and acoustic guitars.
Electric Bass Guitar
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Which one of these should you choose? The answer depends on a couple of things. First, what style of music does the person you are purchasing the instrument for, and second your price range. All of these instruments can be had at almost any price range, but be aware of that old adage "You get what you pay for."
Any knowledgeable music store will ask you these questions, and actually go further in depth than I can here. There are many options in every price range, and these options can have a specific impact on which guitar you should buy.
In closing, let me leave you with a few points of interest. Make sure you ask questions. When making a purchase of this nature, there is never a stupid question, only impatient and dis interested music store staff. Any reputable music shop will have staff on hand that understand this, and will answer your questions directly and honestly, explaining anything you do not understand, and showing you all of your options in the price range you can afford. Overall, if you do not understand something, make sure you ask to questions that will clear up the confusion, this alone can mean the difference between a good gift and an undesirable gift.
When shopping around, it is a good idea to bring a list of things like the style of music/or favorite artists of the intended receiver of the gift. Also on that list should be the person's level of playing (i.e. novice, beginner, professional, etc.).
Finally, do your homework, and do not assume anything. For a musician, especially a budding musician just getting his or her start, the musical instrument is a very personal thing. Comfort, connection and overall enjoyment are three main qualities that every musician should have with his or her guitar and ensuring these qualities exist in a guitar purchased for a gift can give a healthy start to a lifetime of playing music.
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