Guitar buying help please!

Have you been into any local music shops? They usually have great used or even new (but maybe last years models) at great prices. I worked in a music shop all through highschool. I dont personaly play guitar but my husband, mom, sister and brother all play. The biggest thing I think it comes down to when they buy guitars is personal prefferance.

They all have different budgets and personal styles, but what they all always always always do it go into the store and play all the guitars they like. They people working there know that people are going to want to test it out before they buy it and some of the nicer stores have little practice rooms you can take them into and play for a while. You can always find a great guitar on any budget! If you find a few you like ask the shop keeper about them, they can help you narrow it down and tell you things like how much it is for that certin guitar to replace strings, get it tuned, or restrung. So you know what kinda maitenance you will need to keep in mind. Lastly I would say that when you have really narrowed it down to 2-3 you really like, write down thier exact names and then go home and look for reviews online about them!

Geesh I'm sorry this is kinda long, lol. So my main tips are 1)Test out the guitars 2)Ask the Shop keeper for info/sale 3)Then look for reviews online

As for an Acoustic, I would highly recommend an Ovation. If you go for something else, make sure it IS NOT a splittop, as they usually have horrible sound quality.

Fender guitars haven't been made very well in many years. It's sad.

I bought an epiphone el 00 acoustic guitar a couple years ago and I really like it. It's nicely made and it sounds better than I thought it would. I chose it because it's a small full-size guitar and it's pretty much a knock-off of a gibson bluesmaster because of the look/size. I don't know if size is a factor for you like it was for me. I needed a small acoustic because I'm very short and I find it hard to play regular sized acoustics (I'm only 5 feet tall) I chose the epiphone because it was about 300$ Canadian and I didn't have the cash to get a gibson. Also, I have to add the guitar has mostly great reviews. Here's a link for you:

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Acoustic-Instruments/Small-Body/Epiphone/EL-00.aspx

I'm pretty much a beginner at guitar and I've only ever had electrics before but I love love love my el-00.

Having said that, I was also looking at an epiphone dove guitar (mostly because I love it's look) but I decided an el-00 would be more beneficial for me.

I hope I helped you a bit!

Thanks guys It's nice to get personal opinions on things like this.
@Lo The el-00 is looking like a good choice. Thanks for the advice.

@Lo I'm on the trail of epiphone now. I've kind of fell in love with the look of the hummingbird and dove but I guess I'll need to play one first

i love this guitar, it has a lovely deep folky sound, first time i played it, it was like... wowwwwww... it rather cheap for a rather awesome guitar! yay under budget! only 125 pounds! (sorry if your in America) it electro acoustic... so i guess you get the best of both? heres a link - http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Tanglewood-Discovery-DBTDLXF-Acoustic-Guitar-Sunburst/EIO

I would reccomend a Big Baby Taylor with Elixir strings. That's what I have and it's like nothing I've ever played before. Mmmmm so prettyyyyyy

I have a list now as to possible options (the big baby is on there) that I want to go and play.

Thanks everyone for the advice.

This is a little off topic but I'm considering taking up bass as a bit of a side project. So recommendations for good basses would be appreciated!