When you decide to buy your first guitar there are some general rules that are going to apply, however the number one is going to be taking your time. There is generally no need to rush into it and it's better to locate a guitar that most closely fits your playing style and depth of pocket.

So, having made enough time to get the selection right there are some things you could add to your set of facts to consider:

• The action (or the space between the fretboard and strings): when the action is just too high, it could possibly make playing hard, uncomfortable and in all likelihood painful for you. If it is too low, you could experience buzzing frets, which believe me is among the most irritating problems you will encounter.

• Please ensure the guitar’s neck is straight. Having a bent or warped neck is likely to make playing difficult. This can be checked simply by holding up the guitar and looking across the fretboard.

• You should also check the intonation by playing the Twelfth fret harmonic, and then the Twelfth fret note. They must sound in the exact same pitch. If they're not, that will need fixing.

• The wiring is crucial on any kind of electric guitar therefore you will have to confirm the tone and volume level controls function plus the pick-up selector switch functions.

You've got to be sure each of the pick-ups perform and they sound clear with no crackles or loss of volume.

Even an online guitar shop will offer a free set-up with each new purchase. This option should always be taken because a well set up guitar will be a joy to play from the outset. A badly set up guitar will be a frustrating and ultimately damaging playing experience.

For your first amplifier a solid state amp (as opposed to a tube one) is highly recommended. Marshall, Fender, Line 6, Vox and Peavey all produce a good choice of cheaper and very useable starter amplifiers.

Some other equipment you will want are a guitar cable I would advise you don’t opt for one that is way too short or perhaps too long. About three m is good. You will additionally need to have a guitar strap, plectrums in a selection of thicknesses in order to determine your choice (these are inexpensively). Whichever guitar you purchase you will need to replace the guitar strings too, again this will be down to personal preference, but please ensure that whatever strings you decide on are suited to the guitar you have bought.

A clip on chromatic tuner is also a must unless you have a trained ear unlike 99% of us.

You can spend as much or as little as you wish, but musical instruments are certainly examples of the ‘you get what you pay for’ statement. The internet provides a fantastic resource for researching guitars and how they perform. It should be noted at this point too that the biggest selling acoustic on earth is the Washburn d10s acoustic guitar which starts at less than £150. The best selling electric guitar is the Fender Stratocaster which is a little more expensive; however there are some great models out there and £200 will get you a decent and playable example. Cheap electric guitars need not always be a false economy and if you stick to some of the guidelines above you will not go far wrong.

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