The first thing to consider when buying a new guitar is of course should you buy electric or acoustic. When it comes to playing the guitar, they are no different; the only difference is the difference in appearance. A good acoustic player will be able to do the same things on an electric. The only real difference is in the shape of the body and style of the guitar.
Acoustic guitars are designed to be played without the use of an electronic amplifier. Because of this it has a hollow cavity from which the sound emanates. The top-board of this type of guitar is often laminated and made from firm strips of wood. Cheaper variants will have a less solid particle board as the center piece of this layer. This low quality of guitar should be avoided as it will soon become unplayable as the strings shift out of position. Since electric guitars are played with an amplifier, they are much more solid.
Don’t listen when people tell you to learn on an acoustic guitar before playing electric. You can learn on either just as easily. As mentioned above, both play the same and so it does not matter which one you start on. Buy the one you want to play. That way you will have more motivation to stick with it and become the player you want to be.
That said different guitars work better for different types of music. If you want to play metal, rock or blues an electric guitar would work better. If you want to play bass, then of course bass guitars would suit you. If bluegrass is what you want to play, then lap steel guitars, mandolins or acoustic bass guitar would be best. For classical music, a classical guitar would be ideal. Electric guitars, pedal steel guitars and lap steel guitars are good for country. For folk music, use a nylon or steel-string acoustic. Archtop steel-string acoustic guitars or Jazz guitars work best for Jazz. If unplugged rock is your fancy then a Flat-top steel-string acoustic guitar is right for you.
Once you've decided which type of guitar is for you, the next step is to buy the guitar that fits your style, budget and music: