The Essentials

Acoustic Guitar
The most important thing to have, is a guitar. The cheapest way to go is an acoustic. I have an old Yamaha guitar. If you are just starting out and aren't sure if you will like it, this may be the way to go. Recommendation, go to a dealer of some kind. They usually sell used guitars. If you buy one out of the paper the fretboard could be warped and the owner might not even know it. A dealer can check it out, before they sell it. A slight warped board is not bad, but they usually become very warped and that really distorts the sound.
The Strings
So you just bought an old used acoustic guitar from some guy named Joe, and it sounds terrible. Are the strings a little rustly looking? That is because oil and sweat from your hands erodes the strings. They will last forever, but start souunding terrible. Changing strings is an easy way to improve the sound and is very easy. Changing strings is something you can't tell somebody to do, they must teach themselves, but most guitar shops will change strings and tune your guitar when you purchase them there usually for free or a small fee. What kind should you get? Well personal preference. They are in gauges. On my