Which guitar for a beginner?

I'd second what Hildago said. $500 is too much to spend on a beginning guitar. Find something used in your local classifieds, or find someone you know who has had a guitar for years that they've never played, and you should expect to spend at most $200. With the extra money, I highly recommend picking up http://www.secondlifebooks.com/cgi-bin/secondlife/30829.html. It's full of great songs with music, lyrics, and background stories.

I heard back from my buddy. He's says avoid the Guitar Center next to BU. And went on in a long rant that concluded with: "Every time I've been there to just buy strings, they act like fucking pricks because I'm not buying an $800 guitar, I really hate that store... nothing but cocks."

There are a couple of things you should do before buying any guitar, especially one at a lower price point: 1. Play each note, fret by fret, on each string. Listen for abnormal buzzing, "dead"-sounding notes, out-of-tune notes and so on. 2. Check the instrument's intonation. To do this, play the note at the 12th fret on the highest string, and then play the harmonic in the same place by lightly touching your finger in the same place (have someone at the store do this instead if you're having trouble with it). The two notes should be the same. Repeat for the other strings. Poor intonation (and some of the problems, but not all, described in #1 above) can be fixed by a decent guitar tech, but it's easier to just have an instrument that is in decent shape right off the bat, rather than one you'll need to sink money into. You can find a great-sounding instrument for what you're willing to spend if you take the time to check these things.

yeah, i'd have to agree with http://ask.metafilter.com/mefi/31194#489432 re the action. i learned on a box that had a fair bit, and it made it harder at first, but my finger strength increased quite quickly, as did my chording and plucking confidence. and never underestimate a strong set of callouses :) if i'd started on a classical guitar, it would have been learning all over again to play on a steel string with more action. at the same time i can see how it might discourage learning. it depends on how much you want to learn to play, i guess. nylon strings are much more about instant gratification, but OTOH classicals tend to have wider necks, which i personally find uncomfortable to play for any extended period. be aware that wrist problems are a given if you develop any bad habits or play something where you feel like you're straining (though i suppose it's hard to tell as a beginner what's strain and what's just new and uncomfortable). as for price, my first one was $300 CAD, and I can't imagine spending any more than that for a starter.

I admit that for that money Alvarez has some of the best product, but since discovering, researching, setting up a number of both I am still leaning toward Seagull.

My two cents: Alvarez. For the money, they always seem to provide the best quality. The action is always very friendly (good for a beginner) and the sound is full and pleasing. Definitely try out a couple Alvarez guitars when you shop around.

One more vote for Seagull. I've got an M6 gloss, that I picked up (with electronics and hard case) for 500 a couple years ago. At open mic nights, I've had the *host* put down his Martin and request to play the rest of the night on my Seagull.

If you look around you can find a Guild for your price range. They are great guitars and not as hifalutin' as Martins. When I got mine my only problem was that most Guilds have laminated (non-solid) tops - the sound of solid tops improve over time. But I found one that had a solid top in my (and your) price range, and its an awesome and undervalued guitar.

I also would recommend Seagull, Norman and Godin or Simon and Patrick. I bought a seagull s6 7 years ago and I'm still happy with it. Its sound has been complimented by others who own much more expensive guitars. I acquired the guitar and a case for around $400 CAD.