I get asked this question often. And my responce may surprise some of you. I tell them to stay away from beginner guitars. IMHO these just arent worth the time and effort.
I tell them to get the best used instrument they can afford. Why? Because the way I look at things either one of two things are going to occur.
1. The beginner quickly tires of the instrument at which point, if you've got a cheap beginner guitar, you'll have have trouble selling it. On the other hand a decent used guitar (assuming it's being treated fairly nicely) will sell for as much as you paid for it.
2. The beginner takes to the instrument. Now they have something which will not cause frustration. The instrument will play in tune and have decent action.
Buy the best, forget the rest.
My two cents
