I'll agree with the others... even though you haven't really played before, you'll know if it's not right. For example, hedgiedaddy has a full size dreadnaught. I pick that up and it just feels bulky... like I have to reach around too far to strum. It also has steel strings... not really a problem for me as I've played viola before. But the action is waaaay too high for me (ie, the distance between the strings and the fingerboard). With it set up that way, I have to hold the strings down in a virtual death-grip in order to make it work. I suggested he lower the action. He said "it's a man's guitar." I laughed and hugged him because he's just too cute. He bought me a gift certificate for my own.
My dad has a classical guitar - major difference is it's a bit skinnier than Hedgiedaddy's and it has nylon strings... a definite bonus for newer players. They're easier on the fingers. It almost felt right to me... and I almost asked my dad if I could have it as he hasn't played it in a few decades... but still, just too fat.
My stepson has an electric guitar. Nice and skinny. Easy to hold the strings down. But the thing weighs about as much as an elephant... Perhaps I exaggerate. A *baby* elephant. Also, not for me.
So I went and checked out a smaller line: folk guitars, backpacker guitars, and parlor guitars. I did go back and forth between a few... held them, played some chords to make sure my fingers were also pleased. In the end, I went with a parlor guitar because it just *felt* right. It probably felt the most right to me because I used to hold my viola in a more guitar position and pluck the strings. Mind you, the guitar is bigger than the viola. But it had a nice sound and still felt right.
Okay... so... the point of all this is just to let you know that, at least in terms of narrowing the list down to the style you want, you'll need to hold a few different ones. Check out how hard/easy it is to deal with different types of strings. You'll be able to figure out what's feels right for you. In my opinion, unless you're really really committed to learning guitar or are a bit of a masochist, if it doesn't feel right, you're not going to keep playing it.
