Very very new beginner, 15 years old, PLEASE HELP!

Not really an "Insider" so to speak but I have opinions (like every one else).

The best types of wood change from person to person. Depends on what kind of sound you expect form a guitar will have the most bearing on what type of wood you want your guitar to be made of.

Again the best types depend on your preferences. Many prefer Fender Stratocasters for their electrics and others prefer Gibson Les Paul's. Then there are those who will only use/buy American Strats or Les Paul's and those who are happy with foreign made Strats and Les Pauls. Much depends on how much you are willing to spend or how much is in your budget. I am in the market for an electric and have played many at music stores. I found that the best guitars for me and my budget are Schecter's and Laguna's. Inexpensive (the ones I am interested in), they feel right and sound right for what I need.

Look for a guitar that "speaks" to you. One that fits you. do research. Play a cart load of them while looking. There are many very expensive guitars out there that, while might look good on your wall, may just do that: Stay on the wall because it does not have the tone, action or even playability (sic?) that you are looking for. My guitar is an Epiphone PR-4G that came in a 200$ package my wife bought for my birthday. She had no idea what to get, it was cheap and looked good to her. I got lucky. I like the sound and when I play with my brother he would rather play mine than his 20 year old, $1000 dollar Gibson dreadnought.

Dont' know about Bass guitars.

Major brands:

Gibson
Fender
Schecter (They also make the Daisy Rock guitars which are sized for females)
Ibanez
Epiphone ( A subsidiary of Gibson)
Squire ( A subsidiary of Fender. Both Epi and Squire tend to be less expensive but that does not mean inferior)
Ovation
PRS
Ernie Ball
Grestch

Etc...

Again, don't rely on the brand of guitar but which one fits you the best. There are many off-brands (or not so well known) that are just as good or better than a major brands.

Get opinions if you are in the market for a guitar but the best way to find out which one you want the most is to play a great number of them before you buy. You might be surprised and find out that a $200 guitar speaks to you better than a $1000 guitar.

Welcome to the Chordie Family Joan!

Lots of good folks here, and just as many opinions as I'm sure you will soon be aware.  Z has got it about right to my thinking, so I won't expound on the virtues of brands or woods over each other..... it is STRICTLY a matter of the sound that pleases you and feels comfortable to your body and the music you enjoy making (or listening to).

One truth to be aware of right off the bat, is that tossing cubic dollars at an instrument is not going to make you a better musician.
Practice and persistence along with the encouragement of your peers will get you well on the way to wherever it is you want to go with your music.  Chordie is a very good place to get the support and understanding to propel you at whatever pace you desire.

Don't be shy, post often and ask questions no matter that they might seem silly.... We've all been in your shoes and someone will certainly go the extra measure to advise you.

Again Welcome, and
Take Care;
Doug

Yeah, I guess it does, I'm not really sure yet though. I listed some of the stuff I listen to in my first post, so I guess music like that. So a lot of variety? But I suppose mainly rock and alternative x

Welcome joan. It sounds to me that you would want an electric guitar to suit your musical tastes. As said by the others there isn't a best guitar because each of us have different tastes . The woods on a guitar do make a slight difference so you may want to research tone woods to get a better idea of what you may want. As for learning the ins and outs of playing the best place to start is with lessons and practice. Some of us have been playing our whole lifeand still know them all. Just be patient and have fun. Ask questions when in doubt and never give up when you feel as if you can't learn anymore.

Aw, thankyou everyone for your great advice! x