I look for plain Janes. I won't pick up a painted guitar - solid or burst - or one highly appointed with MOP, plastic and/or highly figured and/or exotically hued woods. It's a guitar, not a mural. I do appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into masterfully rendering such details but that's the stuff of jewelry boxes, not guitars. Pick guards are also out, much less guards with birds and other artwork on them. In 40 on/off years of playing I've never scratched the top of a guitar.

Fortunately there's plenty to choose from that do meet a simple aesthetic with good sound and playability.