Reel 2 Reel

Jsman,
Whatever machine you go with make sure that it is still servicable. My Pioneer 1020L needed a new solaniod switch so I found a authorized Pioneer dealer and he told me about a repair shop that fixes vintage R2Rs and overhauls them. Remember the used machine you buy is at least 20+ years old and needs a good internal cleaning.

What would you suggest for a first reel to reel, 1/2 track or 1/4 track?

1/4 track as most prerecorded tapes are 1/4 track by far.

What would you suggest for a first reel to reel, 1/2 track or 1/4 track?

Half-track machines are primarily professional use. The extra tape width per track gives a slightly better S/N ratio and also helps reduce the chance of signal drop-out due to imperfections in the tape's oxide surface. The drawback is that any reel of tape on a half-track gives you only half the recording time.

Quarter-track machines are far more the rule in the home environment. As as others have noted, most commercially available prerecorded tapes are this format. I'd go with this format unless you have a specific reason to do otherwise. Note that the tapes recorded in quarter-track are not compatible with a half-track machine. However, a quarter-track machine will play a half-track tape.

I'd get one that can do both. The Technics 1500/1506/1520 series can play both formats. The 1500/1520 record 2 track. The 1506 records 4 track.