If you’ve never purchased an acoustic guitar before, it can seem like a daunting task. You’ll need a comprehensive guide to help you find the best acoustic guitars on the market in 2021.
Quick Answer: Best Acoustic Guitars
- 1. Best Acoustic Guitar Overall: Martin D-28
- 2. Best for Beginners: Yamaha Gig Maker Acoustic Guitar Pack
- 3. Best Intermediate Acoustic Guitar: Martin D-18 Acoustic Guitar
- 4. Best Acoustic Guitar for Professionals: Guild F-55E Jumbo
- 5. Best Cheap Acoustic Guitar: Yamaha FG800
- 6. Best Under $1,000: Fender California Newport Acoustic-Electric
- 7. Best Under $500: Baby Taylor
- 8. Best Nylon String Acoustic Guitar: Taylor Academy 12e-N Classical
- 9. Best Steel String Acoustic Guitar: Martin Standard Series 000-18
- 10. Best Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Taylor 812CE Grand Concert
- 11. Best Auditorium/Small Size Acoustic Guitar: Martin 000-28
I’ve been playing acoustic guitars for nearly 40 years and over that period of time, I’ve had more acoustic guitars than I can remember.
This article is a comprehensive guide to the best acoustic guitars both from my personal experience playing them and from many years of following the latest trends and keeping up with new products as they hit the market.
This guide will make it easier for you to find an acoustic guitar that meets your needs. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player, there are plenty of excellent models on the market.
Let’s dive in and have an in-depth look at acoustic guitars.
What is an Acoustic Guitar?
The acoustic guitar is a six-stringed instrument. They either have nylon or steel strings. Stringed instruments go back to the Babylonian and Mesopotamian Empires. The modern acoustic guitar shape originated in Spain around the 16th century.
In the late 1700s, guitars were standardized and had six strings. They resembled the instruments that we have today. The person that created the first traditional steel-string acoustic guitar was Christian Frederick Martin.
I was introduced to acoustic guitars as a teenager when my father bought me my first acoustic instrument. I’ve loved the sound of the acoustic guitar ever since, and over the years, I’ve owned many of the best acoustic guitars of all time.
Types of Acoustic Guitars
There are several different types of acoustic guitars. What you end up playing will depend upon your needs. For example, beginners will probably want to start with a nylon string guitar, as the strings are easier on the fingers.
Intermediate players may want an acoustic-electric that you can plug into an amp. Advanced players will probably pick something that meets their individual needs as a professional musician.
Nylon String Guitar
Beginners often use a nylon string guitar. We also call this guitar a classical guitar because it’s used in classical music. It has a warm and pleasing tone.
This instrument has six nylon strings, which are easier to press down than regular steel strings. The downside to this type of guitar is that it’s not quite as loud as a regular steel-string instruments, and it’s harder to strum chords.
Steel String Guitar
The steel string is our traditional acoustic guitar. It’s used in a wide range of styles such as country, blues, rock, jazz, folk, and more.
There are several different types of steel string acoustic guitars, such as the dreadnought, jumbo, cutaway, and 12 string. What you end up buying will depend upon what you require.
Acoustic-Electric
An acoustic guitar can also be fitted with a pickup. This is what we call the acoustic-electric guitar. They have a pickup, preamp system, and other controls. These instruments are plugged into an acoustic amplifier.
The acoustic-electric is perfect if you want to do a lot of recording or playing live on stage. Regular acoustic instruments can be fitted with pickups if they don’t already come with one.
Auditorium/Concert Acoustic
The auditorium or concert acoustic guitar is a smaller-sized dreadnought. These are often used for fingerpicking and other intricate guitar styles.
These instruments often come with a pickup so that you can record with them or play live on a stage. Their smaller size also makes the instrument easier to hold, which can benefit some players.
Best Acoustic Guitar Brands
You want to ensure that you purchase an acoustic guitar from a well-known brand. It’s important to have a high-quality instrument. You’ll end up wasting money if you go with a lesser-known brand.
Many cheaper guitars aren’t made of decent materials. It’s far better to spend a little bit extra, as you’ll get an instrument that not only sounds good, but is also easy to play. The following manufacturers are recommended if you want a high-quality instrument.
Martin Guitars
Martin Guitars was established in 1833 by Christian Frederick Martin. This company has a long history of making acoustic guitars. They’re one of the best-known companies in the industry.
Martin guitars tend to cost a lot of money, but they’re some of the better-made guitars you can purchase. They have excellent tone and are the preferred acoustic instrument for many famous musicians.
Taylor Guitars
Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug founded Taylor Guitars in 1974. They’re a global leader in acoustic instrument production. Their instruments are manufactured to a high quality.
Taylor Guitars is well known in the music industry. They have a wide range of acoustic instruments in various price ranges, for beginners all the way up to advanced players. They make quite a few acoustic-electric guitars.
Seagull Guitars
Seagull is a Canadian guitar company that was founded in 1982. They are the sub-brand of Godin guitars. The company has a commitment to quality and craftsmanship.
I’ve played Seagull Guitars before, and I find them to be an excellent instrument. They have great sound and reliability. They come in a wide range of prices for all budgets.
Guild Guitars
Alfred Dronge and George Mann founded Guild in 1952. This company makes both acoustic and electric instruments. They have a wide range of instruments for you to choose from. These instruments are made in California, USA.
When you buy a Guild guitar, you’re getting a high-quality instrument with great sound and reliability. They’re not as popular as Martin or Taylor, but a lot of players still like them.
Ovation Guitars
Charles Kaman established Ovation guitars in 1965. They’re known for their rounded backs. They look slightly different from regular acoustic guitars. Ovation is known best for their acoustic-electric guitars.
They have pickup systems and preamp electronics installed in the instruments. These instruments are perfect for many musical styles.
Top 10 Best Acoustic Guitars Overall
Many different instruments could be considered the top guitar overall. The Martin D-28 gets that position for several reasons. Many famous musicians such as Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young have played the Martin D-28.
It is a simple dreadnought acoustic, but it has superior sound. There are no fancy bells and whistles on the D-28, but it’s reliable. This guitar has been famous for almost a century, and it still holds up today. With the Martin D-28, you’ll be playing an acoustic guitar that you can rely on time and time again.
1. Martin D-28 Standard
- Scale length: 25.4″
- Fingerboard radius: 16″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Documentation, guitar, case
- Material & finish: Sitka, East Indian rosewood, mahogany, nitrocellulose finish
- Best for: Intermediate and advanced guitar players that want a reliable acoustic for all situations
The Martin D-28 doesn’t have a lot of extra features. It’s a basic dreadnought guitar. This guitar is the best choice because it’s so reliable. The guitar sounds great for whatever you want to play.
There’s no fiddling with the Martin D-28. It’s setup and ready to go right out of the box. It doesn’t matter whether you want to play country, rock, blues, or any other style — the Martin D-28 is an excellent choice.
The Martin D-28 is made with solid sitka and rosewood, which provide a great tone. Added extras include forward-shifted bracing, which gives better top vibration and more resonance.
✅ Easy to play
✅ Long reliable history
✅ Perfect for many styles
✅ Comes with case
❌ Expensive
❌ No added extras
Why I Recommend It
I recommend this guitar because it has a long history. It dates back to the 1930s. It was as reliable then as it is today. The newer model has a few refinements, but it still sounds amazing. If you want a simple yet reliable acoustic guitar that you don’t have to fight with, get the Martin D-28.
2. Taylor 312 CE V-Class Grand Concert
- Scale length: 24.84″
- Fingerboard radius: 15″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: Behind saddle transducer
- Body shape: Cutaway
- What’s included in the box: Documentation, guitar, case
- Material & finish: Sapele, sitka spruce, mahogany, gloss finish
- Best for: Those that want a reliable guitar with a pickup
The Taylor 312 CE V-Class Acoustic has a pickup and EQ system, so it’s easy to plug in and play live. It’s perfect for strumming as well as fingerpicking. The neck is smooth and easy to play on. The tonewood and construction provide a superb sound.
One of the extras is the v-class bracing. This improves the volume, sustain, and intonation of the instrument. It’ll stay in tune across the neck, so you won’t have to struggle with the tuning.
✅ Pickup
✅ Easy access to higher frets
✅ Equalizer
✅ Great tone
❌ Expensive
❌ EQ is a bit cumbersome
Why I Recommend It
The Taylor 312CE V-Class Acoustic-Electric is an amazing guitar. It has a good pickup and equalizer system. The tonewood and bracing give you the sound and reliability you need in an acoustic guitar. It’s ready for many musical situations and sounds great when you need it the most.
3. Ovation Celebrity Elite Exotic
- Scale length: 25.3″
- Fingerboard radius: 10″
- Frets: 23
- Pickup type: Ovation Slimline/preamp
- Body shape: Super Shallow
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation
- Material & finish: Quilted maple, lyrachord, mahogany, satin finish
- Best for: Intermediate and advanced players looking for an easy to play acoustic-electric
I consider the Ovation Celebrity Elite Exotic to be the best intermediate acoustic guitar for today’s players. When you play this instrument, you get excellent note clarity and a balanced response in the base.
It’s the perfect instrument for live performances, as it has an Innovation Slimline pickup and a preamp system. There are volume and gain controls, a three-band equalizer, an onboard tuner, and a light so you can see what you are doing in the dark.
The shallow cutaway body makes it easy to hold. You’ll find it easy to access the higher frets, and unlike most acoustic guitars, this one has 23 frets. This is an excellent guitar for any playing situation.
✅ Pickup/preamp
✅ 23 frets
✅ Great tone
✅ Tuner
❌ No case
❌ Cumbersome input jack
Why I Recommend It
The Ovation Celebrity Elite Exotic is a good choice for any intermediate or advanced player. It comes at a modest price range, so it won’t break your budget. This guitar sounds great right out of the box, and you have a lot of extras included with the preamp system to shape your tone.
4. Epiphone Hummingbird Pro
- Scale length: 24.75″
- Fingerboard radius:12″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: Sonicore pickup/preamp
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Documentation, guitar
- Material & finish: Mahogany, spruce, rosewood, satin finish
- Best for: Beginners and intermediate players that need an easy-to-play acoustic guitar
Epiphone is the lower-cost brand of Gibson Guitars. They offer their own version of the famous Gibson Hummingbird acoustic guitar. This model has a slim tapered neck, so it’s comfortable to play.
It features a Shadow Nanoflex pickup underneath the bridge. You get a Sonitone preamp to go along with the pickup. It has the same playability and the fabulous tone Gibson is famous for. This is a reliable and affordable acoustic-electric guitar.
✅ Pickup/preamp
✅ Slim neck
✅ Great authentic look
✅ Easy to play
❌ No case included
❌ Requires two batteries
Why I Recommend It
The Epiphone Hummingbird Pro is a solid and reliable acoustic guitar. You get a pickup and a preamp system, so it’s ready to go on stage or in the studio. It has that same famous Gibson look but at an affordable price. This is the ideal guitar for a beginner or intermediate student.
5. Seagull Artist Studio CH HG
- Scale length: 25.5″
- Fingerboard radius: 16″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: Under saddle transducer/preamp
- Body shape: Concert hall
- What’s included in the box: Documentation, guitar, case
- Material & finish: Rosewood, mahogany, solid spruce, gloss finish
- Best for: Intermediate players looking for a smaller-sized guitar
The Seagull Artist Studio is an excellent acoustic-electric guitar. The body is a smaller concert hall or auditorium size, so it’s easy to hold. You get great resonance out of the rosewood body and the spruce top.
It has an LR Baggs pickup system, so it’s easy to use on the stage or in a studio situation. The neck is comfortable, and it has easy-to-read fretboard markers, so you’ll know your playing position. You’ll have everything you need to sound great with this Seagull guitar.
✅ Pickup/preamp
✅ Comes with case
✅ Easy to play
✅ Great tone
❌ Expensive
❌ May be too small for some players
Why I Recommend It
The Seagull Artist Studio is perfect for anyone that is at an intermediate or advanced level. The smaller concert hall body makes it easier to hold. It’s perfect for folk styles and fingerpicking. This is a guitar that you will enjoy for many years.
6. Martin D-45 Acoustic Guitar
- Scale length: 25.4″
- Fingerboard radius: 16″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Documentation, guitar, case
- Material & finish: Rosewood, sitka spruce, nitrocellulose finish
- Best for: Intermediate or advanced players looking for superior tone
For the best acoustic guitar for professionals, the Martin D-45 is the clear winner. The first model was custom-made in 1933 for musician Gene Autry. It has an excellent tone and easy playability. It covers any musical style very well and is considered one of the best guitars ever made.
It’s made with solid rosewood and sitka spruce. Inside, it features scalloped x-bracing. It has a clear high-end and definition in the bass, so you hear every note.
✅ Amazing sound
✅ Case included
✅ Great looks
✅ Comfortable neck
❌ Very expensive
❌ No electronics
Why I Recommend It
The Martin D-45 not only looks great, but the tone is exceptional. You’ll pay a lot of money for this instrument, but it’s one of the better ones for an intermediate or advanced player. If you care about a superior guitar tone, you’ll get it with this one.
7. Fender PM-3 Acoustic
- Scale length: 25.3″
- Fingerboard radius: 15.75″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Cutaway
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, case
- Material & finish: Mahogany, rosewood, gloss finish
- Best for: Beginners and intermediate players that want a good tone
The Fender PM-3 is a simple acoustic guitar for any beginner or intermediate player. It has a cutaway, so it’s easier to play the notes higher up the fretboard. It has a great tone and a nice look since it’s made with solid mahogany.
You’ll find that it has excellent resonance and the tone you want for many different playing styles. It comes with a hardshell case as well as a humidifier to protect your investment. This is a well-made guitar you’ll love playing.
✅ Cutaway
✅ Solid mahogany
✅ Nice neck
✅ Reasonable price
❌ No pickup
❌ A bit quiet
Why I Recommend It
The Fender PM-3 provides a solid and steady performance. It doesn’t have any extras, but it doesn’t need them. It’s a well-made acoustic guitar from Fender that has a tone you normally need to spend a lot of money on.
8. Taylor 317 Grand Pacific Dreadnought Acoustic
- Scale length: 15″
- Fingerboard radius: 25.5″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, case
- Material & finish: Sitka spruce, sapele, satin finish
- Best for: Intermediate players looking to step up to a high-quality guitar
Those looking to step up to a high-quality mid-range acoustic guitar should have a look at the 317 Grand Pacific Dreadnought from Taylor. It features excellent sound, and it’s a good entry point into the Grand Pacific guitar lineup.
The guitar has v-class bracing that improves the overall tone of the instrument. It also comes with a hardshell case to protect your investment.
✅ V-class bracing for good tone
✅ Hardshell case
✅ Reasonable price
✅ Solid construction
❌ Lacks some range
❌ No added accessories
Why I Recommend It
The Taylor Grand Pacific Dreadnought is the perfect guitar for an intermediate player looking to improve their tone and step away from beginner guitars. It has a great sound and comes with a hardshell case. You won’t be disappointed with this model.
9. Godin ACS-SA Nylon String Acoustic Electric
- Scale length: 25″
- Fingerboard radius: 16″
- Frets: 22
- Pickup type: RMC Electronics
- Body shape: Cutaway
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, gig bag
- Material & finish: Cedar, maple, satin finish
- Best for: Intermediate and advanced nylon string players
The Godin ACS-SA Nylon string is an exceptional guitar. It combines a solid-body design with the feel of a classical guitar. The neck is smooth and comfortable to play on. The cedar top provides a great tone.
It works best on stage or in the studio and also has a connector for synth effects. The preamp system provides an exceptional, amplified tone.
✅ Pickup
✅ Synth connector
✅ Great tone
✅ Reasonable price
❌ The case could be better
❌ May be too advanced for some
Why I Recommend It
The Godin ACS-SA is an advanced classical guitar for live performances or the studio. The cedar top provides a great tone, and it has the right combination of electronics, so it sounds great with an acoustic amplifier.
10. Gibson J-45 Standard Acoustic-Electric
- Scale length: 24.75
- Fingerboard radius: 12″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: L.R. Baggs
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, case
- Material & finish: Spruce, mahogany, rosewood, satin finish
- Best for: Intermediate and advanced players looking for a reliable acoustic guitar
The Gibson J-45 has been around since the early 1940s. It’s a staple of the Gibson lineup. This guitar features an amazing tone thanks to the sitka spruce, mahogany, and rosewood used in its construction.
Players will enjoy the L.R. Baggs pickup when playing this acoustic-electric onstage. The instrument is perfect for both fingerpicking and playing chords.
✅ Great tone
✅ Easy to play
✅ Hardshell case
✅ Pickup
❌ Expensive
❌ No added accessories
Why I Recommend It
The J-45 is an excellent acoustic-electric dreadnought. It’s set up for the home, studio, or stage thanks to the great tone and pickup system. You’ll get the reliability of a well-known brand and a flagship guitar from Gibson when you order the J-45
Best Beginner Acoustic Guitars
There are many options when it comes to beginner guitars. The ones on this list are all good options. A beginner guitar needs to be comfortable and easy to play.
You shouldn’t expect amazing sound out of a beginner guitar. Many packages on the market offer poor guitars, so I’ve picked much better choices. These all sound great and provide more value for your dollar as a new player.
Yamaha Gig Maker Acoustic Guitar Pack
- Scale length: 24.9″
- Fingerboard radius: 13.3″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, accessories, documentation
- Material & finish: Meranti, laminated spruce, satin finish
- Best for: First-time beginners
Many beginner guitar packages don’t offer a whole lot and include poor-quality instruments. Yamaha offers the Gigmaker Acoustic Guitar Pack, which comes with a full-sized F325D.
It’s a beginner guitar, but it sounds great and is easy to play. The kit comes with all of the accessories that you need, so you won’t spend a lot of additional money as a new player.
✅ Accessories
✅ Gig bag
✅ Nice look
✅ Easy to play
❌ A bit large for smaller children
❌ The case isn’t the best
Why I Recommend It
The Yamaha Gigmaker Acoustic Guitar Pack is a great value. The guitar itself is a decent acoustic that has the tone you need as a beginner. I also like that the package comes with all of the accessories that most beginners need.
Fender FA-125 Acoustic Dreadnought
- Scale length: 25.3″
- Fingerboard radius: 11.81″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, gig bag
- Material & finish: Laminated spruce, basswood, nato, gloss finish
- Best for: Complete beginners or those with a low budget
The Fender FA-125 Acoustic Dreadnought is a good choice for any beginner. It’s a low-cost guitar but has a decent tone when compared to many other lower-cost instruments. It has a comfortable neck and comes with a gig bag.
When I taught guitar, I had a couple of students that owned this instrument, and I found the sound out of this guitar to be quite pleasant. I recommended this guitar for any beginner.
✅ Low cost
✅ Decent tone
✅ Low price
✅ Nice neck
❌ The case could be better
❌ May need setup
Why I Recommend It
The Fender FA-125 is a solid guitar for beginners or those on low budgets. It has a good tone, and the neck is easy to play. It comes with a gig bag to protect your guitar. The low cost makes this instrument an attractive option for the first-time player.
Epiphone Pro-1 Acoustic Guitar
- Scale length: 24.75″
- Fingerboard radius: 12″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation
- Material & finish: Select spruce, mahogany, rosewood, gloss finish
- Best for: Beginners that want an easy-to-play first guitar
Gibson offers the lower-cost Epiphone line, and the Epiphone PRO-1 Acoustic Guitar is a good choice for any beginner guitar player. It’s comfortable to play and offers a decent tone suitable for the beginner.
This dreadnought has a reduced body depth, so beginners will find it comfortable when compared to other traditional guitars. Beginners have all they need to get started with this setup.
✅ Easy to play
✅ Reduced depth for more comfort
✅ Solid wood
✅ Nice sound
❌ May need setup
❌ No case
Why I Recommend It
The Epiphone PRO-1 is a good dreadnought for the beginner. I love the reduced body depth, so it’s easier to hold when learning. It has a decent sound that is suitable for any first-time player.
Best Intermediate Acoustic Guitars
Once you have some skill under your belt, it’s time for an intermediate guitar. They cost a lot more than a beginner guitar. You get better tonewood and sound with intermediate instruments.
You should have an idea of what you want to do before you buy it. For example, if you want to record or go on stage, you may want an acoustic-electric guitar with a pickup. A cutaway can help you access the higher frets for solos or more intricate guitar work. Make sure you get something that works for you.
Martin D-18 Acoustic Guitar
- Scale length: 24.39″
- Fingerboard radius: 16″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, case
- Material & finish: Sitka spruce, mahogany, gloss finish
- Best for: Intermediate or advanced guitar players that want a solid tone
The Martin D-18 is a big step up from a beginner guitar. It costs quite a bit, but it has an amazing tone. The neck is a modern high-performance neck and easy to play.
The D-18 has a compensated saddle for better tone, intonation, and tuning stability. The fretboard is smooth ebony, so chording or playing solos is effortless. You get the reliability and tone of Martin Guitars when you buy a D-18.
✅ Great tone
✅ Hardshell case
✅ Compensated saddle
✅ Solid wood design
❌ Expensive
❌ No electronics
Why I Recommend It
You’ll pay a lot for the Martin D-18, but it’s a standout acoustic guitar for today’s intermediate player. You’ll find the neck comfortable, and it has an incredible richly acoustic sound. This will be a guitar you’ll love to play for many years to come.
Gibson G-45 Acoustic Guitar
- Scale length: 24.75″
- Fingerboard radius: 16″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: Fishman Sonitone pickup
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, case
- Material & finish: Sitka spruce, richlite, walnut, gloss finish
- Best for: Intermediate players that want a simple-to-play acoustic
The Gibson G-45 is a lower-cost acoustic dreadnought guitar. It has a superb tone and the reliability that you want as an intermediate player. Use the Sonitone pickup when on stage or when recording.
It’s made with solid wood, so you get warm overtones and the loud sound you need to cut through the mix. The G-45 is a guitar that you can rely on for many musical situations.
✅ Pickup
✅ Hardshell case
✅ Great tone
✅ Solid tuners
❌ A bit expensive
❌ Richlite board may upset purists
Why I Recommend It
The Gibson G-45 is a reliable guitar for any intermediate player. It has that Gibson tone that you can rely on. The addition of a pickup means that it’s ready for the stage or studio. This instrument is easy to play and comes with a nice case. You’ll enjoy this Gibson for a long time.
Taylor Academy 10e Acoustic-Electric Guitar
- Scale length: 24.8″
- Fingerboard radius: 15″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: ES-B under saddle
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, case
- Material & finish: Sitka Spruce, sapele, rock maple, satin finish
- Best for: Intermediate players that want a nice sounding guitar
The Taylor Academy 10e is a nice mid-range guitar. It has a great tone and a pickup, so it’s ready for an amplifier. There is also a built-in tuner and volume controls, so it’s easy to shape your tone while playing.
This guitar is great for an intermediate player low on cash, as it’s not too expensive.
✅ Pickup
✅ Lightweight
✅ Great tone
✅ Tuner
❌ No hard case
❌ No extra accessories
Why I Recommend It
Next to Martin, Taylor is my go-to brand. They have a wide range of great guitars, such as the Taylor Academy 1oe. This is low-cost yet has a pickup, an EQ, and even a built-in tuner. The tone of the guitar is nice, and it has a great neck. You’ll enjoy playing this Taylor guitar.
Best Acoustic Guitars for Professionals
Once you get to the advanced stage of guitar playing, it’s time to buy a top-quality guitar. You can expect to pay a lot for these guitars, but they’ll give you the performance and reliability you need.
Your overall style and preference are probably well-defined by now, so go with what you like. Here are several options that are solid options for any advanced guitar player.
Martin HD-28 Acoustic Guitar
- Scale length: 25.4″
- Fingerboard radius: 16″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, case
- Material & finish: Mahogany, sitka spruce, ebony, nitrocellulose finish
- Best for: Advanced guitar players looking for a reliable instrument for most styles of music
The Martin HD-28 is an excellent guitar for any advanced player. It features scalloped x-bracing for more stability and added tone. The bass is defined, and the highs are crisp.
The neck is a low oval profile, so it’s comfortable to play. You’ll produce a nice vintage acoustic guitar tone when you play the Martin HD-28.
✅ Superb tone
✅ Stability
✅ Scalloped x-bracing for stability
✅ Low oval neck
❌ Expensive
❌ No pickup
Why I Recommend It
The Martin HD-28 is a guitar you want to own. The x-bracing gives the guitar more balance and improved tone. The neck is amazing and comfortable for whatever playing situation you need. This is a solid guitar for any advanced guitar player.
Guild 55-E Jumbo Acoustic Guitar
- Scale length: 25.6″
- Fingerboard radius: 12″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: Under saddle transducer
- Body shape: Jumbo
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, case
- Material & finish: Mahogany, ebony, sitka spruce, gloss nitrocellulose
- Best for: Advanced players looking for a loud tone
The Guild 55-E Jumbo is a big guitar, but you need that for a huge tone. It’s the right option for any country, blues, or jazz player that wants a lot of sound out of their instrument.
Hear The Sound of the Guild F-55E Jumbo Acoustic-Electric Guitar
The guitar has a preamp and a pickup, so it’s ready for the studio or a gig. The guitar is well-built and has the solid tone you need to sound great.
✅ Huge tone
✅ Pickup and preamp
✅ Case
✅ Humidifier
❌ Expensive
❌ May be too big for some
Why I Recommend It
The 55-E by Guild is a professional acoustic that’s ideal for many playing situations. The sound is huge, and you’ll have a guitar that’s reliable no matter how often you play it. The pickup gives you more options, such as when recording or playing live.
Gibson Hummingbird Standard
- Scale length: 14.75″
- Fingerboard radius: 12″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: L.R. Baggs under saddle
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, case
- Material & finish: Sitka spruce, mahogany, nitrocellulose finish
- Best for: Advanced players that need top-quality tone
The Gibson Hummingbird is an ideal guitar for many different styles. It’s a nice looking acoustic that holds up no matter what you play. It has an amazing tone and a pickup for all those stage performances.
The Hummingbird is a clear winner for any advanced guitarist. It’s one of the world’s great guitars in that respect and it sounds wonderful. Just listen to the video above.
✅ Amazing tone
✅ Great looks
✅ Hardshell case
✅ Pickup
❌ Expensive
❌ No added accessories
Why I Recommend It
The Gibson Hummingbird Standard is a solid guitar for today’s professionals. You get an amazing tone and look. The guitar is ready to go whenever you need it. The Hummingbird is reliable and has the easy playability you need in a top-tier acoustic.
Best Acoustic Guitars Under $2,000
You can get some amazing guitars for under $2,000. These instruments are perfect for many playing situations. Here are some of the top options that I think you’ll enjoy.
Martin D-16 GT Dreadnought Acoustic
- Scale length: 25.4″
- Fingerboard radius: 16″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, case
- Material & finish: Sitka spruce, mahogany, rosewood, richlite, gloss finish
- Best for: Intermediate and advanced players that need a solid guitar
The Martin D-16 GT Dreadnought is a solid guitar for a moderate price. It sounds great right out of the box and is perfect for many guitar styles. It features x-bracing for better tone and stability.
This guitar has easy playability and is well-worth the price. The sound is fantastic. Listen to the video above for an example.
✅ Good tone
✅ Solid wood construction
✅ Hardshell case
✅ X-bracing
❌ Expensive
❌ No electronics
Why I Recommend It
The Martin D-16 GT has a great overall tone. It’s easy to play and has a modest price. You’ll get that high-quality tone that Martin is famous for. This guitar is ready to go and perfect for many different playing situations. It’s one of the best acoustic guitars in this price range.
Guild D-20 Dreadnought Acoustic
- Scale length: 25.8″
- Fingerboard radius: 12″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, case, documentation
- Material & finish: Mahogany, rosewood, satin finish
- Best for: Intermediate and advanced players looking for a guitar with a moderate price
The Guild D-20 6-string acoustic guitar has a solid mahogany top, back and sides.
The dreadnought body gives the guitar a warm and powerful tone. The look, feel and sound of the Guild D-20 is very vintage-style.
✅ Solid wood
✅ Hardshell case
✅ Excellent tone
✅ Scalloped bracing
❌ Expensive
❌ Could use better tuning pegs
Why I Recommend It
Then Guild D-20 comes at a moderate price but has the tone and playability you want. The solid mahogany wood sounds great, and it has good volume. It will give you the sound that you want for many different styles.
Gibson J-15 Acoustic Guitar
- Scale length: 24.75
- Fingerboard radius: 12″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: L.R. Baggs under saddle
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, case
- Material & finish: Walnut, sitka spruce, nitrocellulose finish
- Best for: Intermediate players that want a high-quality guitar at a good price
The Gibson J-15 is a superior acoustic guitar. It has scalloped bracing to improve the tone and stability of the instrument. This guitar features solid wood construction as well as nitrocellulose lacquer.
There is a pickup system to plug this instrument in whether you are in the studio or on a stage. It has everything the intermediate guitar player needs.
✅ Pickup
✅ Amazing tone
✅ Hardshell case
✅ Good tuning machine
❌ A bit expensive
❌ No extras
Why I Recommend It
The Gibson J-15 is the perfect instrument for any intermediate guitar player that has a modest budget. You get that vintage Gibson tone that you want, and you have an instrument that will give you enjoyment for years to come.
Best Acoustic Guitars Under $1,000
If you have a smaller budget, you can still find great instruments under $1,000. The guitars listed here are some excellent choices that you should have a second look at.
Fender California Newporter Acoustic-Electric Guitar
- Scale length: 25.6″
- Fingerboard radius: 15.75″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: Fishman
- Body shape: Auditorium
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, gig bag
- Material & finish: Mahogany, sitka spruce, pau ferro, gloss finish
- Best for: Beginners or intermediate players with smaller budgets
Fender makes some excellent guitars at a modest price. The Fender Newporter is an excellent instrument. It has a top-notch build quality. The saddle and the bone nut have been upgraded, so they give excellent resonance when playing.
You get a comfortable c-profile neck so you can play many styles with ease. You also get a built-in preamp system and a pickup. This instrument is ready to go right out of the box.
✅ Pickup
✅ Cutaway for easy fret access
✅ Equalizer
✅ Moderate price
❌ Ho hardshell case
❌ No extra accessories
Why I Recommend It
The Fender California Newporter is a solid mid-range guitar. It has everything that a player needs. It has excellent Fender-style tone and reliability. The Fishman pickup and preamp system means that it’s ready to go whether you are on a stage or want to do some quick recording. I like the cutaway since it makes it easy to access all of those higher frets.
Seagull Maritime SWS Acoustic Guitar
- Scale length: 25.5″
- Fingerboard radius: 16″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation,
- Material & finish: Mahogany, spruce, richlite, gloss finish
- Best for: Beginners or intermediate players with lower budgets
For those that need an easy-to-play acoustic guitar under $1,000, the Seagull Maritime is an excellent choice. It’s made from solid wood with a solid spruce top and produces an excellent tone and resonance.
It’s perfect for fingerpicking or for playing chords. It has a good, punchy sound. This instrument is a great bargain for its price range.
✅ Easy to play
✅ Solid wood construction
✅ Good price
✅ Nice saddle and nut
❌ No case
❌ No electronics
Why I Recommend It
The Seagull Maritime SWS is a great sounding guitar at this price. It’s capable of many different sounds and perfect for most guitar styles. You’ll need to buy a case for it, but the price is still great on this solid choice.
Takamine GD93CE G Series Acoustic-Electric Guitar
- Scale length: 25.4″
- Fingerboard radius: 12″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: TK-40D from Takamine
- Body shape: Cutaway
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation
- Material & finish: Walnut, maple, spruce, gloss finish
- Best for: Intermediate players that need a good sounding guitar
The Takamine GD93CE G Series is a solid acoustic-electric dreadnought with a cutaway. It has a solid top for good resonance and tone. It has a nice slim mahogany neck, which is comfortable while you’re playing.
You get a preamp system and built-in pickup with a three-band equalizer. This instrument also has a built-in tuner. You get a lot for your money when you purchase this Takamine.
✅ Pickup system
✅ Cutaway
✅ Easy to play
✅ Great tone
❌ No case
❌ No accessories
Why I Recommend It
The Takamine GD93 CE provides everything that you want in a moderately priced guitar. I like the cutaway, which makes it easier to hit the higher frets for guitar solos. This instrument has a good tone, and it’s easy to play. This is a solid guitar under $1,000.
Best Acoustic Guitars Under $500
When looking for the best guitar under $500, you have more choices in the market than ever before. The major companies have great options, even for those with limited budgets. The guitars listed here are some of the better ones you might want to consider.
Baby Taylor Acoustic Guitar
- Scale length: 22.4″
- Fingerboard radius: 15″
- Frets: 19
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Small-sized dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, gig bag, documentation
- Material & finish: Sitka spruce, layered walnut, gloss finish
- Best for: Beginners and intermediate players looking for an easy-playing guitar
The Baby Taylor is an excellent guitar for any beginner. It’s smaller than the average acoustic guitar, so it’s comfortable and has a great sound.
The instrument is made with solid tonewood, including sitka spruce, which improves the resonance. This guitar is suitable for children or younger adults who want something in a smaller size for added comfort.
✅ Smaller body
✅ Good tone
✅ Perfect for beginners
✅ X-bracing
❌ No hardshell case
❌ Some may find it too small
Why I Recommend It
The Baby Taylor is a fantastic option for under $500. You get the perfect combination of sound and playability. The smaller size means that it’s going to be comfortable for most players. This is an excellent choice for any first-time beginner for those that want to save money.
Fender California Redondo Acoustic Guitar
- Scale length: 25.6″
- Fingerboard radius: 15.75″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: Under saddle piezo
- Body shape: Dreadnought cutaway
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation
- Material & finish: Mahogany, walnut, sitka spruce, gloss polyurethane finish
- Best for: Beginners that want a great acoustic-electric guitar for a low cost
The Fender California Redondo is a great choice for anyone learning to play guitar. It has a rich and balanced tone. You get a cutaway, so it’s easier to hit the higher frets, and there’s a pickup system. To help you tune your instrument, there’s a built-in tuner.
The instrument also has a preamp system where you get volume, travel, and bass controls to easily shape the sound the way you want. This is an excellent Fender guitar for under $500.
✅ Pickup
✅ Solid wood
✅ Equalizer
✅ Tuner
❌ No case
❌ No extra accessories
Why I Recommend It
The Fender Redondo is a great guitar that won’t cost you a whole lot. It has a nice sound, and it’s easy to play. It comes in various colors to meet your needs. This is an instrument you’ll be playing for a long time.
Guild OM-240 CE Acoustic Guitar
- Scale length: 25.5″
- Fingerboard radius: 16″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: Under saddle piezo
- Body shape: Dreadnought cutaway
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation
- Material & finish: Spruce, mahogany, rosewood, matte polyurethane finish
- Best for: Intermediate players looking for a low-cost guitar
This Guild OM-240 guitar is perfect for fingerpicking and strumming with its an excellent balanced tone. It’s made with solid wood, including mahogany and spruce. The fretboard is rosewood, which is smooth for easy playability.
The guitar also comes with a pickup, which is an under saddle piezo. It’s easy to plug this guitar into an amplifier for stage performance or when recording. The cutaway gives you nice access to the higher frets.
✅ Cutaway
✅ Great tone
✅ Nice finish
✅ Solid wood
❌ No case
❌ No tuner
Why I Recommend It
The Guild OM-240 CE is an excellent guitar under $500. Not only does it have a cutaway, which makes playing the instrument easier higher up on the neck, but it also has an electronic system so you can plug it into your amplifier. It’s made with solid wood and has a great tone for its price range.
Best Cheap Acoustic Guitars
If you’re looking for the best beginner guitar, you’re probably going to pick up something cheap because you haven’t played guitar before. It’s important not to go too low in price because some instruments have intonation problems and other issues.
These options below would make great choices if you don’t have a lot of money to spend on a guitar.
Yamaha FG800 Acoustic Guitar
- Scale length: 25″
- Fingerboard radius: 15.7″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation
- Material & finish: Rosewood, solid spruce, nato, gloss
- Best for: Beginners that have never played guitar before
The Yamaha FG 800 is an excellent beginner guitar. It has everything you need right out of the box. This instrument is easy to play and has a decent tone.
You won’t pay a whole lot for the FG800, but it will be a guitar you can play for several years as you learn your way around the instrument.
✅ Good tone
✅ Nice price
✅ Often comes in guitar package deals
✅ Easy to play
❌ May need some setup
❌ Might be too big for some beginners
Why I Recommend It
As a former guitar teacher, I had several students that used Yamaha beginner acoustic guitars. They are easy-to-play beginner instruments, and the FG800 is a solid choice.
Fender CP-60S Parlor Acoustic Guitar
- Scale length: 24.75″
- Fingerboard radius: 12″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Small dreadnought
- What’s included in the box:
- Material & finish: Spruce, laminated mahogany, gloss finish
- Best for: First-time beginners that want a smaller sized guitar
The Fender Parlor CP-60S is an excellent choice for any beginner. It has a smaller-size dreadnought body, so even younger children can use it.
This instrument has a decent tone and playability. You won’t spend a lot of money, so it is ideal if you’re on a limited budget.
✅ Small size
✅ Easy to play
✅ Good tone
✅ Perfect for kids
❌ May need some setup
❌ No case
Why I Recommend It
The Fender Parlor has what any beginner needs to get started right away. It has a decent tone and playability, and it’s a lot better than buying one of the cheaper guitar packages. It may need some initial setup, but this can be done at a guitar store.
Epiphone AJ-100CE Acoustic-Electric Guitar
- Scale length: 25.5″
- Fingerboard radius: 12″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: Under saddle pickup
- Body shape: Cutaway dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation
- Material & Finish: Select spruce, mahogany, gloss finish
- Best for: First-time players that want a simple guitar
The Epiphone AJ-100CE is a solid guitar for a low cost. Not only does it sound great, but it has a pickup so you can plug in and play whenever you want.
It has a great tone and an easy-to-play neck. It’s low cost and suitable for any beginner.
✅ Good pickup
✅ Nice tone
✅ Cutaway
✅ Easy playing
❌ No case
❌ No accessories
Why I Recommend It
The Epiphone is a good choice for a beginner as it has the tone and reliability you need. This guitar is a lot better than the cheaper guitar packages, which tend to be poor and not worth the cash. Epiphone makes great bare-bones entry-level instruments.
Best Acoustic Guitars for Kids
Children have extra needs when it comes to guitars. Most kids can’t use full-size dreadnought guitars, so they have to go with something else. Many kids need 1/2 sized guitars as they are more comfortable for them to hold and play. Here are some top acoustic guitars for kids.
Yamaha JR1 FG Junior 3/4 Acoustic
- Scale length: 21.4″
- Fingerboard radius: 15.3
- Frets: 19
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Small-sized dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, gig bag
- Material & finish: Rosewood, meranti, nato, gloss finish
- Best for: Younger kids that are starting out
The Yamaha JR1 FG is a great guitar for young kids. It’s a 3/4 size guitar so that they can hold it without difficulty.
The wood provides a decent tone, which they will love. It comes with a gig bag to protect the guitar.
✅ Good tone
✅ Easy to play
✅ Good tuners
✅ Easy to hold
❌ No hardshell case
❌ May need some setup
Why I Recommend It
The Yamaha JR1 FG Junior is a good choice for younger kids as it’s easy to play and the small size is comfortable. The guitar has good value, even at a low-end price point.
Ibanez iJV50 Acoustic Guitar Package
- Scale length: 25.59″
- Fingerboard radius: 12″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, gig bag, accessories, documentation
- Material & finish: Spruce, meranti, nato, gloss finish
- Best for: First-time players that want an easy-to-play acoustic guitar
The Ibanez iJV50 Guitar Package is a good deal and better than some of the lower-cost kits. You get a good Ibanez acoustic guitar, which sounds great.
You get a tuner, guitar strap, and an accessory pouch with this package. You will have everything that you need to begin playing right away.
✅ Accessories
✅ Gig bag
✅ Easy to play
✅ Good tone
❌ Some accessories are poor
❌ No pickup
Why I Recommend It
Many of the guitar packages on the market are not that great. I like this one from Ibanez because you get a good guitar. You also get several accessories, such as a tuner and strap. While it might cost a little bit more than some packages, it’s well worth spending extra to get a decent guitar.
Cordoba Mini II MH Nylon String Guitar
- Scale length: 22.87″
- Fingerboard radius: 15.3″
- Frets: 19
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Small-sized dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation
- Material & finish: Mahogany, satin polyurethane finish
- Best for: Younger guitar players
The Cordoba Mini II MH is a nice guitar for younger players. It has a small size but a good tone, thanks to the solid mahogany. Younger students will have a blast playing this neat little guitar.
You will need to buy a case for it as it doesn’t ship with one. Have a listen to the video above to hear an example of the sound of this beautiful little guitar.
✅ Small size
✅ Good wood
✅ Easy to play
✅ Low cost
❌ No case
❌ May need setup
Why I Recommend It
The Cordoba Mini II MH is a good guitar for young beginners. It has a nice tone and is made of solid wood. A lot of beginner guitars are made with poor wood, but this one sounds nice. It may need a bit of a tweak at your local guitar store, but it’s still a good guitar for young kids.
Best Nylon String Acoustic Guitars
Many guitar players start with nylon string guitars, also called classical guitars. Their strings are easier to press down and don’t hurt the fingers.
The downside to a classical guitar is that it’s a little bit harder to play than a steel string when it comes to chords. They do make great choices for children because they’ll only be learning single notes. You don’t want to go for too low a price with a classical guitar as you won’t get anything of quality. The following choices make good options.
Alvarez CF6 Cadiz Nylon String
- Scale length: 25.98″
- Fingerboard radius: 12″
- Frets: 19
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Classical
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation
- Material & finish: Mahogany, selected tonewood, gloss finish
- Best for: Beginners or intermediate players with a bit more cash to spend
You want a decent classical guitar if you’re an intermediate player. The CF6 is made with solid wood, so you’ll get the sound you want for classical music.
Both of the saddles in the nut of this guitar are made with bone, so they last a long time. This is the perfect mid-range classical guitar.
✅ Easy to play
✅ Low cost
✅ Good tone
✅ Solid construction
❌ No case
❌ No extras
Why I Recommend It
The Alvarez CF6 is a good guitar for the intermediate player. The solid wood gives it the tone that you want. It’s a big step above beginner classical guitars and worth the extra cost.
Yamaha CG102 Classical Guitar
- Scale length: 25.9″
- Fingerboard radius: 16″
- Frets: 19
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Classical
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation
- Material & finish: Nato, meranti, rosewood, gloss finish
- Best for: Beginners that need a simple classical guitar
The Yamaha CG102 Classical Guitar is a good choice for first-time students. It’s made with solid wood and has a good tone, even though it doesn’t cost that much.
Many beginner guitars are quite poor, but this one sounds good. It has an easy-to-play neck and looks great.
✅ Easy to play
✅ Classic look
✅ Good tone
✅ Nice price
❌ No case
❌ May need setup
Why I Recommend It
Yamaha makes some nice beginner guitars, and the CG102 is no exception. It comes at a modest price range, yet it sounds great. This is a nice guitar for any young beginner. Make sure you buy a case for it, and you’ll be good to go.
Taylor Academy 12e-N Classical Guitar
- Scale length: 25.5″
- Fingerboard radius: 20″
- Frets: 17
- Pickup type: Under saddle piezo
- Body shape: Classical
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, gig bag
- Material & finish: Spruce, sapele, matte varnish
- Best for: Intermediate players that want a good classical with a pickup
The Taylor Academy 12e-N Classical is a nice guitar. Not only is it made with solid wood, but it has a pickup. It’s easy to plug into your favorite amplifier and start playing.
The guitar has a two-band EQ and a tuner, so it’s simple to shape your tone and tune your instrument whenever you need to. This is a solid choice for any intermediate player that needs a classical guitar with a pickup.
✅ Pickup
✅ 2-band EQ
✅ Tuner
✅ Good tone
❌ No hardshell case
❌ No extra accessories
Why I Recommend It
The Taylor Academy 12e-N is a good classical guitar. I love the fact that it has a pickup. It’s ready to go for recording or live performances. This is the right option for an intermediate or advanced classical player.
Best Steel-String Guitars
The steel-string guitar is an acoustic guitar that has regular steel strings and not nylon strings. These are common across all musical styles. They have different shapes, such as dreadnought, auditorium, parlor, and so on. They come in a wide range of prices. Steel-string acoustics are more expensive as they are made with better wood. Here are a few steel string guitars that you might want to consider.
Martin Standard Series 000-18
- Scale length: 24.9″
- Fingerboard radius: 16″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Auditorium
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, case
- Material & finish: Sitka spruce, mahogany, ebony, gloss finish
- Best for: Intermediate or advanced players that want a high-quality guitar
The Martin 000-18 is an auditorium size guitar. It’s smaller than a standard dreadnought and easier to hold. This makes it great for fingerpicking or folk styles. It has an amazing tone and easy playability, thanks to the smooth neck.
For anyone that wants a smaller-sized high-quality guitar, the 000-18 is a clear choice. It has the sound that you want. This model comes with a case.
✅ Solid construction
✅ Easy to hold
✅ Great tone
✅ Comes with hardshell case
❌ Expensive
❌ No extras
Why I Recommend It
You’ll spend a lot on the Martin 000-18, but you’ll get an exceptional guitar. Some people don’t like the regular dreadnought size, so the smaller auditorium is a nice option. You’ll get the tone and reliability you want with this instrument.
Guild D-55 Acoustic Guitar
- Scale length: 25.62″
- Fingerboard radius: 12″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, case
- Material & finish: Rosewood, spruce, ebony, gloss finish
- Best for: Advanced players that want a top-line acoustic guitar
The Guild-55 is a solid steel-string. You will pay a lot for it, but it’s loud and has an amazing tone. The scalloped bracing helps keep the guitar stable and improves the overall sound.
The c-shaped neck is comfortable for both chords and solos. There’s not much that this guitar can’t do. It’s a top-tier acoustic for professionals looking for a reliable steel-string acoustic guitar.
✅ Superior wood
✅ Easy playing neck
✅ Comes with case
✅ Good volume
❌ High price
❌ No extras
Why I Recommend It
The Guild D-55 is a guitar made for professionals. It has a loud tone, and it’s perfect for no matter what musical situation you’re in. You get the performance and reliability you need out of your guitar. You can depend upon the D-55 for many years to come.
Blueridge BR-60 Dreadnought Acoustic
- Scale length: 25.5″
- Fingerboard radius: 16″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Documentation, guitar
- Material & finish: Rosewood, sitka spruce, gloss finish
- Best for: Beginners and intermediate players that want a solid steel string
The Blueridge Br-60 is an amazing guitar for any beginner or intermediate player. It’s a full-sized dreadnought. It has a great tone. The Clemson-style tuners help keep this instrument in proper pitch.
The guitar is made with solid wood, so it has great resonance and sound while you’re playing. The sound is further in the forest with the x-bracing inside. You’ll get great performance out of this instrument, and you’ll enjoy playing it.
✅ Good price
✅ Solid wood
✅ Easy to play
✅ Great tone
❌ No case
❌ No accessories
Why I Recommend It
The Blueridge Br-60 is a solid option for anyone that wants a moderately-priced guitar. It has everything that the beginner needs. It is well-made and has that great acoustic sound that you want.
Best Acoustic-Electric Guitars
Many acoustic guitars now come with pickup systems installed. They will also have a preamp to get tone, volume, and other controls to shape your sound.
Some of these instruments also have a built-in tuner. If you plan to do recording or play live on stage, these instruments make the perfect option. You will also find that many of these instruments have a cutaway in the body, so you can play lead lines easier. Here are a few great options.
Taylor 812CE Grand Concert Acoustic-Electric Guitar
- Scale length: 24.87″
- Fingerboard radius: 15″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: Saddle transducer
- Body shape: Cutaway dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, case
- Material & finish: Ebony, mahogany, rosewood, gloss finish
- Best for: Intermediate and advanced players that want to play live or record
If you want a solid acoustic-electric guitar, you can’t go wrong with the Taylor 812CE. This instrument features a v-class bracing. This bracing produces a clean tone with more sustain and volume when compared to other types of bracing.
The under saddle pickup for this model produces an amazing tone when the instrument is plugged in. There is also a preamp to help you shape your sound. It’s made with solid wood, and the neck is easy to play. You get the performance that you need out of an acoustic-electric with this Taylor.
✅ Good pickup
✅ V-class bracing
✅ Solid tone
✅ Easy playing neck
❌ Expensive
❌ No accessories
Why I Recommend It
The Tylor 812 CE is an amazing guitar for professionals. It’s easy to play and has a good pickup and preamp system. You’ll spend a lot on this model, but you’ll get the sound and reliability you need for any musical situation.
Guild F-150CE Westerly Jumbo Acoustic-Electric
- Scale length: 25.5″
- Fingerboard radius: 16″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: Guild Fishman
- Body shape: Cutaway jumbo
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, gig bag
- Material & finish: Spruce, rosewood, gloss
- Best for: Intermediate players that need a guitar for chords
Jumbo guitars are great for chords and styles such as country or jazz. The Guild F-150CE fills that role nicely. This guitar has an amazing tone thanks to its size and solid construction. It comes with a Guild Fishman pickup, so you get great sound when plugged in.
This is an inexpensive instrument, but it has what you need to play country or jazz. You’ll have fun playing this Guild guitar.
✅ Big tone
✅ Pickup and preamp
✅ Solid construction
✅ Easy to play
❌ No hardshell case
❌ May be too big for some
Why I Recommend It
Jumbo guitars often cost a lot, but the Guild F-150CE is a low-cost guitar which also happens to be an acoustic-electric. Intermediate players who play many chords will love the performance they get out of this guitar.
Fender Acoustasonic Acoustic-Electric Guitar
- Scale length: 25.5
- Fingerboard radius: 12″
- Frets: 22
- Pickup type: Fishman
- Body shape: Telecaster style
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, gig bag
- Material & finish: Mahogany, sitka spruce, satin urethane
- Best for: Intermediate guitar players that want an easy-to-play guitar
The Fender Acoustasonic is an acoustic-electric guitar with the familiar Fender Telecaster shape. The neck on this instrument is excellent and perfect for many different guitar styles. You will enjoy both electric as well as acoustic guitar sounds.
This instrument features three different pickups made by Fishman, so you have many tone combinations at your fingertips. There’s also a 5-way voice selector switch so you can choose between different styles. If you’re looking for a unique acoustic-electric guitar, the Fender Acoustasonic is an excellent choice.
✅ Unique look
✅ Many sound combinations
✅ Easy to play
✅ Charges via USB
❌ A bit complicated
❌ Expensive
Why I Recommend It
For those looking for an acoustic-electric with a familiar shape, the Fender Acoustasonic is a good choice. This is a unique guitar capable of many different sounds. You get the familiarity of an electric guitar with the sounds of an acoustic.
Best Auditorium/Small Size Acoustic Guitars
Dreadnought acoustic guitars sound great, but the body on these instruments can be too large for some players. This is where the auditorium size guitar comes into play. It is basically a smaller dreadnought size but still has the same overall tone and feel.
This type of instrument is perfect for folk music, fingerpicking, and other types of playing. If you want a guitar that is comfortable to play, the auditorium size is a good choice. Here are a few options you might want to consider.
Alvarez Artist Series AG60CE Grand Auditorium
- Scale length: 25.5″
- Fingerboard radius: 12″
- Frets: 21
- Pickup type: L.R. Baggs under saddle
- Body shape: Auditorium
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation
- Material & finish: Spruce, rosewood, gloss finish
- Best for: Beginners or intermediate players that want a reliable guitar
The Alvarez Artists Series is a nice guitar for any beginner or intermediate player. It has a decent sound with plenty of balance through both the bass and treble registers.
It’s made with solid wood and also has a pickup and EQ system. You can use the included tuner to keep your instrument in perfect tuning.
You will have a nice guitar that you can play for many years. It’s capable of producing a lot of different sounds. This instrument also doesn’t cost a whole lot, so you’ll save money.
✅ Pickup
✅ Easy to play
✅ Great tone
✅ Tuner
❌ No case
❌ Battery a bit hard to install
Why I Recommend It
The Alvarez Artists Series is a good option for anyone that wants an auditorium size guitar. I like this one because it doesn’t cost a whole lot, plus it’s acoustic-electric, so it’s ready to plug in and go.
Martin 000-28 Standard Auditorium Acoustic
- Scale length: 24.9″
- Fingerboard radius: N/A
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Auditorium
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, case
- Material & finish: Sitka spruce, rosewood, ebony, nitrocellulose finish
- Best for: Professional players that want a smaller sized guitar
The Martin 000-28 is the perfect auditorium-size guitar. It has an excellent tone, and it’s made with high-quality wood. You’ll get a perfect balance, and it’s suitable for almost every guitar style. The dovetail neck joint helps provide a lot of sustain.
The artist neck taper makes it easy to play, so it’s great for fingerpicking or complex chords. This instrument also has scalloped x-bracing, which balances the treble, mid, and bass range.
✅ Amazing tone
✅ Hardshell case
✅ Quality tuners
✅ Artist neck taper
❌ High price
❌ May be too small for some
Why I Recommend It
You can’t go wrong with the Martin 000-28. This is an exceptional guitar that you’ll want to play all the time. You’ll pay top dollar for it, but it has the sound and reliability you need. It’s the perfect auditorium guitar.
Fender FA-345CE Auditorium Acoustic-Electric
- Scale length: 25.3″
- Fingerboard radius: 11.81″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: Fishman
- Body shape: Auditorium
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation,
- Material & finish: Maple, mahogany, lacewood, nato, gloss finish
- Best for: Beginners and intermediate players that want a mid-range guitar
For those that want an easy-to-play auditorium style guitar, the Fender FA-345CE is a good option. It gives you excellent sound and also comes with a preamp and pickup. You can use the built-in tuner to keep your instrument in tune.
For those who are just starting or have been playing for a while, this instrument gives the performance and reliability they need.
✅ Easy to play
✅ Pickup and EQ
✅ Tuner
✅ Good price
❌ No case
❌ No accessories
Why I Recommend It
Many auditorium-style guitars can be quite expensive, but the Fender FA-345 CE comes at a modest price. I like the fact that it also has a pickup and preamp so that you can plug it into your amplifier. If you like auditorium-style guitars, then you should consider this Fender.
Best Acoustic Guitar Starter Kits
There are many different acoustic guitar starter kits on the market. It’s important to find one that has a little bit of quality to it. Many of these can be quite poor, and the instrument is not worth using. Here are some options that make great choices for any beginner or those that want to save money.
eMedia Teach Yourself Acoustic Guitar Package
- Scale length: N/A
- Fingerboard radius: N/A
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Documentation, guitar, software, accessories
- Material & finish: Solid wood construction, gloss finish
- Best for: Beginners that want to teach themselves
The Media Acoustic Guitar Package is a good introduction to anyone that wants to learn how to play guitar. It comes with a decent acoustic guitar along with several accessories. You get a strap, picks, and an extra set of strings.
I like the fact that this comes with a DVD that teaches you how to play. There are around 50 lessons on the DVD, so this makes it perfect for any new beginner. It has a decent tone, but it’s not exceptional. Despite this, it’s a good choice for new players.
✅ Software
✅ Accessories
✅ Decent guitar
✅ Gig bag
❌ Some accessories are poor
❌ The guitar is very basic
Why I Recommend It
The Media Acoustic Guitar Package is a guitar package that has everything the beginner needs. The acoustic guitar included has a decent sound and tone. It comes with quite a few accessories. There is a nice DVD with a set of lessons to study at your own pace.
Fender CD-60S Acoustic Guitar Package
- Scale length: 25.3″
- Fingerboard radius: 12″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, accessories
- Material & finish: Spruce, mahogany, gloss finish
- Best for: Beginners that want a decent guitar package
The Fender CD-60S is the perfect beginner instrument. You get a decent quality acoustic guitar in the package, along with related accessories. This Fender guitar has excellent tone and playability. Beginners won’t have any trouble as they learn how to play.
Included accessories in the pack include picks, strap, and extra guitar strings. You’ll be set to go with this excellent guitar package.
✅ Gig bag
✅ Good guitar
✅ Accessories
✅ Low price
❌ Some accessories are poor
❌ Gig bag could be better
Why I Recommend It
The Fender CD-60S is a guitar package that you can rely on. This acoustic guitar is set up nicely and will hold its tone when you compare it to some of the cheaper packages on the market. It includes several accessories for the beginner. It’s all they’ll need to start playing.
Epiphone PR-4E Acoustic Guitar Package
- Scale length: 25.5″
- Fingerboard radius: 12″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: Under saddle
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, accessories, amp
- Material & finish: Spruce, mahogany, gloss finish
- Best for: Beginners that want a total package
I like the Epiphone PR-4E Acoustic Package. You get a decent quality acoustic guitar. Not only that, but it’s an acoustic-electric with a pickup. It has a good tone and is perfect for those just starting out.
You get a lot of nice accessories in this package. It includes an amplifier, picks, guitar strap, lessons, cable, and a gig bag. This is the total beginner package for anyone that wants to learn how to play.
✅ Good guitar
✅ Amplifier
✅ Gig bag
✅ Lessons
❌ Some accessories are poor
❌ Gig bag could be better
Why I Recommend It
The Epiphone PR-4E Acoustic Package is a great deal. It is a far better option than going for one of the lower-cost guitar packages. Those instruments are not very good and hard to set up. This guitar is set up and ready to go right out of the box. It comes with all of the basic accessories you need to begin, which makes it a clear winner.
Acoustic Guitar Parts & Accessories
Acoustic guitars have several parts that make up the construction of the instrument. Here are the major parts that you need to know about.
Neck/Headstock
The guitar neck holds the frets and is attached to the body. At the top of the guitar neck is the headstock, which holds the tuning pegs.
Body
The guitar body is the main portion of the instrument. The soundhole is in the middle of most acoustic guitar models.
You may also find a pickguard on several models to protect the instrument’s finish from scratches.
Bridge
The bridge of an acoustic instrument is where the strings are attached. This bridge is glued onto the body with special adhesives that keep it secure.
Electronics
Some acoustic guitars have pickups. These are usually under the bridge saddle and are a lot smaller than those you find on an electric guitar. Equalizers and preamp systems may also be built into the body of the acoustic guitar.
Strap Buttons
Most acoustic guitars have strap buttons. This is where you attach a strap so you can play the guitar standing up.
Things to Consider When Choosing an Acoustic Guitar
Here are a few things to keep in mind before you buy an acoustic guitar.
Level of Experience
There are three basic levels of guitar playing ability, which we will discuss here.
Beginner Acoustic Guitars
A beginner acoustic guitar is not going to cost you a whole lot of money. You can get a decent one for a couple hundred dollars. They’ll have a reasonable tone, but don’t expect them to sound amazing. These instruments are perfectly fine as you begin your guitar-playing journey.
Intermediate Acoustic Guitars
An intermediate guitar will cost you anywhere between three hundred to several thousand dollars. These instruments are made with higher-quality tonewood, so they sound a lot better than a beginner instrument.
Some of them have pickup systems and other extras. You’ll also have a wider choice in terms of the guitar body to meet your playing style.
Pro Acoustic Guitars
Advanced guitars or professional acoustic guitars cost quite a bit of money. It’s easy to spend several thousand dollars on one of these instruments. You’ll get top quality wood as well as the best tone available. These instruments are designed for serious musicians, so they command top dollar.
Size
Acoustic guitars come in several sizes. Full-size guitars are usually for adults or teenagers. Children may use a 1/2 size or 3/4 size instrument, as it’s easier for them to hold and play.
Wood
- Mahogany has a solid tone and a high-end response. It’s sometimes used as a guitar top or for the sides and back of acoustic instruments.
- Maple is used for the back and sides of some acoustic guitars or on the top because it has an excellent tone.
- Sitka spruce is quite popular for acoustic guitars. It’s lightweight and sturdy. It has a powerful tone which is needed for clarity.
- Rosewood has a clear and responsive tone and powerful sustain. It’s commonly used for acoustic guitars.
- Koa is sometimes used for guitar tops on high-end acoustic instruments. In some guitars, it’s used for the sides and the back.
Finish
Acoustic instruments have several types of finishes. These are the main types.
- Lacquer comes in several types, but probably the most popular is nitrocellulose. This is a quick-drying finish that helps protect acoustic instruments from damage.
- Acrylic lacquer produces a nice shine.
- Polyurethane lacquer is tougher than acrylic lacquer, so the finish lasts longer.
- Polyester forms a durable finish with a high gloss. It’s used on lower-cost instruments to make them appear expensive.
Color
Most acoustic guitars are made of wood, so the natural color shines through. Some instruments have painted finishes, but this is not very common. They’re usually stained and varnished that highlight the natural color of the wood.
The Overall Tone & Sound
The sound and tone of an acoustic guitar mainly come from the wood choice. This is why expensive acoustic guitars tend to sound better than less expensive ones. It’s all about the wood. You may also want to pay attention to the electronics and ensure that your guitar has a good pickup.
Price
Acoustic guitars come in various price ranges. I’ll briefly discuss the price below, so you know what you’re getting.
Budget Acoustic Guitars
Budget acoustic guitars cost anywhere between $75 to $300. You’ll get a basic beginner guitar. It will have a good sound, but not stellar. This type of instrument might need a lot of setup before it stays in tune properly.
Midrange Acoustic Guitars
Midrange acoustic guitars range anywhere from $300-$2,000. These instruments are suitable for most playing situations. Most intermediate and advanced guitar students will probably have a guitar in this price range.
Top-End Acoustic Guitars
Top-end acoustic guitars are made for professional musicians. You can expect to spend anywhere between $2,000 to $10,000 and up. These are the best of the best, and you’ll have an excellent tone and reliability when you purchase one of these instruments.
Extras
There are a few extras that you might want to buy with your acoustic guitar.
- Acoustic amp: You’ll need an amplifier design for acoustic guitars if your instrument has a pickup.
- Picks: You’ll need a wide assortment of guitar picks.
- Stand/chair: You may want to buy a music stand for your papers as well as a comfortable guitar chair.
- Lessons/books: You may want music books with lessons or ones that contain songs from your favorite artist if you want to teach yourself.
- Tuner: You’ll probably want a tuner so your guitar is always in tune.
- Extra strings: Make sure you have extra sets of guitar strings. You never know when you’re going to break one of them.
New vs Used
You should try to buy your acoustic guitar new if possible. You don’t know what you are getting with a used instrument unless you’ve been playing for a while. If you are an intermediate or an advanced player, then you can buy used because you already know what to buy. Beginners should start with a new instrument.
What’s in an Acoustic Guitar Box?
There are a few things that come in an acoustic guitar box. Here is what you need to know.
Checked-by Tag
Most instruments will have a check-to-buy tag included in the box. This means that the guitar has been checked before it left the factory or the store.
Allen Wrench
The box may have an allen wrench in it, which you use to adjust the truss rod.
Documentation
Your guitar may come with documentation or a manual.
Accessories
The guitar box may include accessories. Typical accessories include picks, strings, guitar strap, and so on. This will all depend upon what you have bought. Some manufacturers only include the guitar and no accessories.
Acoustic Guitar Brands to Avoid
Try to avoid lower-cost acoustic guitar packages. These instruments don’t have any real value. They are difficult to set up and play. Younger children may get frustrated playing this sort of guitar. It’s usually better to purchase a higher-cost guitar pack because they have more value. Try to go with name brand instruments as they are a lot better.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here are some answers to commonly asked questions.
How Much Do Acoustic Guitars Cost?
Acoustic guitars come in several price ranges. Here are the basics you need to know.
- Beginner Guitar ($75 -$300): Expect them to sound great, and they are also suitable for the first time player.
- Intermediate Guitar ($300-$2,500): An intermediate guitar is made with excellent wood and you’ll have superior sound and playability compared to a beginner instrument. Most players will use intermediate guitars for most of their life.
- Pro Guitar ($2,500-$10,000+) Professional guitars are for advanced players or those with a lot of money. These are exceptional guitars that have the best tone available.
What Are the Best Acoustic Guitars?
These are the three best acoustic guitars in my opinion. They all offer great playability, performance, and tone that you can rely on time and time again.
Martin D-28 Acoustic: Best for Professionals
The Martin D-28 is an exceptional high-end acoustic guitar. It is made with solid wood and has the tone and resonance that you need. It is a perfect guitar for any advanced player. It has a long history in the music industry, and it’s a top guitar that you will love to play.
Yamaha FG800: Best for First-Time Beginners
The Yamaha FG800 is a solid guitar for any beginner. You won’t spend a whole lot of money on it, but you will get a basic guitar that you can learn on. It has a decent tone and easy playability. If you don’t want to spend a whole lot on an instrument, this is one that you want to buy.
Taylor 312 CE V-Class Grand Concert: Best for Intermediate Players
The Taylor 312 CE V-Class Grand Concert has everything that you need in an intermediate guitar. This is a nice acoustic-electric guitar that has a good tone, and it is easy to play.
You can easily access the higher frets thanks to the cutaway. It’s the right option if you want to record at home or if you’re playing live.
Where Are the Best Acoustic Guitars Made?
Acoustic guitars made in the United States are usually the best sounding. Martin and Taylor are two top companies in the United States. In some cases, guitars made in Asia or Mexico are also quite decent.
What Is the Best Sounding Acoustic Guitar?
The best sounding guitar is Martin D-28. There are opinions as to whether this is the best one, but it’s worth a listen. It has an excellent sound and a rich history. You can’t get much better than this simple yet great sounding dreadnought.
Where to Buy Acoustic Guitars
There are several places where you can buy the best acoustic guitars from this list. Buying online is always a great option, especially if you don’t live near a guitar store.
Amazon
Amazon offers a wide range of musical instruments. They have plenty of acoustic guitars for you to choose from. It’s easy to order from them and the instruments come with a money-back guarantee.
Online Music Retailers
Another excellent online retailer is Guitar Center. They have a broad range of acoustic guitars. You are covered through their 45-day guarantee policy, so that makes them an attractive place to buy from.
Your Local Music Store
You can also buy an acoustic guitar from your local music store. If you’ve never bought a guitar before, make sure you go with someone who can play to get a decent quality instrument.
Review This Post
Table of Contents
- Acoustic Guitars
- What is an Acoustic Guitar?
- Types of Acoustic Guitars
- Best Acoustic Guitar Brands
- Bass Guitars
- Top 10 Best Acoustic Guitars Overall
- Best Beginner Acoustic Guitars
- Best Intermediate Acoustic Guitars
- Best Acoustic Guitars for Professionals
- Best Acoustic Guitars Under $2,000
- Best Acoustic Guitars Under $1,000
- Best Acoustic Guitars Under $500
- Best Cheap Acoustic Guitars
- Best Acoustic Guitars for Kids
- Best Nylon String Acoustic Guitars
- Best Steel-String Guitars
- Best Acoustic-Electric Guitars
- Best Auditorium/Small Size Acoustic Guitars
- Best Acoustic Guitar Starter Kits
- Acoustic Guitar Parts & Accessories
- Electric Guitar Accessories
- Things to Consider When Choosing an Acoustic Guitar
- Acoustic Guitar Brands to Avoid
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- In Conclusion
In Conclusion
These are some of the best acoustic guitars that you can buy in 2021. I feel that these are all great options. They have a great tone as well as playability. Please feel free to leave comments or ask questions, and have fun playing your new acoustic guitar.
