Epiphone is the lower-cost brand of Gibson. These guitars are pretty popular, as they play well and have a good tone despite being low-cost compared to the regular Gibson brand.
Quick Answer: Best Epiphone Acoustic Guitars
- 1. Best Epiphone Acoustic Guitar Overall: Epiphone USA Frontier
- 2. Best Cheap Epiphone Acoustic Guitars: Epiphone DR-100
- 3. Best Epiphone Acoustic Guitars Under $1,000: Slash J-45
- 4. Best Epiphone Acoustic Guitars Under $500: Hummingbird
- 5. Best Original Epiphone Acoustic Guitars: Epiphone Starling7
- 6. Best Professional: Epiphone Acoustic Guitars: USA Texan
- 7. Best Inspired by Gibson Epiphone Guitars: Epiphone J-200
- 8. Epiphone L-00 Studio Acoustic Guitar
- 9. Epiphone DR-212 Acoustic Guitar
- 10. Epiphone PR-4E Player Pack Acoustic Guitar
This guide will help you find the best Epiphone acoustic guitars. You’ll be sure to find an excellent Epiphone acoustic no matter your playing style. There’s a guitar in this guide for all playing levels and needs.
I’ve played many Epiphone guitars in my life, and I find that the acoustic models are well worth it for beginner and intermediate players. You’ll save a ton of money yet have a nice guitar with good tone and playability.
About Epiphone Acoustic Guitars
Epiphone are great acoustic guitars. This is the lower-cost Gibson brand. Many Epiphone models are inspired by real Gibson guitars.
This brand is one of the better entry-level guitars on the market for acoustic players.
Things to Consider When Choosing an Epiphone Acoustic Guitar
Here are some of the points to keep in mind before ordering an Epiphone acoustic guitar. These instruments come with many different options. You’ll find a guitar for all playing abilities and musical styles.
Size
Epiphone acoustic guitars are full size 4/4 models. There are a couple of smaller-sized nylon string guitars, but most models are top acoustic guitars for older kids and adults.
The Overall Tone & Sound
Epiphone acoustic guitars sound great for the money. Most models don’t sound like Martin or Taylor, but the guitars aren’t designed for pros for the most part. You get the solid tone and reliability you need as you learn to play.
Price
Epiphone guitars are lower-priced when compared to other manufacturers. Here’s what you can expect to pay when you purchase an Epiphone acoustic guitar.
- Beginner: $170-$400
- Intermediate: $400-$700
- Advanced: $700+
Types of Epiphone Acoustic Guitars
Epiphone has a few different brands that make up the lineup. Below are the basic guitars that you can buy. This part of the guide covers several different models that would make excellent choices for any player.
Original Acoustic Epiphone Acoustic Guitars
These guitars are basic instruments designed for beginners and intermediate players. Those with lower budgets and fewer requirements will get a nice tone and easy playability.
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Acoustic Guitars
These instruments are based upon famous and popular Gibson guitar models. You get the same great sound as a real Gibson acoustic but at a lower price. They’re great for intermediate and professional players.
Made in USA Epiphone Acoustic Guitars
These Epiphone guitars are made in the USA. These are premium Epiphone guitars that use high-quality materials. You’ll pay a lot for one of these, but you’ll get excellent craftsmanship and easy playability.
10 Best Epiphone Acoustic Guitars
This guide will help you pick a great Epiphone acoustic, whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player. You’ll find a model to suit all styles and playing abilities.
1. Epiphone USA Frontier Acoustic/Electric Guitar
- Type: USA dreadnought
- What’s included: Guitar, hard case
- Pickup: LR Baggs VTC
- Material & finish: Sitka spruce, maple, mahogany, rosewood, nitrocellulose finish
- Best for: Pro guitar players
The Epiphone USA Frontier is a premium guitar. It’s made with solid wood, has a great look, and comes with an LR Baggs pickup, so it’s ready for the studio or stage. This is a top-quality professional guitar.
Tuning is kept stable with Gotoh tuners. It’s got a fast mahogany neck with a rosewood fingerboard. It’s got scalloped X-bracing for plenty of extra support and more resonance. It’s one of the best pro Epiphone acoustic guitars.
✅ Huge tone
✅ Good electronics
✅ Hard case
✅ Easy playing neck
❌ Very expensive
❌ Soundhole electronics cumbersome
Why I Recommend It
I recommend this guitar as it’s one of the better Epiphone guitars. You’ll pay a lot for it, but it’s got an exceptional tone and easy playability. The LR Baggs system gives you an outstanding amplified tone.
The dovetail neck-to-body joint gives the guitar more volume and adds to its durability. This instrument is suited for chords, fingerpicking, solos, or any style you want to throw at it. You get a hardshell case with it.
2. Epiphone DR-100 Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Dreadnought
- What’s included: Guitar
- Pickup: N/A
- Material & finish: Spruce, mahogany, rosewood, gloss finish
- Best for: All beginners
The Epiphone DR-100 is a workhorse guitar for beginner players. It’s got a good tone for its price, thanks to the spruce top and other tonewoods. The SlimTaper neck makes it easy for beginners to hold and play chords.
The guitar has Epiphone premium tuners, which keep your guitar in tune. On the pickguard is the Epiphone logo, which is striking and adds to the look of your new guitar.
✅ Easy to play
✅ Low cost
✅ Good tone
✅ Solid wood
❌ No case
❌ May need initial setup
Why I Recommend It
The Epiphone Dr-100 Dreadnought is a basic guitar, but it’s the ideal choice for beginners. Many of my students used DR-100s, and I was impressed with how easy they were to tune and how good they sounded. This is a solid first guitar.
Many beginner guitars have terrible necks, but this one is pretty good right out of the box. It may need a bit of initial setup, but it’s not unplayable like a lot of beginner guitars are. This guitar is easy to play and holds its tune.
3. Epiphone Slash J-45 Dreadnought
- Type: Signature dreadnought
- What’s included: Guitar
- Pickup: LR Baggs VTC electronics
- Material & finish: Sitka spruce, mahogany, laurel, gloss finish
- Best for: Slash fans
The Epiphone Slash J-45 has several distinct specifications. The first is a rounded 16″ radius fretboard for easy playing. The medium jumbo frets are easy to play up and down the laurelwood fingerboard.
The guitar has an LR Baggs VTS electronics system, so the guitar is ideal for live performances or your studio. The Graph Tech nut and saddle are solid and help keep this guitar in tune for a long time.
✅ Easy playing neck
✅ Great LR Baggs electronics
✅ Solid spruce top
✅ Hard case
❌A bit expensive
❌ No cutaway
Why I Recommend It
The Epiphone Slash Signature Acoustic guitar is a nice playing instrument for a modest price. The solid spruce top and the mahogany back and sides give this guitar a lot of resonance for many different guitar styles.
I like the flatter radius of the fretboard, which makes chording easier higher up the neck. I’d prefer a cutaway, but this guitar does a good job with chords. You also have great electronics, so the guitar sounds perfect with an amp.
4. Epiphone Hummingbird Pro Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Dreadnought
- What’s included: Guitar
- Pickup: Fishman Electronics
- Material & finish: Spruce, mahogany, cherry, pau ferro, gloss polyurethane
- Best for: Intermediate players
The Epiphone Hummingbird Pro is modeled after the famous Gibson Hummingbird. This model has Fishman electronics, so the player is set to go for the stage or recording. It’s got a striking look that stands out in a crowd.
This dreadnought has 20 medium frets on a mahogany neck. The saddle and nut are Graph Tech Nubone, so the guitar will last a long time. You get a lot of value in an electric guitar that’s under $500.
✅ Great look
✅ Electronics
✅ Easy to play
✅ Graph Tech bone/saddle
❌ No hardshell case
❌ No cutaway
Why I Recommend It
The Epiphone Hummingbird has a lot going for it. I like the mahogany back and sides, which give the guitar a lot of punchy tones. It’s got a nice resonant spruce top and slim taper D neck that’s comfortable to play.
The pau ferro saddle is stable, and it’s got good Grover Rotomatic machine heads for easy tuning. It excels at strummed chords as well as single-note playing. This is a solid intermediate guitar for any player.
5. Epiphone Starling Acoustic Guitar Pack
- Type: Dreadnought
- What’s included: Guitar
- Pickup: N/A
- Material & finish: Sitka spruce, mahogany, laurel
- Best for: Young beginners
The Epiphone Starling Pack offers the younger player a great starter guitar and related accessories for one low price. This dreadnought has a good tone and easy playability, thanks to the sitka spruce top.
The student gets an app with the guitar to help them learn how to play. It comes with a tuner, picks, a strap, and a gig bag, so it’s ready to go for the player. This is the perfect starter set for younger children.
✅ Good price
✅ Gig bag/accessories
✅ Easy playing
✅ Great look
❌ Basic guitar
❌ May need some setup
Why I Recommend It
The Epiphone Starling is an excellent guitar for beginners. It’s better than some of the other packs out there. The guitar itself is good value for the money. It stays in tune and has a reasonable tone for the price.
Students won’t struggle with his guitar like they might with other models. I had a student with this guitar, and I was impressed by the playability of the instrument. The added accessories are a good bonus as well.
6. Epiphone USA Texan Dreadnought
- Type: Dreadnought
- What’s included: Guitar hardshell case
- Pickup: LR Baggs VTC
- Material & finish: Spruce, mahogany, rosewood, gloss nitrocellulose
- Best for: Professional players
The Epiphone USA Texan is a great guitar for any professional. It’s got an LR Baggs VTC pickup system for great amplified tones when you need them. In addition, the rosewood fingerboard is smooth no matter what position you play at.
The spruce top helps project the sound of the guitar. The mid-range is balanced by the mahogany back and sides. It’s got a rosewood bridge with a bone nut and saddle. The USA Texan will sound great night after night.
✅ Solid construction
✅ Big tone
✅ Good pickup
✅ D-profile neck
❌ Expensive
❌ Plain looking
Why I Recommend It
The Epiphone Texan has been used by a lot of famous players, including Paul McCartney, who wrote “Yesterday” on this instrument. The current offering by Epiphone is handcrafted and has the tone and reliability you want.
I like the D-shape neck, which makes chording easy at all positions. This instrument excels so matter what you throw at it. The electronics sound great through any amplifier. You can own a piece of music history with the Epiphone USA Texan.
7. Epiphone J-200 Jumbo Cutaway Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Jumbo cutaway
- What’s included: Guitar
- Pickup: Fishman Presys II
- Material & finish: Spruce, ovangkol, laurel, pau ferro, gloss
- Best for: Intermediate players
The Epiphone J-200 dreadnought is a good choice for the intermediate player. The guitar has a nice side-mounted pickup system, so it’s ready for your amplifier. The deep cutaway allows for easy access to the higher frets for solos.
The jumbo size of the guitar gives a big, round, full tone. The maple neck is sturdy, and you get easy playability up and down the neck. The bone nut and saddle give good resonance and added clarity to your notes.
✅ Good electronics
✅ Deep cutaway
✅ Bone nut/saddle
✅ Grover machine heads
❌ No case
❌ Wood could be better
Why I Recommend It
The Epiphone J-200 is a workhorse intermediate guitar. I love the deep cutway on the model, and the jumbo body gives you a great tone for strumming chords, fingerpicking, or playing solos. The preamp is easy to access on the side.
The Grover machine heads help keep this guitar in tune along with the bone nut and saddle. I’d prefer mahogany for the back and sides, but the ovangkol wood is still quite good. You get a good tone for the price you pay.
8. Epiphone L-00 Studio Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Small dreadnought
- What’s included: Guitar
- Pickup: Fishman Sonitone
- Material & finish: Mahogany, spruce, rosewood, laurel, gloss polyurethane
- Best for: Those that want a smaller-sized guitar
The Epiphone L-00 Studio is a smaller-sized guitar that’s great for fingerpicking, blues, and similar styles. It’s easy to hold, and it’s got a comfortable D-taper neck for any player. You can use the Fishman pickup to plug into your amp.
The X-bracing provides added stability and a better tone from the top of the guitar. Your guitar stays in tune better thanks to the Grover machine heads. It’s got a stable and solid rosewood bridge. This guitar is ready for playing.
✅ Smaller size
✅ Good pickup
✅ Easy to hold
✅ Dependable tone
❌ No case
❌ Plastic nut/saddle
Why I Recommend It
It’s not often you’ll find a smaller-sized studio guitar under $400 with a pickup, but the L-00 model from Epiphone is a solid bargain. I played this model at my local music store and was impressed by how great it sounded.
I recommend it because it’s got a good Fishman pickup system, which gives the guitar a good tone out of an amp. The controls are easy to access right inside the soundhole. The guitar is easy to play and gives you the tone you want.
9. Epiphone DR-212 Acoustic Guitar
- Type: 12-String dreadnought
- What’s included: Guitar
- Pickup: N/A
- Material & finish: Spruce, mahogany, rosewood, gloss polyurethane
- Best for: Beginner 12-string players
The Epiphone DR-212 is a great beginner 12-string dreadnought. The spruce top features scalloped bracing, which brings out the tone of the guitar. The mahogany back and sides further enhance the sound of this acoustic.
The rosewood fingerboard makes the guitar comfortable up and down the neck while you play. You won’t spend a ton of money on this guitar, yet it’s got the 12-string sound that you want.
✅ Good tone
✅ Solid construction
✅ D-profile neck
✅ Scalloped bracing
❌ No case
❌ May need setup
Why I Recommend It
Twelve-string guitars can be expensive, but for under $300, it’s a nice beginner 12-string acoustic guitar. It’ll probably need a setup, but once that’s done, you’ll have a solid and easy-to-play 12-string guitar.
If you have ever wanted to play a 12-string, I recommend this Epiphone as it’s got a decent tone for the money. The neck feels great on the model, and playing chords is easy. You’ll enjoy a good 12-sting feel with the DR-212.
10. Epiphone PR-4E Player Pack Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Dreadnought cutaway
- What’s included: Guitar, accessories, amp, gig bag
- Pickup: Epiphone pickup and EQ
- Material & finish: Spruce, mahogany, rosewood, gloss polyurethane
- Best for: Beginners that want an amplified acoustic guitar
The PR-4E Epiphone Player Acoustic guitar pack has everything the beginner needs. You get a great cutaway acoustic guitar with a pickup. The neck on the guitar is easy to play, and the instrument looks excellent.
Accessories include a small amplifier, a gig bag, picks, a guitar cable, and a strap. The beginner guitar player will be all set with this great Epiphone guitar.
✅ Cutaway
✅ Electronics
✅ Amp
✅ Basic accessories
❌ Guitar may need setup
❌ Amp could be better
Why I Recommend It
It’s difficult to find a great acoustic/electric guitar for beginners, but you’ll get that with the PR-4E acoustic guitar pack by Epiphone. The player will enjoy a great plug-in tone as they learn how to play on this superb cutaway guitar.
While the amplifier is a bit basic, beginners won’t notice. You can also upgrade this with something better. The guitar may need a bit of setup, but it’s otherwise a pretty good deal for any beginning acoustic guitar player.
Epiphone Acoustic Guitars Aesthetics & Build
This part of the guide will help you understand the craftsmanship and materials that go into making an Epiphone acoustic guitar. Here’s what you need to know before you buy.
Material
Here’s the wood choice you can expect when you’re purchasing an Epiphone acoustic guitar. These woods are of a lower quality compared those used in a Gibson or another premium acoustic guitar, but they’re still decent quality.
- Spruce: Often used in the top of the guitar, as it has good resonance and clarity
- Mahogany: Often found on the back and sides of a guitar, this wood improves sustain.
- Rosewood: This wood is often used for the fretboard.
- Laurel: Another wood used for fretboards
- Maple: A hardwood often used to construct guitar necks
Finish
There are several different finishes that you need to know about before you buy your guitar.
- Gloss Polyurethane: A common guitar finish with a good shine that lasts a long time
- Gloss Nitrocellulose: A hard and long last finish that resists wear and tear
- Basic Lacquer: A common finish often used on lower-cost guitars
- Polyester: A hard and durable finish with a long life
Color
Epiphone acoustic guitars come in several colors, which include natural, sunburst, and black. These are the basic colors for these acoustic guitars. Most models have a natural wood finish.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here are some frequently asked questions about Epiphone acoustic guitars. You want to be informed before you make a purchasing decision.
How Much Do Epiphone Acoustic Guitars Cost?
Epiphone acoustic guitars vary in price. Most models are for beginner to intermediate players, but they do have a few top-of-the-line acoustics that are worth several thousand dollars. Here are the basics about price.
- Beginner: $170-$400
- Intermediate: $400-$700
- Advanced: $700+
Should I Get a Model with a Pickup?
A lot of these guitars come with a pickup, but some don’t. The nice thing about a built-in pickup is you can record right away or play the guitar live. Some beginners may not need one, but it’s a good option.
Will My Guitar Need Some Setup?
Most models probably won’t need a step, but some of the lower-cost ones probably will. You may want to have it checked if you have a certain playing style that you like.
What Are the Best Epiphone Acoustic Guitars?
Here’s a list of the best Epiphone acoustic guitars for beginners through to advanced players. Each of these guitars would make great choices for the player.
Epiphone PR-4E Acoustic Guitar Pack: Best for Beginners
The Epiphone PR-4E acoustic guitar package comes with a cutaway acoustic/electric guitar, a gig bag, accessories, and a basic amplifier. The pack has everything the beginner needs. The guitar looks great, and it’s comfortable to play.
Epiphone Hummingbird Pro Acoustic Guitar: Best for Intermediate Players
The Epiphone Hummingbird Pro is a great intermediate guitar. It comes with a pickup system, so it’s ready for the studio or the stage. The guitar is easy to play and has a great look inspired by the real Gibson Hummingbird model.
Epiphone USA Texan/Frontier: Best for Professional Players
The USA series are premium Epiphone guitars. They are made with solid wood, have an excellent tone, and are easy to play. You get dependable LR Baggs electronics for superb tones with any amplifier. Epiphone USA Texan and Epiphone USA Frontier guitars are made for pros.
Where Are Epiphone Acoustic Guitars Made?
Most models are made in China, but the USA series is made in the USA. Older guitars were made in Japan, Korea, and Indonesia.
What Is the Best Sounding Epiphone Acoustic Guitar?
The USA Texan and Frontier are the premium Epiphone models. These guitars cost a lot, but they’re well worth the price. These are outstanding professional acoustic guitars for today’s players.
Where to Buy Epiphone Acoustic Guitars
There are several places to buy your new Epiphone. Many like to shop online since you have a wide selection, but you can also buy one at your local music store. Here are some options below that you may want to consider.
Amazon
Amazon offers a great variety of musical products and accessories. I like them because they ship fast, have good service, and you can return items easily. You can leave reviews on the products you buy.
Online Music Retailers
Sweetwater and Guitar Center are two other locations online for musical products. Both retailers offer great rates, fast shipping, a huge product selection, and reliable customer service, so give both of them a try.
Your Local Music Store
Your local music store may also stock Epiphone guitars. You can always ask to see if they can get the model that you want. Going to a physical store also allows you to try out your guitar before you buy it.
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Table of Contents
- Acoustic Guitar Brands
- About Epiphone Acoustic Guitars
- Things to Consider When Choosing an Epiphone Acoustic Guitar
- Types of Epiphone Acoustic Guitars
- Acoustic Guitars
- 10 Best Epiphone Acoustic Guitars
- Epiphone Acoustic Guitars Aesthetics & Build
- Acoustic Guitar Accessories
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Conclusion
Conclusion
Thank you for reading this guide to the best Epiphone acoustic guitars. Epiphone has a wide range of guitars to suit all players. These guitars are nice to play, and most are affordable for almost any budget.
Please leave a comment, like, and share this article. I look forward to hearing from you about Epiphone acoustic guitars. Do you have a favorite model? Have fun playing your new guitar.