If there’s anything that gets on my wick more is reading a post promising to show me the best acoustic guitars for the money, and at number three is a Fender Strat, valued at the price of my small family car.
Budget? Not in my books.
Of course, finding the best acoustic guitar for the money isn’t finding the cheapest acoustic guitar out there.
I know there’re a variety of incredibly made budget acoustic guitars in the market, but you shouldn’t fall into the trap of going for the $70 rubbish, even if it’s your first acoustic guitar.
Trust me when I say this. I’ve been in the acoustic guitar market long enough to know the total false economy.
As it turns out, getting a cheap guitar is a wrong move.
First, the cut-price guitars not only sound rubbish, but they’re also harder to play.
This is not to mention they’re flimsy and likely to break down on you at any moment.
Of course, you can always go down the pre-owned route. You could potentially grab a brilliant acoustic guitar.
But there’s a caveat; you need to know what you’re looking for.
For this reason, we always recommend guitarists to get new unless they’re knowledgeable on what they want.
Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about the selection.
This is because we’ve prepared a comprehensive guide outlining the best acoustic guitars for the money.
While some of our options are expensive, they strike the sweet spot for the best value vis-à-vis money spent.
We’ve also compiled a buying guide, and if you’ve time, you can go through our best acoustic guitar guide to learn what you need to know when purchasing your first guitar.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Table!
The Best Acoustic Guitars for the Money
#1 Taylor 114e Grand Auditorium - EDITOR'S CHOICE
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
Our first pick, the Taylor 114e, holds the best of everything Taylor could offer in an acoustic guitar.
It’s an incredible guitar, perfect for guitarists who tend to play a bit of everything from fingerstyle, strumming to flat-picking. The Grand Auditorium shape is great for this.
While there’re better options for beginners, I feel it’s comfortable and easy picking for learners.
At the same time, it’s practical and versatile enough to suit a wide range of guitar playing styles and players, straight from beginners to experts.
And that not even Taylor’s selling point!
Read on to learn more about this acoustic.
Features and Benefits
Construction- Body and Neck
Tayor will certainly take you back on the first observation.
The guitar’s body gives off the appearance of a modern acoustic guitar.
But for me, it’s the woodwork.
The back is layered with Sapele, while the sides are backed with a solid Sitka spruce top.
Spruce, a standard in acoustic guitars, is renowned for its great sound resonance, and you’ll love how it improves the overall sound output on Taylor.
But the real beauty of the spruce is it offers grain, power, and sustain. The tonewood keeps the tone focused and strong, making the Taylor the perfect guitar for strumming, chords, pick playing, and anything in between.
The neck, on the other hand, is equally impressive. It sports a Sapele construction and features a 25.5-inch rosewood fingerboard.
Sapele has always been a great option for a guitar neck because of its sturdiness, and more importantly, slow response. It reduces ringing with a boomy sound.
Another thing to mention is the fingerboard’ slim neck profile, following Taylor’s infamous neck shape with a 1-11/16’ nut. It makes the guitar extremely playable and comfortable to play.
Overall, there’s plenty to love about Taylor’s construction, but this shouldn’t come as a surprise. The brand has consistently delivered premium and reliable guitars.
Hardware
I’m a big fan of the built-in Expression System 2 pickup and preamp system.
The ES2 system allows guitarists to plug the guitar into any amp and rock out in front of a large studio audience.
That’s not even the best part.
The system has several tone controls, so it’s easy to customize your playing style.
And make no mistake, the Taylor has an equally impressive sound even when not plugged into an amp. The guitar’s design and construction set up the Taylor for greatness, whether plugged or unplugged.
Other subtle components on Taylor’s hardware include a timeless pickguard that maintains the integrity for the guitar when gigging.
The guitar is also equipped with all-chrome hardware, which I feel is a bit traditional, but I love how it meshes well with the guitar.
Playability
This concert guitar is built on the famous Grand Auditorium body.
The body gives Taylor a larger, bulkier and heavier profile but it doesn’t compromise on Taylor’s playability.
On the contrary, 114CE is actually fun and playable.
If user reviews are anything to go by, the profile is easily manageable and comfortable to play with even when sitting. Plus, the 55mm spacing of the bridge gives user-added precision and control.
Out of the box, Taylor needs little in terms of a setup, only minor adjustment of the truss rod and a minor nut re-cut.
Sound
When it comes to the sound output, the one thing that stands out is the bass frequencies in the mix.
Plus, the guitar is responsive and will respond extremely well to the slightest changes. This is beneficial as it allows players to feel the progress of their alterations.
Regarding the tone, Taylor produces a slightly warmer tone, especially compared to its elder siblings in the 200 series.
And because the guitar features a grand auditorium shape, the guitar brings in a nice balanced tone while offering a good middle ground between responding to a light touch and playing loud.
Pros
- Low-end sound richness
- Best acoustic guitar for different genres
- Can be played plugged on unplugged
- Solid top acoustic guitar
Cons
- Too plain for some tastes
#2 Epiphone EJ-200SCE – Value acoustic guitar
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
Any review of the Epiphone guitar inevitably draws a comparison to the legendary Gibson SJ200.
The SJ200 is regarded as the king of flat-top guitars and an instrument virtually all guitarists would love to have in their collection.
But SJ200 isn’t cheap.
Coming nearly ten times of the EJ-200SCE, you’ll see why it’s not such a popular acoustic guitar.
Fortunately, EJ-200SCE offers something similar to the Gibson, but at a fraction of the price.
It’s not only a great alternative to the high-end Gibson but a practical solution for those chasing warm, rich, and full-bodied sound.
Features and Benefits
Construction: Body and Neck
The EJ-200SCE has a jumbo body, and as with other guitars with this profile, it’s a monster of a guitar.
It has a distinct shape, resembling a dreadnought, but only bigger, better, and louder.
But size alone doesn’t cut it for me.
It’s the hard maple on the sides and solid Sitka spruce top.
Spruce, of course, is renowned for its qualities in guitar manufacturing, but the real beauty is how it matures with age like fine wine. The older it gets, the better it sounds.
On the other hand, the EJ-200SCE sports a hard maple neck in a Taper D-Shape.
Maple has always been a go-to material for the best acoustic guitars, thanks to its hardness and stiffness. This is not to mention; it helps to add more clarity to the overall tone and sound.
I’m also a fan of the D-Shape as it helps with playability and fast action, making the EJ-200SCE a nice fit for those used to playing acoustic-electric guitars.
Hardware
EJ-200SCE comes with gold-plated Rotomatic Tuners, which do a great work of maintaining stability and tension across each guitar string.
They look nice, and more importantly, do an excellent job of keeping the guitar in tune.
All the hardware on this guitar is also gold-plated, setting off a whole new look and feel.
With time, however, the plating starts to erode slowly.
But this isn’t a deal-breaker because the erosion seems to tie well with the rest of the guitar’s aging.
Depending on how you view it, the eroding may be a benefit or deal-breaker, but most guitarists love everything about it.
Playability
A nice addition Epiphone incorporated in the EJ-200SCE is the single-cutaway design.
It’s a handy feature allowing guitarists to easily access the upper rosewood fretboard on all the nylon strings.
Another convenient feature is the slimline 12″ radius neck, which defies the size of the guitar.
It’s the same size common in the best acoustic guitars and is easy to set up the nice low action.
The fret ends are nice and smooth to top it off, so there’re plenty of tricks you can do with this guitar.
The only quibble with EJ-200SCE’s playability is the bulky and large neck joint. So, even with larger hands, you’ll struggle to get past the fourteenth fret.
Sound
EJ-200SCE is loud.
It’s not a surprise considering it is a jumbo guitar.
Jumbos are large, and it’s what gives them the pronounced presence, punch, and projection.
Along with the volume and projection, there’s lots of basses to match. The trebles are also strong enough to cut through.
Straight out of the box, you’ll love how the EJ-200SCE sounds. While the warmth and richness are at a distant, it’s brighter than you would expect.
Pros
- Brighter sound
- Extremely loud
- Perfect alternative to the super-expensive Gibson SJ200
Cons
- Bulky neck joint
#3 Fender CD-60S - Best for Beginners
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
Fender has just raised the bar for the entry-level acoustics with the CS-60S.
The Fender cd 60s is part of Fender’s Classic Design series and switches up the typical beginner’s fare with a dreadnought shape that pairs solid and attractive mahogany top and side.
Features and Benefits
Budget acoustic guitar
The Fender cd 60s is an incredible guitar for beginners.
It looks the part with a classic dreadnought style and has a sound that will appeal to the young players.
But one of its strengths is how well it fits into just about any genre of music.
Another great thing about the CD 60S is how well it plays, especially considering it’s a budget beginner board.
Of course, you should expect some trade offs here and there, but overall, the CD 60S is a solid option, with great sounds and build.
Construction- Body and Neck
The guitar features a plain and simple design. Nothing fancy.
It’s by no means any beautiful, but the simplicity has an elegant feel.
Despite the budget tag, CD 60S’s quality isn’t compromised even by a hair.
Because of problems in the past, Fender has a quality control team ensuring everything is done perfectly and attention to detail.
Let’s start with the body.
CD 60S’s back and side sport solid mahogany body. It’s a nice material selection because it’s not only durable but attractive and extremely resonant, producing a warm, rich sound.
It’s a great material pick for delivering the low-mids and bass.
Moving on, CD 60S’s internal section consists of a scalloped bracing system. It’s extra protection for durability and better projection of the sound.
CD 60S’s neck isn’t left out either. The mahogany used here is a nice material that is less likely to wrap and is quite durable.
Other parts of the neck, such as the dual-action truss rod and the rosewood fingerboard, have great playability and are easier to use. They feel right in the hand and nice to play.
Hardware
I can’t imagine a beginner guitar with bad tuners.
Fortunately, beginners will have one less thing to worry about because the Fender cd 60s comes with chrome die-cast tuners for ease of maintaining its tuning.
CD 60S’s tuners are sturdy and don’t feel weak. They’re also not stiff when being used and will rotate cleanly for an accurate tuning process.
Playability
The CD 60S is labeled a beginner guitar for nothing.
I’m happy to report that this entry-level instrument plays as good as it looks.
It feels good with a nice action, helped by the rolled rosewood fingerboard.
The guitar’s action is smooth, though it requires some setup.
This affordable guitar doesn’t go out of tune as other entry-picks do, and after playing the guitar for more than 20 hours, I’ve only had to tune it a couple of times.
Perhaps the most important aspect is the comfort level.
CD 60S’s neck isn’t too wide, and its near C shape gives it an easy feel. It doesn’t put too much pressure on the action, and it’s easy to adjust.
Sound
If you’re expecting a professional-grade sound quality, you might be disappointed by Fender cd 60s.
But within its price range, it’s hard to envisage any other better playing guitar.
It doesn’t reach the heights of sound quality you would imagine on a thousand-dollar guitar and lacks the definition and clarity of the best acoustic guitars.
But remember, you need to place the guitar into context when determining how good it sounds.
This is a starter-level acoustic guitar, which I feel has outdone itself by what it offers.
Yes, it’s smaller, but it doesn’t sound small.
The chords come out loud and with a tone of sustain-there’s no reason why I wouldn’t recommend the guitar for birthday parties, guitar lessons, or small gigs.
Additionally, it has a nice rich tone where the low frequencies are concerned.
There’s a good reason for the tone.
The top spruce is full-on tonal variety, and experienced guitarists will use their touch and feel to generate different tones from the guitar.
Pros
- Entry-level acoustic guitar
- Affordable acoustic guitar
- Incredible tonal variety
- Plenty of accessories, including a gig bag
Cons
- Sound quality lacks for some experienced guitarists
#4 Little Martin LX1 - Best for Travel
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
Bigger is always better, right?
Not necessarily, especially when it comes to guitars in the Little Martin Guitars Series.
The Little Martin LX1 is one such perfect example.
It’s a compact, powerful and performance-oriented guitar, perfect for gigging enthusiasts or guitarists who travel constantly.
Of course, the Little Martin LX1 won’t replace your full-size guitar anytime, but it has its benefits. More importantly, you don’t have to trade sound for the size.
Features and Benefits
Travel-Friendly
The Little Martin LX1 is exactly what you can imagine from its name.
It’s a scaled-down version of the original, full-size Martin.
In fact, the Little Martin LX1 is the smallest guitar in the Martin catalog.
With such a compact design, the Little Martin LX1 is a travel-friendly pick, though eminently suitable for other uses.
Little Martin LX1 comes with modest dimensions of 18″ by 7″ by 39″ and weighs just over eight pounds. The dimensions make the guitar a great picking for students.
I also find this travel acoustic guitar an incredible option for small-hand players who struggle to use full-size musical instruments.
But despite the modesty in size, the quality, sound, and playability are all typical of Martin.
Construction
Little Martin LX1’s body is very traditional, lacking the frills and frays of modern guitars.
For example, the top has a nice sheen, while the Mahogany side and back complement the guitar visually.
As with most premium acoustic guitars, Little Martin LX1 has an interesting choice of materials consisting of laminated mahogany and solid Sitka spruce.
The two tonewoods are renowned for their warm richness and clear top sound.
Moving on, Little Martin LX1’s interior has a Style X cross-top bracing pattern.
It’s a handy feature to enhance the guitar’s stability and add more vibe to the sound produced.
The neck is decent but not the best in its class.
Of course, this is hardly surprising for a budget-sounding acoustic guitar, and we expected the brand to cut some corners here and there.
But the good thing is the manufacturer doesn’t try to hide that.
Martin has been upfront, saying the use of a strata-bound neck on the Little Martin LX1. It’s a common design on all Martin’s lower-priced musical instruments.
While the design isn’t the most durable option, it feels comfortable in hand, and the modified profile gives the guitar an easy feel.
Hardware
If there’s one area Martin hasn’t cut corners is on the hardware.
The tuners on this guitar are top-level and won’t require constant adjustment as most of the budget-friendly picks.
For instance, the tuners tighten up so well that you won’t need constant readjustment even after long playing sessions.
Even better, the turning action is smooth and accurate for a steady hold.
Playability
If the user reviews are anything to go by, the Little Martin LX1 is a dream guitar for guitar players.
Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or seasoned guitarist, the Little Martin LX1 it’s the bill.
For the experienced guitarist looking for a travel-friendly musical instrument, the smaller size, lightweight design, and modest profile are everything you need while on the move.
On the other hand, the Little Martin LX1 has everything beginners would need for their playing sessions.
The nicely-shaped neck feels ergonomic and easy to play while setting the action play is easy as it gets. Plus, the steel strings are nicely placed, and therefore more forgiving.
Sound
Little Martin LX1 has an impressive traditional design, which looks the part.
But how does the guitar sound?
It’s actually a wonderful-sounding instrument.
Of course, its smaller body design prevents it from sounding like a full-size Martin Jumbo or Dreadnought.
But it’s built for other reasons.
It has an amazing sound, excellent tone, and projection.
The lack of a cutaway helps with the sound, while the tone is excellent.
There’s tonal richness and warmth on the sound produced, while the bottom end feels audible while adding depth to the crisp sharpness of the highs.
Pros
- Perfect travel companion
- Includes a gig bag and guitar strap
- Consistent Martin quality performance
Cons
- No built-in tuner
#5 Yamaha FG830 - Best Low-Cost Dreadnought Acoustic
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
Our final pick on the list of the best acoustic guitars is an option from one of the reputable manufacturers in the industry-YAMAHA.
Yamaha FG830 is a low-cost dreadnought that doesn’t compromise on the performance, sound quality, and builds.
It has a wonderful sound output, a reliable build that stands up to any abuse, and I feel it’s one of the great acoustic guitars you can get.
Features and Benefits
Construction: Body and Neck
Yamaha FG830 is a full-body dreadnought acoustic guitar, though Yamaha dubs the design as a “Traditional Western” shape.
It has an interesting tonewood combination, consisting of Rosewood and spruce.
The choice of materials ensures you get the best possible sound of the guitar while improving the overall tonal balance.
It’s nice to see a scalloped bracing on this guitar, and in between the die-case chrome hardware, you receive the nuts and bolts for a sturdy instrument.
While this guitar is by no means exquisite, it has a lot going for it, and I feel it’s the right acoustic guitar for you. In particular, we feel the rosewood is a welcome improvement in this acoustic guitar.
The neck is equally awesome, thanks to a satin finish that feels smooth to the touch and is well suited for moving your hands around the rosewood fingerboard.
Comparable to other mid-range acoustic guitars, the Yamaha FG830 profile feels flat, smooth, and upmarket.
The other thing I personally love about this guitar is how it comes with an array of color options. Plus, there’s also a left-handed version of the guitar.
Playability
While the Yamaha FG830 is a bit hefty, it doesn’t weigh guitarists down during gigging or recording sessions.
Out of the box, Yamaha FG830’s setup is impressive.
The fretwork is ultra-smooth, while the narrow nut-width eases the chord fretting woes for most beginners.
It also has a comfortable grip, whether standing or seated, with no shortcomings beyond what you should expect from a dreadnought.
My only quibble with the Yamaha FG830 lies in size.
It’s not a suitable pick for guitarists with small hands or stature.
The guitar has too much space between the neck and its strings. Or rather, the Yamaha FG830’s action may be limiting for users with smaller hands as they’ll struggle to strum and may get tired quickly.
Sounds
The Yamaha FG830 has a sound that’s at home in most music genres.
First, it sounds great; it has a bold sound, the projection is loud, and it’s easy to work it up with some heavy strumming.
Secondly, the individual notes are articulate and balanced, though some players claim it’s more sharp-sounding.
The bass is also there, and it’s punchy enough, while the chord works sound full.
Also worth mentioning is the keyboard comes with a gig bag.
Pros
- Rich tone
- Custom-designed rosewood bridge
- Strong bass tones
Cons
- Requires professional hardware tuning over time
Best Acoustic Guitar for the Money Buying Guide
Choosing a new acoustic guitar can be challenging.
Fortunately, you don’t need to beat about it.
In the buying guide section below, we shall look at everything you need about acoustic guitars, including the essential factors you should consider when purchasing your first guitar.
But first, let’s learn the difference between an acoustic guitar and an acoustic-electric guitar.
Differences Between an Acoustic Guitar and an Electric Guitar
One of the main differences between an acoustic guitar and electric guitar is its functionality.
The style of music played on them is also different.
For instance, acoustic guitars are associated with a mellow form of music such as folk and country. On the other hand, the best acoustic-electric guitars are mainly used for creating high decibel, modern-day rock, and metal music.
But beyond functionality and music style, other more aspects differentiating between these two types of guitars. They include:
Composition
Acoustic guitars consist of a hollow body with a soundhole right beneath the strings.
To produce sound, the vibrations of the acoustic guitar are transmitted to the soundboard. They’re transferred within the guitar body for amplification.
On the other hand, electric models have a thinner yet stronger body with no soundhole.
Instead of a soundhole, the electric model uses transducers to convert string vibrations into an electric signal. The signal is then sent to the speakers for amplification.
Additional Setup
Acoustic guitars don’t require extra equipment such as amplifiers or power to generate sound solely with their hollow design.
Electric guitars, on the other hand, require amplifiers to produce sound effects. Due to energy transmission through different channels, electric musical instruments lose some of their optimal sound quality.
Cost
Generally, acoustic guitars are more cost-effective than electric models because they don’t require any extra equipment and have a simple composition.
Learning Curve
Both acoustic guitars have their challenges, and the choice between the two is mostly a personal preference.
The acoustic guitars have a big body and heavier strings, so they may feel bulky for some players.
On the other hand, the buttons and knobs of an acoustic electric guitar take time to learn.
Maintenance
Both of these guitars have similar maintenance needs.
Typical maintenance for these guitars involves keeping them away from extreme conditions, protecting them against sharpies, replacing old guitar strings, and regular cleaning.
What is a Semi-Acoustic Guitar?
The semi-acoustic guitars fall under the electric guitar category.
These guitars are also known as hollow-body electric guitars.
Parts of the semi-acoustic guitars are electric, while others are hollow like a traditional acoustic guitar.
Simply put, they’re a blend of acoustic and guitars.
They’re marked as revolutionary in the history of guitars, combining the strengths of both variants.
How to Find the Perfect Acoustic Guitar for the Money
There’re several aspects you should consider when picking a dream acoustic guitar for yourself.
They’re:
Purpose
The biggest driver for your acoustic guitar choice is the purpose.
For example, if you’re a beginner, choose a guitar that provides warm tones and stays in tune. A solid spruce top with a laminate back and sides can be a good compromise that can save money without causing frustration.
Budget
Next, consider how much you’re willing to spend.
While you can get some best-sounding acoustic guitars for under $500, beware of the flimsy ultra-cheap guitars from big box stores because they don’t hold tone well.
Comfort
Different body styles sound different, but you must pick a style you’re comfortable with guitar playing.
Same with the neck. While that gorgeous ebony neck may sound great, it’s of no point if you can’t get your fingers around it.
Overall, your choice of guitar should be as comfortable as possible because there’s no point in getting an option you can’t hold correctly.
Features to Consider When Selecting the Best Acoustic Guitar for the Money
Now that you know how to select a guitar let’s look at the vital elements to consider in your next guitar purchase.
Guitar Construction- The Basics
Choosing a guitar comes down to the basic construction.
While acoustic guitars look similar, there’re significant differences that can affect the overall sound and playability.
Guitar Parts
When picking an acoustic guitar, don’t just look at the finish.
Instead, concentrate on the quality build of the main features.
Here, you can look at:
- Neck: Most of the acoustic guitars use a set or rather glued neck instead of bolt-like electrics.
- Fretboard: The metal fret on the front produces notes. Some fretboards are exposed to the end, while others are rolled or filled to make picking easier.
- Headstock: The head of the guitar holds a tuning peg. Ensure they remain in place when tuning them.
- Body: The top of the guitar carries sound and should be wood and not laminate. While the body shape affects the sound produced, it’s more important to find a guitar shape that fits you.
Body Styles
An acoustic guitar body style influences the resonance and clarity of the sound.
Some of the popular acoustic guitar styles are:
- Concert
The concert-style is comfortable for most people. The concert acoustic guitars shine with fingerpicking, producing a bright, punchy sound.
- Orchestra
Also known as the auditorium acoustics, this guitar-playing style is curvier than concert acoustic guitars.
They take on the bright sounds and deepen them.
Additionally, they can handle more volume and provide deeper resonance.
- Dreadnought
Dreadnought has more squared bodies and is popular for driving sound popular with blues artists, who need some punch.
- Jumbo
The jumbo style is a true country and western guitar.
As their name suggests, the Jumbo is extra-large bodied guitars, which produce a powerful, knee wobbling sound with loud projection.
- Minis
Minis, also known as the travel, or compacts have a signature smaller and compact design.
They draw inspiration from the above models but whittle them down for portability.
- Cutaway
All of the above sizes have a cutaway option, where the upper bouts are scooped away, giving players better access to higher guitar strings.
What Material is Best for the Best Acoustic Guitars for the Money?
The choice of material on an acoustic guitar affects the overall sound output and playability.
Generally, we recommend all solid wood guitars.
Laminate Vs. Solid Wood
Wood is expensive.
To cut costs, manufacturers use laminates.
Laminates the thin layers of wood pressed together. Usually, the high grade is on the surface, while generic material in between.
On the other hand, solid wood construction uses single-ply woods with the grains matched.
Most acoustic guitars, especially the budget picks, use laminate throughout, affecting your sound.
However, if you must go with a budget pick, choose a guitar with a solid soundboard and compromise with laminate sides and back.
Laminate is cheaper, but it’s not a solid as solid wood and doesn’t transmit sound well.
Of course, it’s hard for beginners to notice the difference.
Tonewoods
The type of wood also affects the sound of the guitar.
While beginners may not notice the difference, seasoned guitarists have their favorite wood based on tonal and resonance preferences.
Some of the common woods for acoustic guitars are:
- Cedar: Cedar is softwood with quick response. It’s common in classical guitars.
- Cocobolo: This is a Mexican wood often used for brightening sound through the side and back.
- Ebony: The slick Ebony’s feel is common in fretboards.
- Granadillo: It’s a rare type of rosewood and produces a pleasant ringing tone.
- Koa: It brings out the mid ranges during strumming. It’s a rare wood and typically used for sides and back material.
- Mahogany: It’s a dense wood with a slow response. It reduces ringing with boomy music, and when used as a top wood, it produces a strong sound.
- Maple: This wood has low resonance and great for live performances. However, it can sound flat depending on soundboard wood pairing.
- Ovangkol: It’s a rare African wood that brings a range of sounds.
- Rosewood: It’s sought-after for its rich overtones and note separation.
- Sapele: It’s a sustainable wood, producing sound output comparable to mahogany.
- Spruce: It’s an acoustic standard and one of the popular woods, even with laminate guitars. It’s a popular option because of its resonance. Additionally, it has several variations (Sitka spruce, Adirondack…) and each has their personality.
- Walnut: It’s yet another acoustic standard. However, it requires a bit of guitar playing before the range of tones comes out.
Beginner tip: Go for an acoustic guitar with a solid Spruce top and laminate back and side.
This combination lets you learn quality instruments without breaking the bank. And when you need to upgrade later, you’ll have a solid understanding of the difference the material type makes.
What is the Best Acoustic Guitar Brand?
Regardless of your skill level, the brand you choose for your acoustic guitar is vital.
Generally, buying from respected brands ensures a high chance of getting a high-quality instrument you can enjoy for years.
There’re numerous reputable brands in the market, but one company that has stood out for me is Martin &Co.
This brand has established itself as one of the trusted and celebrated manufactures in the world.
It’s a US-based company in the guitar manufacturing industry for over a century, so they know their trade so well.
The brand is known best for its acoustic and electric guitars. Some of Martin’s acoustic guitars have become the best sellers of their time.
The Martin D-28 and Martin CEO-7 are by far the most loved and popular Martin & Co guitars.
Each of the brand’s products is built with care and attention to detail.
The brand’s guitars are also versatile and the go-to option for different artists and musicians worldwide, from professionals, all the way down to beginners.
What type of cheap acoustic guitar is best for beginners?
If you’re a beginner, there’re several features you should be on the lookout for in an acoustic guitar.
For instance, you want a low action as it helps with playability.
You also need to pick an instrument with a slim neck, as it’s easier to maneuver. Also, if you’re purchasing a guitar for a kid, teen or adult with smaller hands, you need to consider an acoustic guitar with a shorter scale length.
We also recommend that beginners pick a guitar coming as part of a bundle as this provides you with all the essential products you need.
A good acoustic guitar bundle should include various accessories, from a guitar pick to a gag bag.
Yamaha models are particularly worthy options for beginners.
Guitar models from this brand have great playability and deliver quality for an affordable price.
You can also go for a Fender guitar if you need a budget acoustic guitar.
What is the best quality cheap acoustic guitar?
Quality for the best acoustic guitar depends on how you define quality.
The first thing I consider when looking for a budget guitar is the sound quality.
Your choice should have a rich tone, and the sounds should be well-balanced. The instrument should be versatile, too, suited best for a range of music genres.
The second element is the build quality.
Your guitar should be durable and sturdy enough to take a few knocks here and there.
Of course, the budget acoustic guitars compromise on several elements and are limiting in their performance.
For a decent-sounding and performance-oriented instrument, you should probably expect to pay more than $250.
Wrap Up: Our Choice
Our winner for the best acoustic guitars for the money is the Taylor 114e.
It’s a formidable option, bringing a lot to the table for the price you pay.
It has an awesome sound quality, while its durability is top-shelf.
I personally love this guitar because of its versatility; it’s a great acoustic guitar playing different music genres. At the same time, it can be used by different guitarists, from beginners to experts.
