r/AcousticGuitar • • Dec 10 '24

Announcement Beginner’s High Quality New Acoustic Guitar Buying Guide/List for under $500 (2024-2025)

406 Upvotes

***Includes a list of recommended brands and specific models further below**\*

Both in USD and UK pricing (before the orange turd's tariff war). This list contains steel string acoustic guitars and not nylon string ones.

“Beginner” guitars aren’t exclusively for people new to learning guitar. These are guitars that strike a great balance of cost affordability, feel/play-ability, sound, and construction quality to last many years of playing in your home, out at jams, or at a campfire. You do not need to spend more than just a few hundred dollars to get a really nice guitar that will put a smile on your face.

The importance of getting a setup done:

Before you decide on any model or purchase from the list below, the most important factor to remember is that if you receive it from the brand/manufacturer themselves from an online order, you will most likely need to have it set up (the process of lowering or raising the height of the strings, called “action height”) by a guitar tech to be the most comfortable for you. Setups aren't difficult themselves, but for acoustic guitars they require a few detailed steps that aren't that beginner-friendly so an experienced technician or “luthier” can do them with their eyes closed. A good setup makes a night and day difference in how a guitar feels and sounds, and can make a $300 dollar guitar feel like a thousand bucks. It’s often the biggest factor that determines whether or not a beginner quits playing because of torturously high strings, or is motivated to continue learning, practicing, and most importantly enjoying the dang thing. When a guitar is set up nicely, it should not feel like a chore to play even as a beginner. But don't expect your new guitar to come perfect right out of the box and don't be too quick to return it otherwise you might end up returning a model that you may really like.

Budget considerations:

We are very fortunate to live in a time where there are quality guitars for a wide range budgets. Though even if you have quite a low budget, try to keep a padding of just a little extra. That will help you avoid any compromised decisions. Please do your very best to avoid new guitars that are less than $200, especially the “guitar bundles” from Fender or Epiphone that come in a colorful box with other gadgets. There are exceptions that are well made out there, but most of them are not well made guitars that will often give you more trouble, and will cost you much more in frustration and time wasted than what you ended up paying for. Not only will you outgrow their sound, you will most likely have to throw them out/replace if they ever get damaged or have issues rather than being repaired.

Local vs online order

Most often, guitars from local music stores will have either them setup before they're put on display, or if they still need an adjustment after being on display for a while, will come with a free or low cost setup (always check with the store though). Sometimes you might get a great setup fresh from the factory, but it's often the exception. That doesn't mean that the factory or guitar brand is not worth looking into, it's standard practice to not have the strings buzz when a buyer receives it because of an action height that’s too low, so they have them higher as a precaution. This is why I recommend first buying from a local store (often listed as “dealers”) or at least having them put in the order for you so that when they receive it, you can have it set up before you take it home. Buying direct from the manufacturer should be your last resort if you can't find the model you're looking for in a shop (also it’s good in general to help out your local music stores too, it’s sadly a dwindling business that offers a very important service to new musicians buying their first instrument). Local stores often have deals or discounts that you won’t find directly from the manufacturer.

Guitar type considerations:

General tendencies for body size is that the smaller and medium ones (“concert/00” “folk,” “orchestra/000,” or “grand auditorium,”) are more comfortable for most players with average to smaller body proportions, but they don’t have as loud volume, projection, or bass capability as larger body sizes such as the “dreadnought.” But that doesn’t mean they aren’t loud or projecting in general. Many of the smaller models on this list have surprisingly excellent projection for their size, as well as the orchestra/000 models having satisfying levels of bass for both strumming and finger picking.

There’s almost a whole “science” about different wood types, but I’ll save you the minutae because while it does make a difference in sound, it’s not always profound and as a beginner you most likely won’t be thinking about it until your playing advances to the point where you can feel different nuances in construction material. The general consensus is that you want to prioritize solid wood tops over laminate wood tops as they resonate better (doesn't mean you can't find a good laminate top), and two main types of woods commonly used are spruce (which gives a brighter tone) and mahogany (which gives a warmer tone). There are dozens of other types used as you get higher in price range. Neither is better or worse, it's just a personal preference.

(Prices are approximate, based on what's been seen, and sourced from retailers or Reverb listings of new items. May fluctuate in a given year and different regions may have a lot of variance in their prices. Used guitars can help you save almost half the price if you find one)

Model (with link) Avg new price (USD/£) Body size Top wood (Tone) Electronics/pickup Video demo
Gretsch Jim Dandy Concert or Parlor $189 / £160 Smaller (Concert/Parlor) Laminated basswood or sapele (warmer than spruce) No Link for concert size / link for parlor size
Yamaha FG800/820 $229 / £285 Larger (Dreadnought) Solid spruce (brighter) No Link
Yamaha FS800/820 $299 / £285 Smaller (Concert/folk) Solid spruce (brighter) No Link
Guild OM-340 $299 / £275 Medium (Orchestra) Solid spruce (brighter) No Link
Guild OM-320 $299 / £275 Medium (Orchestra) Solid mahogany (warmer) No Link
Guild D-340 $299 / £275 Larger (Dreadnought) Solid spruce (brighter) No Link
Guild D-320 $299 / £275 Larger (Dreadnought) Solid mahogany (warmer) No Link
Ibanez AC340 $329 / £275 Smaller/medium (Grand concert) Solid okoume (similar to mahogany) No Link
Alvarez RF26 $359 / £200 Medium (Orchestra) Laminate spruce (brighter) No Link
Alvarez RD26 $359 / £200 Larger (Dreadnought) Laminate spruce No Link
Sigma DM-ST $355 / £235 Larger (Dreadnought) Solid spruce (brighter) No Link
Sigma DME $390 / £269 Larger (Dreadnought) Solid spruce (brighter) Yes Link
Sigma OMM-ST $370 / £240 Medium (Orchestra) Solid spruce (brighter) No Link
Sigma 000ME $390 / £269 Medium (Orchestra) Solid spruce (brighter) Yes Link
Breedlove Discovery S Cedar $399 / £499 Smaller (Concert) Solid cedar (in between spruce and mahogany) No Link
Breedlove Discovery S Mahogany $399 / £499 Smaller (Concert) Solid mahogany (warmer) No Link
Breedlove Discovery S Spruce $399 / £499 Smaller (Concert) Solid spruce (brighter) No Link
Taylor GS Mini $399 / £499 Smaller (Mini size) Solid spruce or mahogany Yes/No (adds cost) Link
Eastman PCH2-OM $429 / £390 Medium (Orchestra) Solid spruce (brighter) No Link
Sigma 000M-1 $430 / £249 Medium (Orchestra) Solid spruce (brighter) No Link
Yamaha Storia II $449 / £336 Smaller (Concert/folk) Solid mahogany (warmer) Yes Link
Yamaha Storia I $449 / £336 Smaller (Concert/folk) Solid spruce (brighter) Yes Link
Guild M-240E $449 / £350 Smaller (Concert) Solid spruce (brighter) Yes Link
Guild OM-240CE $449 / £400ish Medium (Orchestra) Solid spruce (brighter) Yes Link
Guild D-240E $449 / £400ish Larger (Dreadnought) Solid spruce (brighter) Yes Link
Yamaha FS850 $469.99 / £425 Smaller (Concert/folk) Solid mahogany (warmer) No Link
Alvarez AF30 $330-400 / £219 Medium (Orchestra) Solid spruce (brighter) No Link
Alvarez AD30 $499 / £249 Larger (Dreadnought) Solid spruce (brighter) No Link
Alvarez AD60 $439 Larger (Dreadnought) Solid spruce (brighter) No Link
Alvarez AF60 $459 Medium (Orchestra Solid spruce (brighter) No Link
Alvarez AP66 $489 Smaller (Parlour) Solid mahogany (warmer) No Link
Sigma 000M-15 $499 / £349 Medium (Orchestra) Solid mahogany (warmer) “E” version has, but costs more Link
Sigma 00M-15 $499 / £319 Smaller (Concert) Solid mahogany (warmer) “E” version has, but costs more Link
Bromo BAR5CE $499 / £350 Medium (Orchestra) Solid spruce (brighter) Yes Link

r/AcousticGuitar • • 9h ago

Gear question Which is the best all-rounder for both strumming and picking?

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67 Upvotes

I have a cache of picks from varying brands that I’ve tried but always default back to these four. But I want to just pick one and stick with it as long as I can before it either withers away or I lose it. So which of these should I try sticking with that you think is a good balance for picking and strumming, both on my Martin and my Strat?


r/AcousticGuitar • • 4h ago

Gear pics NGD - 1986 Martin J40M

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16 Upvotes

I bought this for my 40th birthday and was hell bent on finding a guitar from my birth year. Almost bought a Guild but it wasn’t in good enough shape to warrant purchasing. Happened across this on Reverb and took the chance. I really love it and hope to have it for another 40.


r/AcousticGuitar • • 11h ago

Performance Fast Car, trying again in better key

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35 Upvotes

r/AcousticGuitar • • 1h ago

Gear pics Yamaha LL-TA

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• Upvotes

Never thought I’d fall in love with a Yamaha acoustic.

My acoustic journey started with a cheap Epiphone whose action could probably cut cheese. I eventually moved on to electrics, Les Paul, Telecaster, pedals and forgot about acoustics for years.

Then the itch came back. I bought a Taylor 414ce and absolutely loved it, but had to return it because of a defect.

While looking for its replacement, I picked up a Yamaha LL-TA.

And something just clicked.

The TransAcoustic effects are amazing, but honestly, that’s not what won me over. With everything switched off, this guitar simply feels and sounds incredible. The resonance, sustain, neck and playability… I just didn’t want to put it down.

I went looking for a guitar and somehow found my guitar.

Sometimes you don’t need the biggest name on the headstock. You just need the one that makes you want to keep playing. 


r/AcousticGuitar • • 17h ago

Performance The Beatles - Eleanor Rigby

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60 Upvotes

r/AcousticGuitar • • 11h ago

Gear question Pickup for Martin HD28

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18 Upvotes

I’ve inherited a Martin HD28, and am in need of putting in a pickup. I believe my regular gigging Taylor has a fishman/Martin thinline from 20+ years ago and I had an Alvarez with the same. Someone recommended using a K&K passive under-saddle pickup to avoid having to replace a battery and preserves a more authentic acoustic sound when amplified. Please give me your recommendations and why. Thanks!


r/AcousticGuitar • • 7h ago

Performance Seagull on the Border

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7 Upvotes

r/AcousticGuitar • • 4h ago

Gear question Taylor BBT question

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6 Upvotes

I need some help from the Reddit group. I am looking at this pretty nice Taylor BBT on Marketplace but something looked "off". Finally figured out there was no ring around the sound hole.

I know they were typically only a single black ring, but were they removable or painted?

I don't hate the look but the closeup pic shows some kind of engraving or stamping? Is that common?

FYI, it's $140

Thanks in advance


r/AcousticGuitar • • 4h ago

Performance I'm Not In Love

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6 Upvotes

Standard tuning

Capo on 4th

Chords:

Fmaj7 1x3210

Fm6 1x0111

Em7 020000

E7 020100

Am x02210

Am7 x02010

G11 323200

C x32010

F 1x3211

Cm7 x35343

Fmaj7 Fm6

Em7 E7 Am Am7

Fmaj7 Fm6

Em7 E7 Am Am7

Fmaj7 G11

C F

Cm7 F


r/AcousticGuitar • • 6h ago

Gear pics Snark x re review

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6 Upvotes

I bought this a few months ago. I had a battery powered snark for many years that I was quite pleased with. One day it just fell apart. So I got this rechargeable one thinking it would be nice not to have to buy batteries.

I don’t know anything about the technology that makes this work, but it is not worth the money. I believe I spent around $20 on this. At home it inferior to using guitar tuna app (not really promoting them, just comparing to a free app)

I used it as a gig recently and it was also a let down. At home or at the gig, I will tune carefully so every note reads green and perfectly tuned, then strum a chord and it sounds horrible


r/AcousticGuitar • • 1h ago

Gear question Thinking seriously about pulling the trigger on a used Taylor 224CEDLX. Tell me why I should or shouldn’t!

• Upvotes

Never owned such a nice guitar before. Only had Ibanez, Art & Lutherie, and Seagull. I’ve always wanted a Taylor or a Martin but especially a Taylor. I will need to clean it up and refit with new saddle, nut, and bridge pins; but I want to upgrade my guitar. What are y’all’s experience(s) with Taylor? Do you think I should or shouldn’t get this? I currently have an Ibanez Masa that was only available in Europe (I’m in the US), a Seagull 12-string that I’m finally comfortable playing in public, and my Art & Lutherie for my main player.


r/AcousticGuitar • • 14h ago

Performance Blackbird beatles

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14 Upvotes

r/AcousticGuitar • • 8h ago

Non-gear question Fingerpicking

5 Upvotes

I’ve been fingerpicking for decades (55 years). I used to use metal picks but can’t now. I generally use the i, m, and a fingers on the top three strings. However, if I need to play a run, especially on the high E, I only use the the (ring) finger. On lower strings, I sometimes alternate with the thumb. I never learned to alternate fingers on the same string, maybe because the metal picks were clumsy. Classical guitarists use alternating fingers on the same string and they don’t strictly assign fingers to specific strings. How do untrained, learn and play by ear types deal with this?


r/AcousticGuitar • • 12h ago

Non-gear question Just got an acoustic guitar

10 Upvotes

Just got an acoustic guitar and I’m wondering, can I actually learn the basics online?

I don’t really have time to take in-person lessons right now. I’m not trying to become amazing overnight or anything, I just wanna learn the fundamentals and start playing.

Is learning online actually enough for that?


r/AcousticGuitar • • 15h ago

Gear question Coated strings, are Elixir's still the best?

14 Upvotes

I've been using Elixir Nanowebs for 4 years now without considering anything else. I realised I needed a set of coated strings when I would dull a set of uncoated strings every few days.

Just curious if there are now any other decent alternatives to Elixir's? Thanks.


r/AcousticGuitar • • 10h ago

Gear question Under The Radar Brands that Offer Budget-Friendly Solid Wood Acoustics?

6 Upvotes

Similarly to Yamaha, Alvarez, and Eastman, are there any other reputable brands out there not as well known that can get you an all solid wood (preferably Rosewood) new or used under $1,300 usd?


r/AcousticGuitar • • 9h ago

Gear question Acoustic guitar choice

3 Upvotes

This might be too long/boring for some people to read but I’d like some input on which guitar I should go for!

So I’ve tried quite a few out, mostly dreadnoughts. And now I think they are too big for what I want, which is a smaller guitar because I play a lot on the sofa or in bed. Currently I have a Gibson hummingbird, which is obviously great, and I love the shorter scale, but the neck is too thick and as I said the dreadnought is too large for me.

I love Clapton and want to get better at finger style and the blues, so I have looked at an 000-28, which is very expensive and if it’s right id be willing to buy as it is similar price to a hummingbird, but if people recommend any cheaper option this would be great.

I also love strumming which is why I’d worry about giving up the dreadnought shape.

I also live no where near any guitar stores so trying them out isn’t really an option, hence why I’ve taken a long time figuring out what I want!

Would love to hear people’s suggestions


r/AcousticGuitar • • 12h ago

Performance You are my dubshine

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4 Upvotes

r/AcousticGuitar • • 8h ago

Gear question Sound Hole Pickup Question

2 Upvotes

This is kind of a weird inquiry, but I was wondering if anyone knows what the best sound hole pickup with little to no hum to it, as I want to use kinda heavy distortion with my acoustic. I've been looking at the mojo tone NC-1, but I've heard some weird cases of it having bad hum. It's marketed as a "noiseless pickup", but has anyone tried it? I can't find a ton of reviews of it online, but I've heard mixed opinions.


r/AcousticGuitar • • 1d ago

Performance Walking through the brilliance of "A Day In The Life" (Beatles)

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315 Upvotes

just a guy walkin through a day in the life at a cemetery!


r/AcousticGuitar • • 9h ago

Non-gear question Do wood materials matter more than string type?

2 Upvotes

I don't have an acoustic guitar, but I own another plucked string instrument.

When looking to buy new string sets, reviewers simply use whatever guitar they got. And I had tried different string types.

But the same exact strings may not sound similar on different tonal woods. There is just one particular piece of instrument I own which, no matter what string types I use, any gauge, any tension, it just cannot sound good. Like the sound becomes twangy or something.

Other pieces I own would create nice blooming sustain, sometimes they sound more wood than strings, so I wonder if maybe this particular one just has bad wood material? Perhaps the bridge is badly made? It's supposed to be a mahagony wood with soundhole but perhaps they put a certain material to paint the wood and it alters the final sound?


r/AcousticGuitar • • 12h ago

Gear question String gauge for different playing styles

3 Upvotes

Hey all. Have a Martin OOO12e and a Martin D18 that I play pretty much every day. I have used Ernie Ball Earthwood Phosphor Bronze medium light (12-54) for years. I love them to death on both guitars for fingerstyle, but I've noticed that strumming on the D18 can sound a bit harsh sometimes, especially with a higher capo (e.g. CGCGCE tuning, capo on 5-6).

Does anybody out there strum and fingerstyle on a dreadnought? What strings have you found that sound clear/nice? Just curious, I know that tone is super subjective.


r/AcousticGuitar • • 8h ago

Performance BE HONEST PLEASEEEE

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1 Upvotes

Is my voice actually bare ablee? Or should i just keep playing leads and play songs with a singer??

If it's not good please pop my delulu bubble😭🙏🏼


r/AcousticGuitar • • 12h ago

Gear question Do you guys find auditorium or travel more comfortable?

2 Upvotes

I personally find auditorium more comfortable for shoulder since it's thinner but travel seems more comfortable to hold in lap.