Looking for the best cheap acoustic guitars for beginners? Come check out 10 of the best inexpensive guitars available today.
If you’re on the hunt for the best acoustic guitar, this article is for you. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting your musical journey, we have something for you.
From the crisp sound of a Fender acoustic guitar to the reliability of a Yamaha acoustic guitar and the innovation of an Ibanez acoustic guitar, we’ve found the best.
Settle in with your pick and find the acoustic guitar that resonates with your soul.
Q. What should I keep in mind when choosing an acoustic guitar?
Choosing an acoustic guitar can be confusing, especially if you’re a beginner. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Wood finish: Many different finishes are available, from traditional to unique.
- Body style: Standard body guitars are good for all-around playing, while electro-acoustic guitars have built-in electronics for amplification.
- Body size: Smaller and thinner bodies are easier for beginners and people with smaller hands to hold and play.
- Cutaway: A cutaway makes it easier to reach the higher frets, but it’s not necessary for everyone.
Pro Tip
Warning: Don't buy too cheap!
There are so many fantastically made budget acoustic guitars on the market today. You don’t need to go out and buy a pricey one.
But…Please, please, please. Do not fall into the trap of buying a piece of $50 rubbish as your first guitar.
Trust me when I say, this will turn out to be a bad move. A total false economy.
Cut-price guitars don’t only sound rubbish, but they’re harder to play. You’ll only get good at playing guitar if you get serious and make a commitment to learning.
This means investing in a half-decent guitar that will last you years, instead of weeks.
You could always go down the pre-owned guitar route, too. Potentially, you could grab yourself a brilliant bargain. The only caveat is that you need to know what you’re looking for.
For this reason, it’s a safer bet for beginners to buy new ones unless you have a knowledgeable guitar player who can help you.
Check this out
Heads up! You need to buy a few more things to go with you first guitar. Check this out to make sure you're 100% prepared:Top 15 Must Have Guitar Accessories & Gear
The Best Acoustic Guitars
1. Yamaha FX370C Electro-Acoustic Guitar
The Yamaha FX370C Full Size Electro-Acoustic Guitar is a fantastic choice for beginners and intermediate players. It offers a great sound and feel, with attention to detail and very good craftsmanship for the price.
Type: Electro-acoustic
- Spruce top
- Rosewood fretboard
- Rosewood body and neck
- Electronics: System 58
Yamaha FX370 is all about versatility, whether you’re strumming on stage during a live performance or practicing tunes at home with it plugged in.
Don’t let the affordable price fool you – the FX370C doesn’t cut corners when it comes to quality. It’s designed to deliver top-notch sound and performance, making it a fantastic choice for musicians on a budget.
2. Fender California Redondo Player Acoustic-Electric Guitar Belmont Blue
This Fender acoustic guitar not only looks great, but also delivers clear and natural amplified sound through its top-notch pickups. It’s the perfect choice for acoustic guitar players.
Type: Electro-acoustic
- Solid Sitka spruce top
- Mahogany back and sides
- Walnut fingerboard
- Fishman pickups
The Fender California Redondo guitar is perfect for beginner musicians on a budget. Its unique design, featuring a single-cutaway and slope-shouldered body, enhances its sound projection, making it an ideal option to bang out some of your favourite guitar songs.
3. Takamine GLD12E NS Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar
For those new to exploring acoustic-electric guitars, the Takamine GLD12E NS Dreadnought is an excellent choice with great sound and playability.
Type: Acoustic
- Mahogany neck
- Jatoba fingerboard
- Okoume body and spruce top
- TP-3G pre-amp
Many musicians love Takamine guitars for their quality, tone, and affordability and the GLD won’t disappoint. Crafted with a spruce top and okoume back and sides, this guitar produces a rich, percussive tone.
The Takamine GLD12E NS Dreadnought comes equipped with a Takamine TP-4TD preamp and tuner, making it easy to plug in and amplify your sound.
4. Tanglewood Travel Acoustic Guitar
The 3/4 length Tanglewood TW2 is a parlour guitar with a retro sound. Perfect for on-the-go practice. Another small guitar that packs a punch. Ideal for travelling beginners, kids, and any guitar player looking to add to their collection.
Type: Parlour acoustic
- Mahogany body
- Chrome Die-Cast machine heads
- Techwood fretboard and Mahogany neck
- Compact body shape
Don’t expect the Tanglewood TW2 travel guitar to sound like a full-sized acoustic guitar. It’s just too small for that. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in portability and playability.
The TW2 is a great choice for anyone who wants to take their guitar with them wherever they go. And it’s also a lot of fun to play with open tunings and a slide.
5. Ibanez Talman TCY10 Electro Acoustic
If you’ve set the goal of playing live and you’re on a budget, you must check out the Ibanez Talman. Its quirky double-cutaway looks will have heads turning. Its rosewood fretboard plays well, too.
Type: Electro-acoustic
- Spruce top
- Mahogany back and sides
- Rosewood fretboard and mahogany neck
- Ibanez AEQ-2T preamp
The Ibanez Talman TCY10 is a stylish and versatile guitar that’s perfect for fingerpicking, plectrum picking, and strumming. It has a comfortable neck and a balanced sound.
The only downside is that it’s black, so grubby finger marks and dust show up more easily. But if you’re willing to put in a little extra maintenance, the Talman TCY10 is a great guitar for the price.
6. Taylor Big Baby Acoustic Guitar
The Taylor Big Baby is an excellent choice for guitar players who want the sound of a full-size acoustic guitar in a more compact package. It has a 15/16″ scale neck that makes it comfortable to play, and its rounded, smooth tone is perfect for fingerpicking and strumming.
Type: Standard acoustic (electro-acoustic option)
- Solid Sitka spruce top
- Layered Walnut back and sides
- Ebony fingerboard
- Hard Rock maple neck
Playing felt effortless on the Big Baby. The guitar has a bright, lively sound but still keeps that smooth Taylor tone. At 1 11/16 Inches at the nut, the neck is on the slim side, so keep this in mind if you have large hands.
7. Fender FA-235E Concert Acoustic-Electric Guitar
If you’re looking for a versatile and reliable acoustic-electric guitar that can handle any genre and setting, you’ll want to check out the Fender FA-235E.
Type: Concert acoustic-electric
- Laminated Flame Maple top
- Laminated Mahogany back and sides
- Indian laurel fingerboard
- 25.3″” scale length
This guitar has a concert body shape that is comfortable to play and delivers a balanced and clear tone. The laminated flame maple top gives it a stunning look and a bright sound, while the laminated mahogany back and sides add warmth and depth. You’ll be impressed by the appearance and feel of the Fender FA-235E.
8. Washburn Festival Acoustic Guitar
Looking for an easy-to-play, beautiful acoustic guitar? The EA55G has a koa top, catalpa back and sides, and mini-jumbo body, delivering a rich sound.
Type: Mini jumbo acoustic
- Koa top
- Catalpa back and sides
- Tech wood fingerboard
- Barcus Berry pickup
- 21 frets
The Washburn EA55G-A is a compact and affordable guitar that combines style and performance. Its mini-jumbo cutaway body produces a balanced and clear sound that suits all playing styles. With a koa burst color and glossy finish, this guitar is sure to make you stand out.
9. Seagull S6 Acoustic Guitar
Type: Standard Dreadnought acoustic
- Rosewood fingerboard and bridge
- Silver Leaf maple neck
- Wild cherry back and sides
- Dreadnaught shape
The Seagull S6 Original is a versatile acoustic guitar with a solid cedar top, laminated wild cherry back and sides, silver leaf maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, and a dreadnought body shape. You’re going to love playing this! It’s comfortable for all levels and produces such a rich, full sound.
10. YAMAHA FG800 Solid Top Acoustic Guitar
With the Yamaha FG800 acoustic, you get a well-balanced, rich tone, great build quality and fantastic setup out of the box.
Type: Acoustic
- Solid Sitka Spruce top
- Mahogany body
- Nato back & sides
- Rosewood fretboard
The Yamaha FG800 is an excellent choice for both novice and experienced guitarists. It features a sleek, slender neck with a rosewood fingerboard and 20 frets that provide a comfortable playing experience. With its beautiful sound, easy playability, and sturdy construction, this acoustic guitar is built to last.
Summing it Up
As you start your acoustic guitar journey, remember that the most important thing is not how much you spend but how much you enjoy.
Whether you pick a cheap or a fancy guitar, let your love for music lead the way.
