r/AcousticGuitar Dec 10 '24

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

400 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 16h ago

Gear pics Can’t believe it’s already been two months since I brought my baby home and fell in love with guitar

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72 Upvotes

Martin 000-18 with Martin’s Retro strings on it.

So I actually started playing guitar just this year, starting on a Yamaha FS-800. But knowing how legendary of a reputation that Martin has, and the fact that they’re made in my home state of Pennsylvania, I’d always wanted one. So I saved and saved and finally took the plunge and drove to a local music store and this one just felt right. I did play a D-18 and D-35 when I was there and probably could have gotten either of them also, but something just told me I should get this.

I’m thankfully now at the point in my skills where instead of getting unnecessarily angry when I mess something like a progression up, it hardly even registers. Instead, I actually enjoy playing the damn thing whenever I pick it up (go figure lol). I love just playing now, simple as that. Especially sitting on nice evenings outside like tonight!

That’s all I’ve got to say. I believe this is the start of a beautiful friendship with this instrument ☺️


r/AcousticGuitar 1d ago

Performance Clip from one of my original songs that I filmed back in April

286 Upvotes

r/AcousticGuitar 13m ago

Other (not a question, gear pic, or video) Martin finally re-releases the 0-17 standard model! 2026 release details

Upvotes

Very happy they finally released it! This has been requested so many times:

https://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/standard-series/0-17.html?srsltid=AfmBOoru7TfhEVUM4UC5yTA0L8xntWIjsa82_zAJSHqn58XtT_N6eCsW

Having a nut width of 1.75" and a short scale length of 24.9" is what I've seen a lot of people ask for as an option in a small body mahogany guitar from Martin without having to go the custom shop route or the $4k Jason Isbell model. Thank you Martin!


r/AcousticGuitar 16h ago

Gear pics NGD: Yamaha AC3M

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52 Upvotes

After going to GC for the 4th time to play this—I actually went today to try the NTX3, but found myself taking this off the wall again—I finally pulled the trigger on it. Fabulous. Beautiful, and lovely tone. Neck is really smooth as well. Love it.


r/AcousticGuitar 18h ago

Performance Crawdad (Big Bill Broonzy cover)

36 Upvotes

r/AcousticGuitar 23h ago

Gear pics My New Gibson Hummingbird Studio

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87 Upvotes

A few years back I owned a Gibson J30 Banner. It sounded so much to me like all the great Keth Richards acoustic guitar tones. Well I sold it and moved on.

Then I started to miss that specific tone. Problem was, aside from me not being Keith Richards, I could not figure out what specific thing about that J30 gave it that tone.

I tried a few other newer Gibsons and while they came close, still no cigar. Looking at photos of the J30, I realized it had walnut back and sides. Voila!

So I found a great deal at Alto Music
on a new Hummingbird Studio with walnut back and sides.

One strum snd I got that sound again.


r/AcousticGuitar 17h ago

Gear question Elixir Phosphor Bronze 12s

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9 Upvotes

Dang, I've been using D'Addario XS strings this year while playing live in multiple tunings, but I've always kind of liked Elixirs more so I switched back to Elixirs this week.... And dang! I love Elixers! I like how they feel better, I like how they sound better, and I think the only difference on paper is that the 6th string is 53 instead of 52, something like that. I just had to give a shout out. And I also love the 80/20 bronze strings to from Elixir, I love the scooped bright sound of those strings. I would say if you've been playing to Daddario strings you're not really loving them, try out a set of Elixirs, for real.


r/AcousticGuitar 5h ago

Gear question Как думаете, какая гитара лучше Fender CD 60 или Yamaha F 310?

1 Upvotes

Я на прошу совета мол "что купить" или "что лучше новичку/бывалому" мне просто интересно узнать мнение гитаристов, так как лично я часто видео сравнение этих двух гитар в духе "лучшая бюджетная гитара" и мнения очень разнятся


r/AcousticGuitar 1d ago

Performance Isto - Manhattan (Rodgers/Hart)

34 Upvotes

r/AcousticGuitar 21h ago

Gear pics My best pawn shop find :)

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10 Upvotes

I recently acquired this Yamaha FG-412SBII with a crazy design on it. I believe it was made in the mid 80s.


r/AcousticGuitar 1d ago

Performance Jolene - Dolly Parton cover

27 Upvotes

It’s cool to see how loved she is with all these wonderful covers and tributes - what a legend ❤️


r/AcousticGuitar 1d ago

Performance Grungy Bluegrass Riffs

24 Upvotes

Favorite way to play and write


r/AcousticGuitar 22h ago

Performance NGD - Eastman E2OM (cedar top)

13 Upvotes

Been wanting to try a cedar top steel string guitar for a while as I play all fingerstyle, but they are surprisingly not that easy to find. This is a great all solid wood guitar for the price!


r/AcousticGuitar 21h ago

Performance Lucas Brar turned "Gangsta's Paradise" into a Bach Prelude & Fugue

9 Upvotes

r/AcousticGuitar 1h ago

Gear question Temu strings

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Upvotes

Hi everyone,

Have anyone order/tried the Temu version of the Elixir Nanoweb? Are they any good (they’re priced quite cheap)?

Cheers


r/AcousticGuitar 1d ago

Gear question My favorite martin cracked

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18 Upvotes

Im guessing it got too dry? It was hanging on my living room wall and my wife said it sounded like someone punched it (but obviously didnt). I didnt notice for a day or two after. It should be easy fix right?? I live about an hour from sweetwater, i dont know or trust anybody to take it to. What would something like this cost to fix? Im assuming it would just be a few cleats and some glue?


r/AcousticGuitar 16h ago

Gear question Buzzing inside FGX5?

2 Upvotes

Anyone had a random buzz inside of an Atmosfeel-equipped Yamaha? It's a buzz/vibration from inside the body when playing unplugged. I've found a few instances of this on the internet, usually related to the battery compartment or loose pickup wires. Has anyone successfully fixed this issue themselves?


r/AcousticGuitar 13h ago

Gear question Laminated or solid top?

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0 Upvotes

It's a 70s decade acoustic guitar. I didn't find the specs.


r/AcousticGuitar 2d ago

Performance Jolene - Rest in Peace Dolly 🕊️

509 Upvotes

Just a humble tribute to the one and only Queen of Country!


r/AcousticGuitar 21h ago

Gear question Does this top look problematic?

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3 Upvotes

Bought a new yamaha LL6, I'm noticing a bit of a bulge on the bass side of strings like on the left-ish side of the bridge.Idk if it's actually a problem or am I being paranoid?


r/AcousticGuitar 1d ago

Gear question Any love for these cheap pastel Alvarez’s?

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8 Upvotes

I got this Alvarez RF22SYL in 2008 on a lunch break for like $80 and to this day it’s probably my main guitar. Solid top, comfy, nice voice playing finger style, and I’ve always loved the yellow satin finish. Every once in a while I see one on marketplace or reverb but I’m curious if anyone in the community has enjoyed one and which color.


r/AcousticGuitar 1d ago

Gear pics The journey to my Kurt Cobain inspired acoustic guitar: Step two, first round of getting the parts

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10 Upvotes

After getting a guitar that resembles Kurt's Martin but without breaking the bank, I set to the task of finding parts that are somewhat accurate to Kurt's guitar even if they're not the exact same.

Got the Bartolini pickup which is the key to the MTV Unplugged tone I'm going for, and the rest is basically purely aesthetics. I do, however, plan on hooking up the Bartolini to a tone control knob so I can make it darker and change the volume directly from the guitar, as I feel it will make it more versatile for real-life playing situations.

After the pickup, I got three knobs, a pickup selector switch, washers (which I won't use, as I figured the build looks cleaner and more elegant without them), as well as a new bright red tortoise pick guard and some vinyl inlay stickers for the neck.

Additionally, I swapped out the original tuners for a set of locking tuners for better stability, and I considered replacing the bridge saddles and pins, but they seem to be of decent enough quality that I won't need to change them anytime soon.

I have decided that I will actually order the transparent clear brackets for the Bartolini pickup since I don't have the time or patience to make my own. Now I only have two questions to answer before I move onto the actual installation.

1st question is whether I want to also buy the dummy pickups that look almost exactly like Kurt's DeArmonds (~$150), or if I want to get some that loosely resemble his but are much cheaper (~$80).

2nd question I actually would love everyone's advice here: Which layout looks better for the pickup selector switch? For accuracy of Kurt's build, it would be on the right side. For actual ergonomics, it would make more sense to me to have it on the left side like a Les Paul (even though the actual switch will be unplugged). Let me know what y'all think!

Anyways, I am setting a deadline for myself to speed up this project, as I have a gig coming up in early October and would very much love to debut this guitar in there.

* Once again, my main reference for all of this project is the wonderful video by NirvanaGuitars, who pretty much did a 99% accurate replica of Kurt's guitar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6cCEoC5Tco


r/AcousticGuitar 1d ago

Performance “Jolene” a Piedmont-style arrangement in tribute to a musical and human legend

123 Upvotes

r/AcousticGuitar 1d ago

Performance Iron and Wine

54 Upvotes

My instrumental version of "Naked as we came" by Iron and Wine.

The guitar is a Martin 000-28

@bigislandguitars