If you’re looking for the best acoustic guitars for beginners, read on…
I was once a beginner guitar player. I remember having a cheap guitar that sounded almost like a toy.
It’s really uncomfortable to play because of the high action and it made my fingers really hurt and almost numb. But thinking about it today, it actually made me a better guitar player.
It didn’t matter to me if my guitar was cheap, uncomfortable to play, or sounded like a cheap can of soda.
The point was I need to start learning no matter what.
But I’m not saying that you also need to have the same experience as mine to be an expert. With my recommendations, I hope you can immediately have your first guitar, and start learning right away.
It can be a challenge to figure out a guitar you want, especially when you’ve just started playing guitar. But with the right information, you can easily brave the nearest guitar store and pick out an acoustic axe that can help you start your guitar journey.
After all, we’re all about turning you into the best guitarist you can be.
Runner Up | Editor's Choice | Budget Pick |
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Top: Solid Sitka Spruce | Top:Sitka Spruce | Top: Solid Spruce |
Back & Sides: Mahogany Pattern HPL Textured Finish | Back & Sides: Laminated Indian rosewood | Back & Sides: Laminated Mahogany |
Scale Length: 23" | Scale Length: Short 23.5" | Scale Length: 23.5" |
Contents
Best beginner acoustic guitars
Taylor GS Mini
The Taylor GS Mini is compact, yet surprisingly loud guitar that it deserves a top spot in this list. It has deep and sweet tone, thanks to its select woods. It comes with a mahogany top, layered sapele back and sides, and an ebony fingerboard.
Plus, by just being over 36″, this guitar is more portable than most other options.
It’s perfect for traveling and for events, making it a perfect beginner instrument for players who are constantly on the road. I would highly recommend this for those looking for a long-term instrument.
The Taylor GS Mini is an affordable guitar that will stay with you for the long haul. It’s durable, ages beautifully, while also delivering consistent sound.
PROS
- Made with top-notch select woods and materials plus great workmanship
- Comes in a travel-friendly size
- Durable; could last for many years
CONS
- Quite expensive for beginners
Martin LX1E Little Martin
The Martin LXM Little Martin proves that bigger doesn’t always mean better. This travel guitar produces a sound that’s comparable to a full body guitar without actually having a full-size body.
While most travel-sized guitars are expected to have a brighter tone to them, the Martin LXM Little Martin surprised me with its deep and rich acoustic tones.
Appearance wise, this guitar could have been better off with another wood selection. The LXM Little Martin features a solid Spruce pattern HPL (High-Pressure Laminate) plus a textured finish top in a Mahogany pattern.
Although HPL just means plastic that’s made to look like wood, the choice of material on the Little Martin does not affect the sound in any way.
That said, this guitar makes a great companion for travel. It is also a viable option as a first guitar for kids who want to start learning how to play guitar. And lastly, if you are a fan of Ed Sheeran, it may be good to note that his primary guitar nowadays is a travel guitar.
PROS
- Comes in a kid-friendly size, great for children who want to learn how to play guitar
- Lightweight and has a good size that is perfect for traveling
- Produces deep and rich tones – a rare quality among mini guitar
CONS
- A bit pricey
Yamaha FG800
Ask any expert guitars players about their recommended guitar and they would tell you the same thing: it’s the Yamaha FG800.
Yamaha’s FG series one of their top-of-the-line products and it wouldn’t be that way for no reason. What makes this a good guitar is its straightforward sound and superb durability(after all, it’s Yamaha).
As your skills improve overtime, you’ll also notice that this will sound fuller and deeper. This is because of the wood material that makes it sound better as it age. The Yamaha FG800 is reliable guitar that will journey with you from being a beginner to an expert player.
Materials
The Yamaha FG800 is made from the same from standard wood materials you will see in other guitars. It features a solid spruce top, nato back and sides, rosewood bridge, die cast tuners and comes in a natural finish.
Durability
Yamaha has always been known to produce high-quality and durable guitars for ages. The brand is almost synonymous to being a long-lasting brand. Major improvements were done in the new FG800 which makes it more durable for surprisingly exact the same price. Not bad, huh?
Sound
One of the enhanced specifications of the FG800 is its bracing. It sets itself apart from the traditional bracing structure and now comes in a newly developed scalloped bracing.
What this new feature does is it improves the natural sound on this acoustic bad boy, with an increased low and a much richer harmonic tones in the mid, giving it an overall balance mix of sound profile.
Value for Money
With the new improvements in materials, build, and sound profile, getting the Yamaha FG800 can really make you get more than what you have paid for. Not to mention quality that the brand brings to the table, this is probably one of the best in its price point, which makes it deserving to be the included in this list.
PROS
- The solid spruce top.
- Durability.
- Produces a full rich sound and has good projection.
CONS
- Lack of pick ups.
- The action is quite high.
Fender CD-60S
If you’re looking for an entry-level guitar that has it all, then look no further than the Fender CD-60S. The CD-60S has a dreadnought body style with scalloped X bracing, producing a remarkable sound you surely won’t forget. Belonging to Fender’s long list of popular models, the CD-60S is one of the best beginner acoustic guitars in the market.
Materials
Boasting a solid construction topped with high quality materials, the Fender CD-60S features a solid mahogany top, back, and sides. Fender makes sure that it does not just have a killer sound, but also eye-catching details and design.
With monochromatic neck and body binding and mother of pearl acrylic design surrounding the sound hole, the CD-60S graces you with its natural wood finish. Aside from an outstanding body and top tonewood, the CD-60S features a mahogany neck with a rosewood bridge and fretboard that has 20 frets, 24 3/4″ ѕсаlе, аnd а nut wіdth оf 43mm.
Durability
Coming from a well-known brand that produces world class acoustic guitars like the Stratocaster, the Fender CD-60S does not have a questionable durability.
Since the CD-60S is mostly made up of mahogany, it’s guaranteed to last a long time. Mahogany is one of the most commonly-used tone wood when it comes to producing high-quality guitars.
Sound
The CD-60S has excellent tone wood that produces an amazingly warm and mellow tone that’s sure to send chills down your spine. Due to its scalloped X bracing, its tonal properties is enhanced with extra resonance and projection each time you play.
Value for Money
With its budget-friendly price, you’re getting more than what you paid for with the CD-60S. Aside from its quality and features, the CD-60S comes with a hardshell case, guitar strap, guitar picks, guitar strings, and a clip-on digital tuner.
PROS
- Easy-to-play neck with rolled fingerboard edges.
- Affordable, great value for money guitar.
- Finish is great.
- Comes with beginner accessories
CONS
- May require some minor set-up
Yamaha FS800
A much smaller scale beginner guitar, but the same features and sound profile. I think this best describes the Yamaha FS800. FS means “folk small” body, and it is considered as one of the best beginner guitars in the market today.
Aside from the incredible sound that this guitar provides, comfortability is another feature that it brings to the table which makes it deserving to be included in this list.
Materials
The Yamaha FS800 also has the same body materials as with the FG800. The top has a solid spruce top, nato back and sides, rosewood fingerboard, and bridge, and comes in natural finish.
Durability
Having a smaller body can have its advantages too. Having a concert size, the FS800 can be your perfect travel companion. The solid sitka spruce wood that was used in this guitar is more durable compared to another wood material that is used in other guitars such as cedar. When closely compared to cedar, a spruce wood is made to last longer.
Sound
We have no issues in terms of sound in the Yamaha FS800. As a matter of fact, this guitar’s sound is incredible that you would not think that it is coming to a guitar of this size. Surprisingly, the sound is full and bright, with the right amount of resonance. It balances all the features you would like a great guitar to sound like.
Value for Money
Money-wise, I think I would place my bet on the Yamaha FS800. Think of the features the FG800 has. Incredible craftsmanship, high-quality wood materials, perfect concert body size, and overall outstanding sound profile, all in an amazing price. Buying the Yamaha FS800 can be one of the best buying decisions you’ve ever made.
PROS
- Perfect for beginners.
- Amazing playability.
- Lightweight and has good balance between the neck and body.
CONS
- The sound tends to fall flat.
- Does not necessarily perform all the functions it claims to do.
Fender FA-115 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
Underrated, but still deserves to be one of the best beginner acoustic guitars on this list: this I think best describes the Fender FA-115. It is not too low key, and at the same time, not too overwhelming. It is just a well-balanced guitar that’s perfect for anyone who’s looking to play something right out of the box.
Materials
The Fender FA-100 is made from standard materials you’ll see in a guitar. It has a laminated spruce top, basswood back and sides, satin neck, laminated hardwood fingerboard, and comes in natural satin finish.
Durability
Yes, solid tops can have quite an advantage when it comes to overall profile.
But laminated guitars such as the Fender FA-100 dreadnought has its own respective advantages especially when it comes to durability. For starters, laminate guitars tend to be less susceptible to cracking.
The nature of construction and complex pattern of overlapping grains contributes to this guitar being more durable than the solid ones. As such, the Fender FA-115 is perfect for frequent travelers who prefer a much sturdy guitar.
Sound
Fender is a brand known to produce a number of best acoustic guitars for beginners with great sound, and the Fender FA-100 stands true to this. The X-bracing pattern on this guitar makes it produce a rich sound that mixes well with a right amount of resonance.
Value for Money
You really get more than what you have paid for when buying this guitar. With Fender as a brand known to produce great quality guitars, money wise, the Fender FA-100 is definitely one of the best budget guitars for beginners. You can also check out our recommendations on the best fender’s acoustic guitars here.
PROS
- Amazing sound for its price.
- Extremely affordable.
- An excellent beginner’s acoustic guitar
CONS
- Higher level players would notice the sound difference with more expensive guitars.
- A playable guitar but needs improvement.
Orangewood Rey Mahogany
A California-designed guitar that’s packed with good features, at a price every beginner can afford. The Orangewood Rey is one of the best beginner acoustic guitars that you should consider. What impresses me about the Rey is its amazing loud sound (I was expecting it to have a mediocre cheap sound.)
Access to higher notes may not be that smooth, but it’s tolerable. Another thing that I like about it is the low action, which makes it incredibly comfortable to play. In terms of overall sound, it may not be the best on this list, but it’s quite good for beginners already.
Materials
This guitar from Orangewood Rey has a solid mahogany top, mahogany-layered back and sides that comes in a natural satin finish.
Durability
It’s designed in California, which is a good thing. But its production is in Asia. At its price-point, some compromise is necessary, so durability may not be its best asset.
Sound
What I like about the Orangewood Rey is the loud bass response. It immediately caught my attention right away. Not only that, overall, it’s quite loud, given that it’s a grand auditorium size, though I’m having a problem with its clarity
Value for Money
Comfort and sound are some of the best qualities this guitar has. Coming at an incredibly cheap price, it really provides a real deal for your money.
Also Read: Honest Orangewood Guitars Review (Verified Owner)
PROS
- Impressive bass response
- Designed in California
- Incredibly loud
- Great value for money guitar
CONS
- Durability is not its best quality
- Not so smooth fingerboard, evident when you reach higher notes
Jasmine S35
So, here’s the situation: you want to straight away play. At the same time, you are not sure if you are really that committed in playing. Soon, you may or may not continue playing. If this perfectly describes that situation that you are in right now, then the Jasmine S35 suits you well.
Materials
The Jasmine S35 features a laminated top spruce, laminated nato back and sides, rosewood bridge, nato neck, and comes in smooth satin finish.
Durability
The Jasmine S35 may not be made from the same solid spruce top, and other choice wood materials as the previous ones from above, with extreme proper care and maintenance, like most other guitars, the Jasmine S35 is sure to stay with you.
Sound
When played right out the box, it sounds good. With a proper setup, this can even compete against much more expensive guitars.
Value for Money
With a guitar this cheap of a price, you can never go wrong with buying the Jasmine S35 acoustic guitar. Any beginner player would find this guitar great for its price. For its materials, build, craftsmanship, and sound, I think that this is probably the cheapest on this list.
PROS
- Amazing beginner guitar.
- Very light and comfortable for an easier play.
- Affordable, one of the cheapest in this list.
CONS
- Strings have to be replaced.
- There is a constant need for tuning.
Jasmine S34C NEX
As pretty as its brand name, the Jasmine S34C NEX can easily capture your heart with its attractive aesthetics and natural gloss. But it’s not just about the outside features, as the S34C NEX is a great sounding grand orchestra-style guitar with Venetian-style cutaway. Featuring with its very own Advanced X Bracing, beginners will surely be amazed of what the S34C NEX has to offer.
Materials
The Jasmine S34C NEX features a laminate top, and sapele back and sides, providing amazing tone and sound. The Jasmine S34C NEX features a slim neck made out of mahogany, a rosewood-material fingerboard complete with a natural gloss satin finish, which does not only serve aesthetic purposes, but helps with the resonance of the guitar.
Durability
Featuring sapele (also known as “African mahogany”) as its body, the S34C would greatly survive the test of time. Since sapele and mahogany have very similar properties, you need not to worry about the S34C’s construction and durability.
Sound
Due to its tonewood, the S34C NEX produces a very powerful and direct tone, as well as incredible clarity even with aggressive guitar playing. The S34C NEX has a thin waist, therefore producing a crisp and bell-like tone which is ideal for fingerpicking.
Value for Money
A cheaper choice on this list, the Jasmine S34C has a great playability without causing much trouble in your bank account.
PROS
- Consistent tone
- Stays in tune even after long hours of playing
- Great feel and playability
- Cheap, great budget price range for beginners
CONS
- May require some minor set-up
- Could have had better hardware and tuning pegs
Beginner Acoustic Guitar Buyer’s Guide
Which type of guitar is best for beginners?
Acoustic guitars are generally preferred by most beginners guitarists. The simplest guitars can be balanced by their sound quality, playability, and the time they need to understand basic playability.
What is the easiest guitar to play for beginners?
Steel strings are often the most reliable bets for beginners. A Classic or Flamenco guitar may be unsuitable for beginners since the neck is difficult for beginners to create chord shape. Typical steel-stringed acoustic guitars play blues, rock and pop songs.
Why are steel-stringed acoustics the best beginner guitar? What about classical guitars? And electric guitars?
Acoustic guitars sound more pleasant than electric guitars. The beginner level can be enormous. Acoustic guitars are simply wooden lumps with holes. The vocals of the song are excellent. The tone is the same. In contrast to the tone of electric guitar there are several variables: amp / channels, tone, pickups and volume controls. These tone changes interact together creating infinite permutations. It’s an excellent way to learn the basics of guitar! For an experienced guitarist, this can cause disaster or overwhelm the player.
How About Bass Guitars?
Generally guitars have 6 strings, while bass guitars are different beasts. The bass guitar has 4 strings that play very deep low notes. These instruments are long and heavy (made like tanks) and need amplifiers as with most other electric instruments. Lets look at a bass guitar if you do not mind the size of this photograph. bass guitars are often used to play single-note melodies for other guitarists to play. Everyone who wants a professional guitar can own and use one. It can be a good hobby and it is not the best starting guitar.
What size guitar should a beginner use?
The 37 inch Guitar is a great guitar for beginners and for small individuals for the following reason: smaller guitars have thin fretboard and that means the fretboard can be easily climbed down the fretboard.
How much should I spend on a beginners guitar?
What is the best price to buy guitars for beginners? An inexpensive beginner guitar costs around $200 to $800. According to most guitar experts, if you have the ability to learn, and are interested in learning, this may differ.
How much does a typical guitar cost?
A typical guitar cost could start at around $150 for the lower-end brands, and as much as $5,000 for the premium ones.
How to play the guitar for beginners?
Before you start playing, make sure to know the different parts of the guitar first. Then, learn how to manually tune the guitar. Once everything is setup properly, learn basic chords such as G, C, F, Am, and D. This is a good starting point in learning the guitar for beginners.
What beginner guitar can you suggest?
Here are some best acoustic guitars for beginners: Yamaha FG800, Epiphone DR-100, Fender FA-100 and Ibanez IJV50. These guitars are versatile, durable and give more value to your money. Though low-cost, these are quality beginner guitars, so you’re like buying premium ones.
How much does a guitar cost for a beginner?
A good range for a high-quality beginner guitars would be from $100–$300. At this price point, you already have a wide-range brand of guitars to choose from such as Yamaha, Fender, and Epiphone.
What Should I buy?
Taylor GS Mini is our top choice in this roundup. It’s a great sounding, yet very straightforward dreadnought that’s perfect for any beginner who wants to start learning right away.
Is a dreadnought guitar good for beginners?
A dreadnought is the most common type of guitar body. It’s larger body gives way to a bolder and louder tone. As one of the most common guitar body style, this is the best beginner acoustic guitar for players who have bigger frame.
Which type of guitar is best for beginners?
An acoustic is definitely the best type of guitar that’s suited for beginners. It doesn’t need much accessories like amplifier, and you can straight away play it right outside the box.
Where to Buy a Guitar for Beginner?
You can buy a guitar from physical music stores such as
Is acoustic-electric good for beginners?
In some cases, yes. Why? Because you get the best of both worlds: a guitar that you can play plug or unplugged. For beginners, you can buy an acoustic one as it is, however if you plan to plug it in on an amplifier, getting an acoustic-electric, an electric, or semi acoustic are good options good.
What to look for in a beginner guitar?
Consider the guitar’s brand, price, comfort, build, sound, and accessories included when looking for a beginner guitar.
What is the best size guitar for beginners?
The best size of the guitar for beginners depends on who will use it. For children 2-5 years old, ¼-sized guitars is perfect. Children 5-8 years old can play ½-sized guitars. Guitarists ages 8-12 years old can use ¾-sized guitars, while adults or children with big hands can use full-sized guitars.
Does brand matter?
Yes, brand matters when it comes to buying one. If you’re really invested in learning guitar, try to balance your brand preference and budget.
There are some guitars that might be too expensive for starters – Martin, Taylor and the like. However, there are also inexpensive known brands that are good for starters such as Yamaha and Fender guitars.
Are guitars tuned when you buy them?
As part of quality control, most guitars are properly tuned before packing. It is during the shipping process where the guitar comes out untuned. So, it is best to have the guitar tuned before playing it right out of the box. You can simply use a digital tuner, a tuning app or a traditional harmonic method to tune your guitar.
What is the best guitar for beginners?
Taylor GS Mini is a top choice when it comes to choosing a beginner’s guitar. It’s a great-sounding, yet very straightforward dreadnought that’s perfect for any beginner who wants to start learning right away. Compared to lower priced guitars like the Yamaha FG800, you can play this immediately without much-needed setup.
Have you checked out the Tanglewood Crossroads series, the Dreadnought and the Orchestra come in at £99!
I’ve been playing guitar for some time now, picked one of these up just to see what they have achieved in this price range. I have to say more than impressed.
Just did a quick check and my first impression: awesome, awesome, awesome. Would probably add this guitar on the list soon. Cheers!