Introduction:
Learning to play the acoustic guitar is a rewarding experience that offers a creative outlet and a means of personal expression. For beginners, however, choosing the right acoustic guitar is essential. A good beginner guitar should be comfortable to play, stay in tune all the time, and help produce great sound quality. Today, we’ll take a look at the 8 Best Acoustic Guitars for Beginners:, considering factors such as playability, construction quality, brand name reputation and price.
Table of Contents
What to Look for in a Beginner Acoustic Guitar:
Before we get into the actual models, I want to go over what factors make a good beginner acoustic guitar. So here are a few things to keep in mind so you can better narrow down your options:
1. Playability: Playability is the ability of the guitar to be easy to play. This encompasses having a neck with a good feel, low action (the distance between strings and the fretboard) and frets that do not cause any hitches.
2. Sound quality: Sound quality is not a question, even for a beginner; one should start with a good guitar. If you know the guitar’s sound palette better, you can judge its tonality and projection further.
3. Build Quality: Guitar should be strong and have good build quality to last long with you.
4. Price: Most novices are not enthusiastic about spending too much on their first guitar. Luckily, many low-cost options are of high quality.
5. Brand reputation: Some brands have a knack for making consistently good instruments, no matter the price. Generally, if you stick to reputable brands, you’re doing okay
Top Acoustic Guitars for Beginners:
1. Yamaha FG800:
Yamaha has built a good name in manufacturing good-quality instruments that are not exorbitantly priced, and the FG800 is no exception. It is one of those guitars recommended to beginners because it provides outstanding build quality and sound.
1. Build: Going against the grain, the FG800 has a solid spruce top, something pretty much unheard of in this price range. The back and sides are still nato/okume, meaning you get that excellent warm sound.
2. Sound: The solid spruce top makes the sound bright and clear and gives it an excellent project. This guitar is extremely balanced for an acoustic guitar and sounds great for pretty much whatever style I play.
3. Playability: The neck is comfortable and fast, with a nice satiny finish. The action is set relatively low so beginners won’t be too discouraged.
4. Price: The Yamaha FG800 is highly affordable, making it a perfect choice for those starting to learn music.
2. Fender CD-60S:
Fender can be mentioned again as one of the most respected brands, famous for its quality instruments. The CD-60S is amongst this brand’s top products for learners.
1. Build: CD-60S has a Solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides. This tonewood offers a warm, rich tone with good resonance.
2. sound: The guitar has a balanced, full sound with some warmth and can be used for any kind of music.
3. Playability: Fender has certainly tried to make playing the CD-60S as easy as possible, and for that, they have used its beginner-friendly neck profile. With rolled fingerboard edges and quite a low action, it’s quite comfortable to play.
4. Price: Fender CD-60S is reasonably priced and easily affordable for beginners.
3. Epiphone DR-100:
Epiphone is well-loved by many for several reasons, chief of which is their penchant for producing quality guitars at balanced prices. While the DR-100 may be a little pricier than other beginner guitars, it features tonewoods that are typically used only in more expensive acoustics.
1. Build: The DR-100 includes a spruce top with mahogany back and sides. An instrument in this price range has very good build quality.
2. Sound: The guitar delivers sound rich, warm, with good projection that is suitable for various playing styles, from strumming to fingerpicking.
3. Playability: The neck has a profile that is comfortable to play. A guitar is equipped with low action which targets mostly beginners.
4. Price: The Epiphone DR-100 is one of the cheapest guitars on this list, so it’s perfect for those with not much cash to splash.
4. Seagull S6 Original:
This fact is attributed to the craftsmanship and sound quality of the seagull guitars. The S6 Original on the other hand is an entry level guitar that is just best for beginners.
1. Build: The S6 Original has a solid cedar top coupled with wild cherry back and sides. It’s very well made, the attention to detail is superb and high quality tonewoods are used throughout.
2. Sound: The guitar offers mellow warm tones with a perfect projection. This guitar is ideal especially for fingerstyle.
3. Playability: Neck feels slightly wider in profile on the entry level models which may suit some beginners better. Good factory set up so easy to play.
4. Price: It is true that the Seagull S6 Original may cost you more than some other entry guitars but the quality and sound they produce is what makes them worth the investment.
5. Taylor Academy 12:
Known for high-end guitars, Taylor is a famous brand that also has options suitable for beginners. Academy 12 is beginner friendly by design.
1. Build: You’re getting a solid Sitka spruce top with layered sapele back and sides which is to be expected from Taylor. You won’t be disappointed with the build quality, it’s really solid.
2. Sound: The guitar produces bright, clear sound with good projection, this quality is endowed with the instrument. It’s versatile and will handle a broad spectrum of music genres.
3. Playability: Taylor has made the Academy 12 with an armrest which is very comfortable and the neck profile is also very easy to play. Low action.
4. Price: As the Academy 12 sits near the higher mark of the price range for entry level guitars, its quality and playability are what you get for your money.
6. Ibanez AW54:
Ibanez makes tons of different guitars and some of the best guitars for beginners too. The Ibanez AW54 is a really nice option for a new guitar player.
1. Build: AW54 has got a solid mahogany top with mahogany back and sides. As for tonewoods, both body and top are made entirely out of mahogany.
2. Sound: With a warm and rich tone having good resonance, the guitar is well suited for many musical styles. It”’s well adapted to diverse styles of music.
3. Playability: It has a nice profile neck and good action right out of the box. It is easy to play even for a beginner.
4. Price: The Ibanez AW54 is also well priced, so if your looking for a good beginner guitar this fits the bill as well.
7. Martin LX1 Little Martin:
Martin is a legendary name in the world of acoustic guitars and the LX1 Little Martin is compact, travel friendly option perfect for beginners.
1. Build: The LX1 is built using a solid Sitka spruce top and high-pressure laminate back and sides. Even though it is small in size, one can appreciate the superb quality of its build.
2. Sound: This guitar has a huge sound for its size. It rings true with clear, bright tones and comes moderately loud. In my opinion this is perfect for a travel guitar or second guitar.
3. Playability: Due to its smaller size the LX1 is especially playable for younger players or those with smaller hands. Its neck is comfortable and action is set up well.
4. Price: Little Martin is priced in a way that makes it an inexpensive option for both starting players, and anyone looking for a smaller guitar.
8. Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy:
Gretsch is a brand that’s synonymous with making unique and cool looking guitars, and the G9500 Jim Dandy doesn’t skimp on build quality for its lower price point.
1. Build: It’s constructed from an agathis back, sides and top, but this is a solidly built uke that takes its design cues from vintage ukes.
2. Sound: Bright, punchy sound with lots of character. Great for blues, folk, old-time music.
3. Playability: I can play this video game. The neck is comfortable and so is the action on its strings. It’s smaller which makes it easier to carry.
4. Price: The G9500 is very affordable, and definitely a contender for beginner players on a budget.
