Best
Acoustic Guitar Under 500 for a Beginner
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Overall: renowned brand in the guitar-playing community
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Best Feature: Ideally designed for novice guitar players
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TedScore™: 10/10
Best
Guitar for the Smaller Player
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Overall: Great for players that need a compact option
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Best Feature: Comes from a well-revered market player in the guitar game
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TedScore™: 10/10
Best
Overall High-End Acoustic Guitar
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Overall: Can be used by both novice and experienced acoustic guitar players.
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Best Feature: Can be used by both novice and experienced acoustic guitar players.
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TedScore™: 10/10
Are you looking for the Best Acoustic Guitar Under 500? You’re in the right place!
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player on a budget, finding a high-quality acoustic guitar without breaking the bank is possible.
The charm of discovering that perfect six-string companion at an affordable price is magical. With options from brands like Fender, Taylor, and Yamaha, you don’t have to sacrifice quality for cost.
Ready to check out some excellent guitars that can make your next jam session unforgettable? Let’s jump in and find the perfect acoustic guitar to match your style and budget!
Best Acoustic Guitars Under 500
After examining the basics of acoustic guitars, you’re now more well-equipped for the next step, finding your next purchase. The good news is that many guitars come at very affordable price points.
In turn, you can choose a new guitar from a wide range of choices. Without further ado, here are the best acoustic guitars for under 500.
PERFECT FOR: The Fender FA-115 is ideally designed for novice guitar players.
COMES WITH: Spare strings, picks, a gig bag, picks, and a 90-day free subscription to Fender Play.
FEATURES: The FA-115 model features a laminated spruce top, a laminated mahogany body, a walnut fingerboard, and a clear gloss finish.
Fender FA-115
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Exceptional playability
- Classic blend of tonewoods
- Perfect for beginners
- Extra accessories may not arrive complete
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
The Fender FA-115 is impressive value for money, and the Fender pack provided is a great tool for those interested in kick-starting their guitar learning journey. This full-size guitar is best for adult players.
Fender is a renowned brand in the guitar-playing community. That being so, you’ll be in good hands knowing you’ve bought from a reliable brand.
With a mixture of familiar tonewoods, you’ll be getting a classic and timeless sound from this natural-colored acoustic guitar. Additionally, this acoustic guitar produces a big and robust sound thanks to its dreadnought body design.
In terms of ease of play, this guitar might boast excellent playability due to its neck style. You could move up and down the acoustic guitar’s neck for long periods of practice without feeling it the next day.
PERFECT FOR: The Gear4music electro acoustic guitar is best for those looking to save up as well as beginner players.
COMES WITH: an 8V battery and Allen key.
FEATURES: Has a laminated spruce top, a sapele mahogany body, and a black gloss finish.
Gear4music Electro Acoustic Guitar
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Simple design
- Built-in preamp
- Emits well-balanced and bright tones
- Non-durable material
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
This electro-acoustic guitar features a laminated spruce top, a Sapele mahogany body, and a black gloss finish. Aside from that, with electro-acoustic guitars chiming in with premium prices, the Gear4music model steps out as an outlier with an affordable price.
In addition to this, the electro-acoustic guitar offers a single cutaway for more room to reach the upper frets. The built-in preamp might also give you more potential to amplify your strumming work. The jumbo acoustic guitar also gives you simplicity in terms of appearance with a solid color.
PERFECT FOR: The Yamaha FG800M is perfect for beginners and professional players alike, especially those prioritizing affordability.
COMES WITH: Turtle pickguard and die-cast tuners.
FEATURES: With a solid spruce top and a balanced tone, this Yamaha acoustic guitar has earned its spot on this list.
Yamaha FG800M
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Solid spruce top
- Punchy Bass
- Durable nato build
- Dreadnought shaped guitars tend to be on the bulky side
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Among acoustic guitar brands, Yamaha shines on top for its excellent performance in construction and sound production. With a solid spruce top and a balanced tone, this Yamaha acoustic guitar has earned its spot on this list.
The dreadnought guitar offers blooming bass tones, bright trebles, and a sufficient midrange quality. On top of a punchy tone, the Yamaha acoustic guitar may also give you ample versatility.
Whether you’re a singer-songwriter or an acoustic blues performer, the affordable dreadnought guitar has your back.
PERFECT FOR: The Big Baby Taylor model can be used by both novice and experienced acoustic guitar players looking for added versatility and playability.
COMES WITH: Official Taylor case
FEATURES: The classic BBT features a sublime quality solid Sitka spruce top ensuring premium construction.
Big Baby Taylor BBT
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Solid Sitka spruce top
- Excellent playability
- Produces dynamic sound
- Large size may not be suitable for younger players
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
The classic BBT features a sublime quality solid Sitka spruce top ensuring premium construction. In addition to this, the walnut finish neck may provide you with ease of movement thanks to its rounded edges.
The beautiful guitar also offers an ebony fretboard and tortoise pickguard. Aside from looks, the BBT packs versatile and clear-cut tunes along with high-velocity and punchy tones that resonate throughout the room.
With the high-grade Sitka spruce top, you may find it easy to apply multiple genres, whether it’s licks of country or rock.
PERFECT FOR: Small players. Plus, it’s great for players that need a compact option whether it’s for travel or camping.
COMES WITH: Padded gig bag
FEATURES: Solid Sitka spruce top as well as a modified low oval neck style for ease of use.
Martin LX1 Little Martin
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Handmade
- Small size makes it perfect for the young crowd
- Premium solid top emanates clear and intricate sound when strumming.
- Laminated wood body lowers its quality construction
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
The Little Martin LX1 comes from a well-revered market player in the guitar game. Apart from that, the compact acoustic guitar features a solid Sitka spruce top as well as a modified low oval neck style for ease of use.
You may expect to hear a warm and rich sound from this budget guitar. This comes with the help of the Sitka spruce top. The versatile acoustic guitar’s main selling point could be its compact size, adding portability to its plus points.
Despite its smaller-than-average build, the Little Martin can still encapsulate your crowd in its booming trance. Whether you’re playing a series of descending or ascending notes, the guitar sounds amazing.
DESIGNED FOR: The Epiphone J-45 Studio is ideal for both beginner and seasoned players seeking great value for money.
COMES WITH: D’Addario strings 12-53 gauge
FEATURES: Features a solid Sitka spruce top, in turn, allowing you to achieve a dynamic and well-balanced sound.
Epiphone J-45 Studio
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Dynamic tonal quality
- Solid construction design
- Simple natural finish
- Lacks rich and complex tones
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
The Epiphone J-45 model is reminiscent of a Gibson design. Apart from that, the affordable guitar features a solid Sitka spruce top, in turn, allowing you to achieve a dynamic and well-balanced sound.
The solid wood top contrasts well with the mahogany side build, creating an extended frequency range. When it comes to playability, the Epiphone model offers a comfortable C-shaped neck that could boost your practice time with little strain.
PERFECT FOR: The Yamaha FG830 is a great instrument for those starting their guitar-learning journey. Nevertheless, it could also be the perfect guitar for seasoned players looking to stay on a budget.
COMES WITH: Turtle Pickguard
FEATURES: With a solid spruce top and rosewood sides, the Yamaha acoustic guitar boasts exceptional tonal quality.
Yamaha FG830
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Durable nato neck
- Spruce top and rosewood body
- Playable guitar due to rounded edges in neck
- Not ideal for smaller statured adults
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
As with most guitars from Yamaha, you can expect reliability and no cutting corners. With a solid spruce top and rosewood sides, the Yamaha acoustic guitar boasts exceptional tonal quality.
The rosewood provides you with uncompromising resonance and volume, while the spruce top balances out the frequencies projected. The result is a flexible guitar producing sounds from a variety of genres such as blues, rock, folk, and pop.
PERFECT FOR: This Fender guitar is perfect for electro-acoustic guitar players in search of an affordable yet quality build instrument.
COMES WITH: Hard case.
FEATURES: Apart from being a Fender, this beautiful guitar comes with a solid cedar top and ovangkol. The prior wood is best for high-response attacks and fingerstyle playing.
Fender CN-140SCE
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Playability
- Solid cedar top
- Cutaway feature for ease of use
- The glossy finish may result in too much fingerprint residue.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Meanwhile, the ovangkol side and backs can help you balance your midrange while maintaining accuracy.
Aside from that, the Fender acoustic guitar comes with a plugin for those looking to record their jam sessions or amplify their sound. On top of that, the premium-built guitar also features a cutaway for easier upper fret reachability.
PERFECT FOR: Since this is a parlor body design, this PRS model is ideal for smaller-statured players.
COMES WITH: PRS gig bag
FEATURES: From its antique white finish to the meticulously designed bird inlays on the fretboard, the P20E is a showy model.
PRS SE P20E
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Durable hardware
- Aesthetic design
- Compact build
- Full size guitars carry more richness than parlor guitars
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
This PRS acoustic guitar is bound to turn a few heads with its intricate and beautiful design. From its antique white finish to the meticulously designed bird inlays on the fretboard, the P20E is a showy model.
Not only does it excel in appearances, but its solid mahogany top produces equally mesmerizing sounds with emphasis on bass and treble. Another detail worth mentioning is its bone-made saddle, offering high-grade quality for an affordable price.
On top of that, the PRS acoustic guitar is also integrated with a Fishman GT1 preamp system to digitize your performance.
PERFECT FOR: The Guild M-240E acoustic guitar is a well-suited option for guitarists of all capabilities. Plus, smaller individuals can benefit from the guitar’s relatively small body size.
COMES WITH: D'Addario steel strings (0.12-0.53 Gauges).
FEATURES: The Guild guitar model did not cut back on construction quality with its solid Sitka spruce top and Pau Ferro fingerboard.
Guild M-240e
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Exceptional playability
- Premium wood blends
- Offers electric component
- Thin neck can make the guitar more prone to warping over time
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
The latter is a smooth wood with similar quality to rosewood.
Aside from that, the acoustic guitar’s body is composed of mahogany adding more tonal depth and warmth during performances. Plus, the slim C-shaped neck offers excellent playability for those with small hands.
PERFECT FOR: Whether you’re a collector or beginner player looking for a pretty acoustic guitar, the Epiphone Hummingbird model ought to grab your attention.
COMES WITH: Fishman SoniTone and SoniCore for preamp and pickup, respectively.
FEATURES: In terms of construction, you get a solid spruce top accompanied by a mahogany wood body and a Pau Ferro fingerboard and bridge.
Epiphone Hummingbird Studio
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Solid Construction
- Aesthetic Design
- Electronic Integration
- Weak bass sound
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
The Hummingbird acoustic guitar is a Gibson inspiration in terms of looks.
That being said, if you’re looking to stand out, then this beautiful guitar may be just what you need. The acoustic guitar is adorned with hummingbird artwork and Pearloid parallelogram inlays.
The dreadnought guitar also features a D-shaped neck style, making it better fitting and secure while playing.
Aside from construction, the sound of the Epiphone acoustic guitar lacks a deep bass but makes up for it in high sonic quality treble and midrange.
PERFECT FOR: The Fender CD-60S is perfect for left-handed acoustic guitar players including beginners and experienced audiences.
COMES WITH: Gig bag, strap, polishing cloth, capo, string winder, chromatic tuner, picks, guitar stand, steel slide, and strings.
FEATURES: premium quality solid spruce top design fitted with a laminated mahogany body.
Fender CD-60S
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Comes with multiple accessories
- Solid Spruce top
- Slim neck for easy playability
- May have high action
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Apart from the great value you’re getting from the Fender CD-60S model. The gloss-finished dreadnought design guitar may prove to stand with you for the long haul.
Accordingly, as it ages, the solid spruce top opens the instrument’s sound allowing for fuller and brighter sonic quality. The laminated wood may be a plus if you’re playing in warm and humid weather where it could be susceptible to warping.
PERFECT FOR: The overall build quality of the Takamine GD20-NS makes it a perfect acoustic guitar choice for fingerstyle players.
COMES WITH: D'Addario EXP 16 coated phosphor bronze strings.
FEATURES: The Takamine guitar is composed of a solid cedar top, mahogany body and sides, as well as an ovangkol fretboard.
Takamine GD20-NS
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Ease of play due to thin C-shaped neck
- Split-saddle design
- Solid cedar top construction
- High action
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
The Japanese-brand dreadnought acoustic beauty features a minimalist design with exceptional construction.
All these wood components combine to form dark and rich sonic tones. One of the pristine details of this acoustic guitar is its split-saddle design. This detail is mainly created to avoid intonation issues between the G and B strings.
PERFECT FOR: The compact design of the Yamaha FS850 can make it a suitable option for small players. Plus, it can be a smart purchase for those prioritizing portability.
COMES WITH: Die-cast tuners and tortoise pickguard
FEATURES: The Yamaha FS850 offers a solid mahogany body and top, in turn, giving you exceptional sound quality.
Yamaha fs850
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Portability
- Compactness
- Large frequency response
- Lacking a neck strap response
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
From treble to bass, the acoustic guitar covers most frequency ranges fluently, making it the perfect tool for musical experimentation.
Nonetheless, the best-selling feature of this acoustic guitar may be its compactness. This makes it easier to play with as well as portable-friendly. Aside from that, the guitar features scalloped bracing to provide a more nuanced sound output.
PERFECT FOR: The Epiphone Dove is ideal for guitar collector enthusiasts as well as electro-acoustic guitar players.
COMES WITH: Fishman SoniTone preamp and Fishman SoniCore pickup.
FEATURES: The guitar integrates a solid spruce top, maple body and neck, as well as a Pau Ferro fingerboard.
Epiphone Dove Studio
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Iconic Design
- Electronically Integrated
- Solid spruce top
- Lacks high-quality midrange tones
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
If you enjoy admiring pretty acoustic guitars, then you’ll want to get your hands on the affordable Epiphone Dove. This instrument features beautiful dove artwork in its pickguard and bridge. Inspired by the similarly designed Gibson model, the Epiphone Dove is created with a blend of tonewoods.
Additionally, the model comes with a built-in SoniTone preamp and SoniCore pickup for those looking to record or amplify their work.
PERFECT FOR: The Tanglewood Blackbird is suitable for fingerpicking guitarists as well as blues players.
COMES WITH: Bronze light strings and die-cast tuning machine.
FEATURES: The mid-size instrument, in turn, may provide you with playability as its orchestra-shaped body can lay comfortably over your lap.
Tanglewood Blackbird
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Playability
- Mahogany tonewood construction
- Can be used for young guitarists
- Exclusively comes in black
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
The renowned Tanglewood Blackbird may deliver you the timeless familiarity of an all-mahogany tonewood body. You might want to count on the charcoal-colored acoustic guitar to provide you with folky tunes accompanied by strong volumes and rumbles.
As for its size, the acoustic guitar comes between a dreadnought and parlor body design.
PERFECT FOR: The Fender Newporter Player is an ideal guitar for left-handed players as well as the younger crowd due to its small guitar body.
COMES WITH: Fishman preamp and 80/20 bronze strings.
FEATURES: the acoustic guitar shows promising playability thanks to its slim C-shaped neck style as well as its satin urethane finish.
Fender Newporter Player
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Produces a warm tone
- High-grade tonewood construction
- Cutaway feature and slim neck offer improved playability
- Not the best acoustic option for traditionalist
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
The Fender Newporter comes from the brand’s California Series. Accordingly, the guitars are inspired by the state’s beaches and boho vibes. Aside from that, the Candy Apple acoustic guitar consists of a solid Sitka spruce wood top and mahogany body, ensuring durability.
PERFECT FOR: The Epiphone DR-100 is a versatile guitar that’s perfect for strumming, picking, and more.
COMES WITH: D’Addario 12 gauge strings
FEATURES: the Epiphone model can stand by your side. It offers dynamic tones. It’s composed of a solid spruce top and mahogany body.
Epiphone DR-100
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Comes in various shades
- Solid spruce top design
- Offers a range of frequency responses giving it a nuanced sound ability.
- Not well-suited for small players
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Whether you’re a rock, country, pop, or folk guitar player. The dreadnought design supports its robust and goosebump-inducing sounds. As for the acoustic guitar’s playability, you get a sleek and ergonomic fit to help you play your tunes comfortably.
What to Consider When Buying an Acoustic Guitar
Before getting into the details of each of our top acoustic guitar choices, you may want to consider a few components. These factors will essentially help you determine the acoustic guitar you’ll want to buy. Plus, it also affects how we score each product. If you are looking for a complete buyers guide, then take a look at our Acoustic Guitar Buying Guide here.
Build Quality
When talking about build quality, we primarily refer to the guitar’s construction or the materials used to make it. Not only does a guitar’s build affect its appearance, but its tone and overall sound quality as well.
Many budget acoustic guitars have improved this feature despite their low cost. You’ll likely find both laminated and solid wood options, and sometimes a combination of the two.
Solid wood acoustic guitars require more work since they start with large pieces of wood, while laminated wood guitars are made from smaller pieces.
Solid wood guitars are usually considered premium due to the extra cost and time involved in production. However, some manufacturers use a solid wood top with laminated wood for the rest of the guitar to achieve a mid-range quality.
The top is the most crucial part of sound production since the sound bounces off the body and exits through the soundhole on the top.
If you have a larger budget than 500, take a look at our Best Acoustic Guitar Under 1000 article.
Tonewoods
Tonewoods are types of wood with specific tonal qualities. Acoustic guitar makers use them to achieve the best possible sound.
Tonewoods differ based on characteristics like porosity, density, and weight.
Each part of an acoustic guitar, such as the back, sides, top, and neck, may use different tonewoods. Common tonewoods for the back and sides include rosewood, Sapele, Koa, and mahogany.
It might take a professional ear to hear the differences between tonewoods. However, singers and songwriters often prefer rosewood because it emphasizes lows and highs, leaving space for midrange vocals.
Mahogany, on the other hand, is known for its warm tone. It usually provides a flat response with a slight boost in the midrange.
Quality of the Hardware
Wood is the primary material used in guitar construction, and its quality dramatically affects the instrument’s overall sound. Each tonewood offers a different sound frequency.
However, to ensure quality, focus on the craftsmanship of the wood construction. For example, while many players prefer solid wood top guitars, this doesn’t always guarantee quality artistry.
Another factor worth mentioning in an acoustic guitar’s hardware is its tuning pegs. These parts allow you to tune your guitar properly. One of the main aspects distinguishing a low-quality guitar from a high-quality one is how well the tuning system remains in position.
In addition to tuning pegs and wood quality, the adhesive joins of an acoustic guitar can also impact its overall quality. For every part that’s glued from the neck joint to the bridge, you’ll want to make sure that it’s all solid and well-joined.
Quality of the Finish
The guitar’s finish refers to its outer layer. In most cases, you’ll either find a glossy sheen or a matte finish. The prior displays a more reflective layer, while the latter looks more solid. This factor may affect your guitar’s sound quality. Nevertheless, it’s more about aesthetics than anything else.
The finish can dampen your guitar’s sound or reduce its vibrations. This could be determined by the finish’s thickness, density, and penetration level.
Plus, these elements also need to align well with the type of tonewood used.
Besides that, to see how well the finish is, appearance-wise, you can closely examine the acoustic guitar’s outer layer for any aberrations or bleeding.
Aside from the finish styles, you’ll also want to take a look at the guitar’s bindings or edges and make sure they’re all evened out.
Sound Quality
The building blocks of a high-sound-quality acoustic guitar are plenty. Firstly, it all comes down to professional craftsmanship. If you give an expensive chunk of wood to an expert vs. a midrange manufacturer, the results will speak for themselves.
On top of production details, the hardware and build quality also come into play when determining sound quality. This could come down to the type of tonewood and whether the guitar is made with solid or laminated wood.
Under craftsmanship and build quality come several details. For instance, a high-quality sounding acoustic guitar should carry no tension during the building process. This tension could exist in the guitar’s sound box, in turn, altering its sound potential.
Body Style
As you peruse acoustic guitars, you’ll probably notice some differences in body shape and style. That being said, you can find about five different acoustic guitar body styles. They include parlor, dreadnought, OM, grand auditorium, and jumbo.
The parlor style is distinctly narrow in the midsection and more compact than other styles making it ideal for small players. Meanwhile, the dreadnought body style guitar is more robust in body size and is perfect for strumming and picking.
Additionally, the OM body-style guitar exhibits a more pinched appearance compared to the dreadnought. Plus, it’s thinner, bringing it closer to the player, in turn, it’s well-suited to singer-players.
The grand auditorium body style is slightly thicker in the bottom portion, but narrower in the waist when compared to the dreadnought.
Finally, as its name suggests, the jumbo acoustic guitar is the largest of all. It’s best played while sitting down. Plus, we’d suggest this body style for large players or those looking for a louder sound.
Neck Style
The neck of an acoustic guitar is the long extension coming out of the instrument’s body. In addition to this, the component is lined with frets or metal lines. When handling an acoustic guitar, you’ll want to ensure some comfort as you play, particularly when handling the neck area.
Apart from that, there are several types of neck styles offered for acoustic guitars. You can choose between low profile, low oval, and V profile options. They mostly differ based on their neck’s thickness and roundness.
For example, the low profile option falls between a C-shaped and a D-shaped neck shape. Meanwhile, the modified low oval choice is more round and plump at the neck. Generally, you’ll want to consider this factor if your hands are particularly small or large.
For small hands, you can opt for C-shaped necks that are relatively thinner. If your hands are on the larger side, then a thicker neck with any shape could be a suitable fit. Aside from that, thin necks are more likely to warp than thicker choices.
Playability
When talking about playability, we’re touching on how easy the instrument is to work with. The acoustic guitar’s body shape, action, and neck style are two of the many things that can affect the instrument’s ease of play.
In terms of neck style, thicker necks tend to be harder on your hands, especially if they’re small. Meanwhile, thinner neck styles are easier to play with. Besides neck style, the action also impacts playability.
Action refers to the distance between the guitar’s strings and fretboard. The further the strings, the lower action you get, in turn, it’s easier to hold down the strings against the fretboard and vice versa.
Now, you wouldn’t also want to look for the lowest action. If the strings are too close to the board, then you’ll risk fret buzz which occurs when the strings vibrate against the fretboard rather than over it.
Apart from that, an acoustic guitar’s body size plays a big role in playability. The larger and heavier the guitar’s body, the harder it’ll be to play, especially while standing. In addition to this, you may also want to consider the cutaway factor.
If a guitar has a cutaway, it makes it easier for you to access the upper frets. Nevertheless, they’re usually more pricey than acoustic guitars without cutaways.
Fretboard
The fretboard of an acoustic guitar is where the instrument’s neck is divided into several intervals. Each part represents a semitone or octave.
This component may sometimes be identified as the guitar’s neck, but it’s not. It’s located at the face of the neck where you can see metal dividers vertically stretched across it.
18 Best Acoustic Guitars Under 500
Summary
Choosing the best acoustic guitar under $500 can be a delightful journey. There are so many great options out there, you really can’t go wrong with the right research.
Budget acoustic guitars can still have the potential to become high-performing instruments played in live performances. And as a beginner or novice player, you’ll not want to spend the earth on buying a really, really expensive instrument.
Luckily, there’s no shortage of budget-friendly options that don’t sacrifice build quality and playability. Some of these choices come from world-renowned brands such as Guild and Epiphone.
Either way, we hope you were able to find the best acoustic electric guitar under 500 for your needs and preferences from our top recommendations. Do let us know in the comments below what you ended up buying and why!
Happy strumming!
Great list, especially considering the range of genres these guitars could cater to. Jazz players like myself often struggle to find the right acoustic without breaking the bank. This helped narrow down my search a lot!
Intriguing article, however, it seems the historical significance of certain guitar models and their cultural impact was entirely omitted. For instance, the evolution of guitar body styles owes a great deal to historical socio-economic shifts and technological advancements. It’s a disservice to discuss guitars purely from a commercial perspective without acknowledging the artistic and cultural legacy they carry. Perhaps a deeper dive into the lineage and lore of these instruments could enrich potential buyers’ appreciation and understanding of what they hold in their hands.
That’s a valid point. Knowing the story behind your guitar can definitely make playing feel more special.
quick question, how come some guitars use different woods and how does it change the sound? i get that build quality matters but like, does mahogany really sound that different from maple?
Hey Hugh Richardson, just gotta say, this list is exactly what I was looking for! I’m just diving into the world of guitars, and the details on tonewoods and body styles were super helpful. Totally cleared up the confusion for me. Also, the part about playability? Never knew how important that was until now. Choosing my first guitar feels a little less daunting now, so thanks a ton!
Well, idk. Sometimes these guides just make you buy more expensive stuff than you actually need. But hey, if it works for you.
I’m glad you found the guide useful. Remember, the feel of the guitar in your hands is just as crucial as the sound. Happy strumming!