1.

Fender CD-60S All-Mahogany Acoustic Guitar

The best acoustic guitar for beginners seeking a big brand name
Price: $219/£199 | Type: Dreadnought | Top: Solid Mahogany | Back and sides: Laminated
Mahogany | Neck: Mahogany | Scale: 25.3" | Fingerboard: Rosewood | Frets: 20
| Tuners: Chrome Die-Cast | Electronics: N/A | Left-handed: Yes | Finish: Gloss

€161.89
VIEW AT THOMANN

€192.93
View at Amazon

€204.56
View at Amazon
See all prices (4 found)
Balanced sound
Stays in tune
Entry-level price
Individual looks may put some off
With this Fender, you have a leading brand producing an excellent acoustic guitar at an entry-
level price. This dreadnought’s all-mahogany construction produces a full, rounded sound, which
equates to volume and confident mid-level power in support of a bright treble. 

The tuners are positive and reliable, and at the sub-$200 mark they represent excellent quality.
Previously, Fender’s acoustic guitars for beginners had an action that tended to be on the high
side. But the CD-60S has an action low enough to enable easier playing, while avoiding
troublesome fret buzz.
 Read the full Fender CD-60S All-Mahogany review
 Explore today's best Fender CD-60S deals

(Image credit: Yamaha)

2. Yamaha LL6 ARE

The best acoustic guitar for beginners under $500
Price: $539/£549 | Type: Medium Jumbo | Top: Solid Engelmann spruce | Back and
sides: Rosewood | Neck: Mahogany/rosewood 5-ply | Scale: 25.9/16" | Fingerboard: Rosewood
| Frets: 20 | Tuners: Die-cast gold | Electronics: Yamaha SRT Zero Impact pickup | Left-
handed: Yes | Finish: Gloss
CHECK THOMANN
Check Amazon
Excellent sound plugged in and acoustically
Great build quality
Forgiving sound for the beginner
Higher-end price for a beginner guitar
Yamaha's Acoustic Resonance Enhancement treatment process aims to make this stunning guitar
sound ‘played-in’ from the start. The resulting tone is representative of a guitar that’s worth more
than the LL6’s price tag. With chords chiming through, this Yamaha makes for a very forgiving
acoustic guitar for beginners. 

Simplicity is the theme for amplification here, with no extra control provided to the Zero Impact
pickups. The action is low and the neck has an even thickness, and typically of Yamaha the
finish on the LL6 is of an extremely high quality. If you want an entry-level acoustic guitar that’s
easy to play, definitely check this one out.

Read the full Yamaha LL6 ARE review

 Hook up your new guitar with the best acoustic guitar strings
 The best guitar straps for boosting playing comfort

(Image credit: Epiphone)

3. Epiphone Hummingbird Pro

The best acoustic guitar for beginners who want heritage pedigree
Price: $369/£269 | Type: Dreadnought | Top: Solid spruce | Back and sides: Select mahogany
| Neck: Select mahogany | Scale: 25.3" | Fingerboard: Rosewood | Frets: 20 | Tuners: Chrome
Die-Cast | Electronics: Shadow ePerformer pre-amp | Left-handed: Yes | Finish: Gloss

€278.36
VIEW AT THOMANN
 €288.85
View at Thomann

€379
View at Amazon
See all prices (5 found)
2 Amazon customer reviews
☆☆☆☆☆
Excellent sound
Versatile pre-amp
Easy player
Slightly lower action would help a beginner
Played by the Rolling Stones, no less, and with a lavish appearance created by that pearl inlayed
neck and artworked scratchplate, Epiphone’s Hummingbird Pro certainly looks the part and has a
reputation to match.

Based on its big brother from parent company Gibson, the ‘real’ Hummingbird Pro would set
you back closer to $3,000, so this one is a bargain. The sound is well balanced and ideal for
various styles, though the action, straight from the box, could be slightly lower to make it easier
for beginner’s to play.

For electrified sessions, Epiphone’s built-in Eperformer preamp is versatile enough to dish out a
wide range of tones. Elsewhere, Grover tuners maintain reliable tension. 

(Image credit: Press Material)

4. Yamaha FG800
A best-seller at the budget end of the best beginners acoustic guitar market
Price: $199/£235 | Type: Traditional Western | Top: Solid spruce | Back and
sides: Nato/Okume | Neck: Nato | Scale: 25.9/16" | Fingerboard: Rosewood | Frets: 20
| Tuners: Die-cast Chrome(TM29T) | Electronics: n/a | Left-handed: Yes | Finish: Gloss
body/matt neck

€225.95
VIEW AT THOMANN

€225.95
View at Thomann
Prime

€276
 View at Amazon
See all prices (10 found)
Great sound for the money
Good build quality
Low price 
No electronics
One of the lower priced guitars in our guide, Yamaha’s FG800 is a seasoned veteran in the
beginner’s acoustic field. The sound generated by this beauty could easily come from a more
expensive guitar, and it’s reliable at holding its tune, too. 

A solid spruce top, more usually found on higher priced guitars, helps create the impressive tone.
And it really is the sound that helps this guitar stand out from the others at the sub-$200 mark.
No amplification is included, but for this price who’s complaining? 

While the neck has a rounded, comfortable profile, the action is a little on the high side, though
nothing a local guitar tech couldn’t remedy. 

 The 10 best acoustic guitars under $1,000

 Tune up with the best guitar tuners

(Image credit: Press Material)

5. Taylor GS Mini
High-end versatility and tonal quality at an entry-level price
Price: $499/£529 | Type: Mini | Top: Tropical mahogany | Back and sides: Sapele laminate
| Neck: Layered sapele | Scale: 23.5" | Fingerboard: Rosewood | Frets: 20 | Tuners: Die-cast
chrome | Electronics: n/a (ES-Go pickup available) | Left-handed: Yes | Finish: Varnish

€499.66
VIEW AT THOMANN

€499.66
View at Thomann

€545.08
View at Thomann
See all prices (17 found)
High quality tone
Extremely versatile sounds
Wonderful build quality
Doesn’t have the volume of a full size 
Taylor’s GS Mini doubles as a travel-sized guitar and dishes out all you need for home playing,
especially for younger or smaller guitarists. The factory-set action is low, making it simple to
play from the get-go. 

The sound is warm and clear, tending towards the mid range. Though the trebles are bright,
despite the size the bass isn’t lacking. The sound also includes ample sustain with notes enduring
longer than would be expected from a ‘mini’. 

The broad tonal capability across the range makes it well suited to a variety of musical styles,
meaning this is one of the best acoustic guitar for beginners if you’re searching for tonal
versatility as well as for an entry-level guitar that could last far beyond your newcomer years. 

(Image credit: Press Material)

6. Ibanez AW54CE
One of the best acoustic guitars for beginners, whether amplified or
unplugged
Price: $329/£268 | Type: Cutaway dreadnought | Top: Solid mahogany | Back and
sides: Mahogany | Neck: Mahogany | Scale: 25.6" | Fingerboard: Rosewood | Frets: 20
| Tuners: Chrome grover tuners | Electronics: Fishman Sonicore pickup and Ibanez AEQ210TF
preamp with on-board tuner | Left-handed: Yes | Finish: Satin

€231.69
VIEW AT THOMANN

€249.25
View at Thomann

€333
View at Amazon
See all prices (5 found)
Excellent tone
Nice mahogany finish
High fret access
Adjustment required to lower the action  
While the cutaway, giving access to the highest frets, is a noticeable standout in this guitar, the
mahogany finish is also noteworthy. The neck is mahogany with a satin finish, which helps all of
you beginner acoustic guitarists to play easier. That said, the action is on the high side.
 Ibanez’s best acoustic guitar for beginners delivers a balanced, rounded tone thanks to the
mahogany, and like many of the entry-level guitars in our guide it’s enough to keep more
experienced acoustic guitarists happy.

The Ibanez AW54 also comes with an Ibanez preamp and Fishman pickup, plus a dual band
equalizer. The sound through an amp matches the quality of the unplugged tone. 

(Image credit: Martin)

7. Martin LX1E Little Martin

Versatility and stellar sound in a pint-sized package
Price: $449/£499 | Type: Parlour | Top: Sitka spruce | Back and sides: High Pressure Laminate
| Neck: Stratabond | Scale: 24" and under | Fingerboard: FSC Certified Richlite | Frets: 20
| Tuners: Gotoh nickel | Electronics: Fishman Sonitone | Left-handed: Yes | Finish: Hand
rubbed

€695
VIEW AT AMAZON
Check Thomann
115 Amazon customer reviews
☆☆☆☆☆
Excellent build quality
Great volume for the size
Electro tonal variety
Higher end of beginner price range
Martin has a reputation for crafting some of the finest acoustic guitars in the world, and the
LX1E Little Martin is no different: it’s a beautifully made instrument. It’s also a travel guitar,
which makes it the best acoustic guitar for beginners seeking a compact strummer. 

Don’t let the size fool you, though. Along with a brightness, it provides surprising volume from
the Sitka spruce top and mahogany laminate sides. The high pressure laminate also helps deal
with heat and humidity changes, which is useful for frequent travel. 

Fishman Sonitone electric controls enable a relatively broad range of volume and tonal variety
with a phase control to emphasize bass, which is useful when playing at lower volumes.

 10 best guitar capos for acoustic and electric guitar

 Best guitar picks: find the right plectrums for you

(Image credit: Press Material)

 8. Epiphone DR100
Good build quality and surprising tone is yours for a low, low price
Price: $149/£109 | Type: Dreadnought | Top: Select spruce | Back and sides: Mahogany
| Neck: Mahogany | Scale: 25.5" | Fingerboard: Rosewood | Frets: 20 | Tuners: Premium
tuners | Electronics: n/a | Left-handed: Yes | Finish: Gloss

€114.14
VIEW AT THOMANN
Prime

€169
View at Amazon

£98
View at Thomann
Good build quality
Easy player
Can’t go wrong for just over $100
None at this price
Considering it’s so affordable, it’s difficult to see what’s wrong with the DR100 for those on a
budget. The Epiphone DR100 produces a tone that you wouldn’t expect given the small price
tag. Available in a variety of finishes, the build quality outmatches most of the competition in
this price bracket. 

A select spruce top is accompanied by a mahogany body and neck, the latter of which features a
slim taper profile for more comfortable playing, finished off with a rosewood fingerboard. 

It’s a relatively easy player, and the body has ample resonance. If you’re on a very small budget,
the Epiphone DR100 is a no-brainer.

(Image credit: Press Material)

9. Seagull S6
Premium quality in a guitar that’s built to last
Price: $499/£515 | Type: Dreadnought | Top: Solid cedar | Back and sides: Wild cherry
| Neck: Silver leaf maple | Scale: 25.5" | Fingerboard: Rosewood | Frets: 21 | Tuners: Chrome
| Electronics: n/a | Left-handed: Yes | Finish: semi-gloss

€432.10
VIEW AT THOMANN
 €444.92
View at Thomann

€549
View at Amazon
See all prices (13 found)
85 Amazon customer reviews
☆☆☆☆☆
Optimum build quality
Sweet and versatile sound
Good for fingerpicking
No electronics onboard 
Canadian made Seagull guitars are renowned for their high build quality, and the S6 is no
different. It’s a grown up guitar in the sense that it’s far from flashy, but it has all you need to
last beyond your beginner days.

Its refined construction is complemented with a bright tone but, especially useful for the more
gentle fingerpicking style, the Seagull S6 enables beautiful warmth with a low volume and light
touch. As you’d expect from this level of build quality, this beginner’s acoustic stays in tune and
is so easy and enjoyable to play.

(Image credit: Press Material)

10. Alvarez AD30

Conventional, solid and versatile… a superb beginners acoustic guitar
Price: $269/£179 | Type: Dreadnought | Top: Solid Sitka spruce | Back and sides: Mahogany
laminate | Neck: Mahogany 50/50 semi gloss | Scale: 25.5" | Fingerboard: Richlite | Frets: 20
| Tuners: chrome die cast | Electronics: n/a | Left-handed: Yes | Finish: 50/50 satin gloss
Prime

€329
VIEW AT AMAZON
Check Thomann
Good volume and power
Versatile for a range of tones
Excellent price
Missing a pickup
At around the $270 mark, the Alvarez AD30 is another dreadnought delivering well above its
diminutive price tag. It kicks out significant volume from its sitka spruce body, which is as warm
in tone as much as it is bright.

Playing can be subtle but also as aggressive as you want to get, and this is where the AD30
delivers a surprising amount of power. The X bracing design is intended to aid resonance, which
certainly rings out.

Construction is rugged and the guitar stays reliably in tune. The 50/50 gloss to matt finish on the
neck balances resilience with ease of playing. Conventional rather than flashy, the AD30 is a
reliable allrounder. 

Today's deals on the best acoustic guitars for beginners

Fender CD-60S Westerngitarre

Fender CD-60S All-Mahogany

Amazon

€192.85

VIEW
See all prices

Epiphone Hummingbird Pro...

Epiphone Hummingbird Pro

Amazon

€379

VIEW
See all prices

Yamaha FG800 Westerngitarre...

Yamaha FG800
Amazon

€276

VIEW
See all prices

GS Mini Mahogany

Taylor GS Mini

Thomann

€499.66

VIEW
See all prices

Ibanez AW54CE-OPN

Ibanez AW54CE

Amazon

€333

VIEW
See all prices

Martin Guitars LX1EL...

Martin LX1E Little Martin

Amazon

€695
VIEW
See all prices

Epiphone DR-100 Dreadnaught...

Epiphone DR100

Amazon

€169

VIEW
See all prices

Seagull S6 Original - Natur

Seagull S6 Original

Amazon

€549

VIEW
See all prices

ALVAREZ 311038 AD30CE...

Alvarez AD30

Amazon

€329

VIEW
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

BEST ACOUSTIC GUITAR FOR BEGINNERS: BUYING ADVICE

(Image credit: Richard Bailey/Getty)
So, you’re looking for one of the best beginner acoustic guitars for you or someone you know?
Here's everything you need to know to ensure you make the right choice.

If you want an even closer look at some of the best acoustic guitars for beginners in this guide,
we recently performed a group test on the Epiphone DR-100, Fender CD-60S and Yamaha
FG800 which should help you make up your mind.
Guitar size, shape and sound
The first consideration you’ll need to make is the type of beginner acoustic guitar you're looking
for, which will be primarily based on size and sound.

START PLAYING TODAY!

(Image credit: Future)

Take your first guitar lesson
10 easy guitar songs
How to play scales

Smaller-bodied acoustics are easier to play, and the size makes them more portable. By contrast,
the larger the guitar’s body, the louder the volume and the bigger the tone it will produce. The
most common acoustic guitar design, and the most versatile, is the dreadnought, which strikes
the ideal balance between sound and playability.

At the opposite end of the scale is the jumbo acoustic, which produces greater volume, and the
parlour guitar, with its small body and softer tone. Smaller still are mini or baby acoustics.

You’ll find a mix of the above in our best beginner acoustic guitars guide, and of the three main
designs there are various spin-off styles too. Tried and tested brands in this area include Fender,
Epiphone and Yamaha, and Taylor and Martin are notable brands at the more premium end.

Guitar action explained

Relatively speaking, beginner guitars should be easy to play. If the guitar itself makes progress
more difficult than it needs to be, you’re less likely to want to pick it up and practice. That means
looking for a low action – the height at which the strings are set above the fretboard. 

While aiding comfort, a smaller-bodied guitar is also easier to play, especially for younger
players or smaller guitarists.

While the body of a dreadnought guitar typically joins the neck at the 14th fret, providing easier
access to the higher notes, the parlour guitar typically has a join lower down at the 12th. If
playing the highest notes is important to the music you want to play, you may also want to
consider choosing a beginner’s acoustic guitar with a body cutaway below the neck.
  Best ukuleles: acoustic and electric ukes for every budget
 These are the best acoustic guitars for every budget
 On a budget? These are the best acoustic guitars under $500
Tuning your guitar
Tuning is typically a challenge for beginners, so guitar tuners, which ease the process and retain
correct tension, are a vital accessory. If your budget is tight there are plenty of great clip-on
guitar tuners on the market too. These are small, relatively inexpensive and easy to use.
Do you need electronics?
If the guitar you choose doesn’t include built-in amplification, a simple-to-install acoustic pickup
can be retrofitted.  You'll find examples of a variety of these types of strummers in our selection
of the best acoustic guitars for beginners.

Buying advice: 30-second summary

Take a bitesize look at what you should consider before you buy one of the best acoustic guitars
beginners:

 Think about guitar size: do you need a baby acoustic, small-bodied acoustic,
dreadnought or jumbo?
 Are you buying a trusted brand? Fender, Epiphone, Yamaha and Taylor are great
places to start.
 A low action – the height of the strings above the fretboard – makes a beginner acoustic
guitar easier and more comfortable to play.
 Want to play higher notes? You'll need a guitar with a cutaway in order to access the
higher frets.
 A guitar tuner makes a wise investment to keep your guitar sounding good.
 Want to amplify your playing? You’ll need to retrofit an acoustic guitar pickup, or opt
for an acoustic electric guitar that comes already fitted with electronics
 Best beginner guitars: great acoustic and electric options
 The best gifts for guitar players
 Just starting out? Check out the best beginner classical guitars
 Go electric with one of the best Epiphone Les Pauls
MORE ABOUT...

Kathleen Hanna: “I love that really sparse guitar sound so much – that’s
how I write ...

Isaiah Sharkey: "I never chased being a celebrity guitarist, because I'm
too busy lik...
LATEST
Watch Pete Thorn put 23 pickups through their paces in a bid to find the
ultimate Edd...
SEE MORE LATEST

MOST POPULAR

Myles Kennedy talks soloing strategies, vintage guitars, and

'fesses up to a sacrilegious mod on a Fender Deluxe
By Amit Sharmaabout 4 hours ago

Beabadoobee - Our Extended Play EP review

By Matt Doriaabout 20 hours ago

Paul McCartney: “I figured out my own way of doing

fingerstyle – that’s really how I learned every instrument I
play”
By Harold Steinblatt3 days ago

10 best bass guitars 2021: top 4-string and 5-string bass guitars
for beginners to pros
By Jonathan Horsley3 days ago
Steve Howe: "There has to be a certain accuracy in the live
sounds. It was possible because I was using Line 6 – I was
fascinated with the Variax"
By James Wood3 days ago

Best blues amps 2021: electric guitar amplification for when the
thrill is gone
By Jonathan Horsley3 days ago

The history of Fender tweed amps

By Rod Brakes3 days ago

Tony Choy: "I’m a groove-oriented bass player – I love to stay

in the pocket. I love the groove. We call it a kick drum with
notes"
By Joel McIver3 days ago

Dinosaur Jr.’s J Mascis on being inspired by Thin Lizzy and

working with Kurt Vile
By Matt Doria4 days ago
Tracking down Steve Vai's elusive "Crossroads" Jackson – the
most famous guitar that was never heard
By Eric Kirkland 4 days ago

TOPICS
BUYERS GUIDE
BUYER'S GUIDES
BUYING GUIDE
GEAR
GEAR LISTS
GUITAR WORLD NEWSLETTER
We’d love to stay in touch, sign up for the Guitar World team to contact you with great news, content and
offers.

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands

Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors

Sign me up
No spam, we promise. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details without your permission.

RECOMMENDED

The rise, fall and rediscovery of the Fender Jaguar

How to set up a Les Paul: 7 essential tips

MORE FROM GUITARWORLD...

1.

1
Harley Benton decks out Dullahan headless guitar range with new finishes and
tuning hardware, starting at $457

2. 2
Mastodon announces first-ever acoustic show – at an aquarium
 3. 3
Paul McCartney: “I figured out my own way of doing fingerstyle – that’s really how
I learned every instrument I play”

4. 4
10 best bass guitars 2021: top 4-string and 5-string bass guitars for beginners to
pros

5. 5
Steve Howe: "There has to be a certain accuracy in the live sounds. It was possible
because I was using Line 6 – I was fascinated with the Variax"

GUITAR MAGAZINES SUBSCRIPTION

 ●
 ●
 ●

 Unrivalled access to the artists and gear you love

From €8
VIEW

GUITAR MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS

 ●
 ●
 ●
  Unrivalled access to the artists and gear you love

From £7.15
VIEW

GUITAR MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS

 ●
 ●
 ●

 Unrivalled access to the artists and gear you love

From US$7.15
VIEW

Guitar World is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our
corporate site.
 Terms and conditions
 Privacy policy
 Cookies policy
 Accessibility Statement
 Subscribe
 Advertise/Contact us
 GDPR consent
© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and
Wales company registration number 2008885.

We'd like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
AllowCancel