If you’re interested to learn how to play the guitar, you’re probably scouting for one that fits in your budget. Most beginners set a limit to how much they should spend for their first acoustic guitar, and that’s good–at this point it wouldn’t be wise to blow your all your life’s savings on an instrument. Rather, buy the best guitar that your budget allows.
An average budget of $200-$300 is the norm based on the belief that a cheap guitar package could lack quality. While this may be true in some cases, there are models in the $100-$200 range that play really well and are more than decent starter guitars. Of course, the higher up the price scale you go, the higher the expectations that a guitar should be of top-notch quality.
For now, let’s focus on the best guitars you can get within the $100-$300 mark. Here’s our list of affordable acoustic guitars worth considering for beginners and even intermediate players looking to upgrade or expand their collection.
Jasmine S-34C
Jasmine makes a lot of guitars for beginners but the one that has received the highest ratings and comes highly recommended by guitar teachers is the S-34C. This guitar features a grand orchestra body style, a slim neck profile, spruce top, sapele back and sides, rosewood fingerboard, nato neck, rosewood bridge, chrome tuners and full body binding.
Another Jasmine model worth considering is the S35, which has a dreadnought body style that gives a deeper and more resonant tone.
Yamaha FG830
Yamaha’s FG Series of acoustic guitars are among the most popular for their great tone, playability and value for money. The FG830 is a quality instrument at an affordable price and it features a solid Sitka spruce top, rosewood back and sides and a nato neck. The bridge and fingerboard are both made of rosewood.
Fender CD-60
Yes, you can get a Fender for less than $300. The CD-60 dreadnought is a great entry-level acoustic guitar–it’s a Fender, and Fender always makes sound quality a priority. This guitar features a laminated spruce top, laminated nato back and sides, a mahogany neck and a rosewood fingerboard and bridge.
Taylor Baby Taylor
For those blessed with a small stature or are looking for a more portable guitar to carry around, there’s the Baby Taylor. It’s got a 3/4 size body style and comes in two variants. The B1 has a Sitka spruce top, sapele neck, sapele laminate back and ebony fingerboard. The B2 has the same specs but with a mahogany top, giving it a warmer tone.
Epiphone DR-100
The Epiphone DR-100 has long been a bestseller in the realm of acoustic guitars because it ticks all of the boxes: it’s got a great tone, it’s built well, it’s inexpensive and it’s easy to play. The DR-100 features a laminated spruce top, mahogany body, rosewood bridge, mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard. It’s been described as a campfire option, which means you can take it to camping trips (or wherever) or lend it to someone without worrying too much about it getting damaged as you would with a guitar that costs hundreds more.
Do you agree with our list? What other acoustic guitar models out there can be considered affordable but not lacking in quality? Let us know in the comments!
Courtesy of Nicky , knowyourinstrument.com
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These are best guitars to buy. Nice information.
Thanks Megha
Many of my young students have invested in the Baby Taylor guitars and I can honestly say they are fantastic starter guitars for serious beginners. They sound great, they are loud and bright, and they are made quite well.