When it comes to acoustic guitars under $500, there are a lot of great options to choose from. But if you’re looking for the best of the best, then you’ll want to check out our top picks. These guitars offer excellent sound quality, playability, and value for money. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, you’re sure to find the perfect acoustic guitar for your needs on our list. Also, you don’t need to break the bank to get a great sounding guitar. In fact, there are a number of affordable options that offer excellent quality and sound.
One of the most important things to consider when choosing an acoustic guitar is the body style. There are three main body styles: dreadnought, concert, and grand auditorium. Dreadnought guitars are the largest and loudest of the three, and they’re perfect for strumming and flatpicking. Concert guitars are smaller and more comfortable to play, and they’re great for fingerpicking and delicate strumming. Grand auditorium guitars are a hybrid of the dreadnought and concert styles, and they offer a good balance of volume and comfort.
Another important factor to consider is the tone of the guitar. The tone is determined by the type of wood used in the construction of the guitar. Spruce is a popular choice for acoustic guitars because it produces a bright and clear sound. Mahogany is another popular choice, and it produces a warm and mellow sound. Cedar is a less common choice, but it produces a rich and resonant sound. Ultimately, the best way to find the right acoustic guitar for you is to try out a few different models and see which one sounds and feels the best to you.
Best Overall Acoustic Guitar: Taylor GS Mini
The Taylor GS Mini is a compact yet powerful acoustic guitar that offers an exceptional playing experience for a wide range of musicians. Crafted from solid mahogany for the top, back, and sides, it delivers a warm, rich tone with excellent projection and sustain. The GS Mini’s smaller body size makes it incredibly comfortable to play, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner learning your first chords.
Featuring a solid spruce top, the GS Mini boasts a bright and articulate sound that perfectly complements the warmth of the mahogany body. The Sitka spruce top adds exceptional clarity and articulation, ensuring that every note rings out with pristine clarity. The mahogany body, on the other hand, provides a rich, deep tone with ample sustain, making it ideal for fingerstyle playing and strumming.
Beyond its exceptional tone, the Taylor GS Mini is meticulously constructed to ensure durability and playability. Its solid wood construction guarantees its longevity, while the ebony fretboard and bridge offer a smooth and responsive feel under your fingers. The GS Mini’s compact size makes it an excellent choice for travel, allowing you to enjoy its exceptional sound wherever you go.
| Features | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Top | Solid spruce |
| Back and Sides | Solid mahogany |
| Fretboard | Ebony |
| Bridge | Ebony |
| Body Size | Grand Symphony Mini |
| Price | Around $500 |
Best Value for the Money: Yamaha FG800
The Yamaha FG800 is a remarkable acoustic guitar that offers an exceptional combination of quality, versatility, and affordability. With its solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, this guitar delivers a rich and resonant tone that is both warm and articulate. The Dreadnought body style provides ample projection and volume, making it suitable for a wide range of musical styles, from strumming to fingerpicking.
Key Features:
| Body: Dreadnought |
| Top: Solid Spruce |
| Back and Sides: Mahogany |
| Neck: Nato |
| Fingerboard: Rosewood |
| Frets: 20 |
| Scale Length: 25.5″ |
| Electronics: None |
| Price: Around $500 |
One of the most notable aspects of the FG800 is its exceptional playability. The comfortable neck and low action allow for effortless fretting and smooth transitions across the strings. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, you’ll appreciate the ease and responsiveness of this guitar.
The Yamaha FG800 is not only a great value for the money but also a guitar that will grow with you as you develop your musical skills. Its well-rounded tone and exceptional playability make it a versatile instrument that can adapt to any genre or playing style. If you’re looking for an acoustic guitar that offers both quality and value, the Yamaha FG800 is an excellent choice.
Best for Beginners: Fender CD-60S
The Fender CD-60S is a versatile and affordable acoustic guitar that’s perfect for beginners. With its comfortable dreadnought body, easy-to-play neck, and budget-friendly price tag, the CD-60S makes learning the guitar a breeze.
Features:
- Dreadnought body shape for a full, resonant sound
- Laminated spruce top for durability and brightness
- Mahogany back and sides for warmth and projection
- Easy-to-play 20-fret rosewood fingerboard
- Chrome-plated tuners for tuning stability
Pros:
- Comfortable and easy to play
- Great sound for beginners
- Affordable price point
Cons:
- Laminated top may not sound as resonant as solid wood
- Can be a bit bulky for smaller players
Conclusion:
The Fender CD-60S is an excellent choice for beginners who want a guitar that is easy to play, sounds great, and won’t break the bank.
Comparison of Acoustic Guitars Around $500
| Guitar | Body Shape | Top | Back and Sides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fender CD-60S | Dreadnought | Laminated Spruce | Laminated Mahogany |
| Yamaha FG800 | Dreadnought | Solid Spruce | Laminated Mahogany |
| Epiphone DR-100 | Dreadnought | Solid Spruce | Laminated Mahogany |
| Taylor GS Mini Mahogany | Grand Symphony Mini | Solid Mahogany | Laminated Sapele |
| Martin LX1 Little Martin | 000 | Solid Spruce | Laminated Mahogany |
Best for Intermediate Players: Martin DX1AE
The Martin DX1AE is an excellent choice for intermediate players looking for a versatile and well-crafted acoustic-electric guitar. With its solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, it produces a warm and balanced sound with plenty of projection. The Fishman Sonitone pickup system ensures natural amplification without sacrificing the guitar’s acoustic character.
Materials and Construction:
The DX1AE features a solid spruce top, which provides excellent resonance and clarity. The mahogany back and sides contribute to a warm and woody tone, with balanced sustain. The neck is crafted from select hardwoods, offering a comfortable playing experience. The guitar’s overall construction is solid and durable, ensuring longevity.
Features:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Fishman Sonitone Pickup | Natural amplification with minimal tonal alteration |
| Solid Spruce Top | Excellent resonance and clarity |
| Mahogany Back and Sides | Warm and woody tone with balanced sustain |
| Comfortable Neck | Select hardwoods for a smooth and comfortable playing experience |
Best for Advanced Players: Taylor 214ce
The Taylor 214ce is a high-quality acoustic-electric guitar that is perfect for advanced players who are looking for a versatile and well-crafted instrument. It features a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a rosewood fingerboard and bridge. The guitar has a cutaway design for easy access to the upper frets, and it comes equipped with Taylor’s Expression System 2 electronics for clear and natural sound amplification. The 214ce is a great choice for players who want a guitar that is both beautiful and functional.
Features:
- Solid spruce top
- Mahogany back and sides
- Rosewood fingerboard and bridge
- Cutaway design
- Taylor’s Expression System 2 electronics
Specs:
| Body Shape | Grand Auditorium |
|---|---|
| Cutaway | Venetian |
| Top Wood | Sitka Spruce |
| Back & Side Wood | Sapele |
| Neck Wood | Mahogany |
| Fretboard Wood | Ebony |
| Bridge Wood | Ebony |
| Scale Length | 25.5″ |
| Nut Width | 1.6875″ |
| Electronics | Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT1 |
Best for Bluegrass Music: Gibson J-45 Standard
The Gibson J-45 Standard is a classic bluegrass guitar with a warm, resonant tone. It features a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a rosewood fingerboard. The J-45 has a full, balanced sound with plenty of projection, making it ideal for playing lead fills and rhythm guitar. It’s also a versatile guitar that can be used for a variety of other genres, including folk, country, and rock.
7. Faith Neptune Blood Moon Burst
If you’re solely interested in a solid top guitar under the $500 range, then Faith Neptune Blood Moon Burst is your pick. This guitar is not only widely available but comes in a lovely design. It has a solid cedar top with mahogany back and sides. It offers a classic sound with well-balanced rich tones.
| Body | Dreadnought Cutaway |
|---|---|
| Top | Solid Cedar |
| Back & Sides | Mahogany |
| Electronics | Fishman Isys+ System |
| Scale Length | 650mm |
| Neck | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Rosewood |
Best for Rock Music: Martin D-28 Modern Deluxe
The Martin D-28 Modern Deluxe is a top choice for rock guitarists thanks to its powerful sound, excellent playability, and stunning aesthetics. Crafted with a solid Sitka spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides, this guitar delivers a rich, resonant tone with plenty of volume and projection. Its modern appointments, such as a Fishman Matrix Infinity pickup system and a sleek black finish, make it a perfect fit for today’s stage performances.
8. Exceptional Playability
The Martin D-28 Modern Deluxe is a dream to play, thanks to its comfortable Modified Low Oval neck shape and smooth Richlite fingerboard. The 1-3/4″ nut width and 25-3/16″ scale length provide a natural and balanced feel that makes it easy to navigate complex chords and lead melodies. The rolled fingerboard edges further enhance comfort, allowing for hours of effortless playing.
Additionally, the D-28 Modern Deluxe features a Performance Taper neck, which is slightly narrower at the nut and gradually widens towards the body. This design reduces hand fatigue and promotes a more secure grip, especially during extended playing sessions.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Neck Shape | Modified Low Oval |
| Fingerboard Material | Richlite |
| Nut Width | 1-3/4″ |
| Scale Length | 25-3/16″ |
| Neck Taper | Performance Taper |
Best Acoustic Guitar Around $500
When it comes to acoustic guitars, there are a lot of great options available for around $500. Here are the factors to consider when looking for the best acoustic guitar around $500:
Body style: The body style of the guitar will affect its sound and playability. Dreadnought guitars are known for their loud, booming sound, while concert guitars are more mellow and balanced.
Tonewoods: The type of wood used to make the guitar will also affect its sound. Spruce is a common choice for acoustic guitars because it produces a bright, clear sound. Mahogany produces a warm, mellow sound, while rosewood produces a rich, full sound.
Playability: The playability of the guitar is important for both comfort and sound. The neck should be comfortable to play, and the action should be low enough to make it easy to fret the notes.
Electronics: If you plan on playing the guitar plugged in, you’ll need to look for one with a pickup. There are a variety of different pickup systems available, so be sure to do your research before you buy.
Here are a few of the best acoustic guitars around $500:
Yamaha FG800: The Yamaha FG800 is a great all-around acoustic guitar that is perfect for beginners and experienced players alike. It has a dreadnought body style that produces a loud, booming sound, and it is made with high-quality materials that ensure durability.
Fender CD-60S: The Fender CD-60S is another great option for beginners. It has a concert body style that produces a more mellow sound than a dreadnought, and it is made with solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides.
Epiphone AJ-220S: The Epiphone AJ-220S is a great choice for players who want a vintage-style acoustic guitar. It has a slope-shouldered dreadnought body style that produces a warm, mellow sound, and it is made with solid mahogany top and back and sides.
People Also Ask
What is the best acoustic guitar for beginners?
The Yamaha FG800 is a great choice for beginners because it is affordable, durable, and easy to play.
What is the best acoustic guitar for fingerpicking?
The Fender CD-60S is a great choice for fingerpicking because it has a concert body style that produces a mellow sound that is perfect for this style of playing.
What is the best acoustic guitar for recording?
The Epiphone AJ-220S is a great choice for recording because it has a warm, mellow sound that is perfect for recording.
