Have you ever had some kind of weird feeling while playing your acoustic? It is like you enjoy the sound but… something is missing. You want to get something more. Well, I guess one of the things that you might lack in sound is power. Acoustics really have an amazing, the most natural and authentic sound possible. When I play my acoustic, I feel like I am kind of connected to nature in some way. But the world is evolving, so is the sound.
That is exactly why I would like to offer you to check out acoustic-electric guitar. This instrument might give you exactly what you think you are missing in the sound of acoustic. There are tons of options available on the market of acoustic-electric guitars. Some are very expensive, but you can surely find solid, nice-sounding instrument even while on a budget. I made research into this matter and made a list of best acoustic-electric guitars under 300, so no need to worry. After reading the article you will be able to choose among top models available on today’s market and also get some basic knowledge about acoustic electrics. Here goes the list. Enjoy.
What’ The Best Acoustic-Electric Guitar Under 300
| Image | Guitar Model | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | Fender CC-60SCE Concert Acoustic Guitar |  (4.9 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Yamaha FGX800C |  (4.8 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Ibanez AW54CEOPN | (4.8 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Luna Henna Oasis A/E Select Spruce | (4.8 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Ovation AB24-5 |  (4.7 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
Fender CC-60SCE Concert Acoustic Guitar
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There are times when you discover something spectacular in a place where you expected the least. No, I’m not exaggerating when I’m saying that Fender CC-60SCE is a spectacular guitar, especially in its price range. Even though it doesn’t have any bells and whistles and neither does it have anything to write home about, it still deserves a name of one of the best acoustic-electric guitars under 300. Its typical, yet useful concert body shape has a cutaway, which makes the fretboard even more accessible. Speaking of accessibility, this fella has a walnut fingerboard with rolled edges that make playing easier and more comfortable. It’s not surprising that Fender recommends this guitar to anyone from entry-level players to intermediate guitarists – the former will benefit from its simplicity, while the latter can easily use it on smaller gigs. It’s worth mentioning that CC-60SCE has a solid spruce top, which is impressive, in my personal opinion. The body, sides and neck are made from mahogany – a pretty typical deal with such guitars. The cherry on top here is the Fishman CD preamp, which lets you craft your tone to your liking. I don’t think we could ask for anything better at this price point.
Pros:
- Decent electronics
- Solid top
- Great value for money
Cons:
- You might like its acoustic sound better
Yamaha FGX800C
Yamaha FGX800C is another masterpiece from Yamaha. Its overall aesthetics is definitely a catch. Yamaha never ceases to amaze us with how well it combines affordability and top-notch quality in its instruments. It has a solid Sitka spruce top and nato back and sides to deliver sweet and full tone. It has very nice rosewood fingerboard and bridge, so you will be able to play for hours nonstop. This guitar has an adjustable truss rod. The Yamaha FGX800C has very loud and strong sound in the low and mid-range. The instrument features an under saddle piezo pickup with a 3-band EQ, an adjustable mid-range frequency control, and a precision chromatic tuner for sounding as good as more expensive ones. The sound is so crisp and clear that even professional musicians will enjoy it. The instrument surely has traditional looks and outstanding quality, at an affordable price. A solid top guitar with a sound that is well-balanced without sacrificing its robust strength. Can be confidently recommended to all beginner guitarists.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Easy to play
- Great electronics
Cons:
- Not the best nut
- Not the best strings
Ibanez AW54CEOPN
Ibanez AW54CEOPN is yet another awesome guitar from a very well-known manufacturer. Solid mahogany construction gives this guitar a rich sonic signature. It has beautiful high-quality tonewood to deliver nice tone. Mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard provides you with solid action and excellent playability. When you pick up your AW54CE, you’ll be amazed by how fine this affordable acoustic guitar really is. The solid mahogany construction gives you a great-looking instrument with a big, balanced sound that’s ideal whether you’re strumming or fingerpicking. The Ibanez Artwood AW54CE acoustic electric guitar hits all the right notes easily. With a Fishman under-saddle pickup and an Ibanez AEQ210TF preamp, you get natural-sounding amplification that is plug-n-play simple. You even get an onboard tuner. Tune up, plug in, and enjoy its great acoustic guitar look, sound and feel. Ibanez AW54CE. Definitely is a catch.
Pros:
- Great sound
- Quality tonewood
- Great, easy to use electronics
Cons:
- Strings
- Might be expensive for beginners
Luna Henna Oasis A/E Select Spruce
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If you’re someone who pays attention to the design as much as they do to the sound and quality, then the following model will definitely be your cup of tea. Luna Henna Oasis has the sound, quality, and feel of a more expensive guitar, probably something that costs twice as much. Select spruce top, mahogany body and neck, Pau Ferro fingerboard and bridge don’t scream unique, but they do prove to be of amazing quality. The sonic projection is wonderful here and the tone you’ll hear here will shock you in a pleasant way. The reason why I mentioned design in the beginning is that Luna Henna Oasis features laser-etched henna design from UK henna artist, Alex Morgan. This makes this axe really appealing and definitely sets it apart from the rest of the options. The electronics are decent as well, you have nothing to worry about in that region. The only con with this one is that some guitars somehow get to the customers damaged physically. I think those are some quality control issues, but the chances of that happening are really low. If you ask me, the properties of Henna Oasis are worth the risk.
Pros:
- Looks and feels more expensive than it actually is
- The electronics have decent quality
- Expressive sound
Cons:
- Quality control issues (not all guitars come in perfect shape)
Ovation AB24-5
Ovation AB24-5 very well described by beginners as well as professionals. AB24-5 is most probably one of the most popular, affordable amplified acoustic guitar on the market. If you have not got much money but still want to have a great sounding electric acoustic guitar, Ovation AB24-5 is something you should check out. The body is made of a laminated spruce top paired with laminated back and sides. The neck is a simple but effective nato piece with a standard rosewood fretboard on top, so you get smooth and comfortable playability. Ovation AB24-5 is a great beginner guitar. Those on a budget who want to have an amplified acoustic guitar and get it without spending a fortune will simply love the Ovation AB24-5. It surely is a great deal for this price. Definitely delivers so much more than you could expect.
Pros:
- Great projection
- Good build
- Affordable
Cons:
- Basic electronics (but sufficient for this model)
- Action might be too high
What is the acoustic-electric guitar?
The acoustic-electric guitar is a combination of electric and acoustic. It is like acoustic guitar got married to an electric one and acoustic electric is the seed of their love. You basically get two instruments in one package. Acoustic-electric is a guitar that sounds like an acoustic, plays and feels like it as well, but you can connect it to the amplifier in order to get more volume, sound, and that growling voice of an electric. Electric acoustic guitars generally have piezoelectric pickups. As part of the acoustic-electric instrument is electric, you will need an incorporated into the guitar body preamplifier to amplify the signal before it reaches the main guitar amplifier.
Those preamps sometimes come with tone controls of varying types, but generally, equalizers with up to six frequency bands are used. Any of these instruments, whether it’s cheap acoustic-electric guitar or expensive, will satisfy every musician who lacks the power and volume while playing acoustic. You will get a lot of action an energy from this amazing hybrid instrument. The acoustic-electric guitar is perfect for on-stage performances, as it is a bit difficult to adjust the whole mic system so that the audience can hear the voice of your acoustic playing. With this instrument, it is as simple as connecting it to a nice amp.
I clearly remember myself in your place, so I really do understand what is it like to be limited with the budget when all you want to do is get a nice instrument and rock out right away. First of all, if you are just starting out do not expect to rock out right away.
Second of all, I did not know a lot of things when I was getting my first electric acoustic. So, we should try to make the most out of your budget. In my opinion, the most important part when getting a new instrument is comfort. That can be considered as more important factor than sound and actual specs, as you will not be able to enjoy your new guitar if it does not feel nice and smooth in your hands. So, playability is undoubtedly a thing to always keep in mind. Try to get an instrument that is a perfect match, not only with the sound but with the feel as well. After that imagine the sound that you want your instrument to have and find it. Pretty simple huh? Remember that the material of the wood affects the sound a lot, especially top wood material.
So definitely try not to economize on this. There are four kinds of woods in general, Spruce, Maple, Mahogany and cedar. Also, the sound is affected by the top being laminated. Laminated means that just one – an outside layer of nice wood is used in instruments craftsmanship, while solid fully uses high-quality wood. So, try to find guitar that has solid wood. At the end do not forget about the look of your new beast. It should make not only ears happy, but eyes as well. Because music is all about expression and pleasure, and aesthetics surely give us a nice feel. It enriches the whole playing experience.
Conclusion
These days the market is filled with so many options of instruments. When it comes to acoustic-electric guitars, you can find a lot of crappy guitars. They are well advertised in order to deceive innocent beginners. Others can be extremely and inadequately expensive. You might even want to give up on the idea of getting a new guitar, as it really is difficult to choose, especially when you are on a budget. I made this list to help you. You need to understand that in between the luxurious and crappy guitars there are a lot of nice, solid instruments that are perfect not only for inners but for professional musicians as well. In this list you will find best acoustic electric guitars under 300. Hope after reading the article you made up your mind about which model to buy and are one step closer to actually starting your musical journey. Wish you all the best in your guitar hunt.
