Getting to know your very first instrument is always an amazing journey. You can feel the vibration of the sound going through the guitar and then through your body. You are the master of sound. In order to get this amazing feeling, you need to connect with your instrument in the most intimate way possible. That is the hardest thing to do because finding a perfect guitar can be a real headache. Tons of options for the starter instrument are available on the market. They are advertised so well that you cannot even distinguish crappy ones from the quality ones. Do not worry, we will make your job easier as we have done research into this matter and made a list of the best acoustic guitars for beginners, and gathered some useful tips. Get ready, now you are about to find out all the secrets that beginners do not usually have an idea about. Here goes the list.
What’s The Best Acoustic Guitar For Beginners?
| Image | Guitar Model | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | Seagull Coastline S6 Spruce Guitar |  (4.9 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Bristol BD-16 Dreadnaught Acoustic Guitar | (4.9 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Fender FA-100 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Bundle |  (4.8 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Rogue RA-090 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar |  (4.7 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Alvarez Artist Series AF30 Folk Guitar |  (4.6 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Fender Acoustic Guitar Bundle | (4.6 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Yamaha Gigmaker Standard Acoustic Guitar Pack | (4.6 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Jasmine S35 Acoustic Guitar |  (4.5 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Sawtooth Acoustic Dreadnought Guitar Bundle |  (4.4 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Ibanez 6 String Acoustic Guitar Pack IJVC50 |  (4.3 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
Seagull Coastline S6 Spruce Guitar
The decision to take up something new is always exciting. It can stem from our lifelong desire, or be a spontaneous spark that we choose to follow. Regardless, those first moments are always filled with exhilaration. But as we face reality and actually start practicing that new skill, we get scared and intimidated. Such an experience is even more common when it comes to playing guitar. Taking those first steps can be frustrating, but there are ways to alleviate those painful moments. You can start off with a guitar that will make your job easier – something that will be convenient to play and durable enough to withstand our clumsy hands. That’s when Seagull Coastline S6 enters the game. This puppy is quite affordable, yet its sound isn’t cheap by any means. Its solid spruce top and laminate wild cherry back and sides will give you the possibility to produce beautiful, balanced sounds. This one is really easy to play and is truly a perfect match for beginners. And who knows, maybe you develop such strong feelings that you won’t ever want to let go!
Pros:
- Good value for money
- Balanced tone
- Well-built
Cons:
- You might have to lower the action
Bristol BD-16
Bristol BD-16 Dreadnaught Acoustic Guitar is very budget-friendly, so you will definitely not have to rob a bank in order to buy this item. Not only it is affordable but it has pretty high quality as well. It is definitely one of the top guitars for the list of best beginner acoustic guitars. This instrument has a spruce top and mahogany back and sides. A bright, full-range sound is provided with this amazing craftsmanship. Neck of this guitar is designed specifically to make hours of playing simple and comfortable. That is one of the key features that a beginner should look in new instrument. Mahogany’s neck is very slim, with a smooth rosewood fingerboard to ensure nice playability. This guitar is equipped with Chrome-plated 14:1 die-cast machine, so do not worry about it going out of tune. Overall you will be quite impressed with the instruments’ performance, especially for such a great price. It will definitely encourage you to play more often and make it hard to stop and put it down.
Pros:
- Great Sound
- Affordable
- Flexible
Cons:
- Plastic Bone and Saddle
Fender FA-100
Making a step into the music is pretty simple with Fender FA-100 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Bundle. It is so affordable that you do not need to invest a lot to start right away. Just take a look at its beautiful aside, with X bracing and glossy finish. It surely has a nice and attractive design. This guitar has impressive craftsmanship in relation to the extremely budget-friendly price. Its top is made of Spruce, as for the back – it is Basswood Back and Sides. The neck of the instrument is designed specifically to make jumping into music simple for beginners. It is made of Maple, with Laminated Hardwood and satin finish. The neck has “C” shape. Your hand will simply slide like a breeze on his smooth and sleek neck. The instrument is equipped with chrome hardware. When you are a beginner you might not know which genre to play, where you will be best or what will intrigue the most, therefore Fender FA-100 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Bundle will be perfect for you, as it will suit all genres of music. So you will have a lot of time to find your sound.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Beginner Friendly
- Adequate Sound
Cons:
- Not for Professional Use
- Tuning Stability
- Agathis Body
Rogue RA-090
Rogue RA-090 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar will not disappoint anyone who plays it, especially if you keep in mind its super affordable price. The instrument is available in three different colors: Sunburst, Natural and Black. My personal favorite is the natural one as it gives me a sensation of being close to nature as well as music altogether. This guitar has pretty impressive craftsmanship for the price, definitely better than you would expect for the price. It has a whitewood top and mahogany back and sides, so sound quality is nice. The RA-090’s C-shape neck, 1-2/3″ nut width, and 16″ radius gives this guitar good playability, which is very important feature that beginner should look for when starting out. This instrument features nickel hardware and covered tuners, so it holds the tune well. Everyone thinks that starting a new instrument needs a big financial investment. Manufacturers of Rogue RA-090 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar proved society wrong, as they created the most affordable instrument that has pretty solid overall performance quality for beginners.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Pretty Design
- Beginner Friendly
Cons:
- Tuning Instability
- Flat Tremolo
- Easy to Outgrow
Alvarez Artist Series AF30 Folk Guitar
Once you start looking for your first acoustic guitar, there are a couple of things you should keep in mind. But the first feature that you should pay attention to is the size (it might lose its significance as you mature as a musician). Since beginner’s hands aren’t used to the heavy load of playing guitar, they might get tired easily if your instrument is too big. In that case one of the most optimal choices is a folk guitar. Alvarez Artist Series AF30 is perfect for novices. Its shape will hug your body and the playing process will feel extremely comfortable. The top is solid A Sitka spruce, while the back and sides are made out of mahogany. The build quality is surprisingly good at this price point, and it’s guaranteed that this puppy will last you for a while. You might need to make some adjustments in the beginning in order to tailor this instrument to your taste and playing preferences, but other than that you won’t have any problems. AF30 has a beautiful tone – its sound can even be mixed up with that of a more expensive guitar. If you ask me, you should go for it!
Pros:
- Sounds way more expensive than it actually is
- Comfortable to play
- Suitable for different techniques
Cons:
- Might require some adjustments in the beginning
Fender Acoustic Guitar Bundle
Fender always impresses us with their new and modified guitar bundles for beginners, not only in acoustics but in electric and acoustic-electric instruments as well. The pack has everything you need to jump into playing part right away: gig bag, tuner, strings, strap, picks, Austin Bazaar Instructional DVD, and polishing cloth. They really know how to make the job easier. It has full-size laminated spruce dreadnought body and Agathis back. It all delivers a warm, vibrant tone. Fender Acoustic Guitar is perfect for any music genre. The neck of Fender acoustic guitar is very comfortable to hold. It has nice playability. This undoubtedly is suitable for a nice get up for a beginner or for someone who just wants a guitar to noodle around with. You will be pleasantly surprised at the overall performance quality of this guitar. It definitely is a great deal for the price.
Pros:
- Good Sound
- Affordable
- Part of a Bundle
Cons:
- Tuning Stability Issues
- Agathis is soft
Yamaha Gigmaker Standard Acoustic Guitar Pack
Yamaha never ceases to amaze us with the perfect way it combines high-quality craftsmanship, sound and low price. This specific model has all you need to start playing right away: Gig Bag, Tuner, Instructional DVD, Strap, Strings, and Picks. It is available in natural wood color. Its top is made of spruce. As for the back and sides-material is Meranti. It all enables the purest and natural sound. Yamaha Gigmaker has Nato neck with rosewood fingerboard. It enables you to play non-stop for hours. The instructional DVD – included in the package will help you learn basic chords, strumming patterns and all the beginner stuff. This guitar has Legendary Yamaha quality and performance. It surely is a good representative of the Yamaha family. A lot is packed in such a budget-friendly instrument. Do not forget that it is backed with a limited lifetime warranty.
Pros:
- Beginner Friendly
- Great Sound
- Part of a Bundle
Cons:
- Tuning Instability
- A bit of buzz
Jasmine S35
Jasmine S35 Acoustic Guitar features spruce top and Laminated Nato back & sides. It has a beautiful natural wood look with satin finish. The guitar is equipped with Chrome-covered Tuning Machines. Therefore it rarely goes out of tune. Considering that it is super affordable, Jasmine S35 delivers a great sound. It has a warm tone and nice sustain. But you should definitely not expect it to sound like an instrument that costs thousands. It is a nice starter guitar. If you want to make your experience better, we would advise you to change strings on your guitar, as it has a bit of fret buzz sometimes. Overall performance quality is pretty nice, better than what you would expect for this price. Jasmine S35 Acoustic Guitar is perfect for beginners.
Pros:
- Incredibly Affordable
- Beginner Friendly
- Adequate Sound
Cons:
- Tuning Instability
- Easy to Outgrow
Sawtooth Acoustic Dreadnought Guitar Bundle
Sawtooth Acoustic Dreadnought Guitar Bundle is full-size Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar. It has Spruce Top with a Mahogany back and sides. The neck is made of mahogany, with a rosewood fretboard. It is very smooth, so you will play with ease. The instrument is available in four different colors – different shades of natural and black. Bear Claw Inlays on the neck really is a nice asset to the design. Guitar bundle includes: ChromaCast 4 Pick Sampler, Nylon Acoustic Guitar Bag, Tuner, Nylon Guitar Strap, Upright Guitar Stand, & online lesson, so the minute you get it you are ready to rock out. Sawtooth Acoustic Dreadnought Guitar is equipped with chrome hardware, so it rarely goes out of tune. The strings are bright and sound good. Overall, this instrument is beautiful and sounds very good. Amazing beginner starter kit.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Bundle
- Beginner Friendly
Cons:
- Easy to Outgrow
- Booming sound when played hard
- Tuning Stability
Ibanez 6 String Acoustic Guitar Pack IJVC50
What can be a better option for beginners than a jam pack? When you’re getting started, you don’t really need a high-end guitar – you still won’t be able to get the best out of it. An inexpensive, yet decent guitar will be the best choice. An even better deal is a pack. It has all the essentials that you’ll need, which means you won’t have to get all the accessories separately. By getting a jam pack, you’ll save yourself a lot of money and time. Ibanez IJVC50 is one of the best deals you can get for the price. It’s so inexpensive that you’ll be wondering if it’s a scam. Luckily, it isn’t. The included guitar has a grand concert shape.It is made from spruce top and laminate back and sides. Durable bridge, neck and fingerboard complete the guitar. The sound is wonderful as well – it has defined highs, lows and mid-range. You’ll also find picks, a chromatic tuner and a gig bag in the package. As you can see, Ibanez IJVC50 is a great value for money!
Pros:
- Comes with everything you’ll need
- Good craftsmanship
- Full-bodied acoustic sound
Cons:
- Might have some buzz while strumming
- Included tuner doesn’t have the best quality
Being a beginner sucks in a lot of kind of ways, especially if you have never dealt with a string instrument. I clearly and painfully remember myself in your place. Back in the days there was no source of information such as this and I pretty much never had anyone to advise me in the matter of guitars. Every time I went to different shops, I got so carried away by the beautiful looks of guitars that I could not even look at specs. Even if I did look at them it was as good as alien language to me. I was lost and did not know what to look for. All the instruments were advertised in the best way possible, some said that it had amazing sound, other claimed to be perfect starter kit. The list of that kinds of offer goes on and on. The manufacturers know very well how to advertise their products. Those kinds of ads are definitely baited and they surely attract a lot of customers. Time has since gone by and I have learned a lot about guitars. Well… I learned it the hard way. From my rough experience, because unfortunately I often made mistakes back in my childhood. Now I am ready to share the stuff that I learned, because obviously, I do not want any beginner to feel deceived. That “crucial mistake: really affects motivation ending up a bad influence on the process of learning how to play. Oh, how I wish I knew that back in the days. But anyways, to learn is to know that whatever happened, was worth it. I mean this rough experience made me want to learn more about instruments in details.
Guitars from this list are definitely the best and most popular ones among starter guitars, so we hope you made up your mind about what to purchase. Well at least reduced number of options from infinity to a couple. We understand that you might still have some doubts and questions about what is the best starter acoustic guitar, therefore we will give you some extra super-secret information that all of the musicians wish they knew when they were just starting out, including me. With those tips, tricks and some general information, you will understand why we advise you one or another model of guitar.
How to choose a beginner acoustic guitar
First of all, you need to know what you expect from the instrument you are about to purchase. Do you want to play it at home for fun? Or do you plan to have concerts with it when you develop? Is it for long-term usage or short-term? When you make up your mind about this expectation, the list of infinite options from will get a little shorter.
You also need to know white size body do you want your instrument to have – small, medium or large? Smaller body styles have less base and more focused tone. Larger body styles deliver more base, power and volume.
After that you should do a lot of studying, and that is actually a must do. You need to know all the details about how the best beginner acoustic guitars are constructed, which material provides the sound that you like the most, the “missions” of each part of the instrument etc. That really takes a lot of time. But do not worry we made this research for you so enjoy the product of our work.
There are several kinds of materials used to create acoustic:
- Spruce -This wood delivers strong tone and crisp sound. It can be played hard without losing the clarity of the sound but can lack character when played softly.
- Cedar – It produces sound with less clarity but more power. It has warm tones and rich harmonics.
- Mahogany- It has a warm tone, but lacks a character a bit so will suit those who play blues, or who like natural sound.
- Maple – delivers bright sound, nice sustain and clear tones on high frequencies.
All in all it comes down to personal preferences. You should know at least what kind of sound do you expect from the instrument. Make up your mind about it and do not stop search until you find your sound. Keep in mind that instruments’ top material influences sound much more than the material of back and sides, so if you are looking for a budget-friendly purchase, do not economize on tops quality.
One more thing that you have to know is – what is the difference between a laminated top and a solid top. Well… to be short, laminated wood is cheap wood layers combined with one layer of nice wood. if you are on a really tight budget we would advise you to go for a solid wood top and laminated back and sides. Tops’ quality really has a huge impact on the sound so definitely go for the solid one.
Neck profile and nut width are other stuff you need to consider while buying acoustic. Depending on your playing style and your comfort level, sustain neck profiles will feel great whereas others might feel not. As for the nut, wider nut width is great for fingerstyle, but not for strumming and basic chord practice. So, we would advise you to try out everything yourself and find your perfect match.
Sometimes when buying an acoustic guitar people do not pay a lot of attention on the fingerboard and bridge. Well… in vain, because that is where your hand will be resting for a lot of hours, so you should make it fit you in the best way possible. The most common fingerboard materials are Ebony and Rosewood. There is a big difference between them. They have proved within a long time to be great, but still, the feel is completely different. Ebony has a much smoother feel, great for bending notes and it is very easy to use. As for the Rosewood has a bit more resistance to bending notes and feels completely different. Both feel good but in different ways, so it would be great if you could try them out yourself. Keep in mind that most of the time fingerboards and bridges are made of the same material. But bridge material is not as important as its style.
There are two basic bridge styles – Vintage and Modern.
When you are a beginner, you might pay so much attention to the specs of the instrument, as you do not really know a lot so you are extra careful and attentive to it. That is very good, but you should not forget that the aesthetics of the instrument is pretty important in the long run as well. First of all, it directly affects your desire to play and motivation. If I were you, I personally would be more than happy to learn from the guitar that looks beautiful and makes me feel like a pro musician right way. Also, it affects the price of the instrument. Some extra inlays and bracings can really change guitars’ price and they do not really affect the sound. So, it surely is one thing to think about before you buy.
Conclusion
I know what it feels like to be a beginner. Your desire to be able to play top tracks you listen to, is very big. You feel motivated and eager to learn everything at the starting point. Then you pick up an actual instrument and realize that learning is not that easy; well, it certainly went like this in my case. I remember how I was struggling with the simplest chords. I felt useless and unable to learn anything. But… That is exactly where you need to find strength and continue the learning process. It is hard to push yourself to the limits, and out of your comfort zone. Learning a new thing is always a challenge, but I promise you if you work hard enough, at least a few hours every day, you might be next Steve Vai. In fact, all of us can be. It all depends on our work ethic and desire. It’s about how badly you want to achieve something. We hope that this list of best acoustic guitars for beginners will be useful, together with the tips and general informational guide. Turn this article into the first step of your success. We wish you all the best in your guitar hunt. Find your sound, the perfect match and connect with it in the best way possible.
Very interesting to see the Bristol BD-16. I had not heard of Bristol before, but it looks like it’s owned by the same parent as Blueridge Guitars. I’ll have to check that out. They make fantastic bluegrass/folk guitars.