We've played epic affordable six-strings from Epiphone, Taylor, Fender, Yamaha and more – read on for our best beginner acoustic guitar recommendations and watch our video demos
Buying your first acoustic guitar is a fantastic moment and one you'll never forget – I can certainly remember my first flat-top. That's why it's critical to do your research and ensure you get the best acoustic guitar for beginners that fits your needs from day one. Luckily, you've come to the right place. My name is Daryl, and I’ll be your guide through the wonderful world of beginner acoustics. I’m a former music retail manager and I spent much of my 10 years in that part of the industry helping new players choose the right first guitar. Now, I write about and review guitars for a living for Guitar World.
For me, a great acoustic guitar for beginners should be both inviting to play for newbies and sound good enough to keep their attention, all while being affordable and accessible to the majority of rookie guitarists – in my opinion, every instrument I've included in this guide achieves this.
I’ve gone to great lengths to provide as much information in this guide as possible to ensure you make the correct choice. Along with detailed write-ups covering the ins and outs of each guitar, you’ll also find a video demo for each of our top picks. For the videos, I played each guitar at various dynamic levels so you can compare and contrast the sonic qualities of each instrument. I’ve even included sizing photos so you can see how large each model is – particularly useful if you're purchasing a guitar for a child or you're a smaller player. For reference, I'm 5'11".
Currently, my beginner acoustic top pick overall is the Fender CD-60S. In my humble opinion, this dreadnought offers a great balance of playability and affordability, and frankly, if you're simply looking for a great guitar that won’t cost the earth, this is the flat-top for you. For young players, I suggest the Gretsch Jim Dandy. This guitar is notably smaller than the Fender, making it a better fit for children. It also looks fantastic, which is a nice bonus. For adults seeking an instrument with a more grown-up feel and tone, I’d highly recommend Yamaha’s classic FG800.
If you're stuck with any of the terminology in this guide, I've included a glossary that will shed light on all the key terms I've used, and there's a handy FAQ further down the page, too.
With this Fender, you have a leading brand producing an excellent acoustic guitar at an entry-level price. In our tests, we found that this dreadnought’s all-mahogany construction produced a full, rounded sound with playability to match.
We have to start by saying we absolutely love the look of the Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy. Its small stature and stunning finish just oozes vintage charm. That said, to be included in this best acoustic guitars for beginners guide, it needs to go deeper than just good looks – thankfully the G9500 more than delivers.
One of the lowest-priced guitars in our guide, Yamaha’s FG800 is a seasoned veteran in the beginner 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.
Well-made, easy to play and with a visual flare that makes it stand out from the crowd, D'Angelico’s Premier Gramercy isn’t your average acoustic guitar for beginners, that’s for sure.
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.
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.
✅ Buy If you want a big-name brand on a budget: Fender is the biggest name in the business, and the CD-60S is the perfect entry-level guitar from this legendary guitar maker. ❌ Avoid if you are small or don't like large guitars: The dreadnought body of the CD-60S produces a massive sound, but it can be a little too large for some to hold.
With this Fender, you have a leading brand producing an excellent acoustic guitar at an entry-level price. In my tests, I found that this dreadnought’s solid top construction produced 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 compared to other guitars in this bracket. 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.
As this is a dreadnought guitar, it's more suitable for adults or older kids due to its size and scale. For younger players, we recommend checking out the next entry in this guide, the Gretsch Jim Dandy, as it's more tailored for children and provides a better playing experience for them.
In our review, we said, “Crucially for a beginner’s acoustic, Fender gets the neck profile bang on. The CD-60S is a joy to play, and backs this up with an impressive tone, making chords sound full and wide, yet with a detailed midrange and a vibrant top-end that adds a little magic to the mix.” High praise indeed for just an affordable acoustic guitar.
Best beginner acoustic guitars: Fender CD-60S demo - YouTube
“I found the CD-60S to be one very playable dreadnought with a wide, well-balanced tone that belies its modest price. Ideal for beginners – fun for all.”
The short 24" scale makes it great for kids and beginners
Reasons to avoid
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Some might find the fretboard a little cramped
At a glance
✅ Buy if you want a traditional-sounding guitar: The Jim Dandy has plenty of retro charm and a sound to match. It's warm and full of character. ❌ Avoid if you need onboard electronics: If you are after a guitar you could eventually play on stage, we recommend looking at a model with a built-in pickup system.
I have to start by saying I absolutely love the look of the Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy. Its small stature and stunning finish just oozes vintage charm. That said, to be included in this guide to the best beginner acoustic guitars, it needs to be more than a good-looking guitar – thankfully, the G9500 more than delivers.
In our review, we noted just how impressed we were with the guitar's low action and how well-intentioned it was across the neck. Tonally, it’s as you might expect. Obviously, the reduction in body size also means that it’s not going to have the bass and resonance levels of a standard dreadnought. Instead, the tone is bright but not brash when strummed, and fingerpicked notes have a definite ‘pluck’ to them, with a strong attack and slightly reduced sustain.
There aren’t many acoustic guitars that are this much fun to play, and even fewer from respected names at this price point – making it an easy recommendation from us at Guitar World. Looking for more options for your little one? Check out my full guide to the best guitars for kids.
Now, this guitar is rather small and may be too small for adults or older kids. So, please bear that in mind when you are making a purchase. For adults, we suggest looking at either the Fender CD-60S or the Yamaha FG800.
Best beginner acoustic guitars: Gretsch Jim Dandy Concert demo - YouTube
✅ Buy if you are seeking superb build quality: For us, Yamaha offers the best build quality at this price point. Their guitars are impeccably finished and well-made. ❌ Avoid if you need onboard electronics: Unfortunately, this model does not come loaded with a preamp or pickup.
One of the lower-priced guitars in our guide, Yamaha’s FG800 is a seasoned veteran in the beginner’s acoustic field – but don’t let that small price tag fool you.
In my time in music retail, I must have sold hundreds of these guitars over the years, but while filming the demo videos for this guide, I was reminded just how good this model sounds (a reaction mirrored by our cameraman and sound guy, too). The sound generated by this beauty could easily come from a more expensive guitar, and in use, it’s reliable at holding its tune, too.
A solid spruce top, more usually found on higher-priced guitars, helps create an impressive tone. And we think it really is the sound that allows this guitar to 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 body is rather large – so young kids will want to avoid this model for sure. The Yamaha FG800 is our top choice for adult beginners looking for an acoustic guitar, as we think the simple finish and larger body size make it perfect for older players.
Best beginner acoustic guitars: Yamaha FG800 demo - YouTube
“There’s no doubt about it, the Yamaha FG800 is one of the greatest beginner acoustic guitars of all time. Its solid top helps deliver a rich, full-bodied tone usually reserved for more expensive instruments. In addition, the smooth neck is comfortable, extremely playable, and perfect for players at the beginning of their musical journey.”
✅ Buy if you want superior upper-fret access: As this guitar has a cutaway design, it is ideal for those who want to play lead parts higher up the fingerboard. ❌ Avoid if you don’t like bright-sounding guitars: This guitar has a very crisp tone that some may find a little abrasive at times. If you prefer a warmer tone, you may want to opt for a different model.
Well-made, easy to play and with a visual flare that makes it stand out from the crowd, D'Angelico’s Premier Gramercy isn’t your average acoustic guitar for beginners, that’s for sure.
Featuring a grand auditorium-shaped body, this single-cutaway guitar is ideal for players with a slightly smaller frame, while the common use of a solid spruce top and sapele back and sides deliver a bright and articulate attack that to my ears sounds just as good strummed with a pick as it does played with purely your fingers.
Now, I think it’s important to think past the beginner stage when choosing a guitar. If your budget allows it, you should most definitely consider purchasing a guitar that’s more future-proof. Thankfully, this D’Angelico fits that brief. Coming loaded with a discreet Fishman pickup system, this stunning beginner acoustic is stage-ready right out of the box.
Best beginner acoustic guitars: D’Angelico Premier Gramercy demo - YouTube
“In my opinion, the D’Angelico Premier Gramercy is, undoubtedly, a fine guitar for the money. It is well-made, sounds decent, and looks interesting. Some players may find the tone on the bright side, but it can't be denied that the Premier Gramercy offers outstanding value for players of all levels.”
✅ Buy if you want volume and power: This guitar is bright, loud and powerful. We absolutely love the sound of this guitar, and we believe you will too! ❌ Avoid if you don't like dreadnought guitars: We are aware that dreadnought guitars aren’t for everyone. Some don't like the large body, and if that's you, we recommend a concert or folk-sized guitar.
At around the $270 mark, the Alvarez AD30 is another dreadnought delivering well above its diminutive price tag. In my tests, I found that it kicks out significant volume from its sitka spruce-topped mahogany 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.
The guitar's construction is rugged, and it 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.
As you can imagine, the "under $500" price category is a rather competitive one. Almost every brand has a guitar in this price bracket, but my top choice has to be the Alvarez AD30. This guitar is superbly put together, and the tone is vibrant and engaging.
Best beginner acoustic guitars: Alvarez AD30 demo - YouTube
“Boasting an impressive spec, I found that the Alvarez AD30 delivers the classic dreadnought sound and response that we all know and love at a fantastic price point. For me, this is more than just a superb first guitar, it’s also a fun and reliable workhorse.”
✅ Buy if you are seeking a comfortable small-body guitar: The Taylor GS Mini is a joy to sit with and incredibly comfortable for all ages. ❌ Avoid if you need a loud guitar: Due to the small nature of the body, this isn't the loudest guitar on this list.
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.
I found the sound to be warm and clear, tending towards the mid-range. Though the trebles are bright, despite the size, the bass doesn’t lack. The sound also includes ample sustain with notes enduring longer than would be expected from a ‘mini’. The onboard electronics provide a stunning amplified tone that certainly rivals more premium models.
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 guitars 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.
Not to mention, it also takes our top slot for the best guitar for small hands as well as being our favorite beginner model for those looking for an electro-acoustic – the humble GS Mini can do it all!
Best beginner acoustic guitars: Taylor GS Mini demo - YouTube
“They say good things come in small packages, and Taylor can certainly attest to that with the GS Mini. Not only is this scaled-down guitar super fun to play, but I think it also has a sound that would rival some of its larger-bodied competitors.”
Take a look at how our top choices compare, side-by-side.
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Model
Retail price
Style
Solid Top
Electronics
Suited for
Fender CD-60S
$199/£149
Dreadnought
Yes
No
Adults/older kids
Gretsch Jim Dandy
$189/£189
Parlor
No
No
Kids/smaller players
Yamaha FG800
$229/£248
Dreadnought
Yes
No
Adults/older kids
D'Angelico Premier Gramercy
$249/£199
Grand Auditorium
Yes
Yes
Adults/older kids
Alvarez AD30
$329/£249
Dreadnought
Yes
No
Adults/older kids
Taylor GS Mini-e
$699/£699
GS Mini
Yes
Yes
Kids/smaller players
Also consider
The above models are our top choices when it comes to the best acoustic guitars for beginners, but to compile the list, we had to review many more instruments. Below, you'll find a small selection of other beginner acoustic guitars that received positive reviews recently, but didn't quite make it into our top six.
Epiphone Hummingbird Studio★★★★☆ Type: Dreadnought | Top: Solid Spruce| Back & Sides: Mahogany Based on its big brother from parent company Gibson, the ‘real’ Hummingbird would set you back closer to $3,000, so this one is a bargain - and easily one of the best acoustic guitars under $500. We found the sound to be well-balanced and ideal for various styles, though the action, straight from the box, could be slightly lower to make it easier for beginners to play. For electrified sessions, Epiphone’s built-in Eperformer preamp is versatile enough to dish out a wide range of tones. Elsewhere, for us, the Grover tuners maintained reliable tension.
Martin LX1E Little Martin★★★★☆ Type: Travel guitar | Top: Spruce| Back & Sides: HPL Don’t let the size fool you, though. Along with a brightness, in our test the guitar provided 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.
Seagull S6 Original ★★★★☆ Type: Dreadnought | Top: Solid Cedar| Back & Sides: Wild Cherry 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 everything 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.
Glossary of key terms
I know that the terms used when talking about the beginner acoustic guitars in this guide can be confusing. So, before we dive into the advice, here are the meanings behind common terminology you'll see in this guide and beyond.
Body style: Acoustic guitars come in various shapes and sizes, from parlor and grand auditorium to dreadnought and jumbo. Typically, which is right for you at this stage in your playing career comes down to size. We go into more detail about the sizes below.
Top: The top of the guitar refers to the wood on the face of the instrument. This can be solid wood or a combination of woods, which we call a laminate top. The type of wood used for the top significantly impacts the tone of the guitar.
Back & sides: Again, like the top, the back and sides of an acoustic guitar can be made from a variety of different woods. At this price point, you’ll mostly see laminate construction, as all solid guitars are generally a lot more expensive.
Fingerboard: The fingerboard is the playing surface of the neck of the guitar. This can be made from everything from rosewood to walnut, Richlite and pau ferro. Each brings their own characteristics to the table, and which you like mostly comes down to personal preference.
Scale length: Simply put, the scale length refers to the distance between the top nut and the saddle on the bridge – and is used to measure the total playable length of the instrument.
Electronics: When we talk about electronics in the context of acoustic guitars, we refer to the pickup system, preamp, or even an onboard tuner. Of course, at this early stage of your playing, you don’t necessarily need a pickup, but if you have aspirations of playing live, you’ll want to consider a model with electronics.
How to choose the best beginner acoustic for you
(Image credit: Future/Matt Baker)
If you're reading this guide, it's likely you're in the market for one of the best acoustic guitars for beginners, either for you or someone you know. In this section, I have gathered everything you need to know to ensure you make the right choice, from details about what to look for, to buying advice specifically aimed at parents purchasing a guitar for their child. This is all based on my own experience of buying, selling and reviewing guitars over the last 10 years.
Now, before I get into the buying advice, I should also mention that the majority of the models showcased in this guide are available left-handed, so if you're a southpaw, you'll still be able to get your hands on one of our recommended guitars.
For starters, here's a bitesize look at what to consider before you buy:
Think about guitar size: do you need a baby acoustic, small-bodied acoustic, dreadnought or jumbo? Not sure what that means? I've cover the different guitar sizes further down the page. If you’re unsure what is the right size for you, just remember that you want to be able to get your right arm over the body comfortably, then, when seated with the guitar on your lap, you need to be able to reach to the end of the headstock without stretching.
Are you buying a trusted brand? Fender, Epiphone, Yamaha and Taylor are well-known brands and are great places to start.
Does the guitar have a low action: this refers to the height of the strings above the fretboard – a lower action makes a beginner acoustic guitar easier and more comfortable to play.
Do you want to play higher notes? You'll need a guitar with a cutaway in order to access the higher frets.
Do you have a guitar tuner? A tuner makes a wise investment to keep your guitar sounding good, so I would recommend buying one at the same time as your new guitar.
Do you want to amplify your playing? If you plan on playing live through a PA system at some point, you’ll need to retrofit an acoustic guitar pickup, or opt for an acoustic electric guitar that comes already fitted with electronics. My #6 option fits the bill for this.
Harness the power of reviews: Once you've narrowed down your options, it's time to dive into the world of reviews. But remember, not all reviews are created equal. To get a comprehensive understanding of the guitars you're interested in, consult both professionally written editorial reviews and user reviews from forums. This balanced approach will equip you with the knowledge you need to make an informed decision.
FAQs
(Image credit: Future/Matt Baker)
Who are beginner acoustic guitars for?
Beginner acoustic guitars are designed for individuals new to the world of guitar and are looking to start their musical journey. These guitars cater to a wide range of players, including children and adults. They are an ideal choice for those who are just beginning to learn how to play the guitar and are seeking affordable and user-friendly instruments to help them get started.
Whether it's a child taking their first steps in learning music or an adult looking to pick up a new hobby, beginner acoustic guitars are versatile and suited for anyone looking to embark on their musical endeavors.
In this guide, I've paid careful attention to the models we recommend to ensure we cover the full spectrum of players. There are smaller models for kids, budget-friendly options for adults, and even an electro-acoustic model for those aspiring to start gigging.
Are beginner acoustic guitars easy to play?
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 acoustic guitar 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 an acoustic guitar for beginners with a body cutaway below the neck.
What are the different acoustic guitar sizes and shapes?
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.
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 this 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.
How do I tune a beginner acoustic guitar?
Tuning is typically a challenge for beginners, so guitar tuners, which ease the process and help you retain correct tension, are a vital accessory. If your budget is tight there are plenty of great affordable clip-on guitar tuners on the market too. These are small, relatively inexpensive and easy to use.
If you get really stuck, we've compiled this handy step-by-step guide showing you how to tune a guitar.
How much should I spend on a beginner acoustic?
Once you've worked out exactly what you need from your beginner acoustic you can start to figure out your budget. I'd certainly suggest you avoid the sub-$100, non-branded options you'll find on sites like Amazon. You'll quickly outgrow them and you'll run into issues like poor tuning stability, less than ideal action and poor sound.
As the guitars in this guide prove, you can get your hands on a seriously well-equipped beginner acoustic for around $150. In fact, set a budget of between $150 and $250 and you'll walk away with a guitar that you will happily play for a few years without needing to upgrade.
Up your budget a little further and you can expect better components, improved tone and you may even get electronics as part of the package.
Where is the best place to get beginner guitar lessons?
Picking up one of the best acoustic guitars for beginners is no use unless you know how to play at least the basics on it. Some people are able to pick things up by ear, or are lucky enough to have someone in the house to show them the ropes. If neither of these apply, I would always recommend taking lessons if you're able.
Face to face lessons are a great way to build a bond with a teacher and develop your skills in a hands-on way, but if you want to quickly understand basic guitar techniques, learn from the comfort of your home and don't have a huge budget, online lessons are a great, affordable route to take. You can learn more and discover our favorites in this guide to the best online guitar lessons.
You can currently make savings on a some of those platforms using the codes below, too.
Where is the best place to buy a beginner acoustic?
When it comes to buying your very first acoustic guitar, it's important to buy from a well-respected site or store. Now, while there are myriad music retailers out there, I only recommend the shops and sites we as a team trust and have had experience dealing with personally.
In the US, we highly recommend taking your custom to Guitar Center, Musician's Friend, Sweetwater and Fender. These sites always have competitive prices and more importantly, they each have excellent customer service and generous returns policies.
In the UK, start with Thomann, Andertons, PMT, Fender and Gear4Music. Again, these sites always deliver when it comes to excellent prices, while also providing stellar customer service.
When should I buy a beginner acoustic guitar?
You may feel like there's no better time to shop than Black Friday, Amazon Prime Day, President’s Day or Memorial Day. And while it's certainly true that the Black Friday guitar deals are often pretty remarkable, the truth is, beginner acoustic guitars are regularly on offer throughout the year.
You can expect to see significant price drops on big-name brands, heavily discounted bundle deals, and clearance offers even outside of annual sales events.
So if you are in the market for your first beginner acoustic guitar, we don't suggest waiting around. Head over to your preferred retailer and see what offers they have on right now, or better yet, let our clever price widgets show you the best deals available from across the internet.
Should I use user reviews, forums and influencers to help me find a beginner acoustic?
You can trust Guitar World
Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
When looking for a beginner acoustic guitar, it's important to gather information from different sources. User reviews and forums can give you a good idea of how the guitar performs for beginners. However, keep in mind that it's also valuable to consider professional reviews and unbiased opinions.
Professional reviews provide in-depth evaluations of things like how easy the guitar is to play, how well it's made, the type of wood used, and how it compares to other guitars on the market. These reviews explore important factors that you might not find in user reviews alone.
By taking into account both user experiences and expert evaluations, you can make a well-informed decision when choosing a beginner acoustic guitar that fits your needs and preferences.
I'm a parent, what do I need to know?
It can be daunting for parents to pick out the best beginner acoustic guitar for their child. You don't want to make the wrong choice and make learning more difficult for them, or worse, put them off the instrument completely.
But hey, don't stress! We've got your back with some handy tips.
Pay careful attention to the size: Guitars come in various shapes and sizes, so it's important to select the correct one for your child. As a general rule of thumb, you want to make sure your little one can easily reach the end of the neck while in the seated position without stretching too much. Typically, we suggest that under-12s opt for a short-scale or 3/4 guitar, and for 12 and up, we recommend a full-sized instrument.
Price vs quality: When it comes to beginner acoustics, you really don’t need to spend too much to get a great instrument. That said, you want to ensure that you are buying the best quality instrument you can afford. The better the instrument's build quality, the better it will play and the more chance your little one has of sticking with it!
Don’t forget the accessories: To give your child the best possible chance of sticking with the guitar, you’ll want to ensure they have everything they need to play properly. A selection of guitar picks, a spare set of strings, a guitar strap, a guitar tuner, and a gigbag for carrying it around to and from lessons are all must-have accessories.
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Guitar World boasts over 44 years of expertise and stands as the ultimate authority on all things related to guitars. The magazine and website feature expertly written gear round-ups and top-quality, authoritative reviews penned by a team of highly experienced industry professionals.
Guitar World's inaugural print issue hit the shelves in July 1980, and ever since, it has been captivating players and enthusiasts with engaging lessons, insightful interviews with the biggest guitar heroes, and priceless buying advice for newbie players.
Furthermore, GuitarWorld.com continues this legacy online and serves as the hub of the world's foremost authorities on guitar playing. The site not only hosts content from Guitar World but also showcases articles from respected publications such as Guitarist, Total Guitar, Guitar Techniques, and Bass Player. With a reach extending to 3.8 million players each month, GuitarWorld.com is a go-to destination for guitar fanatics globally.
Below, you'll find more information about the expert author of this guide.
Daryl Robertson
I'm Guitar World's Senior Deals Writer. In this role I create and maintain the 200+ buyer's guides you'll find on the site, find the best deals on guitar products for our readers, and test the latest gear. My reviews have been featured in prominent publications including Total Guitar, Future Music magazine and MusicRadar.com.
During my career, I have been lucky enough to talk to many of my musical heroes, having interviewed Slash and members of The Offspring, Foo Fighters, Sum 41, Thrice, and more. Prior to joining the Guitar World team, I worked in music retail, at Kenney's Music in Dundee, Scotland. For a decade, I advised everyone from absolute beginners to seasoned pros on the ultimate gear for their needs, from beginner acoustic guitars, to top-end modelers.
How we test beginner acoustic guitars
(Image credit: Future)
When it comes to beginner acoustics, every player has their own personal preferences regarding the tone and feel. That said, regardless of taste, there are a few key criteria that a beginner acoustic guitar must meet before myself and our testing team feel comfortable recommending it.
When we receive a guitar for review, we start by asking ourselves the following questions:
How easy is the guitar to play for a complete beginner?
Does the guitar sound inspiring?
Is this model well-made and robust?
And does the guitar offer the player good value for money?
Below you'll find a breakdown of the tests we carry out to answer each of these questions.
Build quality: Like with all instruments, we first examine the overall build quality. We closely inspect every inch of the guitar, from the body and neck to the machine heads, bridge, and saddle, to ensure it feels robust and sturdy and ready to take you on your musical journey.
Playability: We'll next check the consistency of the fretwork to confirm there aren't any sharp frets or uneven frets that may result in buzzing. This ties into the guitar's playability. For us, the guitar should be comfortable for someone completely new to the instrument, and this means a reasonably forgiving neck and unobtrusive body.
Sound: Next, we turn our attention to the sound of the beginner acoustic guitar. To test the tone of the instrument, we will try a variety of different playing techniques and styles to see how the guitar handles them, from strumming wide-open chords with a flat pick to soft fingerpicking and everything in between. We are carefully listening to the volume the guitar produces and the overall tonal balance of the sound.
Value: Lastly, we'll carefully combine our thoughts on all the above sections – from design and performance to sound – and weigh them against the acoustic guitar's price to determine whether it's worth the investment. After all, finding the perfect balance between quality and affordability is key to choosing the right beginner acoustic guitar for your needs.
One of the most significant factors to consider when choosing your first guitar is the sound it produces – that’s why I've recorded and filmed a short playing demo of every guitar in the guide. That way, you can make an informed decision based purely on which model you think sounds the best.
In order to keep things simple, I performed the same chord progression on every guitar at three dynamic playing levels. First, I strummed the guitar with a plectrum to show off the instrument's volume range. Next, each note was picked individually to display the guitar's note clarity. Lastly, I ditched the pick and used my fingers to see how the guitar reacted to the subtle nuances of fingerpicking.
Myself and the team recorded the video demos in our dedicated studio in Bath, UK. If you’re a regular consumer of guitar content on YouTube, you may recognize this space as the famous Guitarist Tone Lounge.
Now, to ensure the most natural tone possible, we used a simple crossed microphone technique – known as the X-Y technique – to capture the exact sound in the room. We used a pair of Austrian Audio CC8 condenser mics for this. In my opinion, this humble stereo microphone set-up typically produces the most true-to-life sound, perfect for hearing the guitar as you would if you were the one playing it.
As you’d expect, we did apply some post-processing to the audio once it was captured, but we kept this to a minimum. A little compression was applied to help keep the volume levels consistent throughout the demos, and EQ was used to cut “boomy” frequencies that built up in the room. Lastly, we added a touch of digital reverb to add a sense of depth to the recording.
Latest updates
Recent updates
10/10/24: We have completely overhauled this page, adding demo videos for each guitar, sizing guide photos so you can get a better sense of the scale of each guitar and added more in-depth information and clarity to our buying advice section. 06/06/24: In addition to auditing the products, we've also gone into further depth with our buying advice and testing methodology. 04/03/24: To simplify this guide, we've narrowed our choices to only six products. These are the six models that we truly believe are the best beginner acoustic guitars on the market right now, and most worthy of your cash.
Daryl is a Senior Deals Writer at Guitar World, where he creates and maintains our 200+ buyer's guides, finds the best deals on guitar products, and tests the latest gear. His reviews have been featured in prominent publications like Total Guitar, Future Music magazine, and MusicRadar.com.
During his career, he has been lucky enough to talk to many of his musical heroes, having interviewed Slash and members of Sum 41, Foo Fighters, The Offspring, Feeder, Thrice, and more. In a past life, Daryl worked in music retail. For a little under a decade, he advised everyone from absolute beginners to seasoned pros on the right gear for their needs.
Daryl is also a fully qualified sound engineer, holding a first-class Bachelor's degree in Creative Sound Production from the University of Abertay.
