Congratulations, you’ve decided to learn acoustic guitar! Sweetwater has an impeccable selection and the best acoustic guitars for beginners.
Our team inspects and vets instruments on a daily basis, which helps us assure the quality and performance of countless guitars, including starter instruments.
Let’s begin with an overview of the popular acoustic guitars for beginners. Selections include nylon-string classical acoustic guitars, acoustic-electric guitars, and traditional steel-string acoustics (what most beginners play).
Next, our buying guide will arm you with tips, tricks, and expert advice — everything you need to shop stylishly and kick-start musical dreams. Let’s dig in!
- Epiphone DR-100 Dreadnought Acoustic
- Fender FA-15 3/4-scale Dreadnought Acoustic
- Luna Art Vintage Folk Concert Acoustic
- Yamaha FG800J Folk Acoustic
- Washburn WA90CE Dreadnought Acoustic-electric
- Martin D Jr-10 Acoustic Guitar
- Ibanez AEG70L Left-handed Auditorium Acoustic-electric
- Cordoba Mini II Short-scale Nylon-string Acoustic
- Taylor Baby Mahogany BT2 3/4-scale Acoustic
- Breedlove ECO Rainforest S Concert Acoustic-electric
- Best Beginner Acoustic Guitars Buying Guide
Note: At Sweetwater, we know there’s no such thing as “best” when it comes to music gear. Every player and artist has unique tastes, which is what makes selecting gear so fun! The items on this list feature some of our favorite products from top manufacturers to help you start your buying journey! Explore these recommendations and dive into Sweetwater’s massive collection of gear on our online store. For personalized picks and expert advice, please contact our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!
Epiphone DR-100 Dreadnought Acoustic
A high bar for low-cost acoustics
Acoustic guitars don’t get much more alluring than the square-shoulder Gibson dreadnought. The DR-100 from Epiphone (Gibson’s sister company) brings the look and formula of this iconic American flat top into a value-packed beginner acoustic.
It’s the classic dreadnought formula: a spruce top on mahogany back and sides plus a mahogany neck for added stability. Sparkling tones pop off the Vintage Sunburst top. Factor in a true nitrocellulose finish, and the DR-100 has great potential to be a guitar you keep in your collection for years to come.
| Product: | Epiphone DR-100 |
| Body Shape: | Square-shoulder dreadnought |
| Body Woods: | Spruce top; mahogany back and sides |
| Neck: | Mahogany, SlimTaper “C” profile |
| Fingerboard: | Rosewood, 12-inch radius |
| Electronics: | N/A |
| Sounds Like: | Pop, country bluegrass |
| Pros: | • Brings square-shoulder • Gibson innovation to the massesIconic dreadnought tonewood recipe delivers full, focused tone • SlimTaper mahogany is stable yet nimble |
| Cons: | Gloss nitro finish over dark wood may show surface scratches from strumming. Stage players looking for less fuss may consider the natural-finish DR-100. |
Fender FA-15 3/4-scale Dreadnought Acoustic
A small acoustic that still feels familiar
We touch on 3/4-scale acoustics more in the buying guide section below. But, effectively, the FA-15 is 75% the length of a standard dreadnought acoustic. This means there’s less space between the metal frets, which results in a more comfortable play, especially for younger players.
We like to recommend the FA-15 to students on account of its shorter reach between frets. This makes it easier for beginners and players with smaller hands to learn chord shapes and to get familiar with the fingerboard layout.
Does that make the FA-15 strictly a kids guitar? No way! This hunky busker is just as fun to play parked around a campfire as it is while sitting in the comfort of your own hacienda. In fact, our customers tell us its silvery gleam looks especially enchanting under the light of a full moon.
| Product: | FA-15 |
| Body Shape: | 3/4-scale dreadnought |
| Body Woods: | Laminated agathis top; laminated sapele back and sides |
| Neck: | Nato, “C” profile |
| Fingerboard: | Walnut, 11.81-inch radius |
| Electronics: | N/A |
| Sounds Like: | Campfire singalongs |
| Pros: | • 3/4 scale provides an easy reach between frets • Reduced dreadnought shape is perfect for practice and travel • Quality in surprising places: synthetic bone nut, walnut bridge, and upgraded Fender tuners |
| Cons: | Laminate construction may not appeal to every player. For a budget reduced-scale acoustic with a real spruce top, the California Series Redondo Mini is just a small step up. |
Luna Art Vintage Folk Concert Acoustic
A folksy acoustic with a broken-in look
Relicing — the process of re-creating the naturally worn look of a closet classic — is bigger than ever among guitar collectors today. But this treatment usually comes at a premium price. We’ve got to hand it to Luna for producing a relic’d acoustic at this price point that doesn’t compromise on other features. The Art Vintage Folk‘s dark-chocolatey stain has been worn in places to mimic the handling and strumming of a longtime owner. A satin finish and worn tuners add to the effect.
What’s underneath the Art Vintage Folk is just as important. Solid body woods (spruce and mahogany) give this comfortable concert a mature tone to match its well-loved look.
| Product: | Luna Art Vintage Folk |
| Body Shape: | Concert |
| Body Woods: | Solid spruce top; mahogany back and sides |
| Neck: | Mahogany, “C” profile |
| Fingerboard: | Pau ferro, 15-inch radius |
| Electronics: | N/A |
| Sounds Like: | Acoustic blues |
| Pros: | • Distressed finish mimics the natural wear of a well-loved favorite • Quality crafted from solid tonewoods • Comfortable concert body is like coming home to an old friend |
| Cons: | Chocolatey finish may disappear in dark performance environments. For a comparable build and a lighter-finished top, consider the Luna Wabi Sabi Folk A/E. |
Yamaha FG800J Folk Acoustic
An all-time best-selling beginner acoustic
It’s no surprise the FG800J and its forebears, the FG800 and FG700, are among the best-selling “beginner” acoustics in the world. These guitars deliver an incredible amount of value at an entry-level price. In fact, they’re exactly the type of guitar even experienced players come back to as practice instruments or knockabout guitars. They play great, sound nice, and typically come well set up and intonated.
The FG800J’s solid spruce top sounds full and dynamic when strumming or balladeering. Visually, the caramel-stained nato wood and tortoise teardrop pickguard add a nice dose of visual contrast to the natural-stained spruce. Altogether, these features make the FG800J a killer value for any student or beginner.
| Product: | FG800J |
| Body Shape: | Folk |
| Body Woods: | Solid spruce top; nato back and sides |
| Neck: | Nato |
| Fingerboard: | Rosewood, 15.75-inch radius |
| Electronics: | N/A |
| Sounds Like: | AM gold, ’60s folk |
| Pros: | • One of the best-selling acoustics on the planet • Solid spruce top sounds full and dynamic • Peppered with dashes of visual interest: tortoise pickguard, vintage flared headstock |
| Cons: | Nato back and sides may not be every player’s tonal taste. Substitute rosewood in the FG830. |
Washburn WA90CE Dreadnought Acoustic-electric
This starter is built for the spotlight
If you’re a beginning player who can’t wait to take the stage, then the WA90CE is for you. This great-playing cutaway dreadnought includes built-in Barcus Berry electronics with a 3-band EQ and onboard tuner for stage-ready great tone from the coffee shop to the subway station.
Sweetwater’s Don Carr recalls the first time he played the WA90CE:
“I sat down with one of the guitar buyers. He said, ‘How much do you think this guitar is?’ I went, ‘I don’t know, 4-, 5-, 600 bucks?’ $169. For a bound neck, electronics, the cutaway — nice burst, too.”
The cost savings come down to the WA90CE’s top, back, and sides being made from softer linden wood (basswood), which may not be able to produce the focus and harmonics common to spruce or rosewood. But, when you’re plugged in, this is much less of a consideration.
| Product: | WA90CE |
| Body Shape: | Cutaway dreadnought |
| Body Woods: | Linden top, back, and sides |
| Neck: | Okoume, “C” profile |
| Fingerboard: | Black walnut, 14-inch radius |
| Electronics: | Barcus Berry LX4 with tuner |
| Sounds Like: | Acoustic jazz, soft rock |
| Pros: | • Starter acoustic for any player who dreams of taking the stage • Competes with guitars two and three times its price • Onboard pickup with anytime tuner and 3-band EQ (plus Presence) |
| Cons: | Softer linden wood may lack the focus and harmonics of spruce. The same LX4 electronics are available in the spruce-topped Bella Tono Vite S9V. |
Martin D Jr-10 Dreadnought Acoustic
Esteemed Martin quality — now junior-sized!
You may be familiar with Martin already — but if not, here’s one of the world’s oldest and most beloved guitar manufacturers offering one sweet acoustic that prioritizes comfort. The Martin D Jr-10 is a junior-sized dreadnought, meaning it has a smaller body, a shorter neck, and fewer frets, all of which make it inviting and easy to play while you get your bearings.
The Martin sound is world-renowned, and the D Jr-10 lives up to that reputation by way of the quality tonewoods onboard. A solid spruce top is paired with sapele back and sides to produce outstanding richness and warmth that shines best when exploring classic acoustic material in the vein of country, rock, folk, and more.
| Product: | Martin D Jr-10 Acoustic Guitar |
| Body Shape: | Dreadnought |
| Body Woods: | Spruce top; sapele back and sides |
| Neck: | Select hardwood, high-performance-taper profile |
| Fingerboard: | Richlite, 16-inch radius |
| Electronics: | N/A |
| Sounds Like: | Country, folk, bluegrass |
| Pros: | • Brings the esteemed quality of Martin guitars to beginners with an approachable, shorter fingerboard • Pairs a big, full-bodied dreadnought sound with a more comfortable body shape |
| Cons: | May not be suitable for adults with large hands or thick fingers. See the Martin D-X1E Mahogany for a full-size dreadnought that’s beginner-friendly. |
Ibanez AEG70L Left-handed Auditorium Acoustic-electric
Commanding looks and stage-ready sound
Talk about a show stopper! The AEG70 (here in a left-handed model) features a figured flamed maple top decked out in a deluxe Tiger Burst gloss finish. The result is a bold-sounding acoustic that dances under the spotlight if you choose to perform.
To that end, the AEG70 comes equipped with performance-minded features like Ibanez’s AEQ-TTS undersaddle pickup system. Not only does this give you a feedback-resistant way to fill a performance space, but also the built-in tuner will have you sounding your best from the sofa to the stage.
Ibanez acoustics like the AEG70 punch well above their weight with pro features, including a Comfort Grip neck that cradles the hand during play and a soft Venetian cutaway for easy access to lead registers.
| Product: | AEG70L |
| Body Shape: | Cutaway auditorium |
| Body Woods: | Flamed maple top; nyatoh back and sides |
| Neck: | Nyatoh, Comfort Grip profile |
| Fingerboard: | Walnut, 15.7-inch radius |
| Electronics: | Ibanez AEQ-TTS with tuner |
| Sounds Like: | Modern percussive fingerstyle |
| Pros: | • Flamed maple top practically dances in the light • Onboard AEQ-TTS preamp makes playing out a breeze • Soft cutaway permits access to higher frets |
| Cons: | Lack of pickguard could reveal pick scratches over time. For a pickguard-loaded Ibanez acoustic, consider the Artwood AC340CE. |
Cordoba Mini II Short-scale Nylon-string Acoustic
The classical nylon sound made portable and affordable
Do you know a student who wants to get into classical guitar? The nylon-string Mini II is a great place to start. It’s affordably priced, student sized, and packed with pro features including a stunning layered flamed mahogany construction.
Even if you hadn’t considered a classical guitar as your first guitar, it might be a great choice. Many beginning players find nylon-string acoustics easier to play than steel strings. The strings are easier to press down and sound out, and, because they’re smooth, they don’t dig into the fingers as badly. Nylon-string acoustics also tend to deliver a smoother, more naturally compressed sound that can mask inconsistencies in strumming.
Think of the Mini II as a top-tier nylon-string guitar living in a large ukulele’s body. This guitar is loads of fun to pick up and jam on, especially for beginners.
| Product: | Mini II nylon-string acoustic |
| Body Shape: | Short-scale classical |
| Body Woods: | Layered flamed mahogany top, back, and sides |
| Neck: | Mahogany, “C” profile |
| Fingerboard: | Pau ferro, flat radius |
| Electronics: | N/A |
| Sounds Like: | Baroque, flamenco |
| Pros: | • A true nylon-string classical guitar within a large ukulele’s footprint • Beginners may find the nylon strings easier to play than steel • Handsome flamed mahogany layered body construction |
| Cons: | Beginners may not need or want the upgraded flamed mahogany construction. Fortunately, a non-flamed version of the Mini II is available at a cost savings. |
Taylor Baby Mahogany BT2 3/4-scale Acoustic
Taylor’s “Little Dreadnought That Could”
Small and developing hands will enjoy learning chord shapes and practicing on the go with this slinky-feeling mini from Taylor. The Baby Mahogany BT2‘s slender neck and teensy body make the perfect option for players catching the acoustic bug.
Even so, the Baby Mahogany BT2 is far more than a learner’s instrument. According to Sweetwater’s Nick Bowcott, “It looks tiny, but it doesn’t sound tiny!” A solid tropical mahogany top draws a mature tone from this capable three-quarter. From stem to stern, this guitar is loaded with Taylor-quality features — including an ebony fingerboard and micarta saddle — for great play and intonation.
The BT2’s weight and size also make it an easy traveler. Packing up for vacation? The BT2 will make it so you never miss a minute of practice. It even stows away on an airline’s overhead bin with the included soft case.
| Product: | Baby Mahogany BT2 |
| Body Shape: | 3/4-size dreadnought |
| Body Woods: | Solid tropical mahogany top; layered sapele back and sides |
| Neck: | Maple, standard profile |
| Fingerboard: | Ebony, 15-inch radius |
| Electronics: | N/A |
| Sounds Like: | Singer/songwriter |
| Pros: | • A great way for developing hands to learn the fingerboard • Solid tropical mahogany top produces a mature tone • Great for travel — guitar and case store in an airline overhead bin |
| Cons: | No onboard electronics. Stagegoers will want to consider the BT2e with Taylor’s Expression System Baby pickup system. |
Breedlove ECO Rainforest S Concert Acoustic-electric
Premium tone and visuals on a budget
Breedlove is on a mission to keep tonewoods renewable and sustainable for all generations of music makers.
Their ECO Rainforest S Concert pairs a solid African mahogany top with a 3-ply laminate mahogany back and sides. But, unlike lesser laminate guitars, the ECO Rainforest substitutes common tone-robbing softwoods for a core of solid African mahogany. As a result, you get deep visuals and vibrant, full-bodied tone at a price many solid-wood acoustics can’t touch.
The ECO Rainforest comes loaded with features that will give you or your beginner an advantage for practice and performance. These include Fishman Presys I electronics with an onboard tuner and Breedlove’s pinless bridge for faster string changes.
| Product: | ECO Rainforest S Concert |
| Body Shape: | Cutaway concert |
| Body Woods: | Solid African mahogany top; laminate mahogany back and sides |
| Neck: | African mahogany, Slim “C” profile |
| Fingerboard: | Ovangkol, 16-inch radius |
| Electronics: | N/A |
| Sounds Like: | Acoustic rock |
| Pros: | • Premium tone and visuals at a hobbyist price • Solid ‘hog top and mahogany-core laminate back and sides offer deep visuals and vibrant, full-bodied tone • Pinless bridge and Fishman Presys I electronics make this guitar a bona fide road warrior |
| Cons: | 360-degree black mahogany may not be every player’s cup of tea. To those, we’d recommend the Tiger’s Eye Myrtlewood ECO Pursuit Exotic S Concert. |
Best Beginner Acoustic Guitars Buying Guide
Check out these topics and shop like a savvy pro!
Below, you’ll find helpful tips for first-timers who want to be informed and well equipped. We answer frequently-asked beginner questions such as, “What are electronics?” and “How much should beginners spend?” The acoustic guitars listed above are excellent choices yet just a fraction of the options at your disposal. For more expert acoustic-guitar-shopping advice, don’t hesitate to contact a Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700!
Cost vs. Value: Where’s the Sweet Spot?
If you’re just looking for the most affordable option, then you should have no trouble finding a quality student-level acoustic guitar at Sweetwater that suits you for under $200. That said, if the budget permits, we often find noticeable bumps in quality around the $300 mark. Perks such as built-in electronics and premium solid-tonewood tops are frequently offered in this price range but are seldom seen below it. The Premier Tammany OM by D’Angelico is an exemplary option that provides quality construction, onboard electronics, and premium looks at a great price!
Electronics: Yay or Nay?
Many acoustic guitars come with pre-installed electronics that let players connect to amplifiers, sound systems, and recording devices. Electronics are vital if you plan to perform live, but many beginners will naturally shy away from performing early on. You can always purchase electronics and install them at a later point, but note that choosing a guitar with electronics onboard is typically cheaper than buying a separate system down the line. If the budget permits, then choose the one with built-in electronics. But if money’s tight — don’t sweat it! The beauty of an acoustic guitar is that you can always play it unplugged.
Body Style: Large, Medium, or Small?
Just like human bodies come in different sizes and shapes, so too do acoustic guitars. These characteristics can have a huge effect on your instrument’s sound and feel. Common acoustic guitar body styles here at Sweetwater include:
Dreadnought – Popular for its loud sound and flexibility, the dreadnought is a medium-large body shape suitable for countless genres and always available at great prices. Smaller players can find reduced-size dreadnoughts that fit them comfortably, as well, like the D Jr-10 by Martin!
Auditorium – This medium-size body shape takes the power of a dreadnought and transforms it with elegant curves that facilitate comfort. Auditorium-style curves typically deliver a focused sound that’s great for onstage performances and recording.
Jumbo – The jumbo shape’s bulky body brings out the oomph of the lowest, heaviest strings and is an outstanding choice for aggressive strumming and bluegrass-style flatpicking. Most beginners find the jumbo shape unwieldy, but smaller “mini” jumbos like the Epiphone J-200 EC Studio Parlor may serve your needs.
Concert – One of the most popular small-bodied acoustic guitar shapes, the concert body strikes a “Goldilocks” balance of comfort, projection, and fullness. Concert bodies handle fingerpicking and strumming gracefully, albeit with less sustain than their larger counterparts.
Orchestra – The orchestra body style (sometimes referred to as “OM” or “folk”) is a medium-size design. Much like the concert body style, orchestra models respond sweetly to fingerpicking and calculated strums. However, the orchestra model’s roots lie in vintage designs, which give it a rustic voice that contrasts with the concert shape’s more modern tone.
Parlor – This “travel-style” acoustic first became popular back in the 1930s, perhaps due to its compact size and punchy sound. Slim dimensions make parlors a perfect starter pick for many players, including children!
Travel-style – When you plan to practice at unusual times in unusual places, a travel acoustic guitar is the ideal choice. This category covers an assortment of portable options.
For instance, the Backpacker by Martin is perfect for avid hikers, while the Journey Instruments OF422 features a folding neck that’s ideal for frequent flyers. The GS Mini Series by Taylor gives high-quality sound a travel-friendly footprint, which has made the series quite a hit with novices as well as pros.
Scale Size and Length: Comfort Connoisseurs Weigh In!
Though they sound great, standard-size and large-bodied guitars may pose problems for players who:
- Are younger
- Have difficulty reaching their arms around a guitar’s body
- Have trouble stretching their fingers more than a few frets in width
- Want to backpack or fly with their guitar
An alternative such as a 3/4-scale or traveler guitar is often the best acoustic guitar for small hands. Three-quarter-scale models are widely available and feature shortened scale lengths, which shrink the distance between each note, and reduced body sizes, which make them easier to hold, play, and travel with! Unplugged, most 3/4-scale acoustics will not match a full-size acoustic’s power, but they’re not quiet by any means. Au contraire, these little guitars sound particularly punchy, and size affects sound less when plugging into amplification, which is why major artists like Taylor Swift have adopted them with arms wide open.
Tonewoods: Do They Matter?
Part of any acoustic instrument’s sound comes from the woods used to build it. You probably won’t develop tonewood tastes until you’re a seasoned player, but it’s good to familiarize yourself with these common tonewoods in case one matches your style.
Spruce
Spruce makes up the lion’s share of woods used to build acoustic guitar tops (sometimes called “soundboards”). Spruce is durable and stiff but incredibly resonant — this rare combination produces a bright, vivid sound that players love.
Mahogany
Mahogany’s sumptuous, full-bodied sound and lasting sustain make excellent acoustic-guitar backs and sides as well as tops and necks. When paired with a spruce top, mahogany backs and sides deliver bright, punchy tone. Paired with a mahogany top, those same mahogany backs and sides reveal a darker, warmer tone that’s often described as mellow. Sapele, nyatoh, and koa are a few popular mahogany-like tonewoods that are commonly seen in the beginner price range.
Rosewood
Like mahogany, rosewood is often used to build acoustic guitar backs and sides, but that’s the extent of what these tonewoods have in common. In skilled hands, rosewood highlights the nuance of each individual note, and notes tend to sound more independent than mahogany. Accordingly, many players who pride themselves on precise fingerpicking and flatpicking techniques find the benefits of rosewood irreplaceable.
Cedar
If you plan to start out with a nylon-string classical guitar, then the guitar you choose will likely have a cedar top. Cedar responds wonderfully to the touch — it has a sultry whisper when played gently but readily roars to life when the dynamics heat up. Cedar lacks some of spruce’s brightness, but classical players actually prefer the darker sound, which tends to hide small slip-ups and squeaky string noise more effectively than spruce.
Color/Finish: Find a Look That Inspires!
Looks aren’t everything, but they absolutely matter to players, and that’s doubly true for beginners! Some brightly colored acoustic guitars include Epiphone’s blue Starling and the orange Single 0 by Recording King. Loud colors aren’t for everyone, though, and plenty of acoustic guitars opt for natural wood finishes.
Using the Website: Expert Search Tips
Our site filters can fuel your search and show what color/finish options fall within your budget. Our content creators compiled the following tips for finding acoustic guitars on Sweetwater:
- Begin at our 6-string Acoustic Guitars page
- Use “Price Range” filters found in the left-hand column to show every option within your budget
- Select additional filters as needed (e.g., electronics, left-handed guitar)
- Sort results by “Price: Low to High,” “Most Popular,” or “Customer Rating” to spark some ideas
For more tips and reviews, check out Don Carr, Mitch Gallagher, and Nick Bowcott’s best beginner acoustic guitar buying advice on our YouTube channel:
Equip Yourself with the Best Acoustic Guitar for Beginners via Our Experts!
For more assistance, including personalized recommendations, Sweetwater’s Sales Engineers are an incredible resource you can’t find anywhere else. They can suggest acoustic guitars based on the genres you love or the challenges and special considerations you face. Don’t hesitate to call these guitar experts at (800) 222-4700 — no one else will work harder to make this first guitar-buying experience memorable!
