Recommended Acoustic Guitars for Beginners

When I was first starting out on guitar, it was hard to find a decent acoustic with a solid top for under $600.  Even then, my first solid top acoustic which cost about as much didn’t play as well as the guitars being produced for a fraction of the cost these days.  It’s true that you get what you pay for, but these days, you get a whole lot more bang (or should I say strum) for the buck!

If you’ve got a great local music instrument shop, I’d recommend you pay them a visit and check out their offerings and suggestions.  Otherwise, here’s a quick list of some of my favorite starter / budget minded acoustic guitars…

Disclosure: Amazon buys me coffee when I refer sales from the links below.  ( Full Disclosure )

Acoustic Guitars for Adults

Good

Fender FA-100 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Pack

Price: $144.99

Includes:
  • Gig Bag
  • Strap
  • Picks
  • Tuner
  • Extra Set of Guitar Strings
Specs:
  • Dreadnought Body Style
  • Rosewood Fingerboard & Bridge
  • Laminated Spruce Top

Better

Fender CC-60S

Price: $219.99

Specs:
  • Concert Body Style
  • Solid Spruce Top!
  • Laminated Mahogany Back & Sides
  • Adjustable Truss Rod
Includes:
  • Hard Case
  • Tuner
  • Extra Strings
  • Picks
  • Strap

Smaller Body Option

For those who would like a smaller sized body in a full/adult sized guitar. Also popular amongst those who play folk/Americana/finger-style. Has a smaller sound overall than the larger dreadnought style.

Fender CP-60s

Price: $199.99

Specs:
  • Parlor Style Design
  • Solid Spruce Top!
  • Mahogany Back & Sides
Includes:
  • Tuner
  • Stand

Best

Guitars below have solid spruce tops and built in pickups at minimum.

Fender CC-60SCE

Price: $339.99

Specs:
  • Concert Style Body (Slightly Smaller than Dreadnought – Very Comfortable)
  • Solid Spruce Top!
  • Mahogany Back & Sides
  • Cutaway Style Body
  • Fishman Low Profile Pickup/Preamp
  • Built In Guitar Tuner!
Includes:
  • Hard Case
  • Tuner
  • Guitar ¼” Cable
  • Strap
  • Picks
  • Extra Guitar Strings

Fender CP-140SE

Price: 399.99

Specs:
  • Parlor Style Body
  • Solid Spruce Top
  • Rosewood Back & Sides
  • Easy to Play Neck with Rolled Fingerboard Edges
  • Fishman Pickup/Preamp with Tuner!
Includes:
  • Guitar Only

Acoustic Guitars for Kids

Age 8 -12 (¾ Size)

Fender MA-1

Price: $139.99

Specs:
  • 3/4 Size
  • Rosewood Fretboard
  • Agathis Wood Top
Includes:
  • Gig Bag

Yamaha JR1

Price: $149.99

Specs:
  • Laminated Spruce Top
  • Meranti Back and Sides
  • Rosewood Fingerboard and Bridge
Includes:
  • Gig Bag
  • Tuner
  • Picks
  • Extra Set of Strings
  • String Winder

Age 6-9 (½ Size)

Yamaha JR2

Price: 159.99

Specs:
  • 1/2 Size
  • Laminated Spruce Top
  • Mahogany Back and Sides
  • Rosewood Fretboard and Bridge
Includes:
  • Gig Bag
  • Tuner
  • Picks
  • Extra Set of Strings
  • String Winder

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