Having worked in a guitar store for the best part of a decade, the best acoustic guitars under $500 was my daily bread. There were more guitarists visiting my store and picking up an affordable acoustic than any other product. From beginners to more seasoned players, pretty much everyone gets the urge at some point to bag themselves a bargain acoustic, whether it's as a backup to their main guitar or just something that can sit around the house.
Nowadays, all the big guitar brands offer acoustic guitars under $500, meaning it can get pretty tricky to narrow it down to a select few, but I think I’ve got all the bases covered in this guide. I highly recommend you get a guitar with a solid top when spending in this price point, as it will massively improve the sound quality.
In my store, the Epiphone Dove Studio was an incredibly popular choice. It has the iconic Dove look and tone, without having to fork out thousands, and now features a solid spruce top. For those after something that delivers a lot of value below the $500 mark, I can't recommend the Takamine G Series GD51 enough, thanks to its no-nonsense build and excellent tonewoods.
If you’re looking for some beginner-friendly advice, my how-to-choose section covers the basics with three important considerations when looking for your first acoustic guitar. There are also FAQs for any burning questions and a glossary of key terms that address jargon and technical terms. So without further ado, let's dive into my favorite sub-$500 acoustic guitars.
My top picks
This guitar is perfect for those looking for the tone, feel, and stylings of the Gibson Dove at a fraction of the cost – suiting anyone from the beginner player looking for an inspiring first instrument to the seasoned pro looking for a guitar to take on the road and everyone in between.
Delivering superb projection and excellent tone thanks to the solid spruce top, the Takamine G Series GD51 gives you superb value below the $500 mark. It's super playable and built to Takamine's very high standards, so with this one you'll have a guitar for life.
For beginners who want a great starter acoustic, the Yamaha Storia I should most definitely be on your list of six-strings to check out. The premium aesthetic of the Storia really captured my heart, while the rich tone and effortless playability sealed the deal for me.
Best overall
✅ Buy if you’re after something that sounds as good as it looks: The Dove’s aesthetics have always spoken for itself, but it absolutely delivers in terms of sound quality.
❌ Avoid if you’re a smaller player: This Dreadnought body can be a cumbersome beast for those under a certain height.
Overview
The original Gibson Dove will go down in guitar history as one of the most beloved flat tops of all time. Its striking beauty is only surpassed by its unmistakable voice and rich harmonic overtones, but there is a catch – its excessive price tag.
Luckily, Epiphone has an option that delivers all the Dove goodness at a far more reasonable price – enter the Epiphone Dove Studio.
Build quality
Now, the eagle-eyed among you may recognize this guitar. This ornate acoustic once had a slightly different moniker, going by the title of the Epiphone Dove Pro. While Epiphone has rebranded the Dove, the impressive specs have stayed the same, featuring the classic combination of a solid spruce top and maple back and sides.
Playability
Couple this stellar sound with an extremely playable neck and onboard Fishman electronics, and you have a guitar that would be just as well-received at twice the price.
Sounds
Thanks to this choice of tonewoods, this Epiphone is brimming with top end, with a bright, immediate attack only found on the Dove. There is plenty of projection whilst hitting those cowboy chords, and the solid top helps this model with plenty of sustain.
Best value
✅ Buy if you want a powerful projection and great tone: Takamine makes fantastically loud Dreadnought acoustics, ideal for being heard over a crowd.
❌ Avoid if you want something a bit more exciting: Although great value for money, it isn’t the most exciting acoustic on this list.
Overview
Sometimes you just want to sit in the sun, crack open a couple of beers, and belt out some songs with a few friends – and the best guitar for that is the trusty dreadnought. Famed for its larger-than-life tone and powerful projection, the dreadnought has long been a firm favorite among singer-songwriters.
Build quality
If you are looking for a back-to-basics approach to your next guitar – but you don't want to compromise on tone or build quality – then the G Series GD51 might just be the guitar for you. Combining a solid spruce top with black walnut back and sides, this is a great workhorse acoustic that’s built to Takamine’s exacting standards.
Playability
The slim mahogany neck and 12" radius bound laurel fingerboard are sure to fit most players' hands, while the abalone rosette, mother-of-pearl dot inlays, and gold finishing touches bring a hint of class to this modestly priced guitar.
Sounds
Lastly, this traditionally handsome acoustic delivers all the rich low-end you'd expect from this iconic shape, with a harmonically complex tone that more expensive guitars could only dream of.
Best for beginners
✅ Buy if you’re looking for something different: Unlike other beginner guitars, Yamaha has really thought about the presentation with this one.
❌ Avoid if you’d prefer an active pickup system: Not having the ability to EQ tone onboard will be enough to dissuade some.
Overview
Okay, Yamaha acoustics may not be as sexy as Gibson and Taylor or have the historical gravitas of Martin, but make no mistake, they craft some of the finest instruments around. With the Storia range, Yamaha has set out to "transform the traditional acoustic guitar into a one-of-a-kind statement piece" – and well, we think they have nailed it.
Build quality
The attention to detail in this guitar is somewhat of a rarity in this price category, and it's refreshing to see Yamaha pull out all the stops for a guitar they say is aimed at the beginner end of the market. The off-white top with light blue interior is striking enough on its own, but add in the champagne-gold machine heads and bridge pins, as well as a mahogany and synthetic ivory rosette, and it culminates in a rather luxurious-looking guitar that wouldn't look out of place in the swankiest of New York apartments.
Playability
As we've already mentioned, the Storia is designed with beginners in mind, with its smaller body and slightly shorter scale making it very comfortable and easy to navigate. The satin smooth neck and C-shaped profile is a familiar choice, one that is incredibly popular for those just starting out.
Sounds
Tonally, the Storia I sits on the brighter end of the scale and you will also find a guitar that has pleasing articulation with a noticeable midrange. It lacks a bit of bass, but that’s to be expected from a guitar of this size. So, if you're looking for a guitar that has bags of style, is easy to play, and sounds wonderful, the Storia is most definitely the instrument for you.
Best compact
✅ Buy if you appreciate a vintage vibe: Looking straight from the Dust Bowl era, this will appeal to the cowboys
❌ Avoid if you’re looking for booming bass: Due to its size, bass response is slightly lacking.
Overview
Inspired by the historic "Rex" mail-order catalog guitars of the 1930s, the Gretsch Jim Dandy offers a whole lotta fun on six acoustic strings for around $200. It’s a petite and portable parlor that captures that mid-century spirit perfectly.
Build quality
Sporting a finish like Frontier Stain and a G-graphic pickguard that looks like it belongs in a dusty photograph, this charming little guitar packs lots of personality. Sure, it is a fully laminated construction, but this thing is built to last. It is even tough enough to sling over your shoulder whilst you go roamin’.
Playability
The C-shaped neck and 12" radius make it a very comfortable guitar for beginners, or even seasoned electric players looking for an acoustic that won't fight them back. While it's one of the most affordable entries on our list, it delivers a specific, boxy mojo that's hard to find elsewhere.
Sounds
However, don’t let the small size or the laminate construction fool you. Thanks to its 24" scale length and X-bracing, it punches well above its weight with a throaty midrange and a distinct voicing. It’s a fantastic couch guitar, but it has enough bark to hold its own for some bluesy licks or old-timey slide.
Best for fingerstyle
✅ Buy if you’ve ever considered a classical: This is a brilliant guitar to offer more tones than your standard steel-string acoustic.
❌ Avoid if you strum cowboy chords: Nylon string guitars aren’t the best suited to heavy, open chords.
Overview
While most of the guitars on this list are steel-string acoustics, the Cordoba C3M is a bit of a left-of-field choice that fingerstyle players should seriously consider. If you find yourself struggling with the high string tension and narrow string spacing of a standard acoustic, this nylon-string beauty is a game-changer.
Build quality
The C3M features a solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides, a classic tonewood combo among classical guitars. It’s also finished in a sleek, satin finish and lovely details like the soundhole rosette to the nickel-plated tuners with pearl buttons.
Playability
Since it is a nylon string guitar, the tension is much lower, making it incredibly pleasing to fingerpick. The 2" nut width is another game-changer for fingerpicking; it gives you a massive amount of real estate for your left hand, ensuring you won't accidentally mute or hit unwanted strings whilst playing.
Sounds
The tonewood combination delivers a rich voicing, which is very expressive. Whether you’re dipping your toes into classical repertoire or just want a mellow, expressive voice whilst noodling, this Cordoba is a fantastic entry point into nylon-string fingerstyle.
Best gigging
✅ Buy if you want an electric-style neck: This D’Angelico is a dream to play and will be favored by those who prefer a slim neck.
❌Avoid if Art Deco isn’t your style: The headstock isn’t for everyone, we get it.
Overview
Okay, when you first think of D'Angelico, your mind doesn't automatically go to wallet-friendly acoustic guitars – but we think it should! The legacy jazz brand may be more favored for their bespoke archtops and, in recent years, their modern hollow bodies, but they actually have a rather impressive collection of flat tops in their catalog.
Build quality
With a solid spruce top and laminated ovangkol back and sides, this D’Angelico is a workhorse at this price point. It balances the benefits of a resonant top and the stability of laminated back and sides. Plus, the headstock is incredibly cool; we love the Art Deco styling, but appreciate that it may not be for everyone.
Playability
The D'Angelico Premier Series Gramercy CS Cutaway is one of our favorites because we are massive fans of the smaller body size, when compared to a standard dreadnought, and the super slim neck profile is a breeze to play.
Sounds
Expect a balanced and versatile tone due to its grand auditorium body size, with plenty of attack coming from the spruce top. This fine acoustic also comes loaded with a D'Angelico-branded preamp and tuner, meaning it's geared up to accompany you on stage at your next gig or feature on the next track you record at home.
Also consider
How to choose
If you are new to the world of guitar, or perhaps you’ve stopped playing for a while and need a refresher, my how to choose section is for you. Of course, like many of my colleagues at Guitar World, I’ve played guitar my whole life. However, working in a guitar store allowed me to really understand what works for other players. These are the three most important points I advised guitarists to consider when looking for a guitar under $500.
1. Tonewood
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Firstly, and most importantly, you should consider the tonewood you will prefer. Acoustic guitars are unique; often two of the same model won’t sound the same. However, there are general rules of thumb that will help you whittle down the choice. Spruce is a little brighter and louder, mahogany is more warm and mid-range focused, whilst rosewood is full-bodied with a slightly scooped mid-range. There’s no better decision maker than playing and listening for yourself, so if you can, give them all a try.
Also, do you want the acoustic benefits of solid tonewood, or would you prefer the durability and affordability of laminate tonewood? At this price point, your budget will likely only stretch to a solid top, so don’t worry too much about the back and sides.
2. Body shape & size
Next up, but equally as important, is the body shape. Not only does the body shape affect the overall tone, but it will also determine how comfortable you are. At the end of the day, if you are not comfortable, you won’t want to play it regardless of the tone.
Bigger bodies like a Dreadnought or Jumbo project well, have generous bass response, and sound very full-bodied, whilst smaller options like the Concert or Parlor bodies are more focused, are less bassy, and are more prominent in the midrange. It may be tempting to go for the biggest, boomiest jumbo you can find, but if you are a small person, this isn’t going to work too well.
3. Electronics
Lastly, do you want your guitar to have a pickup? A lot of beginners don’t see the value in being able to electronically amplify their acoustic, but I always insist on giving it a thought. Sometimes, it is better to have it there in case you need it instead of not having one at all. Having a pickup and preamp installed will allow you to connect to an audio interface, practice through acoustic amplifiers, utilize acoustic guitar pedals, and even take it to open mic nights if you’d like. Sure, that may seem daunting at the start, but it’s less far off than you think.
FAQs
Is a solid top better than laminate?
In terms of tone, yes, a solid top is going to sound better than a laminate top. This is because solid wood has better acoustic qualities, and resonance will vibrate more truly than laminate wood. Solid tops will also get better with time, as when solid wood ages, it loses its moisture content whilst enhancing the acoustic properties.
However, laminate tops certainly have their place. Laminate wood is more durable than solid wood, despite its name, and they are more resistant to dings, cracking, and being affected by changes in temperature and humidity. Laminate wood is also more cost-effective, so if you’re really looking for a bargain guitar, stick to laminate tops.
Which top wood is best for an acoustic guitar?
This is purely down to preference. Different tonewoods have different properties, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Spruce is a popular choice, and it tends to sound a bit brighter, sharper, and very resonant. On the other hand, darker woods, such as mahogany and western red cedar, tend to sit on the warmer side and are slightly more pronounced in the midrange. Then you get rarer woods like koa, which is harder to come by as it’s native to the Hawaiian islands. Tonally, it sounds similar to mahogany, but can be more expensive due to its elaborate pattern and scarcity.
All of that to say, the best top wood for you will depend on your tone and aesthetic preferences. Never let someone tell you that your choice is wrong.
Is it possible to get an all-solid acoustic under $500?
With the prices of wood going up and up, it is difficult to get an all-solid guitar for under $500, and the options are incredibly thin. There aren’t any on our list that fall into that category, and you will be hard-pressed to get a new all-solid acoustic for this price. At this price point, you are typically looking at acoustic guitars that have a solid top, but laminate back and sides. Whilst the new guitar market may not bring up many results, you may be able to pick up a used, fully-solid acoustic guitar for under $500.
What body size is best for me?
Choosing the correct body size is very important when purchasing an acoustic guitar. The most popular model, the Dreadnought, is actually one of the biggest, sitting in the 2nd spot to the Jumbo body. The area you have to consider is the lower bout, as this is where your right arm stretches over to the soundhole. The bigger the lower bout, the more uncomfortable it will be to play if you have smaller arms. A Concert or Parlor acoustic body may work better for you in that case.
Overall body depth is another dimension to think about. The deeper the body, the bassier and boomier your acoustic will sound, but this may not be a suitable option if you are a smaller person. Overall, the best body size for you is one that is comfortable whilst playing, and that doesn’t get in your way.
Is there a big difference between a plastic and bone nut and saddle?
This depends on how good your ear is. Some seasoned players with a very good ear will be able to tell the difference between a plastic and a bone nut. Traditionally, bone will sound resonant with a nice smooth sustain, whilst a plastic nut will be brighter, occasionally a little brittle, but louder.
Since there are a lot of variables that make up an acoustic guitar’s tone, specs like tonewood and body shape take precedence. However, if you’re splitting hairs between two models with similar specs, the difference between a plastic and bone nut may make the difference in your choice.
How much does the nut width matter?
Nut width matters most in terms of playability. The narrower the nut width, the more cramped the strings will be. For players with larger hands, this can be a nightmare. However, for those playing difficult chords with large stretches, or who have smaller hands, a narrower nut width will typically feel much more comfortable.
This, of course, works the opposite way too. A wider nut width is often preferred by fingerpickers, as the extra space feels quite comfortable whilst playing intricate patterns. It also means you’re less likely to mute the strings when fingerpicking if they are more spaced out.
Will a $500 acoustic need a setup?
Unless you get lucky from the factory, your $500 guitar will likely need a setup. However, this isn’t necessarily due to the price point; even much more expensive acoustic guitars will benefit from a light fret-edge skim, tweak of the truss rod, and intonation.
It all comes down to how well the setup was when the guitar left the factory, and if it traveled well, since, due to the likely changes in temperature and humidity it will experience, nine times out of ten, this will affect the setup considerably. This is a general rule, and there will be acoustics out there that defy it, but generally speaking, your guitar will benefit from a professional setup.
Will I need a humidifier?
If you live in a dry climate, you will likely need a humidifier for your acoustic guitar. This is to prevent the acoustic’s wood from expanding and contracting, causing damage like fret sprout, fret buzz, or lifting the "belly." However, you’ll not need to add any extra moisture unless you are in a dry climate. Sure, you don’t want to dry out the wood too quickly, but only climates that have next to no moisture in the air will require this.
Key terms
- Action: This is the distance between the guitar’s strings and fingerboard. High action is typically hard to play and will have intonation issues, whilst too low action can cause string buzz.
- Binding: This is the decorative border that can be found around the guitar’s body, fingerboard, or headstock. It is usually made from celluloid, wood, or plastic.
- Bone: The most traditional type of guitar nut and saddle was made from bone. There are plenty of brands out there still using bone for these parts.
- Bracing: Found inside the body, bracing refers to the struts of wood attached to the guitar’s top to support it from collapsing. It can have a profound effect on the guitar’s tone.
- Concert: This is a type of smaller-bodied acoustic guitar that has a slimmer waist and bouts. They are incredibly comfortable, articulate, and less bassy than bigger-bodied options.
- Cutaway: The cutaway is the part of the guitar body that has been purposefully removed to allow easier access to higher frets. Mostly popular on electrics, there are many acoustics with a cutaway.
- Dreadnought: One of the biggest and most popular acoustic body shapes. The Dreadnought is powerful and bassy with great projection. It was originally developed by C.F. Martin in the early 20th Century, with many other brands adopting the design.
- Fret: A fret is the thin metal strip that is embedded in the fingerboard. Frets divide the neck into sections and create space between them for your finger to press down to play a note.
- Laminate: Laminate is a type of wood constructed by gluing together multiple layers of very thin wooden veneers. Laminate tonewood is sturdy and resistant to temperature changes, but doesn’t sound as pure as solid tonewood.
- Nut: The part of the guitar that slots the strings at the end of your fretboard. Traditionally made from cow bone, modern equivalents use plastic materials.
- Scale length: This refers to the length of your guitar's strings from the saddle to the nut.
- Setup: Your setup refers to the guitar’s maintenance, more specifically, where the action sits, if it is intonated, how the frets feel, and playability.
- Solid top: Opposite of a laminate top, a solid top uses a pure piece of wood cut directly from a tree. It is not synthetically made and offers better resonance, depth of tone, and articulation.
- Truss rod: This is the metal rod that runs up the center of your guitar neck. The truss rod provides the necessary curve in your guitar’s neck to stop the strings from buzzing.
How we test
Here at Guitar Player, we've been reviewing and testing gear for nearly 60 years. In that time we've seen our fair share of acoustic guitars, which gives us excellent insight in what to expect from budget options below $500. We don't treat cheaper acoustics any differently, subjecting them to the same rigorous process we would do with a guitar costing $5,000.
First up, we'll examine the build quality of the instrument. This means looking over every single components, joint, join, rosette, and binding. We'll examine the interior of the instrument too, to make sure the bracing has been applied correctly.
Next up it's time to check the playability of the instrument. We'll try various licks and techniques when performing this section of testing, from fingerstyle through to big cowboy chords. We'll examine how it reacts to legato, slides, vibrato and other playing techniques to ensure there are no limiting factors to what you can do with it.
Our final test is checking the quality of the sound. Of course, sound is subjective, but we're using years and years of experience playing acoustics to judge the tonality. We'll listen for how it responds all across the frequency spectrum, and how well balanced it is in the bass, mids, and treble.
Read more on how we test gear and services at Guitar Player.
