The Best Cheap Acoustic Guitars

If you’ve already mastered your hand at the classical guitar, then you need to try an acoustic guitar. As fun as they are to play, we know that picking one might not be the easiest task, so our guide is here to make sense of everything you need to know.

What should a person know before they purchase an acoustic guitar?

There are a number of things to know before you purchase an acoustic guitar:

Body

There are many different body styles that you can get an acoustic guitar in, and whichever type you choose will influence how the sound is projected and the tonal emphasis. But, you might have to decide how important sound quality is to you in comparison to comfort while playing the instrument.

Neck

How big and wide the neck of an acoustic guitar is is largely dependent upon the number of frets on the neck and how large the body of the guitar is. This is where the strings will lay for you to finger chords and melodies. You’ll likely find that most acoustic guitars have a neck size that is designated by either 12-fret or 14-fret.

Tonewood

The sound your acoustic guitar makes depends on the type of wood the guitar is made of; different woods will produce different sounds, but the most important part of the guitar when it comes to tonal quality is the top. The most basic acoustic guitars out there have tops made out of spruce wood, but other woods are used as well. The more rare and expensive tonewoods, such as rosewood, are going to increase the price of the acoustic guitar and therefore are more likely to be purchased by more serious and committed players.

Electronics

If you’re going to be jamming out in front of a room full of people, acoustic guitars have you covered. Most come built in with pickups and preamplifiers that’ll make sure even the person in the back of the audience can hear you.

It can also be a great idea to look at the reviews and expert opinions on the kinds of acoustic guitars you are considering. Checking the credited opinions of expert guitar players is a great way to keep on the right track. Keep reading to see more information about the different types of acoustic guitars below!

What are the types of acoustic guitars?

There are many types of acoustic guitars:

Dreadnought

The dreadnought is extremely popular because it features the best combination of size, volume, and comfort. The neck typically joins the body of the guitar near the 14th fret.

Round-Shoulder Dreadnought

The round-shoulder dreadnought is similar to the original dreadnought guitar except for the shape of its shoulders. As the name suggests, it has round shoulders, as opposed to the original dreadnought that features more squared shoulders, making the difference between the two largely aesthetic.

Jumbo

Jumbo acoustic guitars are just as they sound: jumbo! With all that wood, the sound reverberates beautifully throughout the body of the guitar. The result is a bold, bass sound that has impressed many, particularly rhythm players.

Parlour

These acoustic guitars are on the smaller size range and are beloved especially by those who play indie or folk music thanks to their low-key sound. Unlike the classic dreadnought style, the neck of parlour guitars attach to the body at the 12 fret, which makes it much more comfortable to play for those who are smaller.

Auditorium

This acoustic guitar is a cross between a dreadnought and a parlour guitar. What this means is that the shape makes it perfect for sitting on your lap and playing, as it is created with ideal balance.

Grand Auditorium

The Grand Auditorium is a larger version of the previously mentioned acoustic guitars. It has a great combination of size, volume, shape, and comfort, and it was even played by one of the largest then-country singers, Taylor Swift.

Small Body

These acoustic guitars are relatively new compared to the other acoustic guitars on our list. Basically a miniature-sized dreadnought, they’re as great for your bedroom as they are for a local stage performance. Their small size makes them easy to travel with and to strum up a chord with in any musical scenario.

That’s all the most important body styles of acoustic guitars that you need to know in order to make the most-informed choice out there, especially if you plan on recording your music or playing live. 

What is the price range of acoustic guitars?

Prices can vary largely for acoustic guitars depending on skill level of the player. What’s more, the price will depend on what brand you go with, the quality of the guitar you buy, and whether you are purchasing just the guitar or the guitar with accessories. Brands like Yamaha and Fender are known for designing affordable guitars, acoustic and electric, that are built to last.  

Beginners and students playing the acoustic guitar, however, should still expect to shell out anywhere from $100-500 for an acoustic guitar that is considered to be on the lower end. Even so, a guitar in this price range should be made with quality wood and still play well. We strongly recommend being on the lower end of this price range if you haven’t yet made a commitment to the instrument, that way you won’t break the bank deciding if you want to pursue playing or not.

Mid-level guitars will range anywhere from $500-1,500. It’s likely that a guitar in this price range will have more attention to detail and handwork when it comes to putting the guitar together, which makes it more expensive than other acoustic guitars.

Anything above $1,500 is considered an upper-level acoustic guitar. These guitars go above and beyond when it comes to crafting them. They are typically handmade by artisans and will produce subtle differences in the sound that only skilled players will be able to recognize and appreciate.

You should not only be aware of your budget when you go to purchase an acoustic guitar but also your skill level and interest in the instrument.

Interested in electric guitars as well? Check out our affordable favorites perfect for any musician.