The Top 5 Best Acoustic Guitars for Beginners
You may be a new guitar player shopping for your very first guitar. You may be a parent who wants to buy a guitar for your musically inspired child. Or you may want to help someone you know who wants to play guitar as a complete novice.
No matter what brings you to the guitar shop for a beginner guitar, you will likely need to learn about guitars and how to separate a good from a bad one. Based on experts' opinions, the following list ranks the five best acoustic guitars for beginners after weighing criteria ranging from sound quality to playability to affordability.
1. Fender CD-60S
A venerated brand makes a solid beginner guitar and sells it at a budget-friendly cost. Considering its story, the Fender CD-60S's place at the top of this list shouldn't surprise anyone. Its distinctive rolled fingerboard edges and low action make this guitar relatively easy to play for newcomers. Students will naturally strive to get the most out of the Fender CD-60S's full, warm, rounded sound.
Unlike low-action guitars with low action out of the box, the Fender CD-60S eliminates unintentional fret buzz. A guitar of exceptional quality for its price, the Fender CD-60S can take you from your first attempts to pluck out single notes to your mastery of complex barre chords.
2. Yamaha FG800M
Even less expensive than the highly affordable Fender CD-60S, Yamaha FG800M has long been the best-selling and most popular acoustic guitar for beginners. Despite its affordable price, it has high-end features such as scalloped bracing for extra volume and a highly finished NATO neck for smooth and comfortable fretting. It also tends to hold its tuning remarkably well. But its most impressive feature has to be its solid spruce top. Typically found on more expensive guitar models, a solid top helps a guitar resonate more freely to generate a much warmer and fuller sound.
3. Taylor GS Mini
The small size of the 23.5" scale Taylor GS Mini makes it a great choice for kids as well as adults in search of a travel guitar of good quality. Although it doesn’t sound exactly like a full-size guitar, the Taylor GS Mini has a surprisingly full and clear sound with plenty of sustain and bass tone. Although its low action makes it quite easy to play, this guitar has qualities that will probably keep you playing it long after your years as a newcomer to the instrument.
4. The SE P20E
The SE P20E acoustic guitar is an ideal instrument for beginning players. Featuring a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a slim neck, this guitar is comfortable to play and provides great tone and sustain. With its robust hardware and craftsmanship, this guitar offers a sound that is far superior to what is expected from an entry-level instrument. Additionally, the lightweight construction makes it easy to transport, and the quality of materials used in its construction makes it durable enough to withstand the rigors of regular use. With all these features, the SE P20E is an excellent choice for those looking for a quality guitar to start learning.
5. Taylor Academy 22E
Few guitar manufacturers have a longstanding reputation for excellence that Taylor enjoys. It should come as little surprise that two different Taylor models appear on this short list of the best beginner guitars on the market. Although Taylor made a deliberate decision several years ago to emphasize the beginner guitarist market, it continues to make some of the most exceptional guitars on the high-end market. The Taylor Academy 22E balances these opposing focuses with considerable grace and style. Its look and sound are sure to please even the most advanced players, but it also offers a range of features that make it ideal for beginners. Most importantly, the Taylor Academy 22E's short scale, slim neck profile, and low action add to supreme playability.
While these five guitars are a great place to start looking, the best beginner guitar for you will depend on your specific wants, needs, and budgetary concerns. For further information and guidance, visit Brian's Guitars website. You can also contact us by email at BRIAN@BRIANSGUITARS.COM or by phone at 1-877-726-0746.
