The following 5 guitars are what I consider to be the best acoustic guitars for beginners – based on all the guitars that I have had the privilege to play.
There will be other options out there too but any one of these 5 would make for a great beginner guitar.
The guitars below have been chosen for their ease of play, a reasonable sound and quality of build – and at a reasonable price.
Everyone’s budget is different so reasonable price is subjective. However, every guitar I have chosen here is at least less than $500.
O.k. let’s get into the top 6!
Beginner Guitar #6: Yamaha FG800
Guitar Make and Model: Yamaha FG800
Price: See More Info and Current Price Here
Size/Shape: Dreadnought
Price Rank on this list: 1st =
To be the perfect beginner guitar then the scale length should be slightly shorter to make it easier to play (this isn’t the only consideration but is one of them). The FG800 does have a scale length of 650 mm (25 9/16″) which is full size.
However, everything else about this guitar is great for the beginner.
- The price is right (roughly $200 (USD) but check the link above for a more accurate current price) and is the cheapest equal on this list.
- The guitar is really easy to play despite the full scale length
- The guitar has a great, balanced sound for the price
- Stays in tune well
It’s probably too big for kids to learn on but for adults this is a great starter guitar for an awesome price.
Potential Improvements
As with a lot of Yamaha’s I found the action too high. Get the action lowered and this would be an even easier guitar to play.
Beginner Guitar #5: Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat
Guitar Make and Model: Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat
Price: See More Info and Current Price Here
Size/Shape: Grand Concert (00)
Price Rank on this list: 4th
Want a beginner guitar with a bit of a punk history? Then the Tim Armstrong Hellcat (named after Rancid’s Tim Armstrong) might be your pick.
The guitar is nice and easy to play, thanks in part to the slightly shortened scale length (25.3″ (643mm)) – this means there is slightly less tension on the strings, making it technically and physically easier to play.
The sound is also really decent, especially given the price of the instrument.
The smaller size (concert size) also makes this nice and easy to handle.
The action, like the Yamaha FG700S, would need to be lowered in my opinion but this isn’t too costly to have done. If you don’t want to have to do anything to your guitar after you buy it, then check out some of the other options below.
This would be suitable for kids to learn on too considering the size but would also work really well for an adult with bigger fingers who may find some of the shorter scale length guitars difficult to fit their fingers into the higher frets (the Hellcat’s scale length is only slightly reduced).
Potential Improvements
Lowering the action would the big one.
Beginner Guitar #4: Fender T-Bucket 300CE
Guitar Make and Model: Fender T Bucket 300CE
Price: See More Info and Current Price Here
Size/Shape: Dreadnought
Price Rank on this list: 3rd (cheapest acoustic-electric on this list)
The T-Bucket 300CE is a super reasonable price (roughly $300 (USD) but see link above for more accurate current price) – especially since you get electronics with it.
So if you’re looking for a starter guitar but you want the ability to plug it in, and not spend too much money, then the T Bucket is a great option.
Also if you’re looking for something that you can just play straight out of the box without having to adjust anything then this is a great option. The action is really nice as is which helps to make it really nice and easy to play for the beginner.
It has a slightly shortened scale length (25.3″ (643mm) so that takes some tension off but doesn’t affect fret sizes in the higher frets too much.
Too big for kids but a great adult beginner guitar.
Potential Improvements
Good to go straight out of the box. To make it even easier to play for beginner fingers you could put silk and steel strings on it – but that would be about it.
Beginner Guitar #3: Art & Lutherie Ami
Guitar Make and Model: Art & Lutherie Ami
Price: See More Info and Current Price Here
Size/Shape: Parlor (0)
Price Rank on this list: 5th
Art & Lutherie’s Ami is a great option for kids and adults alike but is particularly suited to kids and smaller sized adults – especially those with smaller fingers.
The short scale length of 24.84” (630mm) means that there is less tension on the strings making it easier to play and easier on the fingers. It also brings the frets closer together which makes it easier for anyone with smaller fingers.
If you have larger fingers it will be more difficult to fit your fingers in the higher frets but otherwise is still definitely an option.
You also get a surprisingly punchy sound for a guitar of this size.
Ideal as a beginner guitar for kids and smaller adults.
Potential Improvements
I hate to say it again – but it’s the case on a lot of guitars – but get the action lowered. It will make it that much easier to play and you’ll be thankful that you did. It’s not too expensive to have done either and worth the little bit of extra cost.
Beginner Guitar #2: Fender CD-60
Guitar Make and Model: Fender CD 60
Price: See More Info and Current Price Here
Size/Shape: Dreadnought
Price Rank on this list: 1st =
The CD-60 is another dreadnought option great for an adult’s first guitar.
It’s super affordable – the cheapest (equal with #6) on this list – and it’s really pleasant to play.
This is a great option if you don’t want to do any set ups after you buy it. The action, in my opinion, is fine out of the box.
Like the other fenders on this list the scale length is 25.3″ (643mm) – which is good if you have bigger fingers but don’t want the scale length quite at a full 25.6” (650mm).
You can also get the CD-60CE version which has a cut away and electronics (for a slight increase in price).
Potential Improvements
Great straight out of the box. To improve the sound later on you could replace the plastic nut and saddle but this is certainly not a must and certainly not something you’d need to do straight away.
Beginner Guitar #1: Taylor GS Mini
Guitar Make and Model: Taylor GS Mini
Price: See Current Price
Size/Shape: Mini
Price Rank on this list: 6th
It may be the most expensive on this list (roughly $500 but check the link above for the most accurate current price) – but it’s also the best option for beginners in my opinion.
And it’s not only a great option for beginners but this is a guitar you could have for the rest of your life too. It has an awesome sound to it and packs a decent punch despite its size. I want this guitar for myself even though I am not a beginner – so if you want an investment that will last then this is a great option.
It has the shortest scale length of any guitar on this list – 23 ½ inches (597mm) which makes it super easy to play – plus action is already well set up so you woulnd’t need to make any adjustments there.
That makes this the perfect option for kids and adults with smaller fingers. Even if you have bigger fingers though, this would still be a great starter guitar (you might just have a little bit of trouble fitting your fingers into the higher frets).
And the sound is so good that even the very beginner will sound great playing this guitar – and they’ll be less likely to give up playing because the sound is so pleasant.
You can check out my full review of this guitar above and see just how impressed I was with this guitar – this was my #1 rated guitar in my list of the top 5 acoustic guitars under $500.
Ideal for kids and adults with smaller fingers and anyone who doesn’t want any set up adjustments to make.
Potential Improvements
Wouldn’t change a thing!
Thanks for Reading
I hope that this post has helped you to find the beginner guitar that’s right for you. Even though these guitars are in order from #6 down to #1, the best option for you will depend on your own physical characteristics and preferences.
If you have any questions or comments or can think of any great beginner guitars that are worthy to be on this list just, leave a comment in the comments section below.
Melissa says
Hi Nate,
I have a Taylor acoustic model 810 and I came across your article regarding the best strings for beginners. I was hoping you could suggest a particular brand/ type of strings for my guitar. I had every opportunity to learn to play growing up but never wanted to. You know how it goes. If your parents are doing it, it’s probably not cool. Well, I totally regret not getting started when I was younger. The guitar belonged to my mother– she played bluegrass. The strings on it now are too difficult for me to hold down. So in your opinion what is a good light guitar string to start out with on my guitar? and Can you recommend any dvd’s that would be good for a beginner to learn from? Thanks!
Nate says
Hi Melissa
Thanks for your message. I totally get that. My parents were always trying to get me to play piano growing up – but I just wasn’t into it. It wasn’t until I was a young teenager that I thought guitar was pretty cool and started playing that instead.
The 810 series are really nice guitars so you are lucky to have one! The 810 is a dreadnought shape, which is definitely good for playing bluegrass so a good choice for her by the sounds of it.
I have a couple of suggestions for making the guitar easier to play.
1. Check the action of the guitar (how high the strings are off the fingerboard). If the action is too high it will feel difficult to press the strings down. The action can change on a guitar as it gets older so if it hasn’t been “set up” in a while, then that’s something worth doing. You should be able to get this done at a guitar shop or you could do a search for a guitar luthier or guitar tech in your area. Check out this post to tell if your action is too high.
2. Put silk and steel stings on it. It won’t sound the same as it does with something like phosphor bronze strings on it but it will make it easier to play – and then once you are more experienced you could replace those strings with something else. Taylor uses Elixir Phosphor Bronze Medium strings on their 810 guitars these days (not sure how old your one is). If you change to silk and steel they will put less tension on the guitar which will mean you’ll probably need to adjust your setup. So, if you need to adjust the action on the guitar, I would ask them about putting silk and steel strings on too. It may be the case that lowering the action is enough to make it easier to play (if the action is currently high) but silk and steel would make it even easier.
You can check out my Best Strings for Beginners post again for some recommended Silk & Steel Brands
In terms of DVDs, there are DVDs you can get but I haven’t purchased any so I’m not sure which would be the best one’s. But there are several online lesson providers that do video lessons. This is the best way to go in my opinion. You can check out some online lesson providers at the link below.
>>Online Guitar Lesson Providers
Hope this helps
danni says
I love guitar and I wish to become a great guitarist, and also love singing I feel a live when start singing but I had so many problems hold me back from being a great singer like singing with full control and my vocal power.
So I searched the internet for singing courses and I found out this awesome program by celebrity trainer Aaron Anastasi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc2KFTwFAMw
Its called superior singing method, I it helps every one want to start or improve his skills.
Nate says
Hi Danni
Thanks for sharing. Not sure how it’s relevant to this particular post but always good to improve that singing voice. Singing and playing guitar at the same time is another thing altogether – quite an art to that too.
Vish says
Hi Nate
Thank you for all the information.
Can you tell something about Yamaha F310 and F370 Guitars. How are they for beginners.
And did you heard about Washburn Guitars. If you know can you tell how they are.
Specifically looking for washburn wd7s Harvest Series.
I am looking for a descent guitar under $200
Nate says
Hi Vish
I haven’t played the F310 or F370 but from the specs it sounds like they would be good for beginners. They have a slim neck and a narrow nut width – 1.66″ (42mm). Also the scale length is slightly shorter – not by heaps but by a little bit. Also, though I haven’t played these particular guitars, Yamaha do tend to be good quality and have a decent sound, even in their lower priced instruments. It looks like they are dreadnoughts (the shape/size) – which isn’t ideal for beginners but it’s also not a deal breaker.
I know of Washburn but I haven’t really played them. But just looking at the specs, I don’t think the wd7s is an ideal beginners guitar – full scale length for starter. But it does have a 1.69″ (43mm) nut width, which is pretty standard but it’s not too wide either, so I think that would be fine. It’s a dreadnought also.
And I can’t really comment on what the expected quality would be for the Washburn guitar either as I don’t have experience with playing washburns.
I’d say one of the Yamaha’s would be a safer choice.
Whichever you go for, one of the most important things is to get the guitar setup so that it is easy to play. This is usually a case of having the ‘action’ lowered. You should be able to take the guitar into a guitar store to have this done. Learn more about choosing a beginner guitar below.
>>Choosing a Beginner Acoustic Guitar
Hope this helps
Tom says
Hi Nate,
Thanks for this very informative article and related links.
How would you compare the Taylor GS mini with the Martin Dreadnought Jr. for beginners.
Thanks, Tom
Nate says
Hi Tom
Thanks for your message.
I haven’t played the Martin Dreadnought Jr so I can’t say for sure, but based on the specs it seems like it would be a good beginner guitar option for sure.
It has a shortened scale length (24″ or 610mm) and it has that smaller size that can be easy to handle for a beginner. It would be best suited for a smaller individual though. If your fingers are too big (and same goes for the GS Mini) then it might be harder to fit your fingers in the higher frets – especially for chord shapes.
But, yeah overall it looks like a good beginner choice – I would have the action lowered though to make it easier to play – but I would recommend that for most guitars for beginners.
Looks like it costs a little bit more than the GS Minis – but not that much more.
Hope this helps