Today we explore the best beginner acoustic guitars and examine their features, to determine which one is right for you or your loved one.
If you want to learn to play the guitar and need to purchase your first one, or perhaps buy one as a gift for a friend, partner, or child who is learning, then this article is for you.
Acoustic Guitars
- Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy 24″ Flat Top Acoustic Guitar
- Enya Nova Go Carbon
- Gretsch G9520E Gin Rickey Acoustic Electric Guitar
- Taylor BT2
- Pyle Beginner Acoustic Guitar Kit, 3/4 Junior
- Taylor Baby Taylor BTe-Koa Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric
- Fender FA-15 3/4-Scale Kids Steel String Acoustic Guitar
- Yamaha LS6M Concert
- 30″ Wood Guitar with Case and Accessories for Kids/Girls/Boys/Beginners
- Strong Wind 36 Inch Classical Acoustic Guitar
Acoustic Guitar Strings
- D’Addario Guitar Strings – Phosphor Bronze Acoustic
- Ernie Ball Earthwood Medium 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings
The Best Beginner Acoustic Guitars: Expert Reviews
Contents
- The Best Beginner Acoustic Guitars: Expert Reviews
- 1. Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy 24″ Flat Top Acoustic Guitar
- 2. Enya Nova Go Carbon
- 3. Gretsch G9520E Gin Rickey Acoustic Electric Guitar
- 4. Taylor BT2 Baby Acoustic
- 5. Pyle Beginner Acoustic Guitar Kit, 3/4 Junior
- 6. Taylor Baby Taylor BTe-Koa Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric
- 7. Fender FA-15 3/4-Scale Kids Steel String Acoustic Guitar
- 8. Yamaha LS6M ARE Acoustic-Electric
- 9. 30″ Wood Guitar with Case and Accessories
- 10. Strong Wind 36 Inch Classical Acoustic Guitar
- Conclusion
1. Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy 24″ Flat Top Acoustic Guitar
Design and Build Quality
The Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy Flat Top is a testament to the timeless craftsmanship of Gretsch guitars.
Drawing inspiration from the iconic “Rex” parlor guitars of the 1930s to the 1950s, this model is a beautiful blend of vintage aesthetics and modern construction techniques. The basswood body, complemented by X-bracing, ensures a robust and resonant tone.
The Frontier Stain finish gives the G9500 a classic look, reminiscent of the golden era of guitar craftsmanship, and the 1950s-style vintage open-gear die-cast tuning machines, and nickel hardware, add to its retro charm.
With its 24” scale, the G9500 is designed for endless hours of playing comfort. Whether you’re a fingerstyle player or prefer using a pick, this guitar is versatile enough to accommodate both styles.
Materials
Constructed with select guitar woods, the G9500 boasts a basswood body, Agathis wood top, and back, and a Nato neck.
The walnut fingerboard, adorned with pearloid dot inlays, is smooth to the touch and ensures a comfortable playing experience. The phosphor bronze strings add to the guitar’s rich sound, and the synthetic bone nut ensures consistent intonation.
Overall
The Gretsch G9500 Jim Dand Flat Top is more than just a guitar; it’s a piece of history. Faithful to its roots yet designed for the modern player. It offers a warm and pleasing tone, making it perfect for songwriting, practice, or even as a travel companion.
2. Enya Nova Go Carbon
Design and Build Quality
The Enya Nova Go stands out as a modern marvel. With its innovative use of carbon fiber composite material, this guitar is a testament to Enya’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of guitar craftsmanship.
With a 1/2-sized body (35 in.), the Nova Go is compact yet offers a full-bodied sound. The unique all-in-one molded design means the bridge is an integral part of the top, eliminating concerns of it snapping off.
The inclusion of a truss rod in the neck provides added adjustability for string action, ensuring optimum playability right out of the box.
From the top, body, back, and neck, to the fretboard, the use of these materials ensures that the guitar remains impervious to temperature and humidity changes, making it an ideal companion for various settings and adventures.
Features
The “Zero Fret” feature is a notable addition, ensuring smoother tuning and enhancing the overall playing experience. The rounded edges of the fret end further enhance comfort, making it a joy to play for extended periods.
The Nova Go’s construction predominantly features carbon fiber and polycarbonate, materials known for their durability and resistance to environmental factors.
The Nova Go comes with a gig bag, making it travel-ready. The vibrant and meticulously designed packaging makes it an ideal gift for loved ones. A hexagon wrench is also included, allowing players to adjust the string action as needed.
Overall
If you are looking for a guitar to take to the beach on a hot day, or into the forest at night, then this is the beginner acoustic guitar for you. It comes in a range of colors, including black, white, pink, blue, and purple!
3. Gretsch G9520E Gin Rickey Acoustic Electric Guitar
Design and Build Quality
The Gretsch G9520E Gin Rickey is a delightful blend of vintage charm and modern innovation. Drawing inspiration from the iconic Gretsch Rex parlor guitars, the Gin Rickey is a nod to the golden era of guitar craftsmanship.
Its design is reminiscent of the classic guitars that once echoed in barrelhouses, making it a perfect choice for those who appreciate history and authenticity.
With a 24” scale and a nato set neck that joins the body at the 12th fret, the Gin Rickey is designed for optimal playability. The 18 vintage-style frets and pearloid dot inlays on the walnut fingerboard ensure precision and ease of play.
The top-load walnut bridge, coupled with a compensated synthetic bone saddle, guarantees consistent intonation throughout the neck.
Constructed primarily from basswood, the G9520E boasts a robust and resonant body, ensuring a rich and full-bodied sound. The nato neck, combined with a walnut fingerboard, offers a smooth and comfortable playing experience.
Features
One of the standout features of the G9520E is the Gretsch Deltoluxe soundhole pickup. This acoustic magnetic pickup captures the guitar’s natural sound, reproducing a voice that is both crisp and throaty.
The gold-and-white soundhole rosette, aged white binding, and the “G”-graphic pickguard add to the guitar’s vintage aesthetics.
The Smokestack Black finish of the G9520E is both striking and elegant. Paired with nickel hardware, vintage-style end-pin strap buttons, and 1950s-style open-gear die-cast tuning machines, the guitar exudes a timeless charm.
Overall
Its combination of vintage design, modern features, and impeccable craftsmanship makes it a must-have for guitar enthusiasts and professionals alike. Experience the magic of the past with the technology of today with the Gin Rickey.
4. Taylor BT2 Baby Acoustic
Made with a mahogany top and designed for right-handed players, this guitar is both visually appealing and audibly impressive. The BT2 six-string baby acoustic has a layered sapele back, natural sides, and an ebony bridge and fretboard.
The unique wood grain patterns give it a contemporary look. Being a 3/4 size guitar it is perfect for smaller adults and children. It also comes with a gig bag, which adds to its value, and it’s an ideal travel guitar due to its smaller size.
The intonation is great, thanks to the well-positioned compensated saddle, and the neck is screwed on, which aids portability. This guitar produces a complex and sweet tone with excellent note separation and projection.
The BT2 comes in two models, one without electronics, and one with the Taylor ES-B preamp and pickup system.
Key Features
- Material Excellence: The guitar is crafted primarily from mahogany, giving it a rich and warm sound characteristic of this wood type.
- Compact and Comfortable: Its size makes it especially suitable for younger players or adults seeking a more compact guitar without compromising on sound quality.
- Sound Quality: Despite its size, the Taylor BT2 produces a robust and clear sound, making it perfect for both practice sessions and live performances.
- Durability: Taylor is known for its build quality, and the BT2 is no exception. This guitar is built to last, ensuring that players get the most out of their investment.
- Aesthetics: The guitar’s mahogany finish gives it a classic and timeless look, ensuring it looks as good as it sounds.
- Beginner Friendly
Overall
The Taylor BT2 Acoustic Guitar is one of the best beginner acoustic guitars and a fantastic choice for those seeking a high-quality instrument that offers both portability and exceptional sound.
5. Pyle Beginner Acoustic Guitar Kit, 3/4 Junior
Main Features
The Pyle Beginner Acoustic Guitar Kit is a 3/4 junior-size instrument that is an excellent fit for beginners, particularly for kids or adults with smaller hands.
The guitar’s smaller size might pose a challenge for adult male fingers, but the frets are not sharp or snaggy, which is a plus for comfort during play.
The guitar comes with a gig bag case, pitch pipe tuner, spare strings, pearloid picks, a cleaning cloth, and a gift card.
The classical guitar features handcrafted construction w/ linden wood body, birch headstock, dyed maple wood fretboard, high gloss polished body back with protective binding, rosette linden laminate finish, chrome 3-in-line machine head.
Overall
This 3/4 size acoustic guitar is one of the best beginner acoustic guitars for children, beginners, and adults with smaller hands/frames.
6. Taylor Baby Taylor BTe-Koa Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric
Features
The Taylor BTe-Koa Baby Taylor is a highly regarded travel guitar that offers an affordable entry point to Taylor’s premium brand.
This guitar appeals to a wide range of guitarists, including kids, beginners, and seasoned players, thanks to its compact size, high-quality construction, and excellent sound projection.
The guitar features a tropical American mahogany top with layered sapele back and sides, a unique rosette design, and surprising appointments for its price point, such as a rich ebony fretboard and high-end African ebony bridge.
The screw-on neck design enhances playability by providing easy access to the upper frets, making it a favorite among players seeking a reliable travel and camp guitar.
The smaller size of the guitar makes proper manufacturing more challenging, and the laminate construction affects the overall tonality.
Overall
Despite being a 3/4-sized dreadnought, the Taylor BTe-Koa Baby Taylor offers decent sound and ease of travel. The projection for singular notes and arpeggios is distinct, although chords can become muddy when played with extra force.
Many have praised its craftsmanship and are impressed by the build, look, feel, and sound, making it a go-to guitar for some players, especially for those looking for portability.
7. Fender FA-15 3/4-Scale Kids Steel String Acoustic Guitar
Design and Build
The Fender 6-String Acoustic Guitar is a testament to Fender’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship. With its natural finish, this guitar boasts a classic and timeless look that appeals to both beginners and seasoned players.
The guitar’s body is constructed with a solid spruce top, which is known for its rich tone and resonance. The mahogany back and sides further enhance the guitar’s sound quality, providing warmth and depth to its overall tone.
Features
One of the standout features of this guitar is its easy playability, making it an excellent choice for those just starting their musical journey.
The guitar comes with a “Slim Taper” C-shaped neck, which allows for comfortable grip and smooth transitions between chords. Additionally, the guitar package includes 3 months of Fender Play, an online instructional platform.
This bonus is a valuable resource for beginners, offering lessons and tutorials to help them get started. The guitar also features a walnut fingerboard and bridge, adding to its durability and aesthetic appeal.
Overall
The Fender 6-String Acoustic Guitar is a well-rounded instrument that offers both style and substance. Its high-quality construction, combined with its playability and additional features, makes it a valuable addition to any musician’s collection.
8. Yamaha LS6M ARE Acoustic-Electric
Features
The A.R.E (acoustic resonance enhancement) gives this guitar a ‘broken in’ and used tone out of the box. The LS6M has a medium jumbo body which is ideal for fingerpicking.
The LS6M has a hand-selected spruce top for great tone and a full-range passive pickup system.
The passive SRT Zero Impact pickup was designed by Yamaha to deliver a faithful reproduction of the LS6M’s natural, dynamic sound. It was also designed to minimize the impact on the guitar’s looks and tone.
Overall
The Yamaha LS6 is a premium acoustic-electric guitar at an affordable price. Yamaha guitars offer excellent quality and bang for your buck, and the LS6 ARE is no exception.
9. 30″ Wood Guitar with Case and Accessories
Design and Materials
The Master Play guitar showcases a blend of traditional and modern design elements. With its sun-colored finish, it exudes a vibrant and lively aura that is sure to catch the eye.
The guitar is constructed with a basswood top, which is known for its lightweight properties and ability to produce a balanced sound. The combination of plastic, metal, and wood for the body ensures durability while maintaining a comfortable weight for players.
The neck, also made of basswood, complements the guitar’s overall design and contributes to its playability.
Features
This guitar is designed with versatility in mind, catering to both right-handed and ambidextrous players. With a scale length of 30 inches and six alloy steel strings, it offers a wide range of tonal possibilities.
The wooden fretboard provides a smooth playing experience, allowing for effortless chord transitions and finger placements. Its ambidextrous hand orientation feature ensures that players of all preferences can enjoy the instrument without any hindrance.
Overall
In summary, the Master Play guitar is a fusion of aesthetics and functionality. Its sun-colored finish, combined with quality materials like basswood and alloy steel, makes it a worthy addition to any musician’s collection.
10. Strong Wind 36 Inch Classical Acoustic Guitar
Design and Build
The Donner DAG-1C Beginner Acoustic Guitar boasts a full-size 41-inch cutaway design, ensuring ease of access to the higher frets.
Crafted with a spruce top and mahogany back and sides, it not only looks aesthetically pleasing but also promises durability and a rich tonal quality.
This guitar offers a vibrant and resonant sound, suitable for a variety of musical genres. Whether you’re strumming chords or picking melodies, the Donner DAG-1C ensures clarity and depth in every note.
The 20 Brass Frets and chrome die-cast tuners further enhance the playing experience, ensuring smooth transitions and stable tuning.
Features
You also get a gig bag, guitar strap, capo, extra strings, a digital clip-on tuner, and a polishing cloth, all included with the guitar.
This comprehensive package offers great value for money, making it an ideal choice for those venturing into the world of music.
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Conclusion
Choosing the right beginner acoustic guitar is an important decision, and it can have a big impact on your ability to learn and enjoy playing the instrument.
The guitars listed above are all excellent options for beginner guitar players, with a range of styles, sounds, and price points to choose from.
Whether you are looking for a classic Fender or a unique and distinctive sound from a carbon fiber body, there’s a guitar on this list that is sure to meet your needs and help you achieve your musical goals.
