Cheaper acoustic guitars are often seen as having poor construction and producing thin sound. But don’t count them all out. The best cheap acoustic guitars can give some fancier brands a run for their money.
Fender CD-60S
Affordable yet high-quality, Fender proves that entry-level guitars can have good craftsmanship and playability.
Epiphone Starling
A budget-friendly take on some of Gibson's classic models, such as the Hummingbird and Dove.
Yamaha F325D
An affordable guitar with good build quality, neat fretwork, excellent playability, good tuning stability, and a nice tone.
Jasmine S-35
Quality craftsmanship and playability while keeping the price accessible for beginners and students.
Ibanez IJVC50 Jampack
An all-in-one starter pack, the Ibanez IJVC50 has all the essentials to start learning to play acoustic guitar.
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As a long-time music director and guitar teacher, I’ve helped plenty of guitarists with their guitar purchases. I often recommend good-quality affordable acoustic guitars for students who are just starting out.
Here, I’m extending the same assistance, featuring the best cheap acoustic guitars derived from both experience and market sentiment.
Some of today’s best deals in acoustic guitars include affordable models with solid spruce tops. But given their low price, don’t expect all of them to have premium tonewood and hardware. Still, they are built well enough for beginners and teachers to appreciate.
The Best Cheap Acoustic Guitars Detailed Descriptions
Fender CD-60S Acoustic Guitar
Best Cheap Acoustic Guitar (Overall)
Fender CD-60S Acoustic Guitar
Guitarsite Expert Opinion
Affordable yet high-quality, the Fender CD-60S acoustic guitar showcases the craftsmanship of the renowned brand.
Manufacturer: Fender
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The CD-60S is a traditional dreadnought-shaped guitar. It is constructed with quarter-sawn spruce with scalloped X bracing. This provides a robust foundation for the solid spruce top, mahogany sides, and back, increasing its durability.
The solid spruce top is quite special in this price category. While the mahogany back and sides keep the production costs low.
The guitar produces a pronounced top end and is very responsive. It is better sounding than the average budget acoustic guitars.
This Fender acoustic has a scale length of 25.3″, which is a bit shorter than a standard long scale which is 25.5″. This might be a small difference, but it amounts to a more comfortable playing platform. On the other hand, its body size provides plenty of volume.
If you’re concerned about playability, the CD-60S has Fender’s signature ‘Easy-to-Play’ shape with rolled fretboard edges. A C-shaped neck profile which promotes smooth fretboard navigation aND decreases finger fatigue even from lengthy playing. However, the gloss surface may be an issue if you have sweaty hands, but not really a deal breaker.
If you want a louder, brighter traditional acoustic guitar for strumming, the Fender CD-60S is a great deal. It is constructed with quality from a well-known brand and gives an instrument that is designed to last and even improve over time.
Pros:
- Nice tonal balance of warmth with a bit of top-end
- Durable construction
- Low action (out of the box)
Cons:
- Gloss finish can be an issue (if you have sweaty hands)
Specifications: | |
|---|---|
Body Shape: Dreadnought | Top: Solid Spruce |
Back and Sides: Mahogany | Finish: Gloss |
Neck: Mahogany | Neck Profile: Fender ‘Easy-to-Play’ |
Number of Frets:: 20 | Fingerboard Radius: 12″ (305 mm) |
Fingerboard: Walnut | Bridge: Walnut |
Epiphone Starling Acoustic Guitar
Best Eye Candy
Epiphone Starling Acoustic Guitar
Guitarsite Expert Opinion
Epiphone’s Starling draws many similarities from some of Gibson’s classic models. While not part of the “inspired series”, the Starling draws inspiration from models such as the Hummingbird and Dove.
Manufacturer: Epiphone
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Similar to the classic Gibson models, the Starling, is made of layered spruce on top. It is with layered mahogany on the back and sides which are built to last.
Its laminated mahogany neck has a narrow C profile for easy playability and is matched by a laurel fretboard. Basic yet dependable hardware enables consistent tuning and intonation. This adds to the overall dependability of this guitar.
It has a classic square-shoulder dreadnought design. This allows the Starling to produce a full, booming sound but this design can hamper your playing, if you prefer a slimmer body profile.
Ideal for rhythm-style playing, it easily accommodates cowboy chords and reacts to a variety of playing styles. While not ideal for fingerstyle playing, its balanced sound and consistent performance make it an appealing choice for beginners.
Despite its low price, the Starling provides excellent value, with respectable playability and a loud voice. Its sturdiness, tolerance to temperature changes, and exceptional tuning stability make it a perfect choice if you’re a beginner guitar player.
Pros:
- Big sound
- Sturdy Build
- Stable Tuning
Cons:
- Finish can be too strong
Specifications: | |
|---|---|
Body Shape: Dreadnought | Top: Layered Sitka Spruce |
Back and Sides: Mahogany | Finish: Gloss |
Neck: Laurel | Neck Profile: C Profile |
Number of Frets:: 20 | Fingerboard Radius: 12″ (305 mm) |
Fingerboard: Walnut | Bridge: Laurel |
Nut Width:: 1.692″ | Scale Length:: 24.724″ |
Yamaha F325D Acoustic Guitar
Best Cheap Acoustic Guitar For Students
Yamaha F325D Acoustic Guitar
Guitarsite Expert Opinion
Yamaha’s F325D acoustic guitar is able to gain immense popularity despite being an entry-level instrument due to its high build quality. The guitar has a great feel, neat fretwork, playable action, stable tuning, and a nice tone.
Manufacturer: Yamaha
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The F325D is a reasonably priced dreadnought acoustic. But to keep the price cheap, this acoustic guitar is made of low-cost materials such as laminated spruce for the top. Sapele (a low-cost substitute to solid mahogany) for the back and sides. This all contributes to the traditional dreadnought body.
Speaking of tone, the F325D has a well-balanced sound that is neither too bright nor too warm. And because none of the frequencies overpower the others, it is compatible with a wide range of playing and musical genres.
Its basic configuration limits its projection and harmonic overtones. The advantage of its laminate body is that it is less prone to damage, making it a roadworthy instrument.
Its body is paired with a nato neck that meets standard criteria, including a 25.5″ scale length and 1.6875″ nut width.
If you want a new acoustic guitar that is inexpensive and has good build quality, the F325D has that covered.
Pros:
- Reliable beater/starter guitar
- Playable action, neat fretwork
- Good tuning stability
- Balanced tone
Cons:
- Lacks projection
Specifications: | |
|---|---|
Body Shape: Dreadnought | Top: Spruce |
Back and Sides: Sapele | Finish: Natural |
Neck: Nato | Fingerboard Radius: 15.75″ |
Number of Frets:: 20 | Frets to Body: 14 |
Fingerboard: Walnut | Bridge: Walnut |
Scale Length: 25.5″ | Nut Width: 1.6875″ |
Jasmine S-35 Acoustic Guitar
Best Build Quality
Jasmine S-35 Acoustic Guitar
Guitarsite Expert Opinion
The Jasmine S-35 is an affordable dreadnought guitar. Previously owned by Takamine, Jasmine guitars obviously carried some of their craftsmanship from the Japanese brand. It also keeps the price reasonable if you’re a beginner or on a tight budget.
Manufacturer: Jasmine
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First, let’s clear up a common misconception: this guitar is not built by Takamine. It’s reasonable that some people believe this because Takamine formerly owned Jasmine. They then sold it to KMC Brands more than a while back. KMC owns several well-known companies, including Washburn, Lag Guitars, Oscar Schmidt, Snark, Fishman, Elixer, Ernie Ball, and Martin & Company.
The Jasmine S-35 has a narrow neck profile and fretboard. This makes it considerably easier for novices to reach all of the fingering positions while learning to create chords. It also makes the transition from electric guitar to acoustic guitar much smoother.
It’s got a satin finish and well-filed fret edges which allows for smooth playing. The big guitar body of the Jasmine S-35 provides for a warm tone, with lots of focus on the mids, while a bass that is not overpowering.
Jasmine produces numerous well-regarded guitars for the entry-level market. Yet, they do not look or feel like ordinary guitars. The headstock has a unique look that’s different from other inexpensive acoustic guitars. Good aesthetics like this keep you inspired and eager to take it up.
So, if you have smaller hands and want a dreadnought-size guitar the Jasmine S-35 is the best budget acoustic guitar for you. This is also a very nice-looking guitar and is the cheapest acoustic guitar in this list.
Pros:
- Narrow Neck
- Nice Aesthetics
- Very Affordable
Cons:
- Finish can be too strong
Specifications: | |
|---|---|
Body Shape: Dreadnought | Top: Spruce |
Back and Sides: Mahogany | Finish: Satin |
Neck: Nato | Neck Profile: Slim |
Number of Frets:: 20 | Frets to Body: 14 |
Fingerboard: Rosewood | Bridge: Rosewood |
Nut Width:: 1.6875″ | Scale Length:: 25.5″ |
Ibanez IJVC50 Jampack
Best Acoustic Guitar Bundle (Value)
Ibanez IJVC50 Jampack
Guitarsite Expert Opinion
An all-in-one starter pack, the Ibanez IJVC50 has all the essentials you’ll need to get started learning guitar. This is an excellent bargain package for beginners. It contains a gig bag, guitar strap, set of guitar picks, capo, guitar tuner, and more.
Manufacturer: Ibanez
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This is an excellent bargain package for beginners. It contains a gig bag, guitar strap, set of guitar picks, capo, guitar tuner, and more.
The IJVC50 has a grand concert-sized body and Ibanez Advantage bridge pins. The concert body allows the guitar to sit more comfortably on your lap while allowing better fret access. Ibanez’s patented bridge pins make changing strings easier, too. This results in an extremely playable guitar.
Young players with smaller hands will find the IJVC50 body and neck profile easier to work with in comparison to larger-bodied dreadnoughts. A rich low-end that resonates throughout its dreadnought body frame.
When budget is really tight, this is one of the best cheap acoustic guitar deals, especially for a young player. It includes all you need to start as a guitarist, the Ibanez IJVC50 is a good choice.
Pros:
- Thinner neck than most dreadnoughts
- Good value
- Comes in a package
Cons:
- Lacks resonance and volume
Specifications: | |
|---|---|
Body Shape: Grand Concert | Top: Laminated Spruce |
Back and Sides: Meranti | Finish: Gloss |
Neck: Nato | Neck Profile: Sllim |
Number of Frets:: 20 | Frets to Body: 14 |
Fingerboard: Walnut | Bridge: Nandu |
Scale Length: 25″ | Nut Width: 1.654″ |
Things To Consider When Buying a Cheap Acoustic Guitar
Playability
The neck and string configuration of the guitar has an impact on its playability. The nut width indicates how far apart the strings are, with a higher value indicating that the strings are further apart. Smaller nut widths, like guitars with thinner necks, are easier for smaller fingers.
The scale length determines how much tension the strings will have. A longer scale means tighter strings than a shorter one. Shorter scale lengths with lower tension make pressing the strings down onto the frets easier. This is perfect for the basic playing style of novices.
Standard-size scale lengths (25.5″ or 648 mm) are preferred by many musicians because of the impact of string tension on acoustic tone. String height is also significant and sometimes referred to as ‘action’ or ‘action height’. Again, lower strings are easier to press down but more prone to fret buzz when played firmly and loudly.
Types of Tonewoods and Tone
In the guitar world, the best acoustic guitars are made of premium quality wood. But we can’t expect much of that in this price range.
Experienced guitarists can debate the merits of different woods and their combinations used on various parts of guitars for hours. But they will often agree that having a solid wood top is always a plus.
However, if you’re just starting, you don’t need to worry about it too much; simply listen try different guitars or listen to demo videos. And if a guitar sounds good to your ears, then take that into consideration.
The wood on the top of the guitar (the front-facing area with the soundhole) will have the most impact on its tone. With Spruce sounding ‘bright’ and Mahogany feeling a little ‘warmer’.
Solid vs Laminate Top
A solid wood top is constructed from a single piece of wood, whereas a laminate top is made up of multiple layers of wood that are pressed and glued together. The wood used on a guitar’s top has the greatest influence on tone, sustain, and projection (loudness) compared to the wood used on the body and neck.
Although a solid-top guitar has more volume and sustain because it does not lose acoustic energy due to the glue or joints between the layers of laminated wood. They are more expensive than laminated-top guitars and require more care. Especially if you live in an area with frequent temperature and humidity changes.
If you’re buying for a novice, don’t worry too much about top wood; instead, choose the guitar from our recommendations that you enjoy most. However, more experienced guitar owners will typically favor solid tops when their money allows.
Body Shape and Size
Guitars come in a variety of shapes and sizes, the most prevalent being the Dreadnought in this price range. Although different varieties have small tone changes (and not so subtle to a trained ear).
I believe it’s preferable to start with one of the traditional types, such as a Dreadnought or concert-shaped guitar. This is because they’re more versatile in terms of musical styles.
Most acoustic guitars with onboard electronics will have a cutaway, which allows for easier access to the upper frets.
Don’t let the hefty price of the premium acoustic guitars hold you back from playing. The best cheap acoustic guitars are more than capable to get you going.
Although not quite on par with the pricier models. they still offer a decent playing experience, which is especially important for beginners.
Happy strumming!
Alexander Briones
Lead Author
Jerome Arcon
Contributor: Research and Supplemental Writing
2 thoughts on “Best Cheap Acoustic Guitars Under $200”
Hi,
I have a de Vicente Tatay SRC Literato Azorin # 13 Valencia Espana excellant condition not sure what’s it worth?
Anthony
I like a lot of the acoustic guitars you have listed, but I have to say that my favorite of them is the Fender FA-100. I’ve played a few of the ones you’ve had listed and it stays in tune so much longer. The FA-100 sounds loud compared to some of the cheaper laminate acoustics.