So you’ve got a chunk of change burning through your pocket, eh? Well we’re here to help you make sure you’re putting your money towards the best acoustic guitar for the price. While you can definitely spend much more than 500 Benjamins on an acoustic guitar, it’s still totally possible to get an incredible guitar for under five bills. Let’s take a look…
10. Yamaha FG800 Solid Top Acoustic Guitar
When it was introduced in 1966, the Yamaha FG proved that a great acoustic guitar didn’t need to cost a fortune. With a focus on great playability, musical tone and outstanding build quality, the original FG180 quickly became a classic with countless careers and hit records starting life on an FG. This particular Yamaha FG is inexpensive yet provides strong sound thanks to cutting-edge acoustic analysis technology developed by the talented Yamaha engineers. If you’re looking for some serious bang for your buck, this a great place to start.
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9. Takamine G Series Acoustic Guitar
While some of the Takamine G Series guitars reach way over 500 bucks, there’s quite a few that stay within a very affordable range. Take the Takamine G Series GN30CE for example. This guitar’s solid spruce top and mahogany back make for a rich sound that resonates beautifully. With a built-in tuner and EQ controls, you’re able to tweak the sound to your exact need. Take the G Series to your next gig, because this acoustic electric’s superior sound is totally stage-worthy.
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8. Epiphone Texan Acoustic Guitar
This acoustic guitar has it all: great look, great sound, great reputation. In 1964, Paul McCartney used his Epiphone Texan to write a little known song called, “Yesterday.” Since 1958, many famous singers and songwriters have strummed their own Epiphone Texan, giving this guitar major claim to fame. The dreadnaught style along with the solid spruce top and mahogany sides give this guitar a super bright response and a solid low end. And with the Shadow Sonic preamp system picking up both string vibrations as well as the wood tones, this guitar produces fantastic, true-to-life sound.
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7. Taylor GS Mini Mahogany Guitar
One word: Mahogany. Many more words: This all-mahogany bodied guitar is just killer to look at and listen to. Don’t let the small body fool you, when it comes time to play, the Taylor can project huge sounds. The full, rich, bright tone is outstanding whether you’re picking or strumming. That mix of portability and musicality has proven to be a winning combination that fits into so many scenarios in life, from the couch to the campfire to the concert hall. It’s not too big, it’s not too precious, and it’s not too expensive!
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6. Washburn Acoustic Electric Guitar
If you’ve never played a Washburn before, you’re in for an amazing ride. These guitars produce an incredibly warm and inviting sound due to their solid mahogany body and solid cedar top. One perk of the cedar is how it resonates mid-range frequencies so well. This is why many fingerpickers choose Washburns. And when it comes to tone, a cedar top will break in much faster than a spruce, so you’ll be hearing the guitar’s true tones much sooner than with other guitars.
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5. Ovation Celebrity Acoustic Guitar
Ovation guitars produce beautiful sound and have a truly unique body. The Lyrachord cutaway body is a rounded shape making for a punchy, super focused tone. Some people have difficulty resting an Ovation on the leg while sitting and playing due to the rounded shape. Others have discovered a piece of non-slip tape help keep the guitar in place. We always say, if it’s good enough for Cat Stevens, it’s good enough for us!
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4. Martin Steel String Backpacker Guitar
You can literally put this guitar into a backpack. I mean, what else do I need to say? Sure, it looks sort of ridiculous, but once you hear it, you’ll realize it’s still a Martin! Where this guitar lacks in volume, it makes up for in sound. With a mahogany neck, back, and sides, this travel guitar produces a beautiful, crisp tone reminiscent of its full-sized family members. While this definitely would not be your full-time guitar, consider picking one up for camping, road trips, or wherever your travels take you!
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3. Gretsch Rancher Jumbo Cutaway Acoustic Guitar
Since being introduced in the early 50s, this guitar has been turning heads both for its look and amazing sound. This guitar has an iconic triangular soundhole and a stylish pickguard, lending itself to the early days of Rock and Roll. Gretsch is known for quality in craftsmanship and has really stood the test of time. Whether you play unplugged or amplified, the Rancher guitars are known for producing powerfully resonant sound.
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2. Taylor Big Baby Acoustic Guitar
The big brother of the three-fourths-size Baby Taylor, the Big Baby is a almost full-sized and plays like you’d expect a Taylor to play: Incredibly. While you could very well grab a Baby Taylor, the Big Baby has a slightly fuller sound, playing more like a normal sized Taylor, but at a lesser price. Going for around 400 clams, you can’t go wrong picking up this guitar. The solid Sitka spruce top delivers an amazing, full sound and wonderful tone. And, because all Big Baby Taylors come with a gig bag, you’ll be ready to make this your dedicated travel guitar.
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1. Fender FA-100 Acoustic Guitar
While this Fender is more for the entry-level guitarist, just the fact that it’s a Fender means that it will not disappoint! If you’re just starting out and are looking for a guitar to get in the game with, this should be a top contender. The dreadnaught body produces huge sound and a well-balanced bass. This guitar is priced around 120 simoleons and comes with a padded gig bag, so you really can’t go wrong.
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Best of luck finding the right guitar for you. It’s totally possible to find an amazing guitar under 500 bills, just be sure to do your homework first. And while you can totally pick up any of these guitars online, we always recommend stopping into your local music store first so you can get a feel for the instrument while also supporting local shops. Ok your turn. We’re sure you have a good recommendation for a guitar under 500 DeNiros, let’s hear it!
Be sure to also check out our list of Top 10 Electric Guitars Under $500!
By John Lombard