The Best Acoustic Guitar Under $500 in 2024 [An Expert Review]

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Editor's Choice
Taylor Big Baby Taylor
Taylor Big Baby Taylor
  • It sounds great, looks good, and is a joy to play
  • Modern and balanced tone with glassy high-end response
  • You'll be impressed with the high-quality construction
  • Great guitar for all playing styles and skills levels https://amzn.to/3eBhnUH
For Recording
Guild D-240e
Guild D-240e
  • You'll be able to create beautiful recordings with the Guild D-240e
  • It's incredibly adaptable and will work well with a wide range of playing techniques, from strumming to fingerstyle performances
  • The pickups are surprisingly good for the price range
  • Guild creates classic guitars that will never go out of style
For Strummers
Epiphone Hummingbird Studio
Epiphone Hummingbird Studio
  • The dreadnought body style gives the guitar a big, bold, and projecting sound
  • Easier to play for beginners and those with smaller hands
  • The high-end is slightly "rolled off" for a vintage-inspired tone
  • The Hummingbird is a beautiful guitar that oozes character and tone

What’s the best acoustic guitar under $500 for you?

There are a lot of bad acoustic guitars out there.

You don’t want to get stuck with a low-quality instrument that will make you hate playing guitar or, even worse, discourage you from learning altogether.

Looking for the best budget guitar can often be intimidating with all the options and create anxiety around which one will suit you best.

However, you’re in the right place!

I’ve found the best acoustic guitars under $500 for every style and budget, so you can quickly learn to play without breaking the bank or your fingers.

For those short on time, I’ve concluded that Taylor’s Big Baby Taylor is the best option for most people.

However, there are plenty of other great options so let’s begin!

Editor’s note: We will choose guitars in the $300 to $500 price range. Please refer to my article here if you want to find the best acoustic guitars under $300.

The Best Acoustic Guitars Under $500 in 2024 at a Glance

Editor's Choice
Taylor Big Baby Taylor

If you're looking for a beautiful guitar with a great sound and is easy to play, you'll want to check out the Taylor Big Baby Taylor. 

This guitar has a solid Sitka spruce top and layered walnut back and sides, which gives it a warm, rich sound. Also, the ebony fretboard provides that classic "buttery" feel that makes it easy to play. 

 You won't be disappointed in the Taylor Big Baby Taylor BBT - it's the perfect guitar for beginners and experienced players alike.

Taylor Guitars Big Baby Taylor is the big brother of the best-selling Baby Taylor. It’s a full-length, shrunken dreadnought acoustic guitar.

It’s technically part of Taylor’s travel guitars, but it plays and sounds like a full-sized guitar.

This guitar features a solid Sitka spruce top and layered walnut back and sides. The resonance on this guitar and depth of tone is surprising for a guitar of this size and price.

The first thing I noticed after hearing this guitar strummed was how well balanced all the strings are and the modern and glassy sheen of the high-end.

Often with other guitars in the <$500 price range, the tone can be unbalanced and boxy sounding. This isn’t the case with the Big Baby Taylor.

The guitar is extremely comfortable in arm with a shallow body depth. The ebony fretboard makes for that classic “buttery” playability for the fretting hand.

The Big Baby Taylor can be purchased with electronics; however, the guitar price would be over $500 (check price here).

This guitar is an excellent purchase for a wide range of guitar players, such as:

  • Kids, female guitar players, or anyone with smaller frames
  • Intermediate to advanced players looking for a great travel guitar
  • A step-up guitar for those wanting a better-sounding guitar without breaking the bank

Overall, the Taylor Big Baby is a great acoustic guitar for most playing styles and skill levels. With its high-quality construction, beautiful and balanced sound, and easy playability, you won’t be disappointed in purchasing this guitar.

Pros
  • The tone of the guitar is modern, rich, and glassy
  • The guitar is a good fit for many playing styles and skill levels
  • It's a perfect travel companion for those who are on the go
  • Very comfortable and easy to play
Cons
  • If you want to keep your purchase below $500, you won't get any electronics
  • It isn't a full-sized guitar

For an in-depth look at what Taylor Acoustic Guitars has to offer, please read my article “The Best Taylor Acoustic Guitars For All Styles and Budgets

Best Value for Money
Fender CD-140SCE

The Fender CD-140SCE is perfect for guitar players of all skill levels. 

The easy-to-play neck makes it an excellent choice for inexperienced players. Also, the amplification capabilities make it perfect for performing or recording. 

With its beautiful dreadnought design and hardshell case, this guitar is also an great value for money.

Fender is the world’s largest guitar manufacturer. Although Fender is most famous for its electric guitars, Fender’s acoustic guitars are quickly becoming known as some of the best beginner and intermediate guitars on the market.

The Fender CD-140SCE is a well-built, beautiful all-rounder dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar. It features electronics for amplification and includes a hardshell case (this is rare for this price point!).

This guitar features a solid spruce top, scalloped X-bracing, and laminated Ovangkol back and sides.

Although solid wood soundboards are not durable as laminated tops, they offer better dynamics and a richer tone. The scalloped X-bracing will increase the guitar’s flexibility and resonance, resulting in longer note sustain.

This acoustic guitar also features modern design elements like nubone nut and saddle, which will help with the intonation and tuning of the guitar. While the cutaway allows for easier access to the upper frets when playing.

Fender also designed the neck to be easy to play for inexperienced players with a slightly shorter-scale neck (25.3”) and narrower nut width (1.692”).

This means practically for you as a potential buyer is there will be less string tension making it easier to fret and pick. The narrower nut will also make it more comfortable for people with smaller hands.

The CD-140SCE comes with Fishman electronics and an onboard tuner, so you will be able to plugin quickly and play at your local coffee shop or venue.

While this isn’t the best-sounding guitar on the list and isn’t the most “vibey,” it is the most practical guitar option for under $500.

All in all, the Fender CD-140SCE is a well-built, great-sounding, easy-to-play acoustic guitar that comes with electronics and a hardshell case.

You can’t go wrong.

Pros
  • This guitar has every feature a modern guitar player needs
  • Comes with electronics, a built-in tuner, and a hardshell case
  • The solid spruce top with scalloped X-bracing has excellent resonance and tone
  • An expressive guitar that will allow you to play your favorite songs with ease
Cons
  • Most users report needing a setup after purchase
  • The tone knobs on the guitar are small and hard to dial in

For an in-depth look at what Fender Acoustic Guitars has to offer, please read my article “The Ultimate Guide to the Best Fender Acoustic Guitars”

Best for Budget
Yamaha FG830

Looking for a great acoustic guitar on a budget? Look no further than the Yamaha FG830. 

This affordable guitar features a solid Sitka spruce top with scalloped bracing, which helps produce a richer and more dynamic sound. Plus, its lightweight body makes it easy to play. At the same time, the low action allows new players to develop their skills without frustration. 

The Yamaha FG830 is an affordable acoustic guitar that you can grow with and is worth checking out.

Suppose you’re a beginner guitar player looking for a well-crafted, solid-sounding guitar. In that case, the Yamaha FG830 is a great choice.

This affordable acoustic guitar features a solid Sitka spruce top with scalloped bracing that is rare to find for this price point.

Solid wood has a deeper tone, better dynamic range, and will sound better as the guitar ages.

What makes this such an excellent guitar for beginners is the neck design. The neck has a shallow tapering radius, narrower nut-width (1.68”), and a satin finish.

What does this mean for you as a player? Your hand will quickly move up and down the neck without feeling “sticky,” it won’t feel bulky, and playing open chords will take less stretching of your fingers.

This guitar is very playable and will allow new players to grow their skills without being held back by sound or design. In fact, you can develop as a player with this guitar into an intermediate player before wanting/needing to upgrade to a more high-end acoustic guitar.

Also, there are excellent design elements on the Yamaha FG830, like the abalone rosette and cream binding that gives the guitar an elegant and classic look.

Although the construction of this guitar is better than most others in the $300-$400 price range, the downsides are that the tone sounds flat compared to some of the others on this list. Also, the factory setup leaves a little to be desired.

All in all, the Yamaha FG830 is one of the best acoustic guitars under $500, and you won’t be disappointed if you’re looking for your first “real” guitar.

Pros
  • Solid Sitka spruce top with scalloped bracing is rare for a guitar at this price point
  • It's an acoustic guitar that will grow with you as your skills progress
  • The neck design on this guitar is perfect for beginners
  • It's a beautiful, traditional guitar with an understated elegance
Cons
  • It doesn't come with a gig bag or case
  • There are no electronics built-in, so if you're gigging out, you won't be able to plug into a PA or amp

For an in-depth look at what Yamaha Acoustic Guitars has to offer, please read my article “The Best Yamaha Acoustic Guitar for All Skill Levels and Playing Styles

Best for Recording
Guild D-240e

The Guild D-240e acoustic guitar is perfect for any musician looking for an instrument to record with ease. 

This guitar has a solid Sitka spruce top with a scalloped X-bracing and arched mahogany back, which gives it fantastic projection and sustain. On top of that, the natural satin finish with tortoise pickguard makes this guitar look classic and timeless.

So if you're looking for an acoustic guitar that will impress both you and your listeners, the Guild D-240e is a perfect choice.

The Guild D-240 is one of the best-sounding acoustic guitars on this list. For that reason, It’s a beautiful guitar to record with.

Guild has built a guitar with a solid Sitka spruce top, scalloped X-bracing, and arched mahogany back. This combination produces an acoustic that has excellent projection and sustain. Chords are surprisingly balanced on the Guild D-240e, and the low-end is tight and focused.

This acoustic guitar is versatile and will perform well whether you’re strumming or playing fingerstyle.

Some challenges of home recording are ambient noises and proper mic placement. The Guild D-240e comes equipped with AP-1 Piezo pickups, so you can plug in directly to your audio interface to record your guitar.

While you won’t get the full tone, the acoustic guitar produces by plugging indirectly; these electronics are surprisingly good for the price range.

While piezo pickups often have a “quacky” sound, I found these pickups to be reasonably balanced and accurate to the guitar’s sound.

Even though I’m recommending this as the best acoustic for recording, it also is a beautiful gigging guitar for the reasons stated previously.

On top of these remarkable qualities, this guitar looks fantastic. The natural satin finish with tortoise pickguard gives it a classic look that will never go out of style.

Suppose you’re looking for an acoustic guitar with a rich, balanced tone and outstanding construction that records well. In that case, the Guild D-240e won’t disappoint!

Pros
  • This guitar has excellent projection and sustain
  • It is very versatile and will sound great strummed or played fingerstyle
  • You'll be able to get a great recording with your guitar easily
  • Has a classic look that will never go out of style
Cons
  • Will probably need a minor setup after purchase
  • The output of the pickup is weak
Best for Gigging
Ibanez AEWC32FM

If you're looking for an affordable acoustic-electric guitar built for gigging out, then the Ibanez AEWC32FM is perfect for you. 

This guitar is designed with a slim body and shorter scale length, making it fast and easy to play. While the laminated construction ensures that this guitar can withstand the rigors of gigging. 

The Ibanez AEWC32FM is the perfect guitar for anyone who wants an instrument that sounds great and is built to last.

Suppose you’re primarily an electric guitar player and looking for one of the best acoustic guitars under $500 to transition to the stage with. In that case, the Ibanez AEWC32FM is the instrument for you!

Ibanez is a brand that is known for the electric guitars that shred. They have brought this design aesthetic and alternative playability into the AEWC32FM with its skinny body, slightly shorter scale length, and fast-playing neck.

The guitar also features larger frets than most acoustic guitars on this list, making the playability great for alternative styles, lead lines, and tapping.

The body construction is laminated Flamed Maple and laminated Sapele back and sides. Often laminated construction is thought of as inferior to a solid wood design. However, laminated guitars are a lot more durable. This is a positive for a guitar you travel and gig with.

In addition, most of the guitar’s mojo and character come from having it plugged in through its Fishman Sonicore pickup system. You aren’t relying on the natural resonance as much, so the laminated construction does not deter from the sound/playability of this acoustic-electric guitar.

However, because of all these factors mentioned, this is not the best acoustic for a rich, full tone that other acoustic guitars offer on this list.

All in all, if you’re searching for an alternative, fast-playing acoustic guitar for live performances, the Ibanez AEWC32FM should be on your shortlist!

Pros
  • The guitar is durable and can withstand the rigors of travel
  • An acoustic guitar that plays like an electric guitar
  • The neck is fast, comfortable, and great for alternative playing styles like tapping and lead lines
  • Slim design eliminates onstage feedback
Cons
  • Florentine cutaway aesthetic isn't for everyone
  • Doesn't include a case or gig bag

For an in-depth look at what Ibanez Acoustic Guitars has to offer, please read my article “The Best Ibanez Acoustic Guitars for the Alternative Musician

Best for Fingerstyle
Alvarez AP66

The Alvarez AP66 is the perfect acoustic guitar for fingerstyle players. 

This guitar's mahogany top and sides produce a warm, rich sound with minimal overtones. The parlor shape gives the AP66 an intimate, worn-in vibe perfect for playing by a campfire or lounging around on your couch. 

Suppose you're looking for an acoustic guitar with fantastic playability, an intimate vibe, and excellent construction. In that case, the Alvarez AP66 will exceed your expectations.

A great fingerstyle guitar should be expressive, intimate, and hit you in the heart with its tone.

The Alvarez AP66 ticks all of these boxes. It features a solid mahogany top and laminated mahogany back and sides. This combination of woods creates a warm, rich, and woody sound with minimal overtones.

These tonewoods and the parlor shape give the guitar a worn-in, intimate sound that is perfect for playing by a campfire or lounging around on your couch.

This small body acoustic guitar also features hand-shaven, forward-shifted scalloped bracing, which allows the soundboard to resonate more freely. This makes the guitar sing with a lighter touch and less input from you as a guitar player.

The 12-fret construction with the extremely short-scale (24”) reduces string tension and gives the guitar a ”slinky” playability. This makes it an excellent guitar for fingerstyle players, beginning players, and those with arthritis in their hands.

This acoustic guitar can be purchased with electronics; however, this would put the guitar above our $500 threshold.

Another drawback to the Alvarez AP66 compared to other acoustic guitars on this list is its particular sound. It’s very vintage, vibey, and organic. This makes the guitar not an excellent choice for players looking for versatility and an “all-rounder guitar.”

However, suppose you’re looking for the best acoustic guitar with fantastic playability, an intimate vibe, and excellent construction. In that case, the AP66 will exceed your expectations for a guitar at this price point.

Pros
  • Parlor shape gives the guitar a worn-in, intimate sound that is fun to play 
  • Mahogany construction naturally compresses sound making your playing more even
  • Lighter string tension is great for fingerstyle players, beginners, and those with arthritis
  • Vintage-inspired guitar with modern, forward-thinking design elements
Cons
  • To keep this guitar under $500, you won't get any built-in electronics
  • The sound might be too "vintage" for some

To discover some other great fingerstyle guitars, check out my article “The Best Fingerstyle Guitars for Acoustic Players and Songwriters” today!

Best for Flatpicking and Strumming
Epiphone Hummingbird Studio

The Epiphone Hummingbird Studio is perfect for flatpicking and strumming. 

The dreadnought-style body gives the guitar a big, bold, projecting tone while the high-end rolls off to create an excellent vintage sound. 

The beautiful classic hummingbird pickguard and fret inlays make this guitar stand out from the others on this list.

Sometimes you’re looking for a guitar that isn’t subtle and oozes character and vintage tone. Well, Epiphone has you covered with the replica of one of Gibson Acoustic Guitars’ most famous models, the Hummingbird.

The Epiphone Hummingbird simply looks beautiful. With its classic hummingbird pickguard, split parallelogram fret inlays, solid spruce top with cherry sunburst, and mahogany back and sides.

The square-shouldered dreadnought body style emphasizes the low-end and midrange giving the guitar a big, bold, and projecting tone. The high-end rolls off and has a vintage tone characteristic of the Gibson/Epiphone line of musical instruments.

The Hummingbird Studio also features a slightly shorter scale length (24.75”) and narrower bridge nut width (1.683”), making this dreadnought guitar easier for beginners and those with smaller hands.

While the mahogany neck has a radius of (12”) which can feel slightly bulky for some players, it does taper as you move up the neck thanks to the Slim Taper D-shaped neck design.

A Fishman Piezo pickup is included with this guitar, so you can plug in and play and bring the classic Epiphone look to your next gig. Fishman is an excellent brand of electronics and pickups. However, this pickup does suffer a bit from the classic piezo “quack” that happens with some lower-end acoustic-electric guitar models.

All in all, if you’re looking for a guitar that looks beautiful, and can handle some heavy strumming and project across a room, then the Epiphone Hummingbird Studio is a guitar that won’t disappoint!

Pros
  • Get the classic Hummingbird look and sound for an affordable price
  • Big, bold, and projecting tone
  • The solid spruce top will open up and sound better with age
  • Shorter scale than other dreadnoughts making it great for beginners and those with smaller hands
Cons
  • Electronics suffer from the Piezo "quack"
  • The tone isn't as rich as its Gibson counterpart

For an in-depth look at what Epiphone Acoustic Guitars has to offer, please read my article “The Best Epiphone Acoustic Guitars for all Budgets and Players

Best for Kids
Little Martin Koa

The Martin LXK2 Little Martin Koa is the perfect guitar for kids. 

It's constructed of high-pressure laminate and durable enough to withstand bumps or drops. Plus, its smaller size means it won't project as loudly, so your child can practice without disturbing the household. And the koa wood finish is simply beautiful. 

Order your Little Martin Koa today and give your child the gift of music.

While it may be more popular as a travel guitar, the Martin LXK2 Little Martin Koa is an excellent guitar for kids to learn.

Koa looks great, and the high-pressure laminate construction makes the guitar extremely durable. So when your kid inevitably drops it or hits it against the corner of a door, it is likely to survive to see another day.

Also, Martin is known for creating high-quality instruments that sound great. The Little Martin Koa is no exception and carries almost two centuries of Martin’s expertise into the design.

Another plus of the Little Martin Koa is thanks to its smaller design, it won’t project as loudly. So as your little one is learning, you don’t have to worry about hearing them practice the same thing repeatedly if they are in another room.

If you’re looking for a beautiful guitar that your kids will have an easy time playing, it isn’t an eyesore and is very durable, then the Martin LXK2 Little Martin Koa is a great choice!

Pros
  • It's the perfect sized acoustic for kids to learn on
  • The high-pressure laminate construction is durable and will survive minor hits and scratches
  • It's a high-quality instrument from a manufacture that has been around for 200 years
  • The small body isn't as loud and allows practice without bothering anyone else in the house
Cons
  • Doesn't sound great played with a pick
  • As your kid grows, you will have to replace this with a full-sized guitar

For an in-depth look at what Martin Acoustic Guitars has to offer, please read my article “The Best Martin Acoustic Guitars for the Tone-Obsessed Player

Also, if you’re in the market for a guitar for your kid, then you should check out my articles:

Buyers Guide

I’m confident that most players will find a great guitar from one of the recommendations on my list.

Still, I don’t want to discourage readers from doing their research because numerous companies make quality budget acoustic instruments worth checking out.

I’ve put up a list of criteria and factors to assist you in your research so that you can make an educated decision based on your specific needs as a guitar player.

Body Shape

The body style is the first thing to consider when looking for an acoustic guitar.

While the dreadnought body shape is the most popular among budget guitars, you may find alternative body shapes that are better suited to your needs.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common you will find:

  • Parlor: Woody and vintage charm. Great for blues and rustic folk/country musicians
  • Concert (0): Great for fingerstyle and intimate performances
  • Grand Concert (00): Ideal for recording with its well-balanced, articulate tone
  • Grand Auditorium (000): The most versatile body style that does all things well
  • Dreadnought: Loud, projecting tone. It has a big low-end and can cut through a dense mix
  • Jumbo: Big, boisterous, and well-balanced. This body style is built to perform

Many different body types are available on the market, but they typically alter one of these basic shapes.

Parlor Body
Concert (0) Body

Grand Concert (00) Body

Grand Auditorium Body
Dreadnought Body
Jumbo Body

Tonewood

Tonewoods significantly impact your musical instrument’s sound, playability, and price.

The most critical tonewood will be your instrument’s soundboard (top wood). Most guitars in the $300-$500 price range will begin to offer solid tops.

Solid tonewood resonates better and will sound better with age. The two most common top woods you will find in this price range are:

  • Spruce
  • Mahogany 
Spruce Tonewood

Solid spruce is the most popular tonewood for acoustic construction. It has a tremendous dynamic range and is balanced and very articulate.

Mahogany Tonewood

Solid mahogany has a more worn-in and vintage vibe to it. It tends to be more midrange-focused and not as dynamic and bright as spruce.

Laminates

Using laminate construction for the back and sides of a guitar is pretty much a certainty with budget guitars.

Laminate is cheaper to build with than solid tonewood.

It is often considered inferior in terms of resonance and depth of sound.

However, laminate is more durable than solid wood. It is an excellent option for people who travel with their guitars and players who live in areas with lots of weather changes.

One of the issues with solid tonewood is that it can easily crack and warp with humidity change. So laminated construction is an excellent way to go if you leave your guitar out on a stand or wall mount and don’t want to worry about maintenance.

Electronics and Pickup System

As you get into acoustic guitars in the $300 to $500 range, you will see a lot more equipped with electronics and pickups for plugging in directly to an audio interface, PA system, or amp.

However, most pickup systems at this price range aren’t going to be great. They will have that unflattering and thin “quacky” sound often associated with bad plugged-in acoustic instruments.

Not all electronics are bad, and the guitars on my list that come with electronics often are better than average.

It’s good to know that if you find a guitar without electronics in this price range, you will often get a guitar that punches well above its weight.

Scale Length

If you take the measurement from the bridge nut to the twelfth fret and double it, you will get the guitar’s scale length.

But you might be wondering, why does scale length matter?

Scale length can change the string tension and tonality of a guitar. A shorter scale creates less string tension, making the guitar have a more “slinky” playability.

Anything greater than 25 inches in scale length is a full-scale guitar.

Full-scale is the most common scale length for acoustic guitars, and there is nothing wrong with it. Just be aware that if you are a beginner or someone with arthritis in your hands, a shorter-scale length (between 24” and 25”) will be much easier for you to play.

Nut Width

Nut width is the neck measurement where the headstock and fingerboard meet.

Standard nut widths are:

  • Small: 1.61 inches (1 11/18”)
  • Average: 1.73 inches ( 1 3/4”)
  • Large: 1.875 inches (1 7/8”)

If you’re a beginner or have small hands, look for a small to medium nut width guitar.

If you have big hands or want to play more fingerstyle, go with a medium to large nut width.

Neck Radius

The neck radius of a guitar impacts how comfortable a guitar feels in your hand.

A thicker 7″-9″ neck radius might feel more comfortable for chord playing but not as pleasant for scale playing.

On the other hand, a larger 16″ neck radius will feel more like an electric guitar neck and allow you to “shred” your instrument with greater ease.

Most of the guitars on my list are designed with the beginner to intermediate player in mind. Often manufacturers will choose a neck profile that isn’t super bulky and comfortable for a wide range of beginner to intermediate players.

Gig Bag

You would think that every guitar would come with some sort of gig bag or case. This, however, isn’t always true.

You should always have a gig bag or case to store your instrument. So double-check that the guitar you are looking at purchasing comes with one, or you might be spending extra to get one.

FAQ

The most common questions about the best acoustic guitars under $500.

Are “cheap” acoustic guitars bad?

No, cheap acoustics guitars are not bad. Acoustic guitar manufacturing has grown leaps and bounds thanks to CNC Machines.

You can get high-quality constructed guitars that are affordable and will last a long time.

However, this doesn’t mean that every budget guitar is a great deal. You have to make sure you buy from a guitar brand with a good reputation for making good guitars at an affordable price.

What are some common issues with a cheap acoustic guitar?

The common issue with a cheaper acoustic guitar is high action, guitar blemishes, rough edges on the fretboard, intonation problems, and low-quality build materials.

These are common problems; however, they can be remedied by getting your new acoustic guitar set up professionally after purchase.

Yes, this is an additional cost, but it will improve your guitar-playing experience.

What’s the best acoustic guitar under 500 dollars that features solid wood?

The best acoustic guitars under $500 that feature solid wood depend on the player’s needs. Many affordable acoustic guitars come with a solid top. Still, it’s challenging to find a guitar with solid wood back and sides.

The two solid tonewoods you will generally find on a less-expensive guitar are spruce or mahogany. Spruce has a wider dynamic range with more overtones. On the other hand, mahogany has a more compressed, mid-range tone with few overtones.

For beginner guitar players, you must use your ear to know which you prefer.

To Recap

Your guitar is an investment. It should serve you well for years and inspire you every time you pick it up. You deserve a high-quality instrument that will last many years of playing.

For that reason, my choice for the best acoustic guitar under $500 is the Big Baby Taylor.

Editor's Choice
Taylor Big Baby Taylor
Taylor Big Baby Taylor
  • It sounds great, looks good, and is a joy to play
  • Modern and balanced tone with glassy high-end response
  • You'll be impressed with the high-quality construction
  • Great guitar for all playing styles and skills levels https://amzn.to/3eBhnUH
For Recording
Guild D-240e
Guild D-240e
  • You'll be able to create beautiful recordings with the Guild D-240e
  • It's incredibly adaptable and will work well with a wide range of playing techniques, from strumming to fingerstyle performances
  • The pickups are surprisingly good for the price range
  • Guild creates classic guitars that will never go out of style
For Strummers
Epiphone Hummingbird Studio
Epiphone Hummingbird Studio
  • The dreadnought body style gives the guitar a big, bold, and projecting sound
  • Easier to play for beginners and those with smaller hands
  • The high-end is slightly "rolled off" for a vintage-inspired tone
  • The Hummingbird is a beautiful guitar that oozes character and tone
A picture of Brad Johnson (Owner & Writer of Song Production Pros) playing and testing a guitar at the Sam Ash Westminster Store. The guitar being played is a Taylor 814ce.

Why you can trust our content

Brad Johnson, the creator of Song Production Pros, researches and writes these reviews.

He's been playing music since he was nine and has played, used, and owned many instruments and pro audio gear. His reviews are based on hands-on experience, user-generated reviews, and subject matter expert reviews.

Please refer to our page, Our Review Process, for more details on how we approach writing our review articles.

Photo of author
AUTHOR
Brad Johnson
Brad is the creator of Song Production Pros. He writes songs and surfs on the weekends when he's not too busy with family or this website. He writes music under the moniker FJ Isles, and can be heard on all streaming services.