The 10 Best Beginner Acoustic Guitars

We’ve all been beginners in one way or another. Whenever you’re starting something, it’s always difficult to make the right choices simply because you don’t have enough knowledge and criteria to make a rational decision on the purchase. A lot of times we have to rely on the recommendations and advice from our friends, colleagues, music store clerks, and – hey! – the Internet. But how do you know you can trust us?

Well, we’ve been playing and reviewing guitars for many years. We’ve seen a fair share of great, mediocre, and absolutely horrible guitars so we can tell which is which. Finally, we do realize the needs and goals of a beginner as they’re different from intermediate or advanced players. So, you can pretty much rely on our advice. Don’t take it for granted, though, as your final decision should be made by you and none other. With guitars, it’s like a relationship where emotions matter just as much as rational thinking if not more.

The 10 Best Beginner Acoustic Guitars:

“Beginner” doesn’t have to mean “lousy” or “cheap”. Check out the 10 best beginner acoustic guitars whose qualities expand far beyond their price or status:

1. Seagull S6 Original Acoustic Guitar

The one and only Seagull S6. Possibly, the best value on the market. What’s so good about this baby?

First, it’s stripped down from anything that’s unnecessary for a beginner – such as electronics, fancy body shape (S6 is a classic dreadnought guitar), and materials. Yet, it features premium tonewoods – solid cedar top, cherry back and sides, and a rosewood fretboard.

Secondly, the semi-gloss finish that makes this guitar look just awesome.

The last but not least, the sound – Seagull S6 sounds warm and bright enough for you to love it. This tone fits most songs beginners are likely to start with so that brings an element of versatility to the table.

One downside is the price which could have a bit lower – almost $400 for your first guitar may not seem like a bargain at first but once you play this guitar, it all comes clear.

First impressions after unpacking

To be perfectly frank, Seagull’s S6 is a classic, and we pretty much knew what we should expect. Nevertheless, a good guitar can only earn its title after a series of performance checks, which ensued shortly after unboxing.

We’ve noticed a small detail right below the soundhole – there’s a peculiar little designer piece in the form of a black-painted shape. This was the only odd thing about it, however – everything else simply screamed “quality” all over.

The top of Seagull’s S6 was pressured pretty roughly, but signs of impeccable craftsmanship are surely there, right next to the tapered headstock which allows you to benefit from enhanced tuning stability – this is actually something a professional could use, as open tunings really sound amazing when played on this acoustic guitar.

Nevertheless, it’s absolutely perfect for beginners too – it came primed and ready for hours of fun.

Why is this acoustic guitar so good for beginners?

Now, even though this is not an acoustic guitar bundle (bundles and packages are best-suited for beginners, standalone models come second), it’s safe to say that nearly every Seagull guitar is good for beginners. Surely enough, professionals are often seen sporting Seagull instruments, but S6, in particular, is one of the best acoustic guitars a beginner could want.

And why is that, you ask? Simply put, this acoustic guitar boasts an amazing value for the buck, it sounds absolutely terrific, and the features it comes outfitted with are practically tailored for the needs of immediate newcomers in the guitar world.

Quick specs rundown

• Seagull S6 acoustic guitar
• Pressured top
• Double-action truss rod
• Tapered headstock
• Tusq nut
• Compensated saddle

Price & price point category:

Well now, don’t be surprised when you hear that Seagull’s S6 costs quite a lot – it is, in fact, one of the best acoustic guitars ever made, so it’s only fitting that it costs the part.

This phenomenal acoustic guitar belongs to the upper bracket of the “medium-high” price point category, and it’s more expensive than most models in this review. Nevertheless, it holds a superb value for the cash, mainly due to its unprecedented levels of playability and performance.

The final thoughts

It’s practically impossible to “not like” Seagull guitars. These guys have made quite an effort to be where they are, as can be seen through the quality of their instruments, the S6 is the true representative of their superb craftsmanship.

We highly recommend Seagull’s S6, and we daresay it’s one of the finest acoustic guitars ever made, although don’t forget to check out our “Buying Guide” section for additional information regarding the acoustic guitar accessories – this guitar doesn’t feature any.

2. Taylor GS Mini Mahogany Acoustic Guitar

Taylor GS Mini features a different body type than Seagull S6. Instead of classic dreadnought shape, it has a Grand Symphony body. What difference does it make?

First, the size – it’s, basically, a smaller-size, travel guitar, which you can take anywhere with you (especially if you have small hands). Second, it’s the sound – the trebles are more accentuated compared to other models. Taylor GS Mini features a better ringing sound than some of its counterparts on this list.

The wood choice may seem somewhat unusual for some but it’s Taylor – a company known for little compromises to the quality. Here we have a solid mahogany top and laminate Sapele back and sides. The fretboard is made of genuine African ebony, which adds a lot to the sound.

With the matte finish, this guitar doesn’t shine as much as Seagull or Blueridge models do but it looks fantastic nevertheless. The downside is that the guitar may not always stay in tune that well on the higher frets so you might want to check on that before buying in a physical store.

First impressions after unpacking

Taylor’s GS acoustic guitar comes in a plain box – you’ll get your instrument along with all the necessary paperwork, but that’s pretty much it. There are no gratis accessories whatsoever, but with a level of playability such as this guitar has, it’s safe to say you don’t even need them.

First of all, Taylor’s GS acoustic guitar features a Mini Cutaway design – it looks quite ordinary, though it’s certainly more beautiful when compared to your average acoustic guitar. Both the back and the sides feature Sapele materials – they’re very sturdy, but they’re also finished with smooth, rounded edges for ultimate comfort while playing.

What came as a surprise is the material of the fingerboard. We all know that most brands use Rosewood – it’s cheap, and it does the job quite great. However, Taylor decided to use premium-quality Ebony here, and not just any type – premium African ebony. The neck features Sapele materials, which is again pretty awesome.

The only thing that’s not so great about it is its price though – everything else checks out perfectly fine. Why is this acoustic guitar bundle so good for beginners?

If this is to be your first acoustic guitar, you can rest assured that you’re going to get accustomed to quality really quickly.  One of the main reasons why Taylor’s GS acoustic guitar is so good for beginners is because it excels in numerous fields of performance (affordability excluded, of course).

Quick specs rundown:

• Cutaway body type
• Solid mahogany top
• Sapele back and sides
• Mahogany top
• Ebony fingerboard

Price & price point category

Folks who want to learn how to play an acoustic guitar usually don’t feel too inclined to pay over $100 for their first instrument, that much is a given. However, most beginners fails to realize the importance of your first guitar – it will be the one you’ll learn the ropes on, the one you will remember, so you might as well want to consider saving up some extra cash.

Taylor’s GS acoustic guitar belongs to the “high” price point category, and it’s one of the most expensive acoustic guitars in this review. Don’t let that dissuade you, though – it holds a staggering value for the buck.

The final thoughts

You don’t have to be an expert to understand that Taylor’s GS acoustic guitar represents a materialized form of the purest quality regarding the stringed instrument family. It’s one of the best acoustic guitars on the market, and that would be true even if we’re to completely forget about how much it costs.

3. Alvarez Artist Series AD30 Dreadnought Guitar

This is one powerful resonance monster of a guitar. Who would’ve expected so much resonance from such a humble instrument? This is all due to the solid Sitka spruce top (that is, not laminated), mahogany back and sides, and great build quality in general.

AD30 is considered to be an «entry model» in the renowned Alvarez Artist Series but it still retains all the fine qualities of its bigger brothers. The traditional dreadnought shape, the well-balanced sound where all registers are present (from bass to treble), the natural finish – this guitar is a true classic.

The price is great too – for a little more than $200 you get a nice-sounding and good-looking beginner guitar. One possible downside is that it’s a Chinese-made guitar so you may expect some minor flaws in manufacturing. Other than that, it’s a great way to start if you’re limited on budget.

First impressions after unpacking

Alvarez might not be as famous as Ibanez, Seagull, or Taylor, which is why the label “Artist Series” didn’t mean much to us until we unpacked and tested out the AD30 Dreadnought. Suffice to say, we liked what we saw.

Basically, this is a plain, straightforward acoustic guitar that works like a charm as far as beginners are concerned. It features a top made of Sitka Spruce, back and sides made of mahogany, and a classic dreadnought design. The fact that there’s nothing too “exquisite” about it is what makes it so good. You know where you’re standing, what it can offer you, and what it asks for in return – best of all, it’s not much.

Why is this acoustic guitar bundle so good for beginners?

The reason why Alvarez AD30 Dreadnought acoustic guitar is good for beginners is quite simple – you’ll have to search far and wide to find a guitar which is as plain as this one. Its design is absolutely terrific – it looks pretty and simplistic, and every beginner will be able to practice comfortably because of it. The build materials are pretty durable, and the pricing is more than fair. Overall, this is definitely a good beginner’s guitar.

Quick specs rundown:

• Top made of Sitka Spruce
• Scalloped bracing
• Mahogany back & sides
• Dovetail neck-joint
• Dreadnought design

Price & price point category

Alvarez AD30 Dreadnought acoustic guitar is among the cheaper few we’ve reviewed today. Even though it’s very affordable, it belongs to the medium bracket of the “medium” price point category.  This, figuratively speaking, means that it does cost a bit more than a regular beginner could (and should) pay, but it holds a superb value for the cash.

The final thoughts

Alvarez did a pretty solid job with the AD30, and we thought that there was little room for improvement, the only drawback being the lack of gratis beginner accessories, that is.

All things considered, this is a beautiful acoustic guitar – it excels in aesthetics, performs awesomely, and doesn’t cost too much. We highly recommend it to people who don’t mind paying a couple of bucks extra, as well as to those who want to have a full, exquisite experience down the first steps of learning how to play guitar.

4. Blueridge Bristol BD-16 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

Bristol BD-16 is pure magic. This guitar ought to cost more (I hope you guys from Blueridge aren’t reading this) because of the unmatched craftsmanship and sound for that price. Featuring a laminated Spruce top with mahogany back and sides, this guitar sounds bright and clear, with a full range sound coming from under your fingers. The slim neck provides fast and easy action while the rosewood fretboard ensures real smooth playability.

The hardware is pretty much what you’d be expecting from the guitars of this price range – an artificial nut and saddle complete with 6 standard die-cast tuning pegs. As long as you’re not bending your strings too much, you should stay in tune quite alright. This guitar is equally great for picking and strumming.

First impressions after unpacking

We’re slowly moving on to actual “beginner bundles”, and what better way to open up than with an underdog brand? Namely, the first thing you’ll see if you visit Bristol’s Amazon profile will be a coffee bean – not a guitar, a cello, or any instrument whatsoever.

Moreover, they don’t appear to build guitars at all, yet somehow this one ended up in their business plan. We’re more than happy for that turn of events, though, as Bristol’s BD-116 Dreadnought acoustic guitar is absolutely amazing.

Why is this acoustic guitar bundle so good for beginners?

Well, first of all, Bristol’s BD-116 comes with a convenient carry bag – this is, however, the only bonus accessory included in this bundle. On top of that, it comes outfitted with a set of special features that aim to help new guitar players get the hang of their instruments, such as chrome-plated tuners, a slim neck, low action, and more.

Quick specs rundown:

• Spruce top
• Scalloped braces
• Mahogany back & sides
• Mahogany neck
• Rosewood fretboard
• Chrome-plated machine heads
• Carrion hardshell case (bonus feature)

Price & price point category

Bristol’s BD-116 Dreadnought acoustic guitar costs just about as much as any other premium-quality instrument – it certainly doesn’t come cheap, but it doesn’t cost a fortune either.

This exquisite guitar belongs to the lower bracket of the “high” price point category. Since the hardshell carry case is included, it’s safe to say that the actual price of the guitar itself is some $50 – $70 less. Nevertheless, it’s quite affordable, but maybe not so much if perceived through the wallet of an immediate beginner.

The final thoughts

We really liked Bristol’s BD-116 Dreadnought. This is a remarkable acoustic guitar, and we highly recommend it to beginners who want to have a taste of quality straight on. It’s not the cheapest acoustic guitar out there, but it’s among the best acoustic guitars for beginners, hands down.

5. Yamaha FG830 Solid Top Acoustic Guitar

The Yamaha FG series is one of the longest-standing and most popular acoustic guitar series ever. Mediocre guitars do not get that kind of recognition. With FG830, we have a solid-sounding guitar that’s built to last. The body and neck materials are almost identical to those of Bristol BD-16 save for the top. On FG830, it’s solid – not laminated (hence, the price).

The shape is the traditional dreadnought. Combined with the quality materials and unique bracing pattern used by Yamaha, this guitar produces a very rich sound with quite a bit of overtone. The sustain could have been better but, hey, this is an entry-level guitar we’re talking. Overall, FG830 doesn’t break any ground – yet, it’s an amazing instrument for the price asked.

First impressions after unpacking

The sheer utterance of the word “Yamaha” commands respect, and we knew what we were dealing with when the box arrived. Needless to say, our expectations were quite high, but our first impression of the Yamaha FG830 can’t really be described with words.

At first, you may think that this is an ordinary, average acoustic guitar, as it features a very plain design. Moreover, most people wouldn’t even be able to hazard a guess that it’s one of Yamaha’s finest models until looking up the nameplate on the headstock.

Regardless, its simple design hides a secret – this acoustic guitar passed through our performance checks with flying colors, and we are more than happy to label it as one of the best acoustic guitar models for beginners and new players.

Why is this acoustic guitar bundle so good for beginners?

Simply put, the FG830 is pretty valuable and great for the cash on its own, but Yamaha offers you a bunch of options in regard to the bonus accessories. Starting from the bottoms up, the plain “Acoustic Guitar” option leaves you with this guitar alone. Next comes the “Value Pack”, which contains the gratis hardshell carry case. The “Accessories Bundle” features a set of D’Addario replacement strings, several picks, and a Snark chromatic tuner. Whichever you choose, you can’t make a mistake.

Quick specs rundown:

• Solid Spruce Top
• Back, sides, fretboard, and bridge made of premium quality Rosewood
• Diecast tuners
• Adjustable truss rod

Price & price point category

Knowing that Yamaha is one of the world-class leaders in the guitar manufacturing industry, they earned their fame with boutique and high-end guitars and guitar bundles. Oddly enough, their lower-end products are equally good, such is the case with this particular acoustic guitar.

Yamaha’s FG830 belongs to the medium bracket of the “medium” price point category, and it boasts an average price – if we are to overlook the fact that this is a high-quality acoustic guitar, that is. Its value is much higher than its actual price.

The final thoughts

Yamaha’s FG830 is a decently-priced high-quality acoustic guitar. We daresay it’s one of the best on the market you’ll ever get for the cash, and it certainly holds quite a value for the money. It has its flaws, sure, but it’s better than most models in the price range, so we highly recommend it.

6. Fender FA-100 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

Fender’s FA-100 Dreadnought starter bundle is our first “proper” acoustic guitar package in this review. You’ve all heard about Fender all right – these guys are maybe the most important and well-renowned brand in the history of the guitar manufacturing industry, and they’ve earned their keep throughout the years.

This package contains everything a beginner could need and want – it’s laden with premium-quality guitar accessories like a clip-on tuner, a set of picks, Fender 70L replacement strings, a tuner, and a gig bag.  Essentially, this is a high-quality acoustic guitar package that deserved the attention it got, so let’s see what you should expect out of it.

First impressions after unpacking

We’ve taken our sweet time while deciding which style variation to pick. Namely, Fender allows you to choose the color of your FA-100 acoustic guitar – it comes in plain black, natural, natural Satin, and Sunburst. The latter is, of course, among the most famous and fashionable variations, so we decided to go with it.

Now, this acoustic guitar package got named the “Essentials bundle”. After unpacking it, we were quite pleased with the accessories inside. The first thing that popped up was the clip-on tuner – the Fender’s very own FT-004 tuner which boasts superb accuracy and fast response.

There was three Fender’s nylon guitar picks inside – they’re pretty plain, quite durable, and pretty basic, actually, nothing about them worth mentioning (the same goes for the strap, which is quite straightforward as well).

Now, the replacement strings set was quite peculiar – actually, this is the reason why this bundle is so good for beginners, but more words will be on this matter later on. The gig bag, though unpadded, only boosts the already great value.

Why is this acoustic guitar bundle so good for beginners?

Fender’s FA-100 was built to last, that much is certain. It’s a full-size acoustic guitar with a laminated top, X bracing, chromed hardware, a bridge made of rosewood, and a 20-fret fingerboard with clearly visible dot inlays.

This dreadnought acoustic guitar comes pre-strung with Fender’s 70L “Light” strings. They’re quite gentle, so even though they’re a bit less durable than medium (and thick, of course) strings, they’re very playable and are perfect for beginners.

Quick specs rundown:

• Dreadnought design
• Rosewood bridge
• Laminated top
• X bracing
• 20-fret fretboard
• Chromed hardware

Price & price point category

Much to our surprise, the Fender FA-100 Necessities bundle comes at a ridiculously cheap price. It belongs to the mid bracket of the “affordable” price point category, and it’s one of the cheapest high-value premium-quality guitar bundles ever made.

The final thoughts

In a nutshell, the Fender’s FA-100 dreadnought necessities bundle is worth your cash –period. It features a superbly playable guitar made of high-quality materials, as well as a full pack of some of the finest, most needed guitar accessories. Needless to say, we recommend it to every beginner out there.

7. Yamaha Gigmaker Deluxe Acoustic Guitar Package

Yamaha is a big name in the big world of guitar makers, and it’s only fitting that we’ve decided to include one of their finest products in our little review.  Simply put, this particular guitar bundle will help you learn the ropes of guitar play in the easiest, most comfortable way possible. Without further ado, let’s see what’s in store.

First impressions after unpacking

Yamaha’s Gigmaker is true to its name – it gets the party started, and it’s one of those guitar bundles that will stick around your soul for years to come. Now, the “Gigmaker” package is huge – it comes outfitted with a bunch of free goodies that will help you get on your feet and learn the basics in mere months, maybe weeks.

Our first impressions were straight as an arrow’s shaft – we already knew Yamaha makes some of the best guitars, acoustic guitars and guitar bundles, but we were curious about the things that made the “Gigmaker” so popular.

Why is this acoustic guitar bundle so good for beginners?

Well, for starters, you’ll get a massive beginner’s bundle to play with. There’s a neat little gig bag (possibly the reason for the name as well) which will be of much use during your band practices or lessons, a high-tech Yamaha OCT1 clip-on tuner, a quickstart DVD, a hexagonal wrench, a couple of picks, set of replacements strings – you name it.

One of the best things about Gigmaker is the oversized tuner – one of the best accessories, that is. It’s not only one of the most precise tech pieces you’ll ever have, but its huge display was intentionally made for beginners.

On the other hand, if you’re having trouble understanding some of the more difficult parts of the first steps in your guitar learning, the quickstart DVD guide will certainly help you.

Quick specs rundown:

• Yamaha Gigmaker guitar
• Gig bag
• Qwik-Tune QT-11 tuner & pipe function
• Yamaha gigmaker quickstart instructional DVD
• Strap
• Strings
• Picks

Price & price point category

Yamaha’s Gigmaker bundle is famous for being one of the best beginner acoustic guitar sets. It’s also one of the cheapest out there, which only makes it more perfect for newcomers.

This outstanding acoustic guitar set belongs to the lower bracket of the “affordable” price point category, and there’s a high chance you won’t find a better or more affordable guitar bundle anywhere.

The final thoughts

Professional guitarists and veterans hold Yamaha in high esteem, and there’s a very good reason for that. This brand is reputable for being reliable, and delivers nothing short of premium-quality products – the “Gigmaker” is a true representative of their quality.

Not only we recommend that you try this bundle out – we encourage you to start saving up cash straight away. These packs are running out of stock so quickly, so you better hurry up.

8. Yamaha F325D Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Bundle

Here we’re having yet another superb acoustic guitar pack from Yamaha. This time, we’re reviewing the F325D Dreadnought guitar bundle. Basically, it comes with a similar set of goodies when compared to the “Gigmaker”, and it belongs to the same price range. We wanted a bit of diversity on the menu, so let’s check out what’s different.

First impressions after unpacking

Frankly, the “Gigmaker” has set quite a high standard for acoustic guitar bundles, so the F325D Dreadnought bundle had some proving to do. In essence, after unpacking this guitar set we’ve come to the conclusion that Yamaha is literally “incapable” of making a poor-quality set. Everything checked out – the sound, firmness of the body, neck’s durability, playability, everything.

On top of that, Yamaha offers you a chance to pick between two guitar color variations, as well as two complimentary storage bag features. The guitar color variations include the plain “Natural” and the exquisitely beautiful “Sunburst”. We’ve settled for the latter, as it excels in aesthetics more than the former.

As for the gratis bag, the bundle which has the gig bag is fairly good for the cash – the hard case option costs a bit extra, and it might be overkill for immediate beginners.

Why is this acoustic guitar bundle so good for beginners?

Just like the “Gigmaker”, Yamaha’s F325D Dreadnought acoustic guitar bundle is absolutely perfect for young bloods. The guitar boasts a massive value for the cash due to its exceptional level of playability, durability, and performance. As for the bonus features, it’s hard to say which bundle has the upper hand.

What we do know is that the F325D pack comes with a set of premium-quality Austin Bazaar “guitar essentials”, a set of replacement strings, a plain clip-on tuner, and a convenient guitar strap.

The F325D features a solid Spruce top, a rosewood fingerboard, and chromed hardware – all that specifically made to meet the demands of the aspiring young guitarists.

Quick specs rundown:

• Dreadnought design
• Spruce top
• Rosewood fretboard
• Chromed hardware
• Gig bag
• Guitar strap
• Replacement strings
• Austin Bazaar “Guitar Essentials” instructional DVD
• Several picks
• Clip-on tuner

Price & price point category

Yamaha’s F325D Dreadnought guitar bundle belongs to the bottom bracket of the “affordable” price point category. That being said, it’s clear that it’s perfect for beginners, and, suffice to say, it’s more than just worth your cash.

The final thoughts

By saying that “Yamaha is incapable of making a bad product” we’ve made quite a bold statement. There’s no need to back it up – what’s more, as soon as you get your hands on the F325D acoustic guitar bundle, you’ll understand everything we wanted to say with it.

This is, by all means, one of the greatest guitar packages that money can buy, so there’s no reason for you to wait around – go for it.

9. ADM Full Size Nylon-String Classical Guitar with Gig Bag

Now, even though ADM might not be a brand that boasts a level of renown such as Gibson, Ibanez, and Yamaha, they’re certainly a name you can invest your trust in. This remarkable acoustic guitar package will show you why.

First impressions after unpacking:

It’s hard to make an unbiased opinion on what’s “good” and what’s “best” after checking out so many premium-quality guitar bundles, but we can’t, with a clear conscience, say that we weren’t thrilled to see what ADM’s acoustic guitar pack had to offer.

In fact, this is the first nylon-strung acoustic guitar in this review, so some of the criteria had to fall out. It looked pretty awesome upon unpacking, that much is a given, and it provided a clear, rich tone after the first couple of chords were strung. There was, however, a certain thing that struck the eye – there were no dotted inlays. Of course, that won’t mean much to a seasoned veteran, but beginners really need these so as to better orient themselves on the fret-board.

Nevertheless, the guitar showed much promise, and the gratis features contained in the bundle only contributed to our sense of elation. Our first impression of the ADM’s beginner guitar bundle was great. The accessories are, suffice to say, peculiar and unique in every way possible, and some of them were quite unexpected.

Why is this acoustic guitar bundle so good for beginners?

Even though the guitar itself might not be best suited for beginners (due to the lack of dot inlays, that is), the accessories in this bundle most certainly are.

For instance, the complementary footstool was something we didn’t see in other guitar bundles. The electric tuner was quite common, the replacement strings too, but the guitar stand and capo? Again, totally unexpected.

Even though these are very plain contraptions in nature, you’ll need some time to get accustomed to them, and you can trust us on this one – that would be a time well invested.

Quick specs rundown:

• ADM Nylon-strung classical guitar
• Decorative binding
• Rosewood fingerboard & bridge
• Black pearl machine heads
• NATO neck
• Silver frets
• Dual action truss rod
• Gig bag
• Electronic tuner
• Footstool
• Capo
• Replacement strings
• Footstool

Price & price point category

ADM’s beginner guitar bundle costs just below $100, and it’s quite clear that it boasts a high level of affordability. This pack is well worth the cash, and we highly recommend it to every beginner who’s searching for a complete newbie acoustic guitar set.

The final thoughts

Everything about ADM’s beginner guitar set is “quality”, “quality”, and “quality”. The features, the guitar, bonus goodies – simply everything is as good as can be, apart from one small thing.

We highly recommend this guitar, but only if you don’t mind playing without the dotted inlays. These can be very helpful, especially if you’re a complete beginner, but it’s safe to say that you could manage without them.

10. Artall 41 Inch Handmade Solid Wood Acoustic Cutaway Guitar Beginner Kit

The last acoustic guitar bundle in this review comes from Artall – an underdog brand with a decently great reputation. This is, essentially, a pretty basic guitar package – it contains the bare necessities and a high-quality single-cutaway guitar. The catch is – it’s super cheap. Let’s see what it can offer you.

First impressions after unpacking

In truth, we didn’t expect much – this is a (very) cheap beginner bundle from a brand that’s not nearly as famous as some of the big guys we’ve mentioned earlier, but there was something about it that stuck out.

One of the things we liked the most is the number of color options we were offered – this guitar apparently comes in “black”, “brown”, “natural”, and “sunset” color variants, but the fact that you’ll be able to choose the actual “size” of your guitar really accounts for something.

Just make sure not to confuse small acoustic guitars with ukuleles – the “smallest” guitars in this series are actually “guitaleles”, which are small, downscaled variants of the actual guitar. If you happen to like these, you can check out our “best ukulele for beginner reviews”.

Why is this acoustic guitar bundle so good for beginners?

Well, this bundle comes with a set of replacement strings, a polishing cloth, some picks, a strap, and a neat little carry bag. That much is enough to label it as “good”, but combined with the remarkably low price, it’s surely one of the finest beginner packs out there.

Quick specs rundown:

• Single-cutaway design
• Basswood body
• Brass frets
• Gig bag
• Tuner
• Several picks
• Guitar strap
• Replacement strings

Price & price point category

Our last pick is also the most affordable one. It’s hard to put it in the same price range as the previous few (the bottom bracket of the “affordable” price range) since it barely costs $50, but you get the point. A guitar bundle as cheap as this can’t be found, regardless of how much you tried, so don’t let someone else snatch it from you.

The final thoughts

Basically, Artall’s single-cutaway acoustic guitar bundle isn’t “special” in any way – there are guitars that are more beautiful, bundles which are more plentiful, and materials which are more durable.

Regardless, it’s one of the cheapest guitars and guitar packs on the market, so the sheer fact that it can go toe to toe with some of the higher-end products speaks volumes about its value for the cash.

Buying Guide – Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Beginner Acoustic Guitar

It’s safe to say that picking a beginner’s acoustic guitar isn’t rocket science, but there are some things that shouldn’t be overlooked. Simply walking into a store and saying “that one” won’t cut it, as each guitar has its own sets of specifications and features.

This section is dedicated to people who are completely new to guitars – acoustic ones more precisely. Namely, picking an electric guitar might be easier than finding a good acoustic guitar, as the former can be “amped” for clearer sound while the latter dabbles with small, tiny details that are practically invisible to newbies.

That being said, let’s proceed to the things you should consider before purchasing your first acoustic guitar:

Standalone or Bundle?

This is an easy question in its essence, but objectively, no one can answer it but you. A standalone acoustic guitar means that it doesn’t come with any guitar accessories, whereas a bundle does.

The only real and legitimate reason why you wouldn’t consider a bundle is if you already have these gadgets. Standalone guitars are often higher in terms of quality, but that won’t mean too much to a newbie who can’t even tune in his (or her) guitar.

Durability

A durable acoustic guitar is usually made of specific materials – Cedar, rosewood, blackwood, basswood. These materials provide a decent amount of durability without interfering with the sound emission.

Simply put, you can’t just use any type of wood and scramble it together. Different woods resound differently, so make sure that your guitar sounds as good as its firm and strong.

Design

The design of a guitar is of little importance, but its size and weight are of great. In fact, how your guitar is designed could mean a difference between getting in love with it or quitting.

Large guitars, especially ones made of exotic, robust materials are often pretty heavy. Heavier guitars are harder to play on, which is only normal. That’s the reason why you should factor in these aspects before making the purchase.

Sound

Most professional musicians advocate the statement that a beginner shouldn’t worry too much about the sound. Sure, it’s good if your guitar sounds good, but there’s a high chance you won’t even know it.

The “taste” for a guitar’s sound comes with years of practice, so this is one of the factors that shouldn’t be imperative to you. On the other hand, finding a guitar that sounds good could help you get accustomed to sweet, tender melodies early on – after you’ve developed a liking for it, you won’t be able to get enough of it.

Bonus accessories & gratis features

This is, perhaps, the most important part. Guitar accessories are very important for beginners, as you won’t be able to do much without them.

For instance, there’s no point in practicing if your guitar is out of tune, hence you’re going to need a tuner. If you find a certain chord too hard to fret, there’s the capo. If you feel too tired of playing in a seated position, use a strap.

Simply put, there’s an accessory for every potential problem you might face, so this is also one of those important factors.

Conclusion

That’s it for now – we’ve reviewed 10 best beginner acoustic guitars in the $500 price range. Remember one thing: before finally settling on a guitar for yourself, find a way to see and try it in action. Once you’ve seen it and enjoyed holding it and playing it, you know it’s your instrument.