Welcome to the enchanting world of acoustic guitars! You are in the right place if you’ve been dreaming of strumming melodies without breaking the bank. In this Killer Rig run down, we will jump into the best acoustic guitars under $500.
If you are in a hurry, here are my top picks for an acoustic guitar under 500 bucks. These are my S-Tier choices.
S-TIER
Best Acoustics Under $500
My top choice is the Yamaha FG850. This guitar has wonderful build quality and sound, making it the best value for money. It has also been around a long time and ages extremely well.
That’s not to say the others on this list are not a good purchase. These instruments are all great and have wonderful features to offer guitarists.
Yamaha FG850
Build Quality
The Yamaha FG850 is known for its solid build quality! This is reflected in its durable construction and attention to detail.
A real nice feature of the guitar is a solid Sitka spruce top. It’s known for its resonance and tonal clarity. You will also find rosewood back and sides, which add warmth and depth to the sound.
NATO wood was used to create the neck. It has a rosewood fingerboard, which makes playing it smooth and comfortable. Scalloped bracing is used to support the body. This improves the instrument’s resonance and projection.
Comfort
With its ergonomic design, the Yamaha FG850 is comfortable for players of all sizes. It has a conventional dreadnought body shape and a comfortable slim neck profile. The guitar’s playability is also enhanced by the rosewood fingerboard and bridge.
The guitar’s low string action and excellent intonation also make it easier to play. Overall, the Yamaha FG850’s comfort features make it a great choice for all kinds of sessions.
Sound Performance
Because the guitar is made exclusively from mahogany, it has a very warm nature to the sound. The low mid-range punch and volume projection are wonderful with each strum. I did enjoy the fact that it still had a very present treble response without being overly bright.
It has a scalloped bracing which is supposed to increase the low end and I will have to say, they nailed it.
Of all the guitars I tried in this range, this one has a very broad bass response that was still quite balanced. The video below is a great resource to see just how the FG850 sounds.
Who is it for?
I found this guitar to be an exceptional strumming acoustic. It has a very mid-range focused sound that is bold yet balanced. I would suggest it to anyone playing country, bluegrass, or modern rock.
It really came to life when my strumming became more aggressive. The way the body resonates seems to begin to produce overtones that then complement the low end.
Why it Rocks
- Quality hardware.
- Warm, full tone with strong mid-range.
- Easy to play.
- Looks beautiful and feels good.
- Designed by an experienced and well known brand.
Drawbacks
- Some have complained that the action was high until properly set up.
- Tuners are generic.
Taylor GS Mini Sapele
Build Quality
The body on the GS Mini was inspired by the Grand Symphony. And being a Taylor, it is very well-made.
The body is small, so it feels very rigid as the construction is good. The neck is a patented design and is well assembled. The frets are well-dressed and easy to run your hands across.
The hardware used is also of good quality. I found the tuners to work very well and feel smooth. The nut and bridge are also good as they are made of Nubone and Micarta. So you have some great quality right out of the box!
Sound Performance
This is an interesting guitar because it still has quite the volume projection. I was most impressed with the sustain and compression it seems to have naturally. It’s not overly present in the low end, but the mid-range sure is!
It reminds me of a Taylor 314ce in a much smaller format, but not as full sounding. A very impressive instrument for the size. The video clip below will allow you to hear it in action.
Who is it for?
This is a traveler’s dream guitar. Nice and light, small, and still packs a punch. If you want the full sound of a larger acoustic, you won’t find it here. But it’s still perfect to have sitting around. Especially when you just want to play quickly and not take out a bigger acoustic guitar.
Why it Rocks
- Presents bigger than it actually is.
- Excellent sound quality.
- Perfect travel acoustic.
- Thin neck makes it easier to play.
- Designed by an experienced and well known brand.
Drawbacks
- Some have complained that the action was high until properly set up.
- A bit pricey for the size.
- Tuners are generic.
Ibanez ALT30 Altstar
Build Quality
Ibanez is known for making great guitars. The ALT30 is no different. It’s a unique guitar as the neck is similar to one you would find on an electric.
The body is well constructed and is like a dreadnought, but smaller and slimmer. The bracing is good and the neck to body joint is rigid.
The tuners are of good quality and feel nice when turned. They also hold tune well, which is obviously the main consideration. The onboard electronics are also very good and not cheaply made. Overall, this is a great build from Ibanez!
Comfort
One of the strengths of this guitar is the comfort level. The body is smaller and slimmer, which makes it easy to hold. It fits in your lap and can fit most people, big and small. The trade-off is less volume projection, but it’s not too bad.
The neck plays like an electric guitar. The action is lower and very comfortable. I appreciated the neck because I’m more of an electric player myself. So it was very easy to get into this guitar! Overall, one very comfortable guitar!
Sound Performance
When playing this guitar for the first time, I didn’t know what to make of it. It’s a very different acoustic that is also part electric.
But after a few minutes with it, I realized it has a very cool sound to it. It’s not overly loud and doesn’t have the rich tone that some others do, but it’s quite good unplugged.
Plugged into my Fender Acoustasonic 90 amplifier and dialed in right. I was able to get some excellent sounds.
This one’s deceiving because it’s so similar to an electric guitar. You just feel like rocking out on it.
Who is it for?
This is for a player who likes to transition between an electric and acoustic guitar. Without any radical difference in the neck. The Alt30 is more like an electric guitar, so it’s easy to move between them.
Looking for an acoustic for a big, bold, balanced sound? You won’t find it here, and I suggest you choose something else. But it’s perfect for players who also want an acoustic tone.
Why it Rocks
- Design and Hardware.
- Concept is Genius.
- Easy to play.
- Built in electronics.
- Can shred on an acoustic in a whole new way.
Drawbacks
- Has a different look to it that may not be for everyone.
Epiphone Hummingbird Studio
Aesthetics
The Hummingbird was a popular guitar, primarily due to the way it looked. This new version falls right in line with the original! If you’re looking for vintage, this is where it lives. The bright, bold look screams old school and is perfect if this is what you want.
Sound Performance
When first strumming the Hummingbird Pro, I was very happy to hear a rich, warm, and pristine tone from the guitar.
Epiphone makes some awesome guitars and this one holds true to their craftsmanship. Not only does it sound good, but it’s also quite loud and full, which I would expect from an acoustic of this size.
For the electronic test, I did something a bit different. I plugged it onto the Vox VT40X and selected a model that would be a good vintage tone.
I was not wrong! The sound from the Epiphone Hummingbird Pro was perfect. It was just as clear and full through the amp as it is unplugged.
Playing loud and aggressively. Had a bit of amp breakup mixed lightly in the background. It was quite the experience. I really enjoy the Hummingbird Pro. Have a listen to how this guitar sounds in this video.
Who is it for?
The Epiphone hummingbird pro is for players who like a vintage sound and look. It’s also a wonderful sounding acoustic, perfect for strumming and finger-picking. The electronics built-in, and EQ controls are intuitive, and the tone is wonderful. No matter how you use it, this acoustic guitar will serve you well.
Why it Rocks
- Build Materials and Hardware.
- Built in pickup system and controls.
- Bright, bold sound and easy to play.
- Vintage look.
- Designed by a well known brand.
Drawbacks
- Some have complained that the action was high until properly set up.
- No built-in tuner.
- Potential fret buzz if not set up properly.
Martin GPC-X1E
Build Quality
I was not sure what to expect from this guitar when I ordered it. I was concerned that because it was all laminate, that the quality would be poor. But because it was made by Martin, I did expect good construction.
Now that I’ve played it, I can assure you, it’s a great guitar! The laminate doesn’t mean poor quality at all. In fact, it’s a very sturdy instrument. The build quality is good and plays like a guitar made from tonewood. The tuners are of good quality, and I’m satisfied with it.
Sound Performance
Most players are skeptical about this one because it’s primarily made of laminate. But it has the great Martin projection and sound, for sure!
It’s bold and warm and has a good volume level to make it one of the best options at this price point. So don’t worry about the laminated wood, it sounds great!
To get a good idea of what you can expect, watch the video below. It will show you how the guitar sounds and what music style it will fit best!
Who is it for?
The GPC-X1E has an orchestra body, so the lower bout is larger. Anyone can use this guitar, but smaller people might get tired faster because of the larger size. So keep this in mind when looking at it. The advantage, however, is that the sound is also larger, which is worth it!
Why it Rocks
- Build quality and hardware.
- Bold Presence and Volume.
- Balanced sound overall and easy to play.
- Electronics on Board.
- Designed by an experienced and well known brand.
Drawbacks
- Laminate Build Might Not be Acceptable To Some.
Taylor Big Baby
Comfort
One of the metrics that some people are concerned with is the comfort of this guitar. The name alone sort of gives it a bad rap because you might think it’s huge! But even though it’s called the Big Baby, the guitar is comfortable.
It has a dreadnought sized body and is no different from the rest. If you have ever played a dreadnought guitar, then the Big baby will fit you just the same. The neck is also easy to play and has good action.
Sound Performance
The sound is warm and bright, having strong mid-tones that are crisp and well-defined. The lack of a cutaway limits the accessibility to the upper frets.
But this is perfectly fine for this acoustics body shape. There are no electronics built in. But the acoustic does project well enough to be heard with its bold volume.
Who is it for?
The Taylor Big Baby is a popular entry level guitar. The size is good for most people and the tone is warm and large. It’s a great first instrument for beginners! But also a fine player for intermediate and even advanced guitarists.
Why it Rocks
- Good Playability.
- Warm well-defined sound.
- Comfortable and balanced.
- Durable.
- Looks good.
Drawbacks
- No cutaway.
- No electronics.
Alvarez Artist AJ80CE
Sound Performance
The AJ80CE is an impressive acoustic guitar made for beginners and professionals alike. It has a big loud bold sound that is powerful and present! The bass fills a room while still being brilliantly alive in the treble frequencies.
This is just what we would expect from a model of this size and is a great acoustic guitar! Check out the video below to get an idea of just how bold it sounds!
Who is it for?
The AJ80CE is a jumbo-sized acoustic. If you are a smaller person, you might not find it to be comfortable. Anyone can play a jumbo, but it will tire some players out faster. So keep this in mind if you are looking to buy one.
It’s an acoustic with a very large sound. This is one of the benefits of a jumbo. So I recommend it to you if you need a larger tone and are not afraid of the size.
Why it Rocks
- Good balanced sound for price.
- Jumbo size.
- Electronics onboard.
- Comfortable neck.
- Beautiful.
Drawbacks
- May be big for some players.
Epiphone Song Maker DR-100
Body
The Epiphone song maker DR-100 is a very affordable acoustic guitar. This dreadnought-size model comes with a mahogany body that is easy to use. This offers wonderful playability. It’s comfortable and creates great volume projection.
Aesthetically, it looks very nice and has a classic look. The traditional pickguard adds to the look and offers protection to the finish. Most players should have no issues with this size.
Neck
A Slim taper C- profile neck gives the player a comfortable experience and is perfect to learn on. It looks beautiful and sounds great for a guitar at this price point. The tone is full and bold with plenty of volume projection. The neck is easy to play, and the frets feel good.
Why it Rocks
- Good value.
- Comfortable.
- Easy to play.
- Classic look.
- Well-made.
Drawbacks
- No electronics.
- May need a setup on arrival.
Final Thoughts
Not only are the acoustics great for all players, but they are also amazing backup or travel guitars. So if you are an experienced guitarist, you will find something perfect for a small amount of money.
When you are new to the instrument, these options will be the best place to start. Not only are they built well, but they come with awesome warranties. So not only can you enjoy the wonderful sound, but peace of mind as well.
If you have a few extra dollars to invest into an instrument, we suggest you take a look at an acoustic under 1000! The higher the quality of your instrument, the better your overall experience will be.
Take your time, read some of our other guides and choose the guitar you feel will fit you best. This way, you stand a better chance when it comes to long-term learning.