They say the formula for how many guitars to own is n + 1, where n equals the current number of guitars you already own. Now that we know that you’ll be buying another guitar, I’ve put together a list of the top acoustic guitars for around $500.
(If that’s too much to spend, no worries, check out my guide on the best beginner guitars that come in under $300.)
This price range of acoustic guitars is perfect for all levels of players. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced player, this price point gets you a good guitar that will sound great while not breaking the bank.
While you won’t find any American made acoustics for this price, you will find some by popular American brands offering cheaper versions of their high end guitars that are made in Mexico or China.
Every guitarist needs that one acoustic to take on trips, take camping or pull out at parties. If it gets damaged or destroyed, it’s not the end of the world!
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Taylor Big Baby
Here we have a Taylor guitar that won’t break the bank. Taylor is known for their high quality, and expensive guitars. It’s great that they are offering a lower priced model so more players can enjoy their great sounding guitars.
The Big Baby is a 15/16 dreadnought sized guitar which is slightly smaller than a full sized. Perfect for those that want that dreadnought sound but want a little smaller body. The top is sitka spruce and the back and sides are sapele.
The guitar has a very warm and full bodied tone, and that it does not sound like a cheap guitar. This is no surprise given that it is made by Taylor.
This is another great choice for those with smaller hands, as Taylor’s are known for their great necks and amazing playability.
Update: I recently bought one of these for myself, and it’s amazing. Check out my full review of the Big Baby Taylor.
Yamaha FG800 Solid Top Acoustic
This guitar is one of the most popular choices for those looking for a quality acoustic guitar for beginners. It comes in a dreadnought size or concert (smaller body) size.
It also comes in a variety of colors (10 at time of writing). Some of the features of this acoustic are: Spruce top, rosewood back and sides, new scalloped bracing.
Owners describe the sound of this guitar as full, bright, and balanced. It will surely bring a smile to your face as you strum chords for hours while learning new songs.
Epiphone Hummingbird Studio
This is our top pick for the best dreadnought guitar for beginners. It has the looks of something you’d see in a honky tonk bar. It is a really cool looking acoustic guitar.
It is a classic with it’s sunburst color and decorated hummingbird pick guard. It is the more affordable version of the Gibson Hummingbird.
It has a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides. It also has a pickup so you can amplify it for gigs.
I love its big sound with great playability. Nice low action will make playing much easier. The tapered neck is great for beginners and makes forming chords less difficult.
Martin LX1E Little Martin
Yes, a Martin guitar that’s affordable. The Martin LX1E features a sitka spruce top with mahogany back and sides.
It carries the Martin name, which means high quality is expected. Being that it is closer to our spending limit, you can expect this guitar to deliver on tone.
This one is a direct competitor to the Baby Taylor. Personally, I like the sound of the Martin better, since it is bright and crisp. The tradeoff is the playability is not as high as the Taylor.
For even less money, you can get the Martin LX1 without electronics.
Seagull S6 Original
The Seagull S6 is another very popular choice for those looking for an affordable but great sounding acoustic. Owners claim it sounds as good as guitars in the $800-$1500 range.
The S6 has a cedar top with cherry back and sides. It features a wider nut, which means this guitar will be a great choice for those playing finger style or that have larger hands.
The sound of this guitar is big, yet soft. It is “alive” with tone. Seagull has been making quality guitars at an affordable price for many years, so the S6 will not disappoint.
Fender CD-60S
The Fender CD-60S is an awesome deal for under $500. This guitar is made completely of mahogany wood – the top, back, sides, and neck are all mahogany, which gives it a rich, warm sound you’ll love.
The dreadnought body style makes this guitar pretty loud with strong bass, so it’s great for playing country, folk, or bluegrass music. It has special “scalloped X bracing” inside that helps balance all the sound ranges and gives you more volume.
The tuners are chrome die-cast, which means they’ll keep your guitar in tune better than cheaper ones. Plus, they don’t get dirty easily.
This Fender looks really nice too, with its all-mahogany build giving it a fancy look without the fancy price tag. If you want a guitar that sounds like it should cost way more, this is definitely one to check out!
Ibanez AAM70CETBN Advanced Acoustic Auditorium
This 6-string acoustic-electric is an awesome deal that gives you great looks and sound for your money.
The top is made of spruce wood, which gives you a bright, clear sound that works for all kinds of music. What makes this guitar special is the Macassar ebony back and sides – that’s the same fancy wood used in much more expensive guitars!
It has an Okoume neck that feels comfortable to play, and the Purpleheart fingerboard looks amazing with its unique purple-brown color. Plus, it’s not just a regular acoustic! It has a piezo pickup built in so you can plug it into an amp when you want to play louder.
The steel alloy strings give you a crisp, bright tone right out of the box. If you want a guitar that stands out from the crowd with its looks and versatility, this Ibanez is definitely worth checking out!
