March 28, 2021 by Klaus Crow
It’s amazing how the quality of affordable guitars is improving these days.
I can still remember the time when you would have to dig deep into your pockets to get a guitar with a decent tone.
Nowadays you can buy really good quality and a great sounding guitar for a reasonably cheap price.
Whether you want a guitar from one of the manufacturers that have proven high quality over decades or solid wood guitars built with passion and care, it’s all within reach.
I’m often pleasantly surprised when I hear and feel some of the lower priced guitars at the guitar store or when my students hand over their freshly new bought guitars for me to try out. After a while they dare to interrupt me, “Hey Klaus, Sir… Excuse me! Can we get on with the guitar lesson, please?” and I’m like “Oh yeah, right, Sorry. Where were we?”. I just get lost when a good sound captures me.
What you pay and get for these guitars is just really good. Don’t get me wrong, a 3000 dollar Martin or Taylor will take your sound to the next level, but we’re talking medium priced guitars here. Guitars with a good sound that give you a lot of value for your money.
When I play a Martin DX1RAE, a Mini Taylor (mahogany top) or a Cort 200 (all between 300 and 650 dollars)… I don’t know how to put a stop to my bucket list. They are all stunning beauties in their own way.
So, if you don’t want to spend a fortune, but neither want a cheap guitar that lacks quality and tone, then these guitars are the real deal.
Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check out the list of great affordable guitars:
Martin DX1AE Dreadnought Acoustic Electric
The DX1AE is one of Martin’s medium priced guitars. It has a dreadnought body shape, solid spruce top and HPL mahogany back and sides. HPL stands for “high pressure laminate” which makes it less effected by humidity and environmental friendly. The guitar has a rich and dynamic sound. It’s got a good bottom-end and also the mids and highs are clear and resonant. An overall well balanced tone. Great for all styles of playing.
Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
Back and sides: Mahogany Pattern, high pressure laminate (HPL) Textured Finish
Fretboard Material: Black Richlite
Bracing: A-Frame X-1, Solid Sitka Spruce
Neck: Birch Laminate – Rust
Electronics: Fishman Sonitone
Finish top: Hand Rubbed Finish
More info, Prices and Reviews for the Martin DX1AE
Also check out it’s brother the DX1RAE which has Rosewood (HPL) back and sides:
More Info, Prices and Reviews for the Martin DX1RAE
Taylor 110e Dreadnought Acoustic Electric
The Taylor 110e is often compared with it’s rival the Martin DX1AE, while they both have their own unique sound. The Taylor has more of a full bright sparkling sound while the Martin has a more woody and warm sound. The 110e has a dreadnought body shape, Solid Spruce top and layered sapele back and sides. The layered woods make it possible to blend exotic looks while being more resistant to fluctuating humidity conditions.
Top: Sitka Spruce
Back and sides: Layered Sapele (laminated woods)
Fretboard Material: Ebony
Bracing: Forward Shifted Pattern
Neck/heel: Sapele
Electronics: Expression System-T®
Finish Varnish
More Info, Prices and Reviews for the Taylor 110e
Also check out the Taylor 114e which has a Grand Auditorium body shape:
More Info, Prices and Reviews for the Taylor 114e
Taylor GS Mini Mahogany GS Mini Acoustic Guitar
The Taylor GS Mini has got an incredible tone for the size of the guitar. Although it’s little brother the Baby Taylor
Top: Tropical Mahogany
Back and sides: Layered Sapele
Fretboard Material: Ebony
Bracing: X-Bracing with Relief Rout
Neck: Sapele
Note: The GS Mini is not a full size guitar, although it does sound and feel like one.
More Info, Prices and Reviews for the Taylor GS Mini
Cort Earth 200 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
The Cort Earth 200 is all solid woods. It has got a solid spruce top and solid mahogany back & sides. Solid woods have the advantage of sounding more resonant and often producing a richer and more complex tone. This guitar has a full, deep sound, a nice bottom-end, clear mids and highs… and it’s loud.
Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
Back and sides: Solid Mahogany Back & Mahogany Sides
Fretboard Material: Rosewood
Bracing: Advanced Scalloped X-Bracing
Neck: Mahogany
Tuners: Grover with Black Knobs
Finish: High Gloss Natural
More Info, Prices and Reviews for the Cort Earth 200
Recording King RD-10 Dreadnought Acoustic
The Recording king has a solid spruce top and solid mahogany back & sides just like the Cort Earth 200 mentioned above. It has a thin “C” shape neck and a dovetail neck joint. The body binding is made of tortoise shell, giving the guitar a more vintage look. All solid woods for a mid-price.
Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
Back and sides: Solid Mahogany
Fretboard Material: Rosewood
Bracing: Scalloped Spruce, Forward X-Bracing
Neck: Mahogany
Tuners: Die Cast Tuners
Finish: Natural Gloss
More Info, Prices and Reviews on the Recording King RD-10
You can also check out the Recording King RO-10 which has a 000-Style body shape:
More Info, Prices and Reviews on the Recording King RO-10
Guild GAD D-125 Dreadnought Acoustic
The Guild D-125 has a solid mahogany top, back & sides which produces a well balanced sound. The mahogany top provides a warmer, darker tone than a cedar or spruce top. The neck is also mahogany, has a “C” shape profile and a satin finish. This guitar has a got a real clear, tight bass and a warm, airy top end.
Top: Solid Mahogany
Back and sides: Solid Mahogany
Fretboard Material: Indian Rosewood
Bracing: Scalloped Spruce
Neck: Mahogany
Blueridge BR-43 Contemporary 000 Acoustic Electric
The BR-43 is a mid range guitar. It has a grand auditorium body shape, Solid spruce top and mahogany laminated back and sides. It’s also got a slim neck which makes it easy to play. An ideal guitar for fingerpicking.
Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
Back and sides: Mahogany
Fretboard Material: East Indian Rosewood
Neck: Carved Mahogany
Tuners: Accurate vintage-style 14:1 ratio nickel-plated open-back tuners
Electronics: Fishman Isys+ Preamp System with Fishman Sonicore pickup
Finish Natural high-gloss
More Info, Prices and Reviews on the Blueridge BR-43
Also check out the BR-40 Dreadnought Guitar:
More Info, Prices and Reviews on Blueridge BR-40 Dreadnought Guitar
Bristol by Blueridge BD-16 Dreadnaught Acoustic Guitar (Natural)
The Bristol BD-16, made by the Blueridge company, is a perfect guitar for beginners or to bring along on a camping trip. It has a nice feel and a great tone. Perfect guitar for strumming and fingerpicking.
Top: Spruce
Back and sides: Mahogany
Fretboard Material: Rosewood
Bracing: scalloped braces
Neck: Mahogany
Tuners: Accurate chrome-plated die-cast 14:1 ratio tuners
Finish: Natural high-gloss
Seagull S6 Original Acoustic Guitar
Seagull is a Canadian guitar company and sub-brand of Godin Guitars. It’s most popular model is the S6. The guitar produces a warm to bright range sound. Full, crisp, warm and dynamic. A great feature is the narrow headstock that will keep the guitar in tune at all times.
Top: Select Pressure Tested Solid Cedar
Back and sides: Canadian Wild Cherry
Fretboard Material: Rosewood
Neck: Silver Leaf Maple Integrated Set Neck
Finish: Semi-Gloss Custom Polished Finish
Epiphone Hummingbird Pro Acoustic-Electric – Faded Cherry
The Hummmingbird Pro is a real nice, attractive looking guitar and feels really good. It’s a replica of the original Gibson Hummingbird which became a classic thanks to Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones, who used it for rhythm on early Stones hits like “Satisfaction” and “Under My Thumb.” The Hummingbird Pro has a bright, clear and crispy sound.
Top: Solid Spruce
Back and sides: Select Mahogany
Fretboard Material: Rosewood Fingerboard
Neck: Select Mahogany
Tuners: Grover™ 14:1
Electronics: Shadow performer preamp and Shadow Nano Flex pickup system.
Tanglewood (TW40-O-AN) Acoustic Guitar – Historic Model
The TW40-0-AN has got a solid spruce top and Mahogany back and sides. It’s got an orchestra shape body and is based on the classic Martin OM. It’s part of the Sundance Historic series that give a more vintage look to the guitar. The guitar has an overall bright and punchy tone. You can use it for strumming, when not played too hard, but it really shines when used for fingerpicking. If you like the old vintage style and feel this is an affordable deal.
Top: Solid Spruce
Back and sides: Laminated Mahogany
Fretboard Material: Rosewood
Neck: Mahogany
Finish: Natural Gloss
Takamine GD30CE-NAT Dreadnought Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar
The GD30CE-NAT has a dreadnought body shape with a cutaway. The top is solid spruce with laminated mahogany back and sides. It’s got warmth, brightness and good resonant sound. And if you’re looking for great built-in electronics Takamine is the place to be.
Top: Solid Spruce
Back and sides: Mahogany
Fretboard Material: Rosewood
Neck: Mahogany
Tuners: Chrome die-cast
Electronics: TP-4TD preamp system with a built-in tuner, three-band EQ and gain controls for excellent amplified performance and versatility.
Finish: Natural
Note: When you buy one of the guitars via the link on this page I get a small percentage of its price which helps me sustain guitarhabits, so I can keep providing free guitar lessons and help you achieve your guitar goals.
Have a great one!
“The guitar, when you think about it, is the most versatile, really. I mean you can pick it up and take it with you wherever you go.” ~ Eric Clapton
###
P.S.
Do you know any of these guitars and what do you think of them? Please share in the comments. I appreciate it.
Hi Klaus,
This is of great help in choosing my acoustic guitar.Thanks for sharing.keep up the good work.
Hi Prasana,
You can’t miss with any of these guitars. Good luck with your choice!
Best regards,
Klaus Crow
Hi Klaus,
Thanks for a great overview.
The Taylor 110e is my favorite. It’s got such a lovely sound. I say, don’t look any further.
Jerry
Hi Jerry,
The Taylor 110e is indeed an awesome guitar and has that characteristic Taylor sound. It’s just really good quality.
A few of my students have one and they are really happy about it.
Bought the Bristol BD-16 a couple of weeks ago.
Brilliant guitar for beginners. Easy to play and sounds great.
I bought a Sigma DR-28, impressive sound! Great price.
Who cares that the guitar is built in China!
hellow K C . one of the ‘ the best site’ ever seen and explained….best wishes.
.
sundar-Qatar
Taylor 110e is the best sounds
Hi Klaus. first off all I want to say thanks for this awesome post. Altough Taylor is my favorite , I heard great information about Bristol recently. I am interested in guitars and want to change mine but I can’t decide. What is your opinion?
could u share the list of affordable solid cedar tops .I am a singer and i play rhythm to accompany my singing .Cedar is ideal for accompanying my voice.Could u suggest some affordable models.
That article was great help, thank you. I’ve been playing electric guitar for five years now, but would like to get into acoustic. I’ve been looking at some the Maton EM225C, which I think would be on-par with the mentioned Taylor and Martin models, for about the same price. I might have to go with a Takamine though, seeing as the Maton is a bit expensive :)
My daughter is just starting guitar and loves the Seagull S-6 she received for Christmas. It plays so well and sounds so nice I’m thinking of taking up playing myself and getting one for me. I can’t borrow hers as she is a pure lefty. Who says you can’t start at 60!
I saw this link in between two fingerpicking pattern lessons I took from you. It caught my eye because I just bought a new guitar myself after not having played for nearly 40 years. I read lots of reviews & making up my mind was very hard. In the end I bought one of the least expensive models on my list, the Yamaha FS730S, which is I guess is considered an “entry level” guitar considering its price point. I’ve had the guitar for a month now & I must say I continue to be impressed w/ the quality of workmanship & the tonal quality. I’m so glad I forced myself to try a less expensive guitar first (quite the opposite of my normal tendencies) because I’m quite happy w/ it. Out of the box it barely needed to be tuned & has not required any setup at all, in fact the action is quite to my liking.
This article very useful. I hope have a chance to try above list. Thanks again.
Hi Klaus, I’ve got both a Taylor GS Mini Sitka, and a GS mini Mahogany. They both have a great tone. The Sitka is bright and boomy, and the Mahog is mellow, warm and impressive. so easy to carry around and easy to play.
Thanks for sharing great info here. Acoustic guitars are a great starting point for most beginner guitarist. I’ve been playing acoustic guitar for almost 20 years now and the acoustic sound is one of my favorites. It’s clean, natural and pleasing to the ears.
Any thoughts on the Epiphone Masterbilt DR500mce?
Great owertones produce adirondack tops and indian rosewood back and sides, but ideal tone for my is solid sitka top (for more clear tone) with indian rosewood back and sides (because a brazilian rosewood is slightly more agressive than i need).
For a budget up to 300$, i searched this tone among Sigma guitars, but very needed tone i found to Harley Benton CLG-414 and CLG-550 series after i have changed them Martin Retro strings.
Don’t overlook Breedlove (the next great American guitar company) or Blueridge (great Martin clones). Do your research and add these to the list provided here.
All very nice guitars but I think the Alvarez guitar fits right into this line up as well, especially their Artist series, it is top notch quality & finish with a pretty nice sound!
Best quality Guitar here
I own a 2015 Epiphone Hummingbird Artist and I love it.
It has enough of the magic associated with its Gibson cousin to make me happy.
When I strum through a chord and let it ring there’s a choir of beautiful voices in the sustain/echo.
Makes me happy.