Ever dreamed of strumming your favorite songs or writing your own melodies? The acoustic guitar is a fantastic instrument to start your musical journey with. But when you’re just beginning, picking out your very first guitar can feel a little overwhelming, right? There are so many brands and styles, and it’s tough to know which one will sound good and be easy to play.
That’s where this guide comes in! We understand the confusion and frustration that can come with choosing a starter acoustic guitar. You want an instrument that sounds nice, doesn’t hurt your fingers too much, and won’t break the bank. It’s a big decision, and we’re here to make it simple and fun.
By the end of this post, you’ll feel much more confident about finding the perfect starter acoustic guitar for you. We’ll break down what to look for, explain the important features, and help you avoid common mistakes. So, get ready to discover the guitar that will kickstart your musical adventure!
Top Starter Guitars Acoustic Recommendations
- Complete Beginner Guitar Pack - Everything needed for starters is included, just unbox & play. The bundle includes Moukey 41” acoustic guitar, chord poster, 3mm padded gig bag, tuner, strap, capo, strings and picks. A decent gift for children, friends and family.
- Ideal for Beginner - With cutaway design, Moukey 41” acoustic guitar is easy for starter to learn. Dreadnought body provides a full and vibrant tone, suited for all styles of music. The precise position marks at 3th, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th 15th and 17th frets on neck and top of fingerboard help the starters to learn conveniently.
- Come with Chord Poster - The ultimate beginner-friendly guitar chord poster shows the most commonly used chords, enabling starters to memorize fretboard and play chords on the first day.
- Exquisite Workmanship - Quality basswood body, Okoume neck, smooth fingerboard, and non--scratching frets enable Moukey acustica guitarra to be played comfortably for a long time. 2 strap pegs allow you to attach the strap easily.
- Perfect beginner guitar: Designed for students and teens who are just getting started. This 38-inch, right-handed, acoustic guitar features all the bells and whistles. Designed with 18 smooth frets, 6 pre-installed steel strings, and an easy to hold neck.
- Complete beginner kit: This all-in-one entry-level guitar bundle includes a 38-inch acoustic guitar, carrying bag, 3 picks (assorted colors), shoulder strap, digital tuner, extra strings, and 4 months of free app-based lessons (iOS or Android). The App features thousands of songs, step-by-step lessons for all skill levels, and a built-in digital tuner for easy tuning anywhere.
- Superior-grade tonewoods: Top, back, and sides are crafted from linden wood for versatility and warmth, with a high-gloss finish. Whether playing soft or loud, strumming or flatpicking, this guitar remains responsive and retains its tonal integrity. This guitar is built to last.
- Incredible sound: Perfect for musicians-in-the-making, this beginner acoustic guitar features an impressive tone, bright sound, and standout projection. It's waiting to be heard.
- AN AMERICAN ORIGINAL 130 years of history is at the root of our foundation building high quality instruments. Many of the biggest names in music have played Washburn and some of the most significant trendsetting songs has been played on a Washburn
- THE GO-TO COMPANION The Washburn WA90CE dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar is a go-to companion for the living room, the campfire or the stage, with a solid balance of stability, tone and aesthetics
- BODY & FINISH The cutaway makes it easy to reach the uppermost frets. It has Okoume wood back and sides, and Transparent Black Burst color with gloss finish. The WA90CE is ideal for strumming, playing some blues or bluegrass flat picking
- BARCUS BERRY ELECTRONICS The Barcus Berry LX4 preamp with built-in tuner means you’ll always be ready to plug in and in perfect tune. Bass, Middle, Treble, Presence, Volume, Tuner on/off controls makes this perfect to take anywhere and play anytime!
- 【Complete Beginner Acoustic Guitar Kit】: Donner acoustic guitar bundle includes guitar, padded gig bag, strap, digital clip-on tuner, capo, pickguard, extra pack of string, 4 Picks, clean cloth and Allen wrench. Start playing right out of box
- 【Well Made Craftsmanship】: Boasts a spruce top complemented by a mahogany back and sides, reinforced with X bracing for durability and sound quality; The fretboard features 20 brass frets with clear position markers on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 15th, and 17th frets, designed to withstand years of practice and performance
- 【Rich Warm Clear Sound】: The combination of a spruce top and mahogany body offers a rich, warm, and clear sound with a balanced tone and full mid-frequency; This construction enhances the instrument's sustain, ensuring each note resonates fully
- 【Stays in Tune】: This beginner guitar is strung with phosphor bronze strings over a high carbon steel hex core, paired with a high hardness bridge saddle and a plastic steel nut; This setup makes the guitar easy to tune and helps it stay in tune longer, maintaining sound quality after the strings have been stretched and played in
- Perfect beginner kids guitar: Designed for kids, students, and young learners who are just getting started. This 30-inch, right-handed, acoustic guitar features all the bells and whistles. Designed with 18 smooth frets, 6 pre-installed steel strings, and an easy to hold neck.
- Complete beginner guitar kit: This all-in-one kids acoustic guitar kit includes a 30-inch guitar, carrying bag, 3 picks (assorted colors), shoulder strap, digital tuner, extra strings, instructional guide, and 4 months of free app-based lessons (iOS or Android). The App features thousands of songs, step-by-step lessons for all skill levels, and a built-in digital tuner for easy tuning anywhere.
- Superior-grade tonewoods: Top, back, and sides are crafted from linden wood for versatility and warmth, with a high-gloss finish. Whether playing soft or loud, strumming or flatpicking, this guitar remains responsive and retains its tonal integrity. This guitar is built to last.
- Incredible sound: Perfect for musicians-in-the-making, this beginner acoustic guitar features an impressive tone, bright sound, and standout projection. It's waiting to be heard.
- One right-handed Fender California Debut Redondo acoustic guitar – a perfect beginner guitar for all ages
- Designed by the most trusted name in guitar and backed by a 75-year legacy of quality and craftsmanship
- This beginner guitar comes with a 30-day subscription to Fender Play that includes lessons with thousands of instructional videos to build your skills by playing the songs you love, all with no additional cost
- The California Debut Redondo Series Acoustic Guitar features the iconic 6-in-line Fender headstock shape and dreadnought body shape with a reslient laminate construction for durability
- 【Most Complete Steel String Guitar Set】: Donner acoustic guitar kit includes guitar, gig bag, strap, tuner, capo, pickguard, extra strings, picks, clean cloth, and Allen wrench; Comes with all necessary accessories for beginners; Ready to play right out of the box. Ideal for beginners, professionals, adults, teens, and children
- 【Well Made Craftsmanship】: Spruce top, mahogany back and sides with X bracing; Exquisite black spray paint. 20 brass frets with position marks at 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 15th, and 17th frets; A solid instrument built to last
- 【Rich Warm Clear Sound】: Spruce top and mahogany body deliver a rich, warm, and clear sound with balanced tone and full mid-range; Prolongs resonance for a more vibrant sound
- 【Stay in Tune】: Phosphor bronze strings with high carbon steel hex core and high hardness bridge saddle and plastic steel nut; Donner beginner guitar is easy to tune and holds tune after initial string stretch
Your First Strum: A Starter Acoustic Guitar Buying Guide
Picking out your first acoustic guitar is an exciting step! This guide will help you find the perfect instrument to start your musical journey. We’ll cover the most important things to consider so you can make a smart choice.
1. Key Features to Look For
Body Size and Shape
Acoustic guitars come in different sizes. For beginners, smaller bodies are often easier to hold and play. Common sizes include:
- Concert/Orchestra Model (OM): A good all-around size, comfortable for most people.
- Parlor: Smaller and cozier, great for smaller players or those who want a very portable guitar.
- Dreadnought: The most common and biggest size. It has a loud, full sound but can feel a bit bulky for some beginners.
Neck Width and Profile
The neck is where your fretting hand sits. A narrower neck can be easier for smaller hands to grip. The “profile” describes the shape of the back of the neck. A “C” shape is very common and comfortable.
Action
Action refers to how high the guitar strings are from the fretboard. Low action means the strings are closer to the fretboard. This makes it much easier to press down the strings and play chords. High action makes it harder and can hurt your fingers.
Number of Frets
Most starter acoustics have 14 or 20 frets. More frets mean you can play higher notes on the guitar. For beginners, 14 frets are perfectly fine.
2. Important Materials
The wood used to build a guitar greatly affects its sound and how it feels. For starter acoustics, you’ll often see these woods:
Top Wood
The top is the soundboard of the guitar. It’s the most important part for sound quality.
- Spruce: This is the most popular choice for guitar tops. It’s strong and gives a bright, clear sound.
- Mahogany: This wood produces a warmer, richer tone.
Back and Side Wood
These woods shape the overall tone and sustain (how long a note rings out).
- Mahogany: Offers a balanced, woody sound.
- Sapele: Similar to mahogany, it’s a good alternative.
- Linden/Basswood: Often used in very affordable guitars. They sound okay but don’t offer the richness of spruce or mahogany.
Fretboard and Bridge Material
- Rosewood: A classic choice for fretboards and bridges. It’s durable and feels smooth.
- Maple: Another option, often brighter sounding.
- Ovangkol/Walnut: Good alternatives to rosewood.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all guitars are made the same. Here’s what makes a difference:
Construction Quality
Look for a guitar that is well-put-together. The joints should be clean, and there shouldn’t be any loose parts. A well-built guitar will stay in tune better and feel more solid.
Tuning Machines (Tuners)
Good tuners keep the guitar in tune longer. Cheaper tuners can be stiff or loose, making it hard to tune and causing the guitar to go out of tune quickly.
Nut and Saddle
These small pieces at the top and bottom of the fretboard affect string height and intonation (how in tune the guitar plays up the neck). Better materials here lead to a better playing experience.
Finish
A smooth, even finish looks good and protects the wood. However, a thick finish can sometimes dampen the guitar’s sound.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
A starter guitar should be fun and easy to play. You want something that doesn’t hurt your fingers too much, so you’ll want to practice more.
For Learning Chords
A guitar with low action and a comfortable neck makes learning basic chords much less frustrating. You’ll be able to form shapes and switch between them more easily.
For Strumming Songs
Once you know some chords, you’ll want to strum along to your favorite songs. A guitar with a pleasant, balanced tone will make your playing sound good, even at the beginner level.
Portability
If you plan to take your guitar to lessons, to a friend’s house, or just around the home, a smaller body size might be more convenient.
Choosing the right starter acoustic guitar is about finding a balance between comfort, sound, and price. Don’t be afraid to go to a music store and hold a few different guitars to see what feels best for you!
Starter Acoustic Guitar FAQs
Q: What is the most important feature for a beginner?
A: The most important feature is having “low action.” This means the strings are close to the fretboard, making it much easier to press them down and play chords without your fingers hurting.
Q: Should I get a big or small acoustic guitar?
A: Smaller guitars, like Concert or Parlor sizes, are often better for beginners. They are lighter and easier to hold and manage, especially if you have smaller hands or are just starting out.
Q: What kind of wood is best for a starter guitar?
A: For the top of the guitar, spruce is a great choice because it gives a bright, clear sound. For the back and sides, mahogany is a good option for a warm tone.
Q: How do I know if a guitar has good “action”?
A: You can check by looking at the space between the strings and the fretboard. If there’s very little space, the action is low. It’s best to have someone at a guitar store show you or check reviews that mention action.
Q: What does “intonation” mean for a guitar?
A: Intonation means the guitar plays in tune all the way up the neck. A guitar with good intonation will sound correct when you play notes on different frets.
Q: Can I buy a really cheap guitar and still learn?
A: You can, but very cheap guitars often have high action, poor tuning machines, and don’t sound very good. This can make learning frustrating and harder. It’s usually worth spending a little more for a playable instrument.
Q: Do I need a guitar with electronics?
A: No, for a starter acoustic, you usually don’t need electronics. Electronics are for plugging the guitar into an amplifier. Most beginners start with a purely acoustic instrument.
Q: How can I tell if a guitar is well-made?
A: Look for clean edges where the wood pieces join, no loose parts, and smooth tuning machines. A well-made guitar will feel sturdy and play better.
Q: What’s the difference between a dreadnought and a concert guitar?
A: A dreadnought is a larger guitar with a bigger, louder sound. A concert guitar is smaller, more comfortable to hold, and has a more focused sound, which is often better for beginners.
Q: Should I buy a used guitar?
A: Yes, a used guitar can be a great option if it’s in good condition. You might be able to get a better quality guitar for your money. Just make sure to check it carefully for any damage.
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