Acoustic Guitar roundup
Acoustic Guitar: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying an acoustic guitar involves decisions about body shape, construction and budget. Here are the key choices and specific model recommendations at each level.
Buying an acoustic guitar means making decisions about body shape, construction quality, tonewood and budget that together determine how the instrument sounds and plays. This guide covers the key decisions and recommends specific models at each level.
Body Shape and Size
Choose your body shape based on how you plan to use the instrument. Strummers and rhythm players are best served by a dreadnought — it is the loudest and most projecting standard shape, and it suits the playing style most beginners start with. Fingerstyle players, or players who prefer a quieter, more balanced sound, should consider a concert or auditorium body. For smaller players or those who find a full dreadnought uncomfortable, a 000 or OM is a better fit. An acoustic guitar purchase made without considering body size frequently results in the instrument being uncomfortable to play, which contributes to players giving up.
Solid Top vs Laminate
A solid spruce or cedar top improves with age — the wood's cellular structure becomes more resonant over time through playing. Laminate tops are constructed from thin layers of wood bonded together; they are more humidity-resistant and durable but do not resonate as richly. For a beginner on a tight budget, a laminate-top acoustic guitar is functional and suitable for learning. For anyone who intends to play seriously, a solid-top instrument is worth the premium — it makes a meaningful difference to the sound. The Yamaha FG800 is the best solid-top acoustic guitar at the entry level; the Seagull S6 Original is excellent at mid-range.
Recommended Models by Budget
Under £250: Yamaha FG800 (solid spruce top, reliable tuners, excellent value) and the Fender CD-60S. Under £500: Seagull S6 Original (solid cedar top, Canadian manufacture, exceptional mid-range value) and the Yamaha LL6 ARE. Under £1,000: the Martin 000-15M, Taylor Academy series and the Gibson J-45 Standard. Professional tier: Martin D-28, Taylor 814ce and the Gibson J-200. The acoustic guitar market at mid-range is more competitive than other instrument categories — strong value options exist from multiple brands. For beginners specifically, see our beginner's guide.
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