The Best Acoustic Guitars for Beginners

Yamaha F335 Acoustic Guitar

Why It’s Cool: The Yamaha F335 is an attractive, comfortably playable dreadnought with rich acoustic tonality at an incredible price.

Things to Consider:

Sleek black finish with white soundhole rosette
Slim neck is accessible for beginners
Gold tuners complete a classic color combo

Yamaha F335 Acoustic Guitar Black

Shop Now: Yamaha F335 Acoustic Guitar in Black

Yamaha’s F335 dreadnought-style acoustic boasts a sought-after blend of craftsmanship, attractiveness and beginner-friendly playability. Sporting a traditional spruce top and meranti back and sides, the F335 has a warm, mellow voice with prominent lows, as well as a crisp high end for ample articulation. One of our most popular acoustic guitar offerings, the Yamaha F335 scores 4.69 stars out of 5 with over 400 ratings. As one reviewer noted, “This guitar is great for everyone ... If you're looking for your first or replacement guitar, this is the one.”

Mitchell D120 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

Why It’s Cool: An outstanding workhorse acoustic guitar for beginners, the Mitchell D120 sounds great and looks fantastic.

Things to Consider:

Easy-playing slim neck profile
Thin body finish allows guitar to freely resonate and project
Multi-ply binding enhances aesthetic presentation

Mitchell D120 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

Shop Now: Mitchell D120 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Natural

The Mitchell D120 dreadnought acoustic guitar is a guaranteed head-turner in just about every category. It outpaces the competition on cost alone, but its performance is what truly sets it apart. Consisting of a spruce top and mahogany body, the D120’s sound features prominent lows and airy highs, while the midrange sings with sweetly resonant overtones. Beginners gravitate toward the modern C-shaped neck carve, which is easy for first timers to grasp, whether you’re exploring open chord shapes or navigating melodic passages. The Mitchell D120 is an impressive, cost-effective choice for a beginner guitar.

Ibanez V70CE Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Why It’s Cool: With onboard electronics and a single-cutaway dreadnought body, the Ibanez V70CE is a versatile choice for players at any level.

Things to Consider:

Stylish transparent blue finish
Intricate soundhole rosette is a nice visual flourish
Lower bout cutaway offers access to upper frets

Ibanez V70CE Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar Transparent Blue

Shop Now: Ibanez V70CE Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar in Transparent Blue

Signature Ibanez performance lies at the heart of the V70CE acoustic-electric guitar. Beginners can sidle right up to its dreadnought cutaway body, and a traditional C-shaped neck provides balanced comfort and playability. For added versatility on stage or in the studio, the V70CE comes equipped with a Fishman Sonicore pickup and Ibanez AEQ-SP2 preamp, accurately conveying the guitar’s natural acoustic voice when it’s time to plug in. There’s even a built-in tuner, so you can stay in key and on pitch. With nearly 200 reviews, the top-rated Ibanez V70CE acoustic-electric earns a solid 4.4/5.

Fender CC-60S Concert Acoustic Guitar

Why It’s Cool: Compact and comfy, the Fender CC-60S’ downsized concert body immediately connects with players at the beginning of their musical adventure.

Things to Consider:

Rolled fretboard edges for a cozy in-hand feel
Scalloped X bracing enhances projection and volume
Balanced tonality suits a variety of genres

Fender CC-60S Concert Acoustic Guitar Sunburst

Shop Now: Fender CC-60S Concert Acoustic Guitar in Sunburst

The Fender CC-60S concert acoustic is smaller than a dreadnought, making it ideal for beginners seeking a guitar a little less cumbersome than a big-bodied instrument. Another major highlight is the “Easy to Play” neck shape, which includes rolled edges and a familiar, friendly profile, so it’s universally playable regardless of hand size. What’s more, the Fender CC-60S acoustic responds well to various playing styles, providing a versatile platform for new guitarists exploring their creative identities.

Fender FA-135CE Concert Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Why It’s Cool: The Fender FA-135CE features an ergonomic concert body with a single cutaway, as well as onboard Fishman electronics for onstage amplification or direct recording.

Things to Consider:

Vintage-style “moustache” bridge
Gloss finish highlights natural woodgrain
Designed for comfortable playability

Fender FA-135CE Concert Acoustic-Electric Guitar Natural

Shop Now: Fender FA-135CE Concert Acoustic-Electric Guitar Natural

Fender’s FA-135CE incorporates an easily wieldable concert-sized body, a smooth-feeling C-shaped neck and Fishman Ion-T electronics with a built-in tuner. A player favorite and standout choice for beginners, its basswood back and sides are lightweight and resonant, contributing to the guitar’s exceptional clarity and precise attack. Among the most-reviewed acoustic-electrics we offer, the Fender FA-135CE earns an impressive 4.19/5 stars and is an excellent starter instrument for anyone picking up guitar for the first time.

Epiphone Hummingbird EC Studio Limited-Edition Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Why It’s Cool: The Epiphone Hummingbird EC Studio immaculately captures the vibe of an iconic 1960s acoustic.

Things to Consider:

Legendary Hummingbird body with unique cutaway
Timeless aesthetics, including floral pickguard and split-block inlays
Model is exclusive to Guitar Center

Epiphone Hummingbird EC Studio Limited-Edition Acoustic-Electric Guitar Tobacco Sunburst

Shop Now: Epiphone Hummingbird EC Studio Limited-Edition Acoustic-Electric Guitar in Tobacco Sunburst

First released in 1960, the Gibson Hummingbird quickly became a go-to acoustic guitar for prominent artists of the era—perhaps most famously played by Keith Richards on handfuls of Rolling Stones hits. The Epiphone Hummingbird EC Studio acoustic-electric is a contemporary take on a classic, featuring a single-cutaway design and Fishman Sonicore/Sonitone electronics for amplification. Its D-shaped SlimTaper neck feels natural in hand, and the 24.75" scale length is a bit easier to navigate than the standard 25.5". This gorgeous guitar is one beginners and veterans alike would be proud to play, day in and night out.

Taylor Baby Taylor Acoustic Guitar

Why It’s Cool: Specially designed for young players or anyone with smaller hands, the Baby Taylor delivers time-honored tone in a pint-sized package.

Things to Consider:

Shorter 22.75" scale length
Slim, narrow-width neck
Great for learning and traveling

Taylor Baby Taylor Acoustic Guitar Natural

Shop Now: Taylor Baby Taylor Acoustic Guitar Natural

The Baby Taylor acoustic is a 3/4-size, short-scale dreadnought conceived for the sole purpose of easing beginners into the art of playing guitar. Between its scale length and neck profile, fretting notes and chords feels almost effortless, which is encouraging for developing players. Sonically, the Baby Taylor is on par with its full-size counterparts, leveraging the density and stiffness of walnut for a voice that’s bright and present. Because of its size, the Baby Taylor is also a great acoustic guitar for travel.

Taylor GS Mini Sapele Acoustic Guitar

Why It’s Cool: The Taylor GS Mini is a scaled-down version of the brand’s popular Grand Symphony body shape—excellent for beginners wanting a smaller, more easily managed instrument.

Things to Consider:

Shorter 23.5" scale length
Easy-playing GS Mini neck profile
Compact feel instills confidence in developing guitarists

Taylor GS Mini Sapele Acoustic Guitar Natural

Shop Now: Taylor GS Mini Sapele Acoustic Guitar Natural

The delightfully downsized Taylor GS Mini acoustic guitar is a dream for beginners as well as longtime guitarists, thanks to a combination of comfortable maneuverability and bold tone that punches well above its weight. From the moment you strum your first chord, the GS Mini’s volume and ability to project becomes evident, belying its compact form factor. Its neck profile, too, is thoughtfully carved to enhance playability, while the shorter scale length makes each fret a little easier to reach. Compared to the Baby Taylor, the GS Mini’s scale length is 0.75" longer—still significantly short and easy to play.

Martin LX1 Little Martin Acoustic Guitar

Why It’s Cool: The Martin LX1 Little Martin is a compact, durable acoustic guitar fit for beginners, travelers or anyone who wants to enjoy big sound from a small instrument.

Things to Consider:

Shorter 23" scale length
Robust construction is sturdier than the average acoustic
Modified Low Oval neck profile is comfortable to learn on

Martin LX1 Little Martin Acoustic Guitar Natural

Shop Now: Martin LX1 Little Martin Acoustic Guitar Natural

Featuring a solid spruce top, high-pressure laminate (HPL) back and sides, and a Richlite fretboard, the Martin LX1 Little Martin is an ultradurable acoustic guitar for students and those who like to travel with their instrument. HPL resonates and “breathes” like standard tonewoods, but it’s much tougher and less susceptible to shrinking or expanding in response to climate fluctuations. Richlite, too, is a sustainable material produced from paper that’s a popular choice for non-wood fretboards. The Little Martin’s shortened scale and smaller body make it an accessible platform for aspiring musicians.

Martin X Series Special D-X2E Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Why It’s Cool: Big dreadnought sound and a fast, smooth neck are inspiring hallmarks of the Martin X Series Special D-X2E acoustic-electric.

Things to Consider:

Patterned HPL back and sides give the appearance of rosewood
High Performance Taper neck profile with 12" radius
Old-world Martin craftsmanship meets cutting-edge tech

Martin X Series Special D-X2E Spruce-Rosewood HPL Acoustic-Electric Guitar Natural

Shop Now: Martin X Series Special D-X2E Spruce-Rosewood HPL Acoustic-Electric Guitar Natural

Martin’s X Series Special D-X2E acoustic-electric guitar is made to be played, consolidating nearly 200 years of experience into a 21st-century design. The D-X2E sports a punchy solid spruce top, while HPL back and sides lend the sonics depth and low-end fullness. When it’s time to plug in, Martin E-1 electronics let you dial in the perfect amplified tone for performance or recording. Beginners and intermediates will appreciate the Martin D-X2E’s big, bold sound, rugged durability and fast-playing neck.

Martin X Series Special 000C-X1E HPL Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Why It’s Cool: The Martin X Series Special 000C-X1E is a sleek, all-black, eco-friendly acoustic-electric with pro-level playability for beginners or experienced guitarists.

Things to Consider:

Fully sustainable construction, including an all-HPL body and Richlite fretboard
Studio- and stage-ready Martin E-1 electronics
Model is exclusive to Guitar Center

Martin X Series Special 000C-X1E HPL Acoustic-Electric Guitar Black

Shop Now: Martin X Series Special 000C-X1E HPL Acoustic-Electric Guitar in Black

The stealthy Martin X Series Special 000C-X1E features a modern monochrome appearance for a look that’s indisputably “rock ’n’ roll.” It’s hard to tell from the outside, but this acoustic-electric guitar is incredibly eco-friendly, which is arguably its coolest feature. With a 100% HPL body, Richlite fretboard and laminated birch neck, the 000C-X1E sounds great, plays fluidly and is easy on the environment. It’s also built to last, making it a great investment for beginners who want to grow with their instrument.

A Note on Maintaining Your Acoustic Guitar

Apart from fresh strings and a setup every now and then, maintaining an acoustic guitar thankfully doesn’t require an inconvenient amount of active work. Acoustic instruments are prone to having their wood expand, contract and contort in response to temperature and humidity fluctuations, but the ultimate solution for that is simple—a nice hard case and a humidifier. By simply storing your acoustic properly, and establishing a stable “ecosystem,” so to speak, within its case, you’re already doing a lot to ensure its longevity. Whatever you do, don’t leave it in a car, and you’ll make Bob Taylor proud.

As a beginner, you’ll probably want to get as much life out of your strings as you can, which involves keeping them clean from the corrosive oils in our fingers between sessions. Wiping the strings down after playing—with something like GHS Fast-Fret—is an easy way to prolong their brilliance.

When it does come time for new strings, consider cleaning and conditioning the fretboard—especially if it’s looking extra dirty and/or dry. There are tons of instrument care products out there, including fretboard conditioners, body polishes and more. Our guide, Five Easy Ways to Care for Your Acoustic Guitar, has additional suggestions and tips.

Now, if you run into larger issues with your acoustic guitar and are in need of professional TLC, there’s no job too big or too small for the Guitar Center Repairs department. They’ll be happy to assist with even a basic setup, so your new acoustic guitar plays its best from day one.

Gear Up to Start Strumming

For anyone wondering how to choose their first acoustic guitar, we hope this list has helped you narrow the scope of your search. There are plenty of high-quality, affordable options, including full-size dreadnoughts, short-scale selections, acoustic-electric guitars and more. At the end of the day, the best acoustic guitar for a beginner is the one that inspires you to pick it up and play.

Be sure to stop by your local Guitar Center to demo a variety of acoustics, so you can see firsthand how body shapes, neck profiles and scale lengths affect playability and comfort, as well as how different tonewoods impact sound.

Once you’ve chosen the best acoustic guitar for you, don’t forget to protect it with a case. Our knowledgeable in-store associates can help you find the perfect fit, or you can connect with a Gear Adviser for a personalized online shopping experience.

Eager to fast-track your progress? Taking lessons with Guitar Center’s expert instructors will put you on an individually tailored learning path, allowing you to more quickly develop through a carefully curated program.

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The Best Acoustic Guitars for Beginners

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Comparing the Best Acoustic Guitars for Beginners