Which guitar is best for beginners Yamaha?

This guide to the best acoustic guitars for beginners is designed to set you on the right path with your guitar playing and help you get the ideal instrument in your hands. Buying your first acoustic guitar is a fantastic moment and one you won't ever forget. That's why it's critical to make sure you select the right one for your needs and one that will keep you interested in your newfound hobby as you develop your skills.

Armed with the right acoustic guitar, you'll feel more confident and find playing far easier and much more enjoyable. Love your guitar, and you'll be more likely to stick with it and develop your technique. But what are the most important factors to consider when choosing the best beginner acoustic guitar for you? For starters, you'll want a guitar that stays in tune throughout your practice sessions. It'll need to be built to last, particularly if you plan on playing it outdoors, jamming with friends, or eventually playing live gigs. The final - and probably most important - factor? It needs to sound fantastic.

Ticking all these boxes shouldn't exceed your beginner budget either, which will probably be fairly small at this stage. With this expert round-up of the best beginner acoustic guitars, we're committed to proving you can get started with a great guitar bearing the name of a big-name brand on the headstock, from as little as $149.

We've rounded up and tested 10 of the best acoustic guitars for beginners and provided comprehensive buying advice (opens in new tab) to help you make the right decision. If you just want to get straight to our top recommendations, you can check out a couple of our top choices below. 

Best acoustic guitars for beginners: Our top picks

For us, the overall best beginner acoustic guitar has to be the Fender CD-60S (opens in new tab). This ace beginner acoustic delivers everything you could possibly need when starting out, and all at a delicious entry-level price. This guitar offers great sound, is easy to play and sports a rugged construction. And hey, that Fender logo on the headstock makes it feel like even more of a 'proper' guitar.

At the other end of the budget spectrum, the Yamaha LL6 ARE (opens in new tab) is an ace option for those with a slightly larger budget. It delivers a versatile range of tones that really shine, whether you’re playing unplugged or using the built-in acoustic guitar pickup. A forgiving friend, it certainly helps bring out the best in your sound.

While not the cheapest beginner acoustic on this list, the Yamaha will remain a reliable companion beyond your years as a complete beginner, making it a great addition to our best acoustic guitars for beginners round-up.

Best acoustic guitars for beginners: Product guide

The best acoustic guitar for beginners seeking a big brand name

Specifications

Type: Dreadnought

Top: Solid Mahogany

Back and sides: Laminated Mahogany

Neck: Mahogany

Scale: 25.3"

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Frets: 20

Tuners: Chrome Die-Cast

Electronics: N/A

Left-handed: Yes

Finish: Gloss

Reasons to buy

+

Balanced sound

Reasons to avoid

-

Individual looks may put some off

With this Fender, you have a leading brand producing an excellent acoustic guitar at an entry-level price. In our tests we found that this dreadnought’s all-mahogany construction produced a full, rounded sound, which equates to volume and confident mid-level power in support of a bright treble.

The tuners are positive and reliable, and at the sub-$200 mark they represent excellent quality compared with other guitars in this bracket. Previously, Fender’s acoustic guitars for beginners had an action that tended to be on the high side. But the CD-60S has an action low enough to enable easier playing, while avoiding troublesome fret buzz.

Read the full Fender CD-60S All-Mahogany review

• Explore today's best Fender CD-60S deals

The best acoustic guitar for beginners under $500

Specifications

Type: Medium Jumbo

Top: Solid Engelmann spruce

Back and sides: Rosewood

Neck: Mahogany/rosewood 5-ply

Scale: 25.9/16"

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Frets: 20

Tuners: Die-cast gold

Electronics: Yamaha SRT Zero Impact pickup

Left-handed: Yes

Finish: Gloss

Reasons to buy

+

Excellent sound plugged in and acoustically

Reasons to avoid

-

Higher-end price for a beginner guitar

Yamaha's Acoustic Resonance Enhancement treatment process aims to make this stunning guitar sound ‘played-in’ from the start. We found that the resulting tone is representative of a guitar that’s worth more than the LL6’s price tag. With chords chiming through, this Yamaha makes for a very forgiving acoustic guitar for beginners.

Simplicity is the theme for amplification here, with no extra control provided to the Zero Impact pickups. The action is low and the neck has an even thickness, and typically of Yamaha the finish on the LL6 is of an extremely high quality. If you want an entry-level acoustic guitar that’s easy to play, definitely check this one out.

Read the full Yamaha LL6 ARE review

3. Epiphone Hummingbird Studio

The best acoustic guitar for beginners who want heritage pedigree

Specifications

Type: Dreadnought

Top: Solid spruce

Back and sides: Select mahogany

Neck: Select mahogany

Scale: 25.3"

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Frets: 20

Tuners: Chrome Die-Cast

Electronics: Shadow ePerformer pre-amp

Left-handed: Yes

Finish: Gloss

Reasons to buy

+

Excellent sound

Reasons to avoid

-

The large body may not suit smaller players 

Played by the Rolling Stones, no less, and with a lavish appearance created by that pearl inlayed neck and artworked scratchplate, Epiphone’s Hummingbird Pro certainly looks the part and has a reputation to match.

Based on its big brother from parent company Gibson, the ‘real’ Hummingbird would set you back closer to $3,000, so this one is a bargain. We found the sound to be well balanced and ideal for various styles, though the action, straight from the box, could be slightly lower to make it easier for beginner’s to play.

For electrified sessions, Epiphone’s built-in Eperformer preamp is versatile enough to dish out a wide range of tones. Elsewhere, for us, the Grover tuners maintained reliable tension. 

Read our full Epiphone Hummingbird Studio review 

4. Yamaha FG800

A best-seller at the budget end of the best beginners acoustic guitar market

Specifications

Type: Traditional Western

Top: Solid spruce

Back and sides: Nato/Okume

Neck: Nato

Scale: 25.9/16"

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Frets: 20

Tuners: Die-cast Chrome(TM29T)

Electronics: n/a

Left-handed: Yes

Finish: Gloss body/matt neck

Reasons to buy

+

Great sound for the money

Reasons to avoid

-

No electronics

One of the lower priced guitars in our guide, Yamaha’s FG800 is a seasoned veteran in the beginner’s acoustic field. The sound generated by this beauty could easily come from a more expensive guitar, and in use it’s reliable at holding its tune, too.

A solid spruce top, more usually found on higher priced guitars, helps create the impressive tone. And it we think it really is the sound that helps this guitar stand out from the others at the sub-$200 mark. No amplification is included, but for this price who’s complaining? 

While the neck has a rounded, comfortable profile, we found the the action to be a little on the high side, though nothing a local guitar tech couldn’t remedy.

Read our full Yamaha FG800 review

5. Taylor GS Mini Mahogany

High-end versatility and tonal quality at an entry-level price

Specifications

Type: Mini

Top: Tropical mahogany

Back and sides: Sapele laminate

Neck: Layered sapele

Scale: 23.5"

Fingerboard: Ebony

Frets: 20

Tuners: Die-cast chrome

Electronics: n/a (ES-Go pickup available)

Left-handed: Yes

Finish: Varnish

Reasons to buy

+

High quality tone

Reasons to avoid

-

Doesn’t have the volume of a full size 

Taylor’s GS Mini doubles as a travel-sized guitar and dishes out all you need for home playing, especially for younger or smaller guitarists. The factory-set action is low, making it simple to play from the get-go. 

We found the sound to be warm and clear, tending towards the mid-range. Though the trebles are bright, despite the size the bass isn’t lacking. The sound also includes ample sustain with notes enduring longer than would be expected from a ‘mini’.

The broad tonal capability across the range makes it well suited to a variety of musical styles, meaning this is one of the best acoustic guitar for beginners if you’re searching for tonal versatility as well as for an entry-level guitar that could last far beyond your newcomer years – not to mention it's also a brilliant guitar for kids! 

Read our full Taylor GS Mini Mahogany review

6. Ibanez AW54CE

One of the best acoustic guitars for beginners, whether amplified or unplugged

Specifications

Type: Cutaway dreadnought

Top: Solid mahogany

Back and sides: Mahogany

Neck: Mahogany

Scale: 25.6"

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Frets: 20

Tuners: Chrome grover tuners

Electronics: Fishman Sonicore pickup and Ibanez AEQ210TF preamp with on-board tuner

Left-handed: Yes

Finish: Satin

Reasons to buy

+

Excellent tone

Reasons to avoid

-

Some players don't like the dark tone of mahogany   

While the cutaway, giving access to the highest frets, is a noticeable standout in this guitar, the mahogany finish is also noteworthy. The neck is mahogany with a satin finish, which helps all of you beginner acoustic guitarists to play easier. That said, the action is on the high side.

Ibanez’s best acoustic guitar for beginners delivers a balanced, rounded tone thanks to the mahogany, and like many of the entry-level guitars in our guide it’s enough to keep more experienced acoustic guitarists happy.

The Ibanez AW54 also comes with an Ibanez preamp and Fishman pickup, plus a dual band equalizer. The sound through an amp matches the quality of the unplugged tone. 

7. Martin LX1E Little Martin

Versatility and stellar sound in a pint-sized package

Specifications

Type: Parlour

Top: Sitka spruce

Back and sides: High Pressure Laminate

Neck: Stratabond

Scale: 24" and under

Fingerboard: FSC Certified Richlite

Frets: 20

Tuners: Gotoh nickel

Electronics: Fishman Sonitone

Left-handed: Yes

Finish: Hand rubbed

Reasons to buy

+

Excellent build quality

Reasons to avoid

-

May be too small for adult beginners

Martin has a reputation for crafting some of the finest acoustic guitars in the world, and we found the LX1E Little Martin to be no different: it’s a beautifully made instrument. It’s also a travel guitar, which makes it the best acoustic guitar for beginners seeking a compact strummer.

Don’t let the size fool you, though. Along with a brightness, in our test the guitar provided surprising volume from the Sitka spruce top and mahogany laminate sides. The high pressure laminate also helps deal with heat and humidity changes, which is useful for frequent travel.

Fishman Sonitone electric controls enable a relatively broad range of volume and tonal variety with a phase control to emphasize bass, which is useful when playing at lower volumes.

Read our full Martin LX1E Little Martin review 

8. Epiphone DR-100

Good build quality and surprising tone is yours for a low, low price

Specifications

Type: Dreadnought

Top: Select spruce

Back and sides: Mahogany

Neck: Mahogany

Scale: 25.5"

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Frets: 20

Tuners: Premium tuners

Electronics: n/a

Left-handed: Yes

Finish: Gloss

Reasons to buy

+

Good build quality

Reasons to avoid

-

Not the most exciting beginner guitar

It may be considered a cheap acoustic guitar, but we found it difficult to find much wrong with the DR-100 for those on a budget. The Epiphone DR-100 produces a tone that you wouldn’t expect given the small price tag. Available in a variety of finishes, the build quality outmatches most of the competition in this price bracket. 

A select spruce top is accompanied by a mahogany body and neck, the latter of which features a slim taper profile for more comfortable playing, finished off with a rosewood fingerboard. 

In use it’s a relatively easy player, and the body has ample resonance. If you’re on a very small budget, the Epiphone DR-100 is a no-brainer.

Read the full Epiphone DR-100 review

9. Seagull S6

Premium quality in a guitar that’s built to last

Specifications

Type: Dreadnought

Top: Solid cedar

Back and sides: Wild cherry

Neck: Silver leaf maple

Scale: 25.5"

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Frets: 21

Tuners: Chrome

Electronics: n/a

Left-handed: Yes

Finish: semi-gloss

Reasons to buy

+

Optimum build quality

Reasons to avoid

-

No electronics onboard 

Canadian made Seagull guitars are renowned for their high build quality, and the S6 is no different. It’s a grown up guitar in the sense that it’s far from flashy, but it has all you need to last beyond your beginner days.

Its refined construction is complemented with a bright tone but, especially useful for the more gentle fingerpicking style, the Seagull S6 enables beautiful warmth with a low volume and light touch. As you’d expect from this level of build quality, this beginner’s acoustic stays in tune and is so easy and enjoyable to play.

10. Alvarez AD30

Conventional, solid and versatile… a superb beginners acoustic guitar

Specifications

Type: Dreadnought

Top: Solid Sitka spruce

Back and sides: Mahogany laminate

Neck: Mahogany 50/50 semi gloss

Scale: 25.5"

Fingerboard: Richlite

Frets: 20

Tuners: chrome die cast

Electronics: n/a

Left-handed: Yes

Finish: 50/50 satin gloss

Reasons to buy

+

Good volume and power

Reasons to avoid

-

Missing a pickup

At around the $270 mark, the Alvarez AD30 is another dreadnought delivering well above its diminutive price tag. It kicks out significant volume from its sitka spruce body, which is as warm in tone as much as it is bright.

Playing can be subtle but also as aggressive as you want to get, and this is where the AD30 delivers a surprising amount of power. The X bracing design is intended to aid resonance, which certainly rings out.

Construction is rugged and the guitar stays reliably in tune. The 50/50 gloss to matt finish on the neck balances resilience with ease of playing. Conventional rather than flashy, the AD30 is a reliable allrounder. 

Best acoustic guitar for beginners: Buying advice

Choosing the best beginner acoustic guitar for you

So, if you're reading this  guide it's likely you're looking for one of the best beginner acoustic guitars for you or someone you know? Here's everything you need to know to ensure you make the right choice.

If you want to take an even closer look at some of the best acoustic guitars for beginners in this guide, we recently performed a group test on the Epiphone DR-100, Fender CD-60S and Yamaha FG800 which should help you zero in on the right guitar for you.

Acoustic guitar size, shape and sound

The first consideration you’ll need to make is the type of beginner acoustic guitar you're looking for, which will be primarily based on size and sound.

Smaller-bodied acoustics are easier to play, and the size makes them more portable. By contrast, the larger the guitar’s body, the louder the volume and the bigger the tone it will produce. The most common acoustic guitar design, and the most versatile, is the dreadnought, which strikes the ideal balance between sound and playability.

At the opposite end of the scale is the jumbo acoustic, which produces greater volume, and the parlour guitar, with its small body and softer tone. Smaller still are mini or baby acoustics.

You’ll find a mix of the above in our best beginner acoustic guitars guide, and of the three main designs there are various spin-off styles too. Tried and tested brands in this area include Fender, Epiphone and Yamaha, and Taylor and Martin are notable brands at the more premium end.

Are beginner acoustic guitars easy to play?

Relatively speaking, beginner guitars should be easy to play. If the guitar itself makes progress more difficult than it needs to be, you’re less likely to want to pick it up and practice. That means looking for a low action – the height at which the acoustic guitar strings are set above the fretboard. 

While aiding comfort, a smaller-bodied guitar is also easier to play, especially for younger players or smaller guitarists.

While the body of a dreadnought guitar typically joins the neck at the 14th fret, providing easier access to the higher notes, the parlour guitar typically has a join lower down at the 12th. If playing the highest notes is important to the music you want to play, you may also want to consider choosing a beginner’s acoustic guitar with a body cutaway below the neck.

Tuning your beginner acoustic guitar

Tuning is typically a challenge for beginners, so guitar tuners, which ease the process and retain correct tension, are a vital accessory. If your budget is tight there are plenty of great clip-on guitar tuners on the market too. These are small, relatively inexpensive and easy to use.

If you get really stuck, we've compiled this handy step-by-step guide showing you how to tune a guitar.

Do you need electronics?

If the guitar you choose doesn’t include built-in amplification, a simple-to-install acoustic pickup can be retrofitted.  You'll find examples of a variety of these types of strummers in our selection of the best acoustic guitars for beginners.

Buying advice: 30-second summary

Take a bitesize look at what you should consider before you buy one of the best acoustic guitars beginners:

• Think about guitar size: do you need a baby acoustic, small-bodied acoustic, dreadnought or jumbo?
• Are you buying a trusted brand? Fender, Epiphone, Yamaha and Taylor are great places to start.
• A low action – the height of the strings above the fretboard – makes a beginner acoustic guitar easier and more comfortable to play.
• Want to play higher notes? You'll need a guitar with a cutaway in order to access the higher frets.
• A guitar tuner makes a wise investment to keep your guitar sounding good.
• Want to amplify your playing? You’ll need to retrofit an acoustic guitar pickup, or opt for an acoustic electric guitar that comes already fitted with electronics

Beginner guitar lessons

Picking up one of the best beginner acoustic guitars is no use unless you know how to play at least the basics on it. Some people are able to pick things up by ear, or are lucky enough to have someone in the house to show them the ropes. If neither of these apply, we would always recommend taking lessons if you're able. 

Face to face lessons are a great way to build a bond with a teacher and develop your skills in a hands-on way, but if you want to quickly understand basic guitar techniques, learn from the comfort of your home and don't have a huge budget, online lessons are a great, affordable route to take. You can learn more and discover our favorites in this guide to the best online guitar lessons.

You can currently make savings on a some of those platforms using the codes below, too.

How we test a beginner acoustic guitar 

When it comes to acoustic guitars, every player has their own personal preferences regarding the tone and feel. That said, regardless of taste, there are a few key criteria that a beginner acoustic guitar must meet before we'd feel comfortable recommending it. 

Like with all instruments, we first look at the overall build quality. We closely inspect every inch of the guitar, from the body and neck to the machine heads, bridge, and saddle, to ensure they feel robust, sturdy and up for taking you on your musical journey. 

We'll next check the consistency of the fretwork to confirm there aren't any sharp frets or uneven frets that may result in buzzing. This ties into the playability of the guitar. For us, the guitar should be comfortable to someone new to the instrument, and this means a reasonably forgiving neck and unobtrusive body. 

Lastly, we move our attention to the sound of the acoustic guitar. To test the tone of the instrument, we will try a variety of different playing techniques and styles to see how the guitar handles them, from strumming wide-open chords with a flat pick to soft fingerpicking and everything in between. We are carefully listening to the volume the guitar produces and the overall tonal balance of the sound. 

Find out more about how we make our recommendations and how we test each of the products in our buyer's guides.  

More great beginner guitar gear guides

• Best beginner guitars: great acoustic and electric options
• On a budget? These are the best acoustic guitars under $500
• Just starting out? Check out the best beginner classical guitars
• Best ukuleles: acoustic and electric ukes for every budget
• Downsize to one of the best 3/4 acoustic guitars
• Best guitar picks: find the right plectrums for you
• The best guitar straps for boosting playing comfort
• Transform your tone with the best acoustic guitar pedals
• Plug in with the best beginner electric guitars
• Gear up with these guitar accessories for beginners

Chris Corfield is a journalist with over 12 years of experience writing for some of the music world's biggest brands including Orange Amplification, MusicRadar, Guitar World Total Guitar and Dawsons Music. Chris loves getting nerdy about everything from guitar gear and synths, to microphones and music production hardware.