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.
Check out the list of great affordable guitars:
Martin DX1AE Dreadnought Acoustic Electricsize>color>
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 DX1AEcolor>
Also check out it’s brother the DX1RAE which has Rosewood (HPL) back and sides:
More Info, Prices and Reviews for the Martin DX1RAEcolor>
Taylor 110e Dreadnought Acoustic Electricsize>color>
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®
More Info, Prices and Reviews for the Taylor 110ecolor>
Also check out the Taylor 114e which has a Grand Auditorium body shape:
More Info, Prices and Reviews for the Taylor 114ecolor>
Taylor GS Mini Mahogany GS Mini Acoustic Guitarsize>color>
The Taylor GS Mini has got an incredible tone for the size of the guitar. Although it’s little brother the Baby Taylorcolor>
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 Minicolor>
Cort Earth 200 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitarsize>color>
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 200color>
Recording King RD-10 Dreadnought Acousticsize>color>
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-10color>
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-10color>
Guild GAD D-125 Dreadnought Acousticsize>color>
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 Electricsize>color>
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-43color>
Also check out the BR-40 Dreadnought Guitar:
More Info, Prices and Reviews on Blueridge BR-40 Dreadnought Guitarcolor>
Bristol by Blueridge BD-16 Dreadnaught Acoustic Guitar (Natural)size>color>
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 Guitarsize>color>
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 Cherrysize>color>
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 Modelsize>color>
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 Guitarsize>color>
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
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P.S.
Do you know any of these guitars and what do you think of them? Please share in the comments. I appreciate it.
