Beginner Acoustic Guitar Reviews

Have you been toying with the idea of learning to play the guitar? Are you looking for the right acoustic guitar for a beginner such as yourself? Playing the guitar can be both relaxing and exhilarating at the same time.

Since there are so many options to consider when you are looking for a new guitar, we have compiled a list of the five best acoustic guitars for beginners. Read through our reviews and you should be able to decide on the best option to get you started.

Top 5: Acoustic Guitars for Beginners Review

Fender FA-115 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar - Sunburst Bundle with Hard Case, Tuner, Strings, Strap, and Picks

The Fender FA-115 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar - Sunburst Bundle includes everything you'll need to get started learning how to play an acoustic guitar. When you purchase this bundle, you'll receive the Fender FA-115 acoustic guitar, a hard guitar case, and a guitar strap. You'll also receive three guitar picks, an extra set of strings, and a Fender clip-on chromatic tuner.

Since the included case also has a lock and key, you'll be able to easily travel with your guitar. There is also space in the case for you to pack your picks, spare strings, and other small accessories to ensure you'll always have them when you need them.

Fender FA-115 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar - Sunburst Bundle with Hard Case, Tuner, Strings, Strap, and Picks
Fender FA-115 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar - Sunburst Bundle with Hard Case, Tuner, Strings, Strap, and Picks

This guitar has a spruce top. Spruce is a durable and bright wood that will produce excellent sounds as you play your new guitar.

This guitar was designed with the dreadnought shape to deliver quality sound. It has a deep body that will provide a balanced tone as you play. The rounded shoulders will also help the guitar sit comfortably on you as you play it.

Pros

  • Since this is a bundle, you will receive everything you'll need to start playing.
  • The case has a lock and key, so you'll be able to travel with your new guitar.
  • The dreadnought shape makes the guitar comfortable to hold and produces a high-quality sound.

Cons

  • A few customers have shared that their guitars broke after a few months.
Donner DAG-1C Beginner Acoustic Guitar Full Size, 41" Cutaway Guitar Bundle with Gig Bag Tuner Capo Picks Strap String

The Donner DAG-1C Beginner Acoustic Guitar Full Size, 41" Cutaway Guitar Bundle is another great option to consider if you are looking for a kit that will give you everything you'll need to get started. This kit includes a 41-inch, full-size guitar with a cutaway dreadnought body. This body shape will help create vibrant sounds for every type of music you play.

This guitar is designed for right-handed players. It has a mahogany back and sides and a spruce top that produce high-quality sounds. There are 20 Brass Frets on the guitar.

Donner DAG-1C Beginner Acoustic Guitar Full Size, 41" Cutaway Guitar Bundle with Gig Bag Tuner Capo Picks Strap String
Donner DAG-1C Beginner Acoustic Guitar Full Size, 41" Cutaway Guitar Bundle with Gig Bag Tuner Capo Picks Strap String

When you purchase this kit, you'll also receive a guitar bag, guitar strap, extra strings, a clip on tuner, guitar picks, and a polishing cloth. The manufacturer also offers a 30-day money back guarantee if you are unsatisfied with your purchase for any reason.

Pros

  • The cutaway dreadnought body will yield high-quality sounds and make the guitar comfortable to hold.
  • This kit includes everything you'll need to get started playing the guitar.
  • A 30-day money-back guarantee protects your purchase.

Cons

  • A hard case is not included, so you will need to be more careful transporting your guitar using the included gig bag.
Epiphone DR-100 Acoustic Guitar (Vintage Sunburst)

You'll love the Epiphone DR-100 Acoustic Guitar. This guitar has an attractive Dreadnought body shape that will produce amazing sounds as you play it. This is a full-size guitar, so it would be a good choice for adults or older teens who are looking to learn how to play the acoustic guitar.

The guitar's mahogany body along with its spruce top work together to create a quality instrument that creates beautiful music. The guitar's neck is designed with a SlimTaper profile to make it easier and more comfortable to play.

This guitar is available with three different finishes. You can choose from Vintage Sunburst, Ebony, or Natural.

Pros

  • This guitar will produce quality sound for a very reasonable price.
  • The SlimTaper neck design makes playing the guitar more comfortable.
  • There are three different finish options to choose from.

Cons

  • This is not a kit, so you'll need to purchase a case, guitar picks, and other accessories separately.
Fender FA-115 Acoustic Guitar Bundle with Gig Bag, Tuner, Strings, Strap, Picks, and Austin Bazaar Instructional DVD

The Fender FA-115 Acoustic Guitar Bundle is another guitar bundle that is a great choice for beginners. This bundle includes the Fender FA-115 Acoustic Guitar with a natural finish.

The guitar has a glossy spruce top and a walnut fretboard. In addition to the attractive appearance these two features provide to the guitar, they also work together to deliver a high-quality sound.

Fender FA-115 Acoustic Guitar Bundle with Gig Bag, Tuner, Strings, Strap, Picks, and Austin Bazaar Instructional DVD
Fender FA-115 Acoustic Guitar Bundle with Gig Bag, Tuner, Strings, Strap, Picks, and Austin Bazaar Instructional DVD

As a beginner, you'll love this bundle because it includes everything you'll need to learn how to play the guitar. You'll receive a guitar start, picks, extra strings, a digital tuner, and a gig bag for your guitar.

An instructional DVD is also included with your purchase. The DVD can help you with getting your guitar set up correctly. You will also receive helpful tips on how to play different chords on your guitar.

Pros

  • The guitar has a quality polished spruce top.
  • The bundle includes accessories such as a strap, picks, and a gig bag.
  • You will also receive an instructional DVD to help you set up your guitar and learn how to play it.

Cons

  • A hard case is not included with this bundle.
Sonart 41'' Full Size Beginner Acoustic Guitar, Professional Customization Smooth Mirror Structure Steel String W/Case, Shoulder Strap, Pick, Extra Strings for Kids, Starters, Nature

If you are looking for a product that is available with different colors and finishes to match your personality, then the Sonart 41'' Full Size Beginner Acoustic Guitar might be the best product for you. This guitar is available in four different finishes. You can choose from Nature, Black, Blue, or Maple Orange.

This is a 41-inch full size guitar that is designed for beginners. It has six steel strings that are designed to produce a stable pitch and high-quality sound.

Sonart 41'' Full Size Beginner Acoustic Guitar, Professional Customization Smooth Mirror Structure Steel String W/Case, Shoulder Strap, Pick, Extra Strings for Kids, Starters, Nature
Sonart 41'' Full Size Beginner Acoustic Guitar, Professional Customization Smooth Mirror Structure Steel String W/Case, Shoulder Strap, Pick, Extra Strings for Kids, Starters, Nature

The side panels and back of the guitar are made from basswood. They are covered with a glossy paint to provide a polished and finished appearance.

When you purchase this guitar, you'll also receive a strap, a guitar pick, and extra set of strings, and a nylon case.

Pros

  • A nylon bag, guitar pick, strap, and extra strings are included with your purchase.
  • There are four different colors to choose from.
  • This is the least expensive item we reviewed.

Cons

  • Some of the other guitars we reviewed are a higher-quality than this product.

Buying Guide

If you're looking to learn how to play the acoustic guitar, you want to find a quality instrument that isn't overly expensive. There are many options for you to consider, but before you make a decision you will want to take some time to weigh the pros and cons for your different choices and think about what you're looking for in the product you choose.

First, you should determine whether you want to purchase a guitar kit or just a guitar. If you purchase a kit, you'll also receive accessories such as guitar picks, spare strings, and a guitar case. If you already have some of these on hand, then you may want to purchase just the guitar.

Another thing to consider before making a purchase is the guitar's body shape. Different body shapes produce slightly different sounds and feel different to hold, so you will want to take some time to decide which body shape will be best for you. Some of the different shapes that are available include dreadnought, concert, auditorium, and travel.

You should also consider the price of the guitar you are looking at. Since you are looking for a beginner's guitar, you may want to consider less expensive options. You can always upgrade to a higher-quality guitar once you have learned to play on your beginner's model.

Top Pick

Out of the five beginner's guitars we reviewed, the Fender FA-115 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar - Sunburst Bundle is our top pick. This is a bundle, so in addition to receiving the guitar, you'll also receive the other essentials you'll need to get started. The kit includes the guitar, a case, a strap, three picks, a clip on chromatic tuner, and an extra set of guitar strings.

Fender FA-115 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar - Sunburst Bundle with Hard Case, Tuner, Strings, Strap, and Picks

The guitar in this set has a dreadnought shape and a spruce wood top. These features work together to produce a quality sound as you play. It also has rounded shoulders to help keep you comfortable as you hold and play the guitar.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Pick the Right Size Guitar?

Selecting a guitar that is the correct size for you is important. You need to be able to hold it correctly and place your fingers in the correct positions in order to be able to play it comfortably and correctly. For most adults, a full-size guitar should be the correct size. Full-size guitars measure either 40 or 41 inches. If you are looking for an acoustic guitar for a child, you can use the general guidelines below to help you select the correct size.

  • Children between 4 and 6 years old: 30-inch guitar (1/4 size).
  • Children between 6 and 9 years old: 34-inch guitar (1/2 size).
  • Children between 9 and 12 years old: 36-inch guitar (3/4 size.
  • Children over 13 years: 40- or 41-inch guitar (full size Concert or Dreadnought).

How Much Should You Pay for a Beginner's Acoustic Guitar?

The amount you may be willing to pay will likely different from what another person is willing to pay for a beginner's guitar. Before deciding on your budget, consider how committed you are to playing the guitar, whether you have any prior experience, and how much money you can realistically afford to spend on a guitar. You should expect to spend somewhere between $200 and $800 for a new guitar.

Can Adults Learn How to Play the Guitar?

Yes, anyone should be able to learn how to play the guitar, regardless of your age. You just need to be able to move your fingers around on the strings and have some motivation and determination.

a beginners guide to playing the acoustic guitar

The Acoustic Guitar and Devoted Beginners

The acoustic guitar has contributed to countless amazing tunes throughout the decades and years. It's been a major part of songs that cover all sorts of musical genres as well. If you're a bright-eyed music enthusiast who wants to learn how to play an instrument, then the acoustic guitar may be the ideal choice for you. Note, too, that getting on track to learning the acoustic guitar doesn't have to be hard or overwhelming for people who are enthusiastic, hard-working and patient as can be. There are all sorts of suggestions that can come in handy for the acoustic guitar newbies of the world.

Recruit a Professional to Get Your Acoustic Guitar Ready to Go


Smart acoustic guitar beginners know that they probably shouldn't purchase the priciest and highest quality instruments on the planet. That's because you have no reason to learn using anything world-class. If you're an acoustic guitar beginner, odds are high that your instrument is on the inexpensive side. Odds are strong that it's not exactly the sturdiest and most reliable as well. Thankfully, you can get around that dilemma. You can do so by recruiting a seasoned professional to get things all ready to go for you. Head to your neighborhood music store to secure a setup appointment. A professional can tackle all of the setup fundamentals for you. He can manage all of your truss rod tweaks, bridge angle and saddle height requirements. He can even take care of the tightening of tuners, knobs and jacks galore. If you want to steer clear of all kinds of early acoustic guitar setbacks, then going forward with a professional setup can be an intelligent idea.

Master the Art of Acoustic Guitar String Changing


Playing the acoustic guitar well involves a lot more than simply being able to produce pleasing musical sounds using your fingers. That's because it calls for a significant degree of preparation work. If you want your acoustic guitar playing experience to always be smooth, then you should master the art of changing your strings consistently. The hands and fingers naturally give off oil and debris that can collect on top of acoustic guitar strings. This collection can intensify and negatively interfere with string sounds. That's the reason that regular string changing is 100 percent imperative. The more frequently you play your acoustic guitar, the more you'll have to replace its strings. If you want to steer clear of premature string fatigue, then you can ask the previously mentioned professional if he can show you the appropriate approach to changing.

Prioritize Immaculately Clean Hands


It's crucial for acoustic guitar playing beginners to try to do what they can to keep their instruments in tiptop shape. If you want to avoid the hassles of exhausting your guitar strings too quickly, then you should thoroughly wash your hands prior to going forward with your playing sessions. If your hands are soiled, they may negatively impact the condition of your strings. If your strings don't sound their best, it may frustrate you and influence your enthusiasm regarding learning.

Push Your Strings Without Too Much Force


People who are brand new to the world of acoustic guitars often realize quickly that strings can hurt their fingertips significantly. If you want to safeguard your fretting hand from immoderate pains, then you should make a point to push your strings without exerting that much force. Strings that are made out of steel can wreak havoc onto delicate fingers.

Teach Yourself How to Tune Your Musical Instrument


Tuning is a major part of acoustic guitar glory. If you want your acoustic guitar sessions to sound good, then you should never neglect the value of going forward with routine tunings. You have to see to it that your acoustic guitar is in tune prior to initiating your practices. The positive news is that acoustic guitar tuning tends to be a piece of cake. There are user-friendly guitar tuners accessible on the Internet these days. People can also choose to buy compact guitar tuners that work in conjunction with batteries.

Take Full Advantage of Video Clips on the Internet


If you want to "supplement" your primary acoustic guitar learning pathway, you can easily do so thanks to the Internet and all of its options. YouTube is a video file exchange site that's basically brimming with music instrumental tutorials. Acoustic guitar tutorials are certainly no exception to this rule. You can find seemingly endless video lessons that don't cost a cent to watch. It can be smart to check out video clips that are posted by musicians who have a lot of credibility. You can check out comments prior to making any decisions. The good thing is that you can explore all sorts of YouTube teachers prior to picking one out for your supplementary learning purposes.

Get Acquainted With Guitar Music Theory



You may know a couple of people who majored in music while they were in college. If you do, then you may have heard of something that's referred to simply as "music theory." You shouldn't disregard music theory as being something that's out of reach or pointless for you. You shouldn't disregard it as being something that's too complex for you to learn initially, either. If you're committed to one day being a capable and adept acoustic guitar player, then you should put time into mastering guitar music theory specifically. It can seem rather complex and cumbersome at first. If you give it time, however, learning music theory may help all sorts of acoustic guitar concepts slowly but surely click in your head. Grasping something deep down can be rewarding. The more you learn about the intricacies of music, the simpler it will be for you to master acoustic guitar techniques that are on the easier side.

Make Finger and Hand Stretching a Top Priority


Don't brush off finger and hand stretching as being silly or pointless. Stretching is far from pointless. That's because stretching and warmups in general can be good for newbies who want to steer clear of injuries. They can be good for newbies who simultaneously want to enhance all of their playing abilities. If you want to learn effective warmup strategies, then there are seemingly endless video tutorials on the Internet that can point you in the right direction.

Established a Designated Practice Area


If you have a designated practice area that's solely for learning the acoustic guitar, that can be a major asset. It can motivate you to learn consistently. It can motivate you to actually concentrate and keep your eyes on the prize. Having a specific acoustic guitar learning section can even help you concentrate without any outside disturbances. It doesn't matter what you decide your practice area is. It can be a little nook or cranny in your bedroom. Remember, few things can be more detrimental to acoustic guitar achievement than failing to practice on a routine basis. If you have a designated space that has everything from your musical instrument to your capo and your picks, you have no excuse to not keep plowing ahead. Don't forget that actually grabbing your acoustic guitar and starting to play is the toughest step for anyone.

Come Up With a Rock-Solid Practicing Plan


It can be incredibly stressful to try to practice the acoustic guitar only to randomly realize that you have no idea what you want to concentrate on specifically. If you want to steer clear of the stress of uncertainty, then you should come up with a practicing schedule in advance if at all possible. If you have zero clue regarding what to pick, then you can get cues from outside sources. Check out online video tutorial classes for newbies. These courses may be able to provide you with suggestions for things that you can practice.

Learn How to Play All of Your Favorite Tunes


It can be a serious waste of your time to solely learn how to play things you just don't like. If you want to make your acoustic guitar learning journey particularly rewarding, exciting and promising, then it can help you to learn how to play your favorite tunes in the world. If you learn these songs, you'll have a blast. That will motivate you to keep up with your learning and resist the temptation to give up. Note, though, that you should never attempt to learn how to play songs that are overly advanced and difficult. Although you should without a doubt zero in on songs that you actually appreciate, you should strive to limit yourself to ones that are on the basic side at least temporarily.

Kick Things Off Slowly


People who are brand new to playing the acoustic guitar often do not put a lot of thought into timing matters. They instead prioritize actually creating sounds that are reminiscent of music. If you want to master acoustic guitar timing early on, then it may be intelligent for you to get your hands on a drum loop or even a metronome. This can help you do well in figuring out how to increase song playing speed. Songs are all equipped with BPMs. If you want to figure out the BPM of a specific song that's on your radar, all you have to do is perform an online search. Song BPM information tends to be readily available practically everywhere you look on the Internet.

If you utilize a drum loop or a metronome, you can put it on the speed that's associated with the BPM. You can then attempt to play your acoustic guitar to that speed. It should be pretty tough to do so initially. If you have a hard time, then you can tweak the metronome and make the BPM slower. Attempt to play to that BPM. Strive to reach a level that makes sense with the metronome. After you master this, you can then practice. Slowly but surely raise the BPM as you become better and better at playing. You'll eventually reach the song's actual BPM. This technique can be helpful to people who want to be able to enhance their rhythm abilities. It can also be helpful to those who want to stay on top of any and all of their enhancements.

Put Attention and Care Into Your Playing Errors


You may be able to somewhat play a song on the acoustic guitar after a little while. Odds are strong, however, that you'll make many errors initially. Mistakes are totally normal. You may make a mistake when you get to a certain section each time. You may begin playing the song again only to do it incessantly. If that's your situation, then you should specifically concentrate on the part that's difficult to you. You can temporarily abandon the song parts that are a cinch. Focus on individual notes. Take a gradual and measured approach. You want to see to it that you do everything 100 percent correctly. Resist the urge to try to master this rapidly. Aim for precision above all else. Speed is something that will happen after you get better. The point is to zero in on the things that make you nervous. If you fail to do so, then you may fail to break the habit of making errors.

Record Your Playing Progress


If you want to make significant improvements, then you should think about recording your guitar playing activities. If you take the time to make this effort, you get the opportunity to notice your errors naturally. You get the opportunity to assess the placement of your fingers in the middle of chords and notes. Watching video clips can give you the rare chance to assess your playing just like an outsider can. Analyzing recordings can help you view your speed and rhythm alongside the actual song. It can be rewarding to see how much better you've gotten since you first picked up the acoustic guitar as well. That's because noticing enhancements may drive you to plow ahead regardless of how tough things become.

Discover All the Distinct Sections of Your Guitar


Put effort into visually assessing your acoustic guitar. Find out what the individual parts are called. Find out what all of their functions are. You need to get acquainted with everything, no exceptions. Grasping how your acoustic guitar was built can be a major help.

Practice the Intelligent Way


Don't make the mistake of assuming that all acoustic guitar practicing techniques are necessarily the same, because they're not. There are practice methods that are conducive to improvement. There are also practice methods that will get you nowhere rapidly. There are an abundance of acoustic guitar newbies who unknowingly practice in ways that just do not make any sense. If you want to take advantage of your lessons, then you should ask an expert about your practicing approach and whether it's effective.

Think About the Length of Your Fingernails


Think about the nails that are on the hand you use to fret. You should make a point to trim them neatly on a regular basis. They have to remain short. If these nails grow too long, they may interfere with your acoustic guitar playing. That's because they could potentially stop your fingers from giving the strings the appropriate level of pressure. If you want to steer clear of questionable string pressing practices, then you need to stay on top of your fingernail situation.

Refrain From Ever Going Overboard With Your Practicing Sessions


Less is sometimes more. Although it's imperative to make a point to practice your guitar playing on a frequent and routine basis, it's just as imperative to steer clear of going overboard. Practicing the guitar too much can trigger serious pain. If you notice that your fingers are constantly in pain, then that may be an indication that you need to step away from your acoustic guitar for a little breather of sorts. If you relax for a bit, then you may be able to return to your practicing feeling more refreshed than ever.

Pick Up on Brand New Concepts Any Time You Can


It can be problematic to play the same songs over and over again. It can be problematic to perform the same exact tunes daily. If you get stuck in the rut of playing one song constantly, then you may develop a style that's basically stuck in time. You may fail to get to the advanced stage, too.

Get Some Insight From People on the Internet


It's okay if you don't know any acoustic guitar wizards "in real life." That's because you can always communicate with acoustic guitar aficionados all around the planet. All you have to do is turn to the sheer power of the Internet. The Internet is home to a plenitude of message boards that cater to acoustic guitarists of all levels of capabilities. You can find a board that caters exclusively to newbies. If you want advice from seasoned acoustic guitar powerhouses, then you can even try your hand at posting messages on boards that are suitable for people who have lots of experience. You can learn a lot by bouncing ideas off newbies who are in your shoes. You can learn just as much by getting suggestions from people who have excelled in acoustic guitar playing for years and decades, too.

Open Yourself Up to All Kinds of Thrilling Musical Genres


The acoustic guitar isn't just something that's associated with country, pop, rock and folk tunes. That's because it's actually a staple in many diverse musical genres. If you want to enhance your playing style significantly, then you should pay attention to songs that cover many categories. The better acquainted you are with music that runs the gamut, the easier it will be for you to excel in all of your pursuits.

Check Out Live Shows Any Time You Can


It can be helpful to check out live shows that involve the acoustic guitar any time you can. You don't have to head to a costly rock concert in order to do so, either. Simply head to the coffeehouse a couple of streets away. It may have an "open mic" evening that can give you the chance to assess players and their styles. If you want to assess professional playing approaches, live performances can help you. If you want to analyze playing styles that are associated with beginners, there are just as many performance options that can give you insight.

Discover All of the Marvels of Acoustic Guitar Playing


If you want to become an acoustic guitar maestro, then it can help you considerably to learn about all of the things that make mastering the instrument so indispensable. If you play this type of guitar, you don't have to go through the hassles of buying and setting an amplifier up.

Acoustic guitars are nice and portable. They don't tie people down. You can play them softly regardless of where in the world you go. You can easily and rapidly practice these guitars in hotels, resorts and elsewhere. If you visit a family member in a distant nation, you can easily bring your acoustic guitar.

These guitars can open players up to all sorts of other invigorating features. If you practice the acoustic guitar, then you can learn so much about slides, capos and more. You can learn all about the ins and outs of fingerpicking as well.

Mastering the universe of the acoustic guitar doesn't have to be complicated. You should search for acoustic guitar teachers in your community who have strong track records. You may be able to check the Internet for reviews. If you hear about an acoustic guitar teacher who is patient and detail-oriented, then he may be the one you need.

Final Verdict

While the Fender FA-115 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar - Sunburst Bundle is our top pick, we think you'll be happy with any of the five products we reviewed. Now that you've read through our reviews, it is time for you to decide which guitar is your top pick and place your order. Soon, you'll be strumming on your new acoustic guitar.

REFERENCE & RESOURCES


Official Top 5 Review Team
Official Top 5 Review Team

The Official Top 5 Review team is dedicated to testing and researching the top products available for many different industries. We do the research and testing so that you don't have to! We welcome you to provide your feedback on your experiences with any products that you have experience with.

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