Best Acoustic Guitars ($200-$299)

If being a guitarist is your dream, jump right in with one of the best acoustic guitars priced between $200-$299. There is no reason to start with a really cheap acoustic guitar, only to be disappointed.

Designed for the guitarist who knows there own mind, but who might not yet be ready to commit to the price of one of the upper tier guitars, these babies have what it takes to make great music without putting you in debt for the foreseeable future.

RECOMMENDED MODEL

Epiphone Hummingbird

Throw on your love beads and fringed vest. If you are looking for the very best guitar for the money, you need look no further than the Epiphone Hummingbird, an American classic whose original Gibson version came into its own in the late 1960’s. Patterned after the Gibson Hummingbird , the Epiphone model is a steal at $299, especially when you learn that its Gibson equivalent would cost you $3,899. Made with a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, the Epiphone Hummingbird will steal your heart without putting you on a guilt trip. And while the Gibson model is an all-around better guitar, for the price you just can’t beat the Epiphone version. This is our favorite of the best acoustic guitars.

Other Models Between $200-$299

Epiphone Dove

The Hummingbird’s sister guitar, the Epiphone Dove is, at $299 one of the best options for an acoustic guitar in this price range. With a tone that is brighter and lighter than the Hummingbird, this guitar looks as good as she sounds, and her solid spruce top combined with maple sides and back make her a force to be contended with. Plus, this is arguably one of the most attractive and one of the best acoustic guitars on the market, with stylized doves and the pickguard and beautiful inlays.

Epiphone EL-00

If you’re not into big guitars, you may want to check out the Epiphone EL-00 which is the spitting image of the Gibson Blues King, and has a full-bodied sound which, at $299 is a steal considering the fact that the Blues King costs about $2,000 more. While the EL-00 does not have the depth or volume of the Epiphone Dove or Hummingbird, its smaller body and curvy shape make it much easier for smaller or younger players, and it has a richness of flavor that is hard to match in this price range.

Washburn WD 15S

The Washburn WD 15S is one of the best acoustic guitars that the guitar reviews just don’t give enough credit to. Crafted with a solid Alaskan Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides, this baby has a depth, warmth and volume that set it apart and give it a flavor all its own. While it does not quite hold up to the Epiphone Hummingbird for overall grooviness, the Washburn is still a solid choice for a beginner’s acoustic guitar, and at only $269 is a good bit less expensive than any of the Epiphone’s or even the Ibanez Artwood. If a dreadnought body is too big for you to handle, however, you may want to consider the Washburn WG16S Grand Auditorium. Costing the same price as the WD 15S, the 16S has a curvier shape that rests easier against your body and on your lap to give you incredible comfort as you play.

Takamine GS330S

The Takamine GS330S is another solid choice for a cheap acoustic guitar in this price range. While the GS330S is very plain aesthetically, she has the features necessary to produce a great sound and, at $299, she won’t require the sale of your firstborn to finance. While not as full or rich sounding as the Washburn WD15S, and definitely not as rounded or deep of tone as the Dove or Hummingbird, the Takamine will still serve you well and will continue to sound better the longer you play her.

Ibanez AC240 Artwood

The Ibanez AC240 Artwood Grand Concert is another curvy number that lends itself well to those who want a full, rich sound without the awkwardness of trying to handle a dreadnought. With its Grand Concert Body and solid mahogany top, the Artwood projects like nobody’s business, and can blow even the Epiphone EL-00 out of the water for volume. While not as smoothly finished as either the Epiphones or the Washburn, this Ibanez is still one of the best acoustic guitars for beginners, and one which, at just $279, is definitely a guitar to consider learning to play.

Fender Sonoran S

When it comes to simple good looks, the Fender Sonoran S definitely has it. Made with a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, the Sonoran has a flavor, and a style, all its own. Its unique Strat® guitar headstock gives this model a distinct appearance, and one that won’t soon be forgotten, and while it is not as full sounding as the Ibanez Artwood, it will definitely make an impression, and its solid mahogany top give this little number a vibrancy that can’t be categorized.

Yamaha FG730S

The Yamaha FG730S is another decent choice for a good acoustic guitar in this price range. At just $299, the FG730S has a deep, rich tone that can in part be attributed to its solid Sitka spruce top and rosewood back and sides. It projects much better than the Fender, and is an awesome blend of quality craftsmanship and excellent tonal projection that combine to produce a guitar that is a step above the rest in its price range. It makes an excellent choice of guitars for the beginning guitarist in that it sounds lovely but doesn’t cost a fortune.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are a number of solid choices when it comes to great solid top acoustic guitars in this price range. Your final selection will, of course, be determined by your personal preference and budget, but just knowing some of the options that you have available should help you when selecting one of the best acoustic guitars between $200-$299 on the market.