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10 Best Acoustic Guitars 2025 in the United States

Takamine GD30CE-12 12-string Acoustic-electric Guitar - Black

Tonewood: Spruce top, Mahogany back, sides
Scale Length: Standard
Electronics: Takamine TP-4TD preamp system
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#1

Winner

Fender Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar - Natural Bundle with Gig Bag, Tuner, Strings, Picks, Fender Play Online Lessons, and Austin Bazaar Instructional DVD

The Fender Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar is a budget-friendly option that stands out for beginners who are looking to start their musical journey without breaking the bank. The all-laminate construction, featuring a lindenwood top and mahogany back and sides, ensures durability, making it a reliable choice for novice musicians. Its scalloped 'X'-bracing and mahogany neck contribute to a full-bodied tone, offering decent sound quality for its price range.

The slim neck and dark-stained maple fingerboard enhance playability, making it comfortable for learners. Additionally, the natural finish gives it a classic and appealing look. The bundle provides great value, including essential accessories such as a gig bag, tuner, strap, strings, picks, and access to Fender Play Online Lessons, along with an Austin Bazaar Instructional DVD to facilitate learning.

Some might find the laminate construction less resonant compared to solid wood guitars. The absence of electronics limits its versatility for those looking to perform amplified. Despite these drawbacks, the Fender Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar remains a solid choice for budget-conscious beginners seeking a complete starter kit.

#2

Fender 6 String Acoustic Guitar, Right, Natural-3/4 Size, 3/4 (0971940021)

Rating
10.0
Body Shape

Most important from
573 reviews

Body Shape
It's lightweight and great for travel, playing beautifully with a nice open sound.

The Fender 6 String Acoustic Guitar (FA-25N) is a 3/4 size, right-handed guitar that is an excellent choice for beginners, particularly children and players with smaller hands. The smaller body size makes it comfortable to play and easy to handle, especially for those new to guitar playing. Its construction includes a sapele body and back, an agathis wood top, a nato wood neck, and a walnut fretboard, providing a smooth and resonant tone.

The nylon strings are gentle on the fingers, which is ideal for beginners who are still developing their callouses. The guitar features an open-gear tuning machine for accurate tuning and a walnut bridge for a pleasing tone. Additionally, the easy-to-play 'C' shaped neck profile further enhances its user-friendliness. A notable perk is the free subscription to Fender Play, offering a wealth of instructional videos for learning and improving skills.

It also comes with a 2-year limited warranty, a testament to Fender's confidence in their product quality. However, it's important to note that this guitar may not be suitable for more advanced players or those looking for a full-sized instrument. The absence of electronics means it won't be ideal for amplified performances. This guitar shines as a starter instrument for beginners, providing a solid foundation for learning while maintaining Fender's reputation for quality craftsmanship.

Rating
10.0
Body Shape

Most important from
573 reviews

Body Shape
It's lightweight and great for travel, playing beautifully with a nice open sound.
#3

Fender FA-25 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar, Beginner Guitar, with 2-Year Warranty, Includes Free Lessons, Sunburst

The Fender FA-25 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar is designed as an ideal beginner instrument, suitable for both kids and adults. Its dreadnought body shape is known for producing a bold and rich bass tone, making it great for genres like country, folk, and bluegrass. The body is made from laminated basswood with a spruce top, which is a common combination for offering durability and decent sound quality at a lower cost. The neck, made from nato wood with a walnut fingerboard, features a 'C' shaped profile. This shape is comfortable for most hands and makes it easier for beginners to play.

The scale length of 25.6 inches is standard, providing good tension and playability. While the nut width is not specified, the build is aimed at creating a smooth and comfortable playing experience. One notable inclusion is the free subscription to Fender Play, which provides access to numerous instructional videos, a helpful resource for new players. However, this guitar lacks built-in electronics, so it won’t be as versatile for those who may want to amplify their sound for performances.

The fixed bridge system helps maintain stable tuning, and the sealed-gear tuning machines further assist with keeping the guitar in tune. Fender also offers a 2-year limited warranty, which provides some peace of mind regarding the guitar's durability and craftsmanship. For its price point, this guitar offers a solid build and beginner-friendly features, though advanced players might seek more refined sound or additional features like built-in electronics.

Buying Guide for the Best Acoustic Guitars

Choosing the right acoustic guitar can be a rewarding experience, but it requires some understanding of the key specifications that differentiate one guitar from another. The right guitar for you will depend on your playing style, musical preferences, and physical comfort. Here are some important specs to consider when selecting an acoustic guitar.
Body ShapeThe body shape of an acoustic guitar affects its sound and playability. Common shapes include dreadnought, concert, and jumbo. Dreadnought guitars are known for their powerful, balanced sound and are great for strumming and flat-picking. Concert guitars are smaller and more comfortable to hold, making them ideal for fingerpicking and lighter playing styles. Jumbo guitars have a larger body, producing a louder and bass-heavy sound, suitable for players who want a big, bold tone. Choose a body shape that feels comfortable to hold and suits your playing style.
TonewoodTonewood refers to the type of wood used in the construction of the guitar, which significantly influences its sound. Common tonewoods include spruce, mahogany, and rosewood. Spruce is a popular choice for the top (soundboard) due to its bright and clear tone. Mahogany offers a warmer, more mid-range focused sound, while rosewood provides a rich, complex tone with strong bass and treble. Consider the type of music you play and the sound you prefer when selecting the tonewood.
Neck ProfileThe neck profile describes the shape and thickness of the guitar's neck. Common profiles include C-shape, V-shape, and U-shape. A C-shape neck is rounded and comfortable for most players, making it a versatile choice. V-shape necks have a more pronounced ridge, which some players find easier for thumb-over playing styles. U-shape necks are thicker and can provide a more substantial feel, preferred by players with larger hands. Choose a neck profile that feels comfortable in your hand and suits your playing technique.
Scale LengthScale length is the distance between the nut and the saddle of the guitar. It affects the tension of the strings and the overall playability. Common scale lengths are 24.75 inches and 25.5 inches. A shorter scale length (24.75 inches) results in lower string tension, making the guitar easier to play and bend notes. A longer scale length (25.5 inches) provides more tension, which can result in a brighter tone and better note definition. Consider your playing style and hand strength when choosing a scale length.
Nut WidthNut width is the width of the guitar's neck at the nut, which affects the spacing of the strings. Common nut widths range from 1.65 inches to 1.75 inches. A narrower nut width (around 1.65 inches) is easier for players with smaller hands or those who prefer closer string spacing for faster playing. A wider nut width (around 1.75 inches) provides more space between the strings, which can be beneficial for fingerstyle playing and players with larger hands. Choose a nut width that feels comfortable for your hand size and playing style.
ElectronicsSome acoustic guitars come with built-in electronics, allowing you to amplify the sound for live performances or recording. These electronics typically include a pickup and a preamp with controls for volume and tone. If you plan to perform live or record your music, an acoustic-electric guitar with built-in electronics can be very convenient. If you primarily play at home or in small settings, a purely acoustic guitar without electronics may be sufficient. Consider your performance needs when deciding on electronics.

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