Confused by the crowded pile of under $300 acoustic guitars claiming to be the best? Worry not, because we have painstakingly sieved through the pile, to bring you the eight best acoustic guitars under the same price range.
Our top eight products are not only the best in the market for their sturdiness but also the overall performance. Suitable for both beginners and experts, these products are a great pick for your hard-earned money and passion.
Now, bring out your inner Eric Clapton and tune in to the melody of your favorite acoustic guitar from the list. Scroll down to further fall in love with probably the most exciting instrument out there!
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Best Acoustic Guitar Under 300 Dollars Summary:
Table could not be displayed.Top 8 Best Acoustic Guitars Under 300 Dollars
1. Breedlove Discovery Concert
The Breedlove Discovery Concert is an amazing offering from Breedlove. There are guitars from the same brand which cost around thousand dollars. But, let us now draw your attention towards the Discovery Concert which is a great pick under $300.
Body & Neck
The top of the Breedlove Discovery Concert is made from the solid sitka spruce top. Back and the side of the guitar is crafted from the all subtle and beautiful Mahogany. Even the neck is made from Mahogany which promises a better playing experience. The frets are beautifully carved using rosewood and are 20 in number.
Sound
The sound of the Breedlove is clean and does not get distorted even when you put it in front of a microphone. It is very satisfactory for the price range and the sound is pretty balanced with the right combination of bass and treble.
This is a great alternative for those people who want a guitar to learn or to play in their school. It looks sleek and has a very nice and warm tone to it which makes it a great alternative for the price range.
- It has a rich and balanced tone
- A scalloped bracing which is forward shifted
- Includes a soft gig bag
- Designed both for strumming and fingerpicking
- Very comfortable while playing
- The back and sides are laminated
- May not be apt for all as it has a small body.
2. Yamaha FG830
Yamaha has been known to make quality musical instruments since a very long time. Its products are trusted and liked by many people across the world. The FG used to be one of the most sold acoustic guitars back in the day.
Don’t just get misled by looking at the specs of the FG830, because there is a lot more to it than what is visible to the eyes.
Body and Neck
Made with the Sitka Spruce top and the Rosewood back and sides, the Yamaha FG 830 just looks splendid. It has a Dreadnought Shape which just looks perfect and is very popular.
The neck of the guitar is pretty sleek and the frets are well laid out. Weather its learning or performing minor shredding, it gets the job done without overlapping the sound or the notes. It has a rosewood bridge which adds further beauty and style to the whole ensemble.
Sound
Being an affordable alternative for all the guitar players out there, certainly does not render the Yamaha FG830 with poor sound quality. The tone of the guitar is very nice and warm. Even for live performances, it is really solid. The sound is balanced and there is a lot of sustain to offer.
The Yamaha FG830 is an example of how Yamaha has managed to improve an amateur guitar to another level. It is a great alternative for those who want to pursue guitar playing and want an affordable guitar to do the same.
- Great choice for someone who is just starting off
- Offers a great tone and sustain
- Available in different sizes making it lucrative
- Durable body and clear and strong bass
- Needs professional hardware tuning over time
- Has not cutaway which in turn may limit guitarists while playing
- The bridge is not the best
3. Ibanez AW54CE
From Japan, comes the amazing Ibanez AW54CE which is not just the usual acoustic guitar but also has electrical capabilities. This means that you can now plug your acoustic guitar into an amplifier and get the range if you are playing for a crowd.
This also means that now, you don’t have to worry about placing a microphone in front of the guitar to get the sound blasting out of speakers.
Body & Neck
The beautiful AW54CE has a dreadnought shaped body with a 25.6” scale length which is preferred by many veteran guitarists and rockers. If you look at the body the subtle and yet fabulous Mahogany will enchant your eyes. It also has a Rosewood fretboard with a total of 20 frets which is quite alright for an acoustic guitar.
Sound
When it is not plugged to an amp or a spear, the Ibanez has a lavish tone which has a lot of sustain and resonance to offer. It is a pretty stable guitar and remains in tune even after playing it hard.
If you play it through an amp then the pickups perform pretty well. The sound capture is good and the output is nice and vibrant with perfect balance of bass and treble.
For the price of under $300 the Ibanez AW54CE, is a pretty good choice for a person who wants a semi- acoustic guitar. You can learn on this guitar and can even get a taste of performing live by just plugging it into an amp. Overall, this guitar has a good sound. The Strings are from D’Addario, so you don’t have to worry about them breaking. And the body is just amazing to look at and even better to hold.
- The price is excellent for the quality of the product
- Comfortable to use
- The strings are very easy to change
- A beautiful satin finish with pleasing rustic aesthetics
- Max string vibration and long sustain
- It has a built-in tuning which is very convenient, especially for beginners.
- You may lose the rich tone within a few months of use
- Stock strings are not of the best quality and will need to be replaced over time.
- Surprisingly, the guitar has no bag.
4. Takamine GD-20
Known as a brand that manufactures entry as well as mid range guitars, the Takamine GD-20 is another great product under their name. The Takamine GD20 is one of the best choices out there, under $300 because of its playability and tone.
It looks beautiful and has a sound which makes it feel even more exclusive and expensive.
Body And Neck
The Takamine has a dreadnought body which is the standard choice for most new guitar players out there. It also has a solid cedar top and the back and sides are made from mahogany.
Now let us talk about the fretboard of the guitar – probably the most important thing for a guitarist. It has a rosewood fretboard and the neck is pretty slim which provides ease of playing for young learners. The guitar feels comfortable to play and the chords grip well.
Sound
The Sound of the Takamine GD20 is crisp and has the vibrance to it which a guitarist needs. The bass is good and the punch of the guitar is something which just blew our mind. Thanks to the wider cedar top, the tone of the guitar is nice and clear.
So whether it’s strumming from a pick or finger picking, the Takamine GD20 just works well.
If you are a beginner, and want a guitar which will allow you to play well without compromising on sound or quality then the Takamine GD20 is the right choice for you. It has a very vibrant tone and the sound quality of the guitar is up to the mark and probably the best in the list. For a “under $300 product”, this sure will help you graduate to that expert level in no time. So stop skimming about and make up your mind!
- It has a solid tonewood and a pinless bridge
- Playability is probably its biggest plus
- Has a split saddle and a thick top slab.
- May require setup
- The default strings are not the best
Read More:
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5. Washburn WG7SCE
Washburn has been manufacturing quality guitars since 1883 and is used by established artists such as Marc Rizzo and Richie Owens. Its name compliments Taylor and Martin which is famous for making flagship guitars. The Harvest series are probably a testament to their quality and success.
Body & Neck
First things first, the Washburn looks just amazing. The design comprises a balance between new and the old era. It has a rosewood fretboard with 20 frets, all of which are easily attainable.
The spacing is perfect and the frets are smooth to negotiate. It has a scale length of 25.5” which works just fine with the design of the guitar and mahogany on back and sides. Overall, the guitar looks regal.
Sound
You can feel that the tone of this guitar is rich and has a great warmth when you strum the strings. Thanks to the spruce and mahogany body of the guitar which makes the sound balance and offers a layer of vibrance to the sound. It also has a feedback control on the body which makes it easy to perform live.
This guitar is a wonderful option for people who want a guitar that can be used on stage as well as for casual evening jam sessions. It has a nice EQ control option which helps a lot while you are on stage. It feels great and easy to use. The handling of the guitar is perfect and it looks beautiful and sturdy.
- Well-constructed
- Excellent for picking
- Has a superb sound
- The bass is clear and strong.
- It has a single cutaway.
6. Fender CP-100 Parlor Small Body
Fender is a legendary brand in the world of guitars. Artists like the late Jimmy Hendrix, David Gilmour and Eric Clapton have all played Fender at some point of their lives. So, there is no shortage of legacy there!
The CP-100 is an inexpensive but effective small body guitar from Fender. It is a great guitar for casual playing for a small setting.
Some people might think that since it is a small body guitar, it might lack the punch. This however is negated once you pick it up and play the guitar. It offers an excellent sound at a price range of below $300.
Body & Neck
The Fender Parlor guitar has a body which is made from mahogany and spruce. The top is spruce while the sides are mahogany providing it with a sleek finish. The X- bracing system on the Cp-100 holds the body of the guitar.
There are a total of 20 frets in the guitar with small inlays. The thin mahogany neck is very comfortable to hold and play.
Sound
This Fender boombox is small but is no less than the other guitars in our list. If you think that because the CP-100 has a small body, it will not be able to produce a good sound output then you are wrong.
It has a clean sound with no distortion. The sound has all the punch you need to play for a small audience or to learn the instrument. It is also a lightweight guitar which makes it really easy to handle and increases playability. The tones are midrange and the sustain is also satisfactory.
If you are someone who wants a guitar which is easy to handle and offers great sound then this product is a great alternative for you. It is lightweight, and just a beautiful piece with all the legacy.
- Very easy to play
- Amazing tone and a deep bass
- The most beautiful vintage sunburst finish
- Not at all expensive
- Does not come with a case
7. Yamaha FS820
If you want a guitar which has size between a dreadnought and a parlor, then close your eyes and just get this damn thing! The Yamaha FS820 other than being a good looking piece, can be used both by an amateur as well as an experienced player.
The guitar is amazing in live performances and is branded as a ‘concert guitar’ by many of its lovers. Bumped up. Are you not? Let us now take a closer look at it.
Body & Neck
The top of the Yamaha FS820 is made from spruce and the sides are a beautiful shade of mahogany. The glossy finish on the body looks unique and splendid.
With 20 frets made from rosewood and a scale length of 25”, you will have all the ease while playing it. The body is medium sized so you won’t have much issue while travelling and taking the guitar with you. The colour options include – ruby red, turquoise blue and autumn burst.
Sound
Coming to the sound of the FS820, it has no match. The combination of spruce and mahogany in the body renders it with a well balanced output. FS820 can be classified into a folk sounding guitar and is apt for people who want to play country music or blues in it.
Yamaha is always a good choice when you think of buying an acoustic guitar. The FS820 is no exception. It is a good alternative for beginners as well are professional players who are looking for a country- like or folk sound in their guitar.
- Amazing sound and audio output
- Feels good and comfortable in the hands
- Very sturdy
- Comes with a great price tag
- The base is one of a heavy duty mobile kind.
- Might develop a “buzz” sound after a few months of use.
8. Alvarez Artist Series AF30
Trusted by thousands of guitar players for their dependability and quality of their products, the Alvarez is known for its acoustic guitars. The AF30 acoustic guitar is another amazing offering from Alvarez and has been winning hearts all over.
It has become really popular among new and old guitar players and is the go to option for anyone looking to buy a guitar. The best part is that it comes under the price tag of $300 which makes it a very affordable alternative for people out there.
Body & Neck
The AF30 is a folk style guitar which makes it considerably smaller in size than the dreadnought type. It is a great choice for people who want to move with their guitar as it is very lightweight and does not occupy much space. It is crafted by Alvarez to suit the needs of players out there and it plays very smoothly.
The top of this beauty is made of spruce while the back and the sides are mahogany. It has a rosewood fretboard with 21 frets which is very rare. The guitar looks glossy but there is nothing flashy about it. It is a very subtle looking instrument which perfectly suits its genre.
Sound
The Spruce and Mahogany combination on the guitar gives it an amazing sound. The tones are punchy and the sound is mellow and has the depth which most guitarists want.
When you play this Alvarez guitar, you are sure to feel the subtle warmth in the sound of it and the great sustain that it offers. The bass and the treble are at equilibrium which makes the AF30 sound better than most of its counterparts.
The AF30 is a wonderful alternative for a person who wants a folk guitar below a $300 price range. It looks good and serves as a value for money product. Although, it is a mass produced product but it feels like a custom made guitar that just becomes a part of your body. When you will play this guitar, you will feel as if it was made for you. And that is what a guitar player looks for, familiarity.
- The sound is so good that one won’t be able to guess its right price.
- It is way more handy and comfortable to play.
- The strings are made of sturdy steel.
- No accessory offered
- Requires adjustment in the start
Buying Guide
Guitar is probably one of the coolest instruments out there but when the question to pick for oneself arises, it sure is no easy task. Let me take you on that “old town road” of the things to consider while getting an acoustic guitar.
Purpose & Budget
So you are getting a guitar? That’s cool – but why are you getting it? Is it because you want to make a statement among your peers? Is it because you just thought of giving it a try after seeing Synyster Gates rocking it dead? Or, are you a dedicated enthusiast who will give your everything to learn the art?
Ask yourself the right questions. Decide your purpose, set yourself a budget and go pick a guitar accordingly.
Are You an Amatuer or an Expert?
If you are someone who’s looking to start out on the “Stairs to Heaven” path; there are guitars specifically meant for beginners. In contrast, if you are an expert and can’t really afford to get yourself a very ornamented instrument, you should get one accordingly.
Our list above caters to every skill level; take a look and find out which is the right one for you! Whatever your choice may be, always look that the tone is good and the guitar is sturdy.
Intonation
Intonation basically determines if the notes play in tune or not when you move up the neck of a guitar. If the distance between frets is not exact, the guitar will sound coarse and will not play in tune.
Final Words
Yes, choosing a guitar is a very exciting process. But this is something that will stay with you for a considerable period of time, so you can’t really afford to make any mistakes.
We are pretty sure that you have your “own” expectations. So, don’t just settle for anything. There is no definite universal guideline for “good” or “bad.” You probably must be having an image in your mind, a feel in your mind, a tone in your mind, a bass in your mind and most importantly “the colour” in your mind.
If you have fallen in love with a guitar that you feel is perfect for you, don’t think anymore and just go for it. Nonetheless, we have created the perfect guide with the eight best acoustic guitars under $300.
So Read More, and Shop Right!