Human beings have been enjoying listening to and playing musical instruments for tens of thousands of years. Today’s acoustic guitars (so-called to distinguish them from electric guitars) are related to medieval instruments like the lute and balalaika, featuring a large wooden body (sound board) and plucked or strummed strings in order to create a full spectrum of musical sounds. Originally called a “gittern”, the instrument’s popularity in Spain and France during the Renaissance soon led to guitars becoming one of the most familiar and beloved musical instruments in the world.
Even in the modern era, acoustic guitars remain one of the most popular instruments to learn and play. Acoustic guitars are signature instruments used in all of the most popular musical genres, including pop, rock, blues, country, bluegrass, and jazz. It is estimated that 1 out of every 5 people in the country know at least the basic chords of a guitar. Now that there are mobile phone apps, online tutorials, and even video games to help beginners learn this classic instrument, it is likely that acoustic guitars will continue to remain a popular choice for musicians of all skill levels.
Things to Consider Before You Buy An Acoustic Guitar
Although every well-made acoustic guitar will deliver countless hours of beautiful music, there are a few key features to look for that will help determine the right guitar for your needs.
Size –
Guitars are generally listed by their length (in inches), giving you a good idea of its overall size. Obviously, bigger guitars are more suited to adults and older children while smaller guitars are better suited for younger musicians.
Strings –
Every musician has their own theory about which strings are appropriate for which playing level and guitar, but it’s important to understand what type of strings come with your acoustic guitar purchase. Generally speaking, heavier gauges are better for durability and intense playing while lighter gauges deliver less fret “buzz” and smoother tones. the best guitar strings are usually made out of either nylon or steel.
Wood –
Simply put, a guitar is a large, hollow box that amplifies the vibration of the strings in order to create music. Each type of wood has its own signature sound, with some woods creating “brighter” tones and others richer, more mellow notes.
Body Body Style –
Acoustic guitars come in a dizzying array of body styles which affect both how the guitar feels when you’re playing it as well as the type of music it can produce. The dreadnought body style is the most common, but other popular styles include parlor (a small but still full-size guitar), jumbo (to create big sounds), and grand concert or orchestra style (mid-size body but full waist design).
Our List Of The Ten Best Acoustic Guitars
All of the guitars that were reviewed were true acoustic guitars, not hybrid acoustic-electric guitars that can be plugged into an amplifier. We carefully assessed all of the finest acoustic guitars on the market to arrive at our list of the top 10 acoustic guitars currently available.
41″ Full Size Natural Acoustic Guitar – Comes with a Guitar Case, Strap and loads more stuff
This excellent starter acoustic guitar from Best Choice Products is 41 inches long and features an all-wood construction. The guitar comes with everything you need to begin playing, including strap, guitar pick, and six replacement string. The guitar also comes with its own nylon carrying case with a front pocket that makes it easy to take with you anywhere you want to enjoy good music.
Features:
Fretboard made of real maple
Can be played left-handed by reversing the strings
41-inch full-size guitar
ZENY 38″ New Beginners Acoustic Guitar With Guitar Case, Strap, Tuner and Pick (Blue)
With an eye-catching blue and black design, the Zeni 38-inch acoustic guitar is made entirely of wood and includes durable steel strings. The Zeni 38-inch acoustic guitar comes with its own nylon carrying case as well as a guitar pick, pitch pipe for tuning the guitar, a shoulder strap, and a set of extra strings, everything you need to start playing beautiful music. Measuring 38 inches long by 14 inches wide and 3.25 inches deep, the Zeni 38-inch acoustic guitar is the ideal size for adults and older children.
Features:
Gorgeous blue color
Durable steel strings
Comes with strap, pitch pipe, and pick
Jasmine S35 Acoustic Guitar
An elegant and lovely guitar, the Jasmine S35 is ideal for musicians who want a simple yet beautiful instrument. The Jasmine S35 comes with a spruce top and real rosewood fretboard to create rich tones. The satin finish and chrome tuning pegs add just the right accents to classical look of the Jasmine S35 acoustic guitar. The back and sides are made of agathis wood and the company’s proprietary bracing on the back and sides ensure that this guitar will be generating lovely music for years to come.
Features:
48 inches long
Classic acoustic guitar design
Propher bronze light gauge strings
41″ Inch Full Size Black Handcrafted Steel String Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar & DirectlyCheap(TM) Translucent Blue Medium Guitar Pick (PRO-1 Series)
Despite this lovely guitar being marketed as a budget instrument, the 41-inch DirectlyCheap acoustic guitar is beautifully crafted of real wood with a satiny black finish. The 41-inch DirectlyCheap acoustic guitar has a top made of real linden wood, chrome tuners, and a calputa wood fretboard and bridge to generate rich, warm tones. The neck is made of real mahogany to deliver a solid yet comfortable feel.
Features:
Beautiful black design
All-wood construction with mahogany neck
Single peg bottom
Oscar Schmidt OG2SM Acoustic Guitar – Spalted Maple
Based on the classic dreadnought design, the Oscar Schmidt OG2SM Acoustic Guitar is made from real spalted maple to create a signature look. The sides and back are made from catalpa wood while the bridge and fingerboard are both made from real rosewood to deliver rich, warm notes. Measuring 46 inches long by 18 inches wide and 7 inches deep, this is a full-size guitar that would be a proud addition to any musician’s collection.
Features:
Spalted maple construction
Synthetic nut and bridge for added durability
Full-size instrument at 46x18x7 inches
Fender Acoustic Guitar Bundle with Gig Bag, Tuner, Strings, Strap, Picks, Austin Bazaar Instructional DVD, and Polishing Cloth
From one of the leading names in musical instruments, this set from Fender has everything you’ll need to begin playing beautiful music. The Fender guitar features the classic dreadnought body design and comes with a 20-fret rosewood fingerboard, agathis wood neck and back, and spruce top. The bundle also includes a gig bag (for storing/transporting the guitar), clip-on electronic tuner, full set of stringers, shoulder strap, polishing cloth, guitar picks, and a DVD packed full of tutorials.
Features:
Ideal for first-time players
Comes with a full set of accessories
Measures 45.79 x 17.8 x 6 inches
38″ Black Acoustic Guitar Starter Package (Guitar, Gig Bag, Strap, Pick)
Available in your choice of matte black, pink, blue, or natural wood design, the 38-inch Best Choice acoustic guitar is a full-size 38-inch long instrument. The 38-inch Best Choice acoustic guitar features an all-wood design with steel strings and a lovely glossy finish. The 38-inch Best Choice acoustic guitar comes with a 19-fret fingerboard and includes a carrying case, guitar pick, pitch pipe (for tuning the instrument), shoulder strap, and an extra set of strings so you can begin playing beautiful music right out of the box.
Features:
Full set of accessories to begin playing immediately
Available in four lovely color designs
All-wood construction
Jasmine S34C NEX Acoustic Guitar
With a signature orchestra-style body design, the Jasmine S34C NEX features a laminate spruce top, sapele wood back and sides, and rosewood fingerboard to create full-bodied, rich music. The Jasmine S34C NEX Acoustic Guitar comes with a synthetic bone nut and saddle and feature’s the company’s signature “X” bracing for added durability. The Jasmine S34C NEX Acoustic Guitar has a slim neck profile and measures 41 inches long.
Features:
“Mini jumbo” orchestra-style body design
Lovely spruce and sapele wood construction
Synthetic bone nut and saddle
Yamaha FD01S Solid Top Acoustic Guitar
From one of the most trusted names in musical instruments, the Yamaha FD01S is an excellent acoustic guitar. The Yamaha FD01S comes with a solid spruce stop and Nato (eastern mahogany) back and sides combined with a rosewood fingerboard and bridge to generate full-bodied, warm notes. The Yamaha FD01S measures a full 41-inches in length and has a classic dreadnought body design.
Features:
Classic dreadnought body design
All-wood construction
Perfectly balanced tone and projection
Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy Flat Top – Vintage Sunburst
With a gorgeous black and dark wood “sunburst” design, the Gretsch G9500 is truly a signature instrument. The Gretsch G9500 features a beefy, C-shaped neck, X-bracing for added durability, and a real rosewood bridge. Designed to recreate the classic guitars of the 1940s and 1950s, the Gretsch G9500 has a 12-fret design and is made of resonant agathis wood.
Features:
Comes with phosphor bronze strings
Beautiful retro design
Parlor size and C-shaped neck