Are you looking for the best acoustic guitar under £/$1000? Then you’ve come to the right place.
Guitars have captured the hearts of musicians young and old for generations. The first time someone picks up a guitar and strums their first tune can ignite a lifelong passion for playing. To begin, however, you must find the perfect guitar for you.
It’s important to know what you’ll be using your new guitar for. Is it for hobby use? Stage performances? Live performances?
While searching for the perfect guitar, there will be many choices and different things to consider. Unless you’re an experienced guitar player, this process can be very confusing. And that’s why we’re here to help.
You may want a guitar that produces a mellow tone or a warm sound, or maybe one with a deeper bass response.
Well, don’t worry. This article will help you find the best acoustic guitar under £/$1000 and help you understand what other key aspects of guitars you must know before making that final purchase.
Why Buy An Acoustic Guitar?
A common suggestion is first to buy an electric guitar because they are more comfortable to play. However, as you learn more about guitars, you will find that although it takes longer to learn to play an acoustic guitar initially, it’s the better long-term choice for the player.
If you learn to play an acoustic guitar first, mastering the electric guitar or any other guitar will be a piece of cake!
One of the perks of an acoustic guitar is that you won’t have to purchase any add-ons, such as amplifiers and cables.
So continue reading to learn some awesome tips to buy the best acoustic guitars under 1,000.
Factors To Consider When Looking For The Best Acoustic Guitars under 1,000
During your search for an acoustic guitar, there are many factors to keep in mind. They include:
1. Know Your Needs
Like any other purchase, you must first ask yourself why you want an acoustic guitar. For example, buying a guitar for professional purposes will be very different from buying a guitar for recreational needs.
If you’re a beginner looking to buy a guitar to strum in your free time, it’s advisable to find and purchase a more accessible and less expensive acoustic guitar.
Before you go into the details of which brand and model you want to buy, make sure you know exactly what your needs and purposes are.
2. Your Skill Level
Learning to play the guitar is not something you can master in a few days. Your choice of guitar should depend on your skill level. If you buy a guitar meant for professional guitarists, it could be more difficult for you to play.
Slow and steady wins the race!
3. Body Of The Guitar
The build of any guitar is essential. It significantly influences the guitar’s playability and can also impact the tone.
Another consideration is your physical build, comfort, and preference. You could be a youngster who needs a slightly smaller guitar.
For professionals and beginners alike, this is a significant factor when looking for the best acoustic guitars under 1,000.
4. Strings Of The Guitar
Strings are available in two types; steel strings and nylon strings.
If you have some guitar-playing experience, you may already know if you prefer steel string or nylon. For beginners, this will be one of the decisions you will make while searching for the best acoustic guitars under 1,000.
Steel strings have a harsher, more pop-like sound.
Nylon is softer and used for more gentle songs.
5. Tone Wood
Another variable that comes into the picture is tonewood. Tonewood plays an integral part in the tone quality. There are many options ranging from cedar, cocobolo, ebony, koa, and so on.
Each of these different options has distinct tonal characteristics. It’s important to know the difference and make an informed decision on one before buying a guitar.
6. Your Budget
Ultimately, everything boils down to the money you’re willing to spend on a guitar. You don’t want to fall for cheap guitars and regret your decision later.
The key is striking the perfect balance between the cost and the quality of the product. You will buy a guitar just once, so it’s better to make a one-time investment and not compromise on the quality by purchasing a cheap guitar.
Now that you know about the factors to consider while buying a guitar, it’s time for us to debunk some myths that people have about acoustic guitars.
Myths People Believe about Acoustic Guitars
When it comes to any musical instrument, the lack of information creates space for a lot of myths. These myths can discourage those who wish to take up an instrument.
The guitar is no exception to these myths. Let us debunk some of these myths for you and help you find the best acoustic guitar for under 1000 without a shred of worry.
One prevalent but absurd myth about guitars is that the bigger your hand is, the better you will be at playing them. It’s not true, as there is no relation between having big hands and playing the guitar. The truth is, you can have a tiny hand and still become the most fantastic guitar player of all time. It depends on how skilful you are, not on the size of your hand or fingers!
Some people want to make you believe that you will have to play the guitar for years to perfect it. This is also untrue. It doesn’t matter how many years you practice playing the guitar; the important thing is how often you play it and if you’re practising in the proper manner.
Now without further ado, we give you the top acoustic guitars for under £/$1000.
Top 15 Best Acoustic Guitars Under 1000
1. Fender CD 60
Apart from the great value you’re getting from the Fender CD-60 model, the gloss-finished dreadnought design guitar will stand the test of time.
As it ages, the solid spruce top opens the instrument’s sound allowing for fuller and brighter sonic quality. The laminated wood may be a plus if you’re playing in warm and humid weather where it could be susceptible to warping.
All in all, this is an excellent instrument.
Pros
- Comes with multiple accessories
- Solid Spruce top
- Slim neck for easy playability
Cons
- May have high action
2. Fender FA-115
The Fender FA-115 acoustic guitar is well-finished features a shining walnut fingerboard. It’s the complete package for experienced players and very suitable for newbie players too. It has a laminated spruce top, a laminated mahogany body and a great feel walnut fingerboard.
Along with that, you will have a large-size bag, suitable picks, an extra string set, and a strap. This package is incredible value for money and is overall an excellent guitar.
Pros
- Exceptional playability
- Classic blend of tonewoods
- Perfect for beginners
Cons
- None.
3. Fender Squier
The Fender Squier dreadnought acoustic guitar is performance-oriented. It’s a good sound-producing guitar featuring steel strings. A well-constructed linden wood finish on the top features a backside of solid mahogany.
This guitar is laminated so that the steel strings don’t get rusted or damaged. The dreadnought body style makes it easy for you to strum smoothly and comfortably on this guitar. This great guitar features six strings to help you achieve the perfect guitar sound.
The Fender Squier guitar comes with extra features like mahogany and an X-invigorating neck. It also comes with a digital tuner, which helps to tune the guitar accurately. The Dreadnought body size is considered to be lightweight, weighing 10 pounds, and has a dimension of 44×16.5×7.4 inches.
Pros
- Slim body.
- Mesmerizing sound.
- Good for strumming.
- Fully laminated body.
- Rust-free steel strings.
- Easy to play the neck part.
- Available in six colors.
- Dreadnought tone.
- Solid mahogany backside.
- Dreadnought back and sides available in mahogany and other options.
- Lightweight Dreadnought size.
Cons
- No strap button on the neck.
4. Fender Solid
The Fender Solid top dreadnought acoustic guitar is the full package with a good-sounding guitar, electronic tuner, instructional DVD cassette, string set, polish cloth, and guitar picks. It comes in four colors; black, sunburst, mahogany, and natural color.
It has a versatile dreadnought of outstanding quality with good wood finishing and produces a perfect guitar sounds. It comes with a hard-shell cover, which helps protect the guitar for an extended time.
The guitar is comparatively more massive, with a weight of 14.6 pounds and a dimension of 45x7x18 inches. The fretboard material consists of rosewood.
Pros
- Versatile and excellent quality dreadnought.
- Added resonance and excellent projection while playing.
- It comes with a hard case which helps in protecting the guitar.
- Affordable pricing.
- Wooden finish.
- Additional electronic tuner.
- Available in attractive colors.
Cons
- When it gets older, a buzzing effect comes into the fretboard.
5. Martin
The Martin dreadnought acoustic guitar is an excellent sound-producing guitar that features a hard-shell case. The hard-shell case helps in increasing the life span of the guitar and makes it easier to carry it anywhere.
The back material of the guitar is built with Sapele, and the body is made up of solid sitka spruce and Sapele. The fretboard consists of rich lite, and the neck material is of strata board.
The neck is thin and smooth and it’s easy to tune this guitar. This is one of the Martin guitars that have very affordable pricing. This Martin will sound fantastic, maybe even better than other guitars.
Pros
- This Martin guitar produces an absolutely adorable sound.
- It comes with a hard-shelled case.
- It’s more comfortable to carry.
- The price is affordable with the right quality product.
- It has a matte finish.
- The narrow and smooth neck makes it easier to tweak.
- It has a solid top and a fully laminated body.
- It has solid sitka spruce body style.
Cons
- It does not come with additional picks and a tuner.
6. Acdos
The ACDOS finger-style acoustic guitar is adorned with a wooden structure. It produces a slightly warmer sound that is balanced in every manner and also produces impeccable and precise bass. It’s a full-sized guitar with standard features and an additional tuner.
The guitar has a weight of 15.43 pounds and a size of 40 inches. These are considered to be large guitars compared to others in the same category. This guitar delivers good treble and strumming, partly because of the increased size.
It comes in two colors; brown and black. The panel material is solid spruce, and the fingerboard consists of rosewood. It has closed knob tuners, and its backside plate is built of solid mahogany.
Pros
- It produces a well-balanced sound.
- It provides clear bass.
- Precisely positioned character.
- It has a very clear treble.
- It has good-quality nylon strings.
- It does not feel harsh on the hands.
- Useful for beginners and teachers.
- Solid spruce back panel.
Cons
- Weight is slightly higher in comparison to others.
7. Acdos Half Cutaway
The ACDOS half-cutaway acoustic guitar is a 41-inch guitar with very affordable pricing. Its panel consists of A+ quality solid sitka spruce. With a weight of over 5.51 pounds, it’s slightly heavier hence providing the best strumming experience.
It has the excellent bass-generating quality along with needed treble. It has a rugged structure with exceptional durability. You will find it’s a full-sized guitar with perfect positioning.
This is the ideal versatile guitar for teachers as the sound produced is elegant, and it’s perfect for ear training too. It has a classic look as its body is made of wood, the panel is constructed of solid spruce, and the back side is of sapele veneer.
Pros
- Evident bass.
- High-quality wood is used.
- The Treble is clear.
- Stylish tuning device & easy to tune.
- Nylon strings give easy to play experience.
- Fingers don’t get hurt.
- Solid spruce panel.
Cons
- No external tuner is given.
8. Yamaha CSF3M
The experienced and trusted brand Yamaha has released a very good dreadnought guitar. With resonance augmentation and a coupled top brace, its scallops produce quality and midrange frequencies.
In the massive acoustic guitar world, this guitar is ideal even for professional musicians. Included with the guitar is a hard-shelled bag. The guitar is reliably built and consists of aged wood, which produces sound resonance effects. It also has an ebony like fingerboard and bridge.
The solid mahogany back and solid sitka spruce top will capture your eyes at first glance. The biggest surprise is that it weighs only a pound, and its dimensions are 3x3x3 inches.
Pros
- It’s made up of durable and robust ebony wood.
- It generates good sound.
- It’s suitable for professional musicians.
- It comes with a hard bag.
- A cable and stand.
- It produces an excellent acoustic resonance effect.
- Solid sitka spruce top.
Cons
- This guitar doesn’t come with additional picks and string sets.
9. Acdos Wide
The ACDOS wide acoustic guitar captures the viewer’s eyes with its 41-inch rosewood handmade build. The beautiful look can assist you in making a soothing sound, which will give a richer acoustic sound to your music. Frets are fully aligned with no loosen part, and no resistance is felt while tuning the guitar.
The best thing about this guitar is its design and that it’s handmade. This acoustic guitar’s tone is absolutely beautiful. It has a very rich and vibrant bass creation, if you produce a high pitch sound that will also be very clear. Different playing styles can shine through with this guitar.
It has a thin surface finish which enhances its beauty. You will find it comfortable to carry because of its weight of 6.38 pounds. With this guitar, you can rest assured that you will create sweet and warm music.
Pros
- Handmade guitar.
- It has a charming design all over the body.
- Wideness helps in creating a clear sound.
- It produces rich sound at both high and low pitches.
Cons
- Because of the handmade materials, the item becomes fragile.
10. Martin LX1 Little Martin
The Little Martin LX1 comes from a well-revered market player in the guitar game. Apart from that, the compact acoustic guitar features a solid Sitka spruce top as well as a modified low oval neck style for ease of use.
You’ll hear a warm and rich sound from this budget guitar. Helped by the Sitka spruce top. This versatile acoustic guitar’s main selling point could be its compact size, adding portability to its plus points.
Despite its smaller-than-average build, the Little Martin can still encapsulate your crowd in its booming trance.
Pros
- Handmade
- Small size makes it perfect for the young crowd
- Premium solid top emanates clear and intricate sound when strumming.
Cons
- Suitable only for beginners and new learners.
11. Epiphone J-45 Studio
The Epiphone J-45 model is reminiscent of a Gibson design. It features a solid Sitka spruce top, in turn, allowing you to achieve a dynamic and well-balanced sound.
The solid wood top contrasts well with the mahogany side build, creating an extended frequency range. When it comes to playability, the Epiphone model offers a comfortable C-shaped neck that could boost your practice time with little strain.
Pros
- Dynamic tonal quality
- Solid construction design
- Simple natural finish
Cons
- Lacks rich and complex tones
12. Acdos Cutaway Acoustic Guitar
The ACDOS acoustic surface veneer cutaway guitar is built of spruce and its backside plate is formed of mahogany while the fingerboard consists of rosewood material. It has an incredible tone, and a perfect spruce and mahogany finish. The guitar’s body helps to create volume and tone controls to maximize rich tone effects while you play.
The cut design helps in gaining access to the highest fret easily. Like other ACDOS guitars, it also produces good bass and treble, which sounds very clear to listeners.
With a low price tag, it gives an excellent experience. This guitar creates great sound, is easy to tune, and also has excellent volume for this size. Build quality is also good with a 41-inch size and 6.61 pounds weight.
Pros
- Both high and low-pitch sounds are clear.
- It balances sound production.
- Cheap in price.
- Comfortable for beginners.
- Good quality nylon strings.
- It produces a versatile sound.
Cons
- Few adjustments are needed for lower action.
13. Acdos Full Acoustic Guitar
The ACDOS 41 guitar has a beautiful design on the fretboard and is a low-cost guitar suitable for beginners. Its unique appearance, along with bold sound production, adds this guitar to the buying list of many shoppers.
The flowery design on the fret makes this guitar look strikingly beautiful. Due to the spruce, it’s protected and visually appealing. Its headstock angle is perfect for novice players or learners, and also provides flawless transitions among the chords. It’s truly a quality guitar.
The Spruce panel, along with the mahogany back panel and rosewood fingerboard makes it beautiful and produces a fantastic sound. It has a cutaway design that helps in accessing all the frets smoothly.
Pros
- Cutaway design helps in reaching the highest fret with ease.
- Clarity of High pitch and low-pitch sounds or treble and bass.
- Its dreadnought body provides profound and bold acoustic sound.
- The impressive build quality aids in creating great tone.
Cons
- Strings produce more buzz sounds than electric guitars.
14. Ashthorpe Full-Size
The Ashthorpe’s full-size acoustic-electric guitar is full of features and very compatible. At a glance, you will know that it’s made of top-quality materials. This guitar has an incredible sound and is perfect for new musicians and professionals.
The tone of the guitar is impressive because of the beautiful hardwood. It’s created using X-braced, A+ grade solid sitka spruce wood, which is famous for its versatility and resiliency. This guitar is always responsive and retains tonal integrity no matter whether played soft or loud.
It not only has incredible looks, but it’s lightweight. The professional finishing touches make it even stronger. It has an integrated 4-bands pick-up equalizer along with the volume control knobs.
The product weighs 8.28 pounds, and the overall dimension of the product is 41 x 19 x 5 inches. The full body of the guitar is 41,” including the neck dimensions. The guitar is cut away at the neck for comfortable playing of the top frets. This well balanced guitar stands out in the crowd because of its incredible sonics and projection.
Pros
- Incredible sound quality.
- Harwood construction.
- Sturdy and stylish.
- Great value for your money.
Cons
- Has rough edges.
15. Sunburst Wood Guitar
The Sunburst Wood Guitar consists of pure wood. It’s robustly constructed to avoid dents and endures the impact if it falls on the ground. It’s highly durable and does not need a lot of care. Incredible sound tunes will nicely produce pleasant guitar riffs. If you’re a beginner, then make it your first choice. There is no doubt that this product will come in handy.
Professionals and beginners love this guitar. It features many accessories, it’s the complete package. The accessories include a carrying case with a shoulder strap, guitar picks, and a spare string.
The guitar is absolutely stunning with a glossy finish, making it look very stylish and elegant. It’s constructed of wood, which makes it very sturdy. The item weighs 4.15 pounds. The total dimension of the product is 38.5 x 17 x 4 inches. There is nothing better than this guitar to start learning new skills.
Pros
- Durable
- Added accessories.
- Great for beginners.
- Impressive sound quality.
- Looks attractive.
Cons
- None
FAQs on Acoustic Guitars under £/$1000
1. How Long Does It Take To Learn Acoustic Guitar?
Hard work is the most fundamental factor in learning to play any musical instrument. Even the best guitar players in the world will say they are still learning.
With that said, there is no simple answer to this question. You should play an instrument as a never-ending journey. The more practice and time you commit to playing, the better you will get at the guitar.
2. Does Acoustic Guitar Damage Fingers More?
Your fingers might hurt while playing an acoustic guitar. However, slowly they will get used to the strain. Your fingers will develop calluses, and you will be able to continue playing the guitar. If they hurt a lot, it’s suggested that you take a short break from playing and give your fingers a chance to recover.
3. Is It More Challenging To Learn An Acoustic Guitar Than Other Types?
Overall, the process of learning an acoustic guitar is pretty much the same as any other guitar type. The benefit of starting with an acoustic guitar is when you perfect it, you will easily be able to play every other type of guitar. Because of this, it’s much better to start with acoustic guitar so that you don’t have to start from the bottom when you wish to play an electric one.
4. How To Maintain An Acoustic Guitar?
The one thing about acoustic guitars is that they are sensitive to temperature and humidity. Sudden changes in temperature can also adversely affect your acoustic guitar. So, ensure that you keep it in a dry place and keep it away from moisture as much as possible.
5. Why Do Acoustic Guitars Vary In price Range So Much?
There are several reasons why acoustic guitars come in so many different ranges. The main factors are the quality of the wood, the type of strings, and other such factors. Great playability and a nice touch should also be considered.
The finishing on the frets is another major factor that contributes to the cost of any guitar. If you can sort out your needs and compare your options, you’re sure to end up with the best acoustic guitar under 1000.
Buy An Acoustic Guitar that fits Your specific Needs
As with any other purchase, the key to finding the best acoustic guitar under 1000 is to take your time and make an informed decision. Don’t rush into buying your guitar. Compare each option that is available to you. Remember to research the best brands and other models to make a worthy investment ultimately. Consider purchasing a mid-range option.
The vast majority of people looking to buy a new acoustic guitar will consider many other acoustic guitars before finding an excellent guitar that fits their price range and specifications. Remember, the guitar that features the best value in terms of cost is not always the higher quality option. Sometimes budding guitarists will be pleasantly surprised with a guitar that they hadn’t considered at first.
First of all, you must decide what fits your personal preference to make sure you buy the guitar that suits you best. There is no shortage of websites where you can go through various acoustic guitar models and obtain buying advice to help you decide for yourself which suits you the best. This may be a total guitar package with premium features or a simple guitar that still produces a beautiful tone.
In the beginning, it may seem difficult but remember, nothing is impossible if you work hard. You must believe in yourself and realize your hidden potential. You never know if there is a hidden superstar inside waiting to be unleashed!
What acoustic guitars can I get for under $/£1,000?
Some great acoustic guitars under $/£1,000 include the Taylor Big Baby BBT, Martin LX1E Little Martin, Fender CD-60S, Yamaha FG830, Seagull S6 Original, Epiphone DR-100, and Ibanez AEG10NII. These are all great budget options that offer great sound quality and playability.
Is The Wood Important On An Acoustic Guitar?
Yes, the wood is important on an acoustic guitar. Different types of wood sound differently and affect the resonance, tone, and overall playability of the instrument. Woods like mahogany and rosewood are commonly used for acoustic guitars, and each has its own unique characteristics. The type of wood also affects the weight and durability of the guitar. As such, it is important to choose the right wood for an acoustic guitar.
What Size Of Acoustic Should I Go For?
It depends on what type of sound you are looking for. If you are wanting a warm, mellow sound, then a smaller size acoustic such as a parlor or concert is best. For a brighter, louder sound, a larger size acoustic like a dreadnought or jumbo is better suited. Additionally, make sure you have a guitar that fits your body type. A guitar that is too big or too small for your size can be uncomfortable to play.
How much does it cost to get a great-sounding acoustic guitar?
It depends on what you’re looking for, but a decent quality acoustic guitar typically ranges from around £/$100 to £/$1000. If you’re looking for a great-sounding acoustic guitar, you should be prepared to spend at least £/$500-£/$1000 for a good quality instrument. Higher-end acoustic guitars can cost up to several thousand dollars.
Should I use steel or nylon strings on my guitar?
It depends on what kind of sound you are trying to achieve. Steel strings offer a brighter, crisper sound while nylon strings are more mellow. They also respond differently to different playing styles. If you are a beginner, nylon strings may be easier on your fingers as they are easier to press down. Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal preference. Try out both and see which one you prefer.