Best Acoustic Guitars Under $1000
Discover the best acoustic guitars under $1000 that offer unbeatable value, quality, and sound in this expert guitar buying guide.
Table of Contents
7 Acoustic Guitars Under $1000 We Would Buy Right Now
In this article we will show you the best acoustic guitars for budget below the $ 1000. We often get questions asking us what guitars we would recommend at a certain price range. Today, we’re here to talk about seven guitars under a thousand dollars that offer the best bang for your buck.
Considerations on How to Choose the Best Acoustic Guitar Under $1000
We want to establish some ground rules for our selections. We selected all acoustic guitars with spruce soundboards, believing that at this price range, opting for anything other than spruce is a compromise on sound for aesthetics. Of course, we prefere guitars with solid, high-quality wood tops. These acoustic guitar tops should be well-braced and have a good bridge. The top wood of a acoustic guitar is where a significant portion of the budget should go.
We also did not to include any Martin or Gibson guitars in our selections because at this price range, you’re mainly paying for the prestige of the brand name. The value doesn’t necessarily match the cost, and there are other great options available.
This guide is not targeted to a beginner that is looking for his very first guitar. This is a guide for intermediate or advanced guitar players that are looking for an outstanding acoustic guitar without breaking the bank. The order of the guitars has nothing to do with our preference. Now, let’s reveal our selections.
Don’t miss our guide about solid wood vs laminate wood, pros and cons.
The best acoustic guitars under $ 1.000
- Alvarez MD60BG
- Taylor GS Mini
- Taylor 114 CE
- Yamaha Red Label FG3
- Yamaha LL16 ARE
- Eastman AC222CE
- Guild D120
Alvarez MD60BG Acoustic-electric Guitar
To start, we have the Alvarez MD60BG, a guitar that impresses us every time. This acoustic guitar is perfect for bluegrass or country enthusiasts, resembling a classic Martin dreadnought with a herringbone design guitar rosette. Alvarez guitars have always stood out for their high quality. With Solid AA Sitka Spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, it also features an LR Baggs VTC pickup, a remarkable value addition. If you’re looking for that classic dreadnought sound without breaking the bank, this is the guitar for you.
| Brand | Alvarez |
| Model | MD60BG |
| Price | $799 |
| Body Shape | Dreadnought |
| Top Wood | Solid AAA Sitka Spruce |
| Back & Sides Wood | Solid African Mahogany |
| Neck Wood | Mahogany |
| Fingerboard Material | Indian Laurel |
| Bridge Material | Indian Laurel |
| Scale Length | 25.5″ |
| Nut Width | 1.75″ |
| Radius | 14.96″ |
| Nut/Saddle Material | Bone/Bone |
| Electronics | LR Baggs VTC Element System |
Taylor GS Mini Rosewood Acoustic Guitar
Known for its exceptional craftsmanship and tone, the Taylor GS Mini is a favorite among many musicians. This guitar is compact, yet its tone is impressive, making it a great choice for those who want Taylor quality without the hefty price tag. The GS Mini series is particularly recommended for those in the $500 to $700 price range.
| Brand | Taylor |
| Model | GS Mini Rosewood |
| Price | $699 |
| Body Shape | GS Mini |
| Top Wood | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Back & Sides Wood | Layered Rosewood |
| Neck Wood | Maple |
| Fingerboard Material | Ebony |
| Bridge Material | Ebony |
| Scale Length | 23.5″ |
| Nut Width | 1.6875″ |
| Nut/Saddle Material | Micarta/NuBone |
| Electronics | No |
Taylor 114 CE Acoustic-electric Guitar
Now, let’s add the Taylor 114 CE to the mix. This guitar is part of the Taylor 100 series and offers incredible precision and a rich sound. With a solid Sitka spruce top and quality construction, it’s a full-size guitar that provides fantastic value. It also features an Expression System 2. The Taylor name speaks for itself in terms of quality, and the 114 CE is no exception. It’s a great choice for those who want a well-rounded guitar under $1000.
| Brand | Taylor |
| Model | 114 CE |
| Price | $999 |
| Body Shape | Grand Auditorium |
| Top Wood | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Back & Sides Wood | Layered walnut |
| Neck Wood | Maple |
| Fingerboard Material | Ebony |
| Bridge Material | Ebony |
| Scale Length | 25.5″ |
| Nut Width | 1.6875″ |
| Radius | 15″ |
| Nut/Saddle Material | Tusq/Micarta |
| Electronics | Expression System 2 |
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Yamaha Red Label FG3 Acoustic Guitar
The Yamaha FG3 Red Label series is a great sounding guitar. This is an acoustic guitar that all of the Frills have been stripped from it, but built with the best quality woods for this range of price. It has made a lasting impression on many musicians, often surpassing expectations. The Yamaha Red Label guitar outstands for its quality sound and quality construction.
| Brand | Yamaha |
| Model | Red Label FG3 |
| Price | $879 |
| Body Shape | Dreadnought |
| Top Wood | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Back & Sides Wood | Solid Mahogany |
| Neck Wood | African Mahogany |
| Fingerboard Material | Ebony |
| Bridge Material | Ebony |
| Scale Length | 25″ |
| Nut Width | 1.75″ |
| Radius | 15.75″ |
| Nut/Saddle Material | Urea/Urea |
| Electronics | No |
Yamaha LL16 ARE Acoustic-electric Guitar
Another impressive choice from Yamaha is the LL16, this guitar features a glossy finish, Engelmann spruce top, and an absolutely sleek design. It’s a guitar that not only plays and sounds great but looks like it costs way more than its actual price. Yamaha guitars often surprise with their value and should definitely not be underestimated. This is a Acoustic-electric guitar you’ll want to consider seriously if you’re in the market for an option under $1000.
| Brand | Yamaha |
| Model | LL16 ARE |
| Price | $899 |
| Body Shape | Original Jumbo |
| Top Wood | Solid Engelmann Spruce with A.R.E. treatment |
| Back & Sides Wood | Solid Rosewood |
| Neck Wood | 5-ply Mahogany/Rosewood |
| Fingerboard Material | Ebony |
| Bridge Material | Ebony |
| Scale Length | 25.5″ |
| Nut Width | 1.75″ |
| Radius | 15.75″ |
| Nut/Saddle Material | Urea/Urea |
| Electronics | SRT Zero Impact pickup |
Guild D140CE Acoustic-electric Guitar
The Guild D140CE is a great acoustic-electric guitar made of all-solid woods for the back, sides, and top. Guild offers a lot in terms of quality and sound. With solid Sitka Spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, it also features a Fishman Sonitone GT-1 pickup, a remarkable value addition. It’s also a reliable choice.
| Brand | Guild |
| Model | D140CE |
| Price | $899 |
| Body Shape | Dreadnought |
| Top Wood | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Back & Sides Wood | Solid African Mahogany |
| Neck Wood | African Mahogany |
| Fingerboard Material | Rosewood |
| Bridge Material | Rosewood |
| Scale Length | 25.5″ |
| Nut Width | 1.75″ |
| Radius | 16″ |
| Nut/Saddle Material | Bone/Bone |
| Electronics | Guild/Fishman Sonitone GT-1 |
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Eastman AC222CE Acoustic-electric Guitar
Finally, we have the acoustic-electric guitar Eastman AC222CE, a remarkable option for budgets of up to $1000. This guitar boasts a glossy finish, solid Sitka spruce top, and high-quality craftsmanship. Eastman is a brand that often surprises with the quality they offer for the price. The AC222CE is an elegant and well-built guitar that is a top contender in this price range.
| Brand | Eastman |
| Model | AC222CE |
| Price | $899 |
| Body Shape | Grand Auditorium |
| Top Wood | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Back & Sides Wood | Solid Ovangkol |
| Neck Wood | Mahogany |
| Fingerboard Material | Ebony |
| Bridge Material | Ebony |
| Scale Length | 25.4″ |
| Nut Width | 1.75″ |
| Radius | 12″ |
| Nut/Saddle Material | Bone/Bone |
| Electronics | Fishman Sonitone |
Specs comparison of the best acoustic guitars under $1000
| Brand Model | Alvarez MD60BG | Taylor GS Mini RW | Taylor 114 CE | Yamaha FG3 Red Label | Yamaha LL16 ARE | Eastman AC222CE | Guild D140CE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $799 | $699 | $999 | $879 | $899 | $899 | $899 |
| Body Shape | Dreadnought | GS Mini | Grand Auditorium | Dreadnought | Original Jumbo | Grand Auditorium | Dreadnought |
| Top Wood | Solid AAA Sitka Spruce | Solid Sitka Spruce | Solid Sitka Spruce | Solid Sitka Spruce | Solid Engelmann Spruce with A.R.E. treatment | Solid Sitka Spruce | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Back & Sides Wood | Solid African Mahogany | Layered Rosewood | Layered walnut | Solid Mahogany | Solid Rosewood | Solid Ovangkol | Solid African Mahogany |
| Neck Wood | Mahogany | Maple | Maple | African Mahogany | 5-ply Mahogany / Rosewood | Mahogany | African Mahogany |
| Fingerboard Material | Indian Laurel | Ebony | Ebony | Ebony | Ebony | Ebony | Rosewood |
| Bridge Material | Indian Laurel | Ebony | Ebony | Ebony | Ebony | Ebony | Rosewood |
| Scale Length | 25.5″ | 23.5″ | 25.5″ | 25″ | 25.5″ | 25.4″ | 25.5″ |
| Nut Width | 1.75″ | 1.6875″ | 1.6875″ | 1.75″ | 1.75″ | 1.75″ | 1.75″ |
| Radius | 14.96″ | N/D | 15″ | 15.75″ | 15.75″ | 12″ | 16″ |
| Nut/Saddle Material | Bone / Bone | Micarta / NuBone | Tusq / Micarta | Urea / Urea | Urea / Urea | Bone / Bone | Bone / Bone |
| Electronics | LR Baggs VTC Element System | No | Expression System 2 | No | SRT Zero Impact pickup | Fishman Sonitone | Fishman Sonitone GT-1 |
Final Thoughts about the best acoustic guitars under $1000
In conclusion, choosing the best acoustic guitar under $1000 doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With careful consideration of factors like wood type, craftsmanship, and personal preferences, you can find a guitar that not only fits your budget but also delivers exceptional sound and playability. Whether you opt for a spruce soundboard, solid wood top, or explore other options, the guitars we’ve highlighted in this article offer outstanding value. So, go ahead and make an informed decision to embark on a musical journey filled with beautiful melodies and heartfelt tunes.
We hope these recommendations help you in your guitar-buying journey. Happy playing!
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