Acoustic Guitars Under $400 – Great Values

Are you getting ready to make your first acoustic guitar purchase? Have you read my article on the different types of acoustic guitars? If you answered ‘yes’ and ‘yes’, then this acoustic guitar buying guide is for you!  I’ve reflected on the hundreds of hours I’ve spent researching and playing different acoustic guitars. And I’ve broken down my top three guitars across various price points and feature categories.  This article focuses on my top recommended acoustic guitars that can be purchased for $400 or less.  In fact, I’ve provided you with two lists. One for traditional acoustic guitars and a separate one for acoustic-electric guitars.

A Quick Note On the Quality of Guitars in This Buying Guide

All of the steel-stringed acoustic guitars listed below meet the following basic quality requirements:

• All feature solid spruce top soundboards.  I’ve found this to be the single most important impact on the quality and sound of an acoustic guitar.  Yes, other materials are available for top soundboards that make quality guitars. But for my money, nothing provides the classic tone and balance of a solid spruce top.
• All feature quality tone woods in the other major structural components of the guitar, such as mahogany backs and sides and rosewood fingerboards
• All guitars are made from reputable manufacturers who have been perfecting their craft for a long, long time.

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Recommended Acoustic Guitars Under $400

Ranking	1st	2nd	3rd
Brand	Yamaha	Takamine	Washburn
Model (w/ Amazon Link)	FG830	GD51	WD7S
String	Steel	Steel	Steel
Shape	Dreadnought	Dreadnought	Dreadnought
Top Material	Solid Spruce	Solid Spruce	Solid Spruce
Back/Side Material	Rosewood	Walnut	Mahogany
Neck Material	Nato	Mahogany	Mahogany
Fingerboard Material	Rosewood	Laurel	Rosewood

1^st Place – Yamaha FG830

• Yamaha selected rosewood for the back and sides of this guitar. This is a great feature at this price point as the more traditional choice is mahogany. This provides the owner of this guitar with a combination of materials normally found in guitars double in cost.
• The abalone inlay around the soundhole provides an elegant aesthetic. This will be appreciated by those with an eye for detailed craftsmanship.
• Yamaha has been making the FG series for over 50 years. They provide a great balance of quality materials, great playability and beautiful tone.

2^nd Place – Takamine GD51

• The black walnut back and sides complement the solid spruce top beautifully, producing a warm, resonant sound.
• The split-saddle bridge design provides superior intonation helping to keep your guitar in tune all the way up the neck.
• Takamine is a high-end guitar brand and this value-priced model still includes some of the features included on much more expensive guitars, including abalone rosette, mother-of-pearl dot inlays and gold die-cast tuners.
• This guitar is available in both natural and sunburst finishes.

3^rd Place – Washburn WD7S

• Washburn has been making guitars since 1883, so you can trust that they know a thing or two about producing quality guitars at an affordable price.
• The quarter sawn, scalloped Sitka spruce bracing inside the guitar body helps to define note clarity. It is a feature virtually unparalleled in this price range.
• I think the “Washburn Heritage” rosette design around the guitar sound hole is a very attractive feature.

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Recommended Acoustic-Electric Guitars Under $400

Ranking	1st	2nd	3rd
Brand	Fender	Yamaha	Epiphone
Model (w/ Amazon Link)	CD-60SCE	FGX800C	J-45 EC
Shape	Dreadnought	Dreadnought	Dreadnought
Top Material	Solid Spruce	Solid Spruce	Solid Spruce
Back/Side Material	Mahogany	Nato	Mahogany
Neck Material	Mahogany	Nato	Mahogany
Fingerboard Material	Rosewood	Rosewood	Rosewood

1^st Place – Fender CD-60SCE

• The Fishman low-profile pick-up/preamp includes a 2-band equalizer and tuner. So you don’t have to worry about buying or losing an external guitar tuning device.
• Fender’s unique “Easy to Play” neck profile allows beginner and intermediate guitar players to have their chords ring out with more clarity.
• When you own a Fender guitar, you own a piece of American music history!

2^nd Place – Yamaha FGX800C

• In addition to a standard electronic pickup and tuner, the onboard electronics of this guitar includes a 3-band equalizer. This allows for precision control of your sound.
• The nato wood featured in the back and sides of this guitar is known as ‘eastern mahogany’. I think it has a beautiful grain structure.
• The 800 series from Yamaha includes newly developed scalloped bracing, which enhances the tones produces by the top board.

3^rd Place – Epiphone J-45 EC

• The full size of this beautiful guitar creates a large sound chamber, presenting tone that’s full, deep and plenty loud.
• Epiphone’s famous SlimTaper C-shape neck add speed and comfort to your playing. This is especially valued by newer player’s who haven’t spent years developing hand and finger strength.
• The Fishman preamp system includes controls for master volume, treble, bass and a built-in chromatic tuner.

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Summary of Buying Guide for Acoustic Guitars Under $400

Hopefully, this article has reinforced the notion that a beginning player can find a number of solid acoustic guitars under $400. The quality control from the major manufacturers has improved so much in recent years. I would bet that many intermediate players could not tell the difference between these guitars and others double in price in a blind test. Happy hunting and best of luck to you in learning and loving to play guitar!