Best acoustic guitars under $1,000 2023: get great tone for less (2023)

Whether you’re looking to upgrade from a beginner or intermediate instrument, the best acoustic guitars under $/£1000 will give you plenty of bang for your buck. It’s honestly quite astonishing what you can get for your money these days, and in this price range, you’ll be firmly in the territory of solid tops, excellent electronics, and rock-solid hardware. With some choice picks from all the big names including Taylor, Martin, Yamaha, Fender, and loads more, these quality steel-string guitars are sure to get your creative juices flowing.

There’s a lot of competition in this price bracket, so we’ve done our best to pick a nice sweep of the range from parlor acoustics that make perfect sofa guitars right through to jumbo-sized gigging machines. There is a mixture of classic designs that hark back to the early era of the acoustic, as well as more forward-thinking instruments with modern appointments. If you’re the kind of player that likes to keep things simple or you’re the forward-thinking kind that wants the most advanced bracing and electronics available, there will be something here for you.

If you’re looking at getting your first instrument at this price point, or you just want to arm yourself with a little more knowledge before pulling the trigger, have a look at our buying advice section for some top tips and tidbits on the instrument. If you just want to see the best acoustic guitars under $/£1000, then keep scrolling to see our top picks.

Best acoustic guitars under $1,000: Our choice

Combining the best of everything in terms of price, playability, and outstanding build quality, we’ve gone for the Taylor Academy 10E as our top pick. It’s beautifully balanced across the tonal spectrum, sounds great unplugged or run through a PA and we absolutely love the clean styling. A superb acoustic guitar for the money.

In second place we’ve gone for a modern classic in the Epiphone Hummingbird. Building on a storied legacy of instruments, this instrument features an all-solid construction, phenomenal sound, a lovely playing neck, and looks that are sure to turn some heads when you rock up to your next show.

Best acoustic guitars under $1,000: Product guide

The Academy aesthetic is simple. The notably light hue of the solid Sitka spruce here won’t be to some traditionalist tastes, but it gives the guitars a clean, defined look that, as we’ll find out, is reflective of performance. Nevertheless, despite the simple acrylic dot fret markers, it’s not completely utilitarian; the laminated birch and fiber rope braid design rosette is understated but stylish.

This guitar isn’t lacking Taylor’s spruce top hallmarks - bright and resonant trebles with assured projection. The low action is extremely welcoming across the ebony ’board, too, and will help break boundaries for aspiring players. Combined with the response of this instrument, it creates an immediately enjoyable playing experience.

The 10e offers lower mid presence alongside the deeper bass response in comparison to its smaller bodied sibling, the 12e’s, higher range energy. It will come down to personal preference for players between those two models, with shape and tonal balance, but both guitars fare very well as all-rounders at either end of the spectrum for delicate picking, and their projection doesn’t lose its clear definition under heavy strummed playing, either.

Plugged in, the ES-B represents the qualities of this guitar well. Indeed this model it sounds and feels superior acoustically and plugged in than most models we’ve played in its class. The Academy Series represents a very clear vision, and in many ways, a dream beginner guitar, as well as potential trade-up for some existing players – one that can inspire and go the distance with a guitarist’s from bedroom to stage.

Read our full Taylor Academy Series 10E review

The Hummingbird doesn’t need much of an introduction. It has been a firm favorite of the biggest rock stars of all time, from Tom Petty to Bob Dylan, Keith Richards to Chris Cornell. It’s fair to say that the Hummingbird has left a lasting mark on the world of music.

Unfortunately, we don’t all have the money to drop on the Gibson version, so the next best thing has to be the Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Hummingbird - and we must say this is a fantastic option for a guitar player of any ability.

From its all-solid construction, incredibly comfortable neck, and drop-dead gorgeous looks, this guitar is easily one of the best acoustic guitars under $1000.

Read our full Epiphone Hummingbird review

Every now and then, an instrument comes along that turns the entire guitar industry on its head. That guitar was the Yamaha TransAcoustic. Not only is this a beautiful guitar to look at and to play, but it has a rather clever surprise under the hood - the ability to generate its own reverb and chorus, with no need for an amp, no seriously, no need for an amplifier!

You would be forgiven for thinking that this concept is just a gimmick, but we can assure you that Yamaha has delivered a genuinely inspiring guitar that, quite frankly, is a joy to play. It is genuinely perplexing how Yamaha can produce a guitar of this quality at such a low price.

Read our full Yamaha FS-TA TransAcoustic review

When Fender launched the Paramount series in 2016, it represented a new commitment to winning over players from a company that’s arguably not traditionally a go-to for acoustics. And this guitar delivers on the quality we’d hope for from the iconic brand.

The mahogany tops have an indented texture to the grain that looks and feels vintage; a thin ‘open-pore’ satin finish leaves their organic looks unhindered. While we’re encountering more guitars in this price territory that aim for vintage Americana-style heritage, these models set a new standard for their price range. And the checkerboard purfling for the top, rosette and back strip takes on influence from further back in time and recalls the old Weissenborn Style 4 rope binding. It really gives these models a premium vintage touch.

In many respects, the PM-1 is a textbook example of an all-mahogany dreadnought boasting a lot of the character that attracts players to this wood choice, but it feels notably livelier than some we’ve encountered. This guitar’s relatively light weight for a solid build seems to aid an airer tonality without losing muscular projection.

That mahogany mid voice is there in abundance with a thumpy and defined low-end, rather than the boom that we’d hope to find from mahogany. Sustaining notes shine in the upper-mids with a pleasing, rounded bluegrass quality playing with a pick. For flatpickers and those pursuing a woodier tonality, rather than steely chime, look no further.

The Mexican-made Martin Road Series D-10E is an amazing mid-priced acoustic guitar. Featuring all the excellent playability and build quality of Martin’s more expensive offerings, this stripped-back gigging machine is all acoustic and no frills.

It’s got an unplugged tone that’s warm and full of character, the signature of any Martin dreadnought guitar. It lives to be played hard, and strummed chords project incredibly well without ever sounding muddy. The balance of tone on offer here really is quite lovely.

The high-performance taper neck will have you coming back again and again, it’s a phenomenally well-playing instrument. Onboard Fishman MX-T electronics translate the unplugged tone really well, it has none of that plasticky sound you sometimes get with cheaper electronics.

Art & Lutherie may not be a brand that is on everyone’s radar, but for familiarity’s sake, the company is a division of the more well-known Godin Guitars. That doesn’t change the fact that, with the Roadhouse, you get what appears to be a boutique instrument at a budget price.

For starters, there’s a solid spruce top and rich, crimson laminated wild cherry back and sides, covered with a pearloid pickguard, off-white binding and a semi-gloss finish that allows a bit of grain to show through – a nice touch. Coupled with the parlor-size body, the Roadhouse exudes a classic old-timey feel right out of the box.

And it plays and sounds great to boot. The middle and upper ranges of the guitar are very strong, with plenty of clarity, definition and warmth. What’s more, the instrument rings out in a way that belies its small size, making it perfect to cut through the mix in an ensemble setup. The fretboard is clean and the strings are nicely spaced, making the Roadhouse a pleasure to pick. A perfect companion to playing some country, blues, or – why not? – some country blues.

The return of Yamaha’s CSF series marks its most determined move yet into the compact acoustic market. While it doesn’t have the slimmest of necks, compared to some of its rivals in the compact acoustic market, but we think that’s a strength - and the 406mm (16-inch) fretboard radius will be welcome news for anyone alienated by the more cramped playing experience of some so-called travel guitars.

Like many of Yamaha’s current builds, the CSF3M features scalloped bracing with the aim of producing a “louder, richer acoustic sound” but that’s not the only spec feature that could be to its advantage on paper; the 105mm body depth is deeper than most of the compact competition, but strikes a comfortable balance with the neck dimensions in play. And, as we soon discover, that equilibrium is well reflected in the tonal character of the guitar, too.

Its voice is strong with a rich bottom end that’s immediately rewarding for fingerstyle bass notes. The sinewy high end makes for a great definition in choppy folk rhythm work with surprisingly powerful projection on single notes, while the satisfying neck dimensions also help to mask the sense this is a scaled-down instrument in terms of its playability.

The CSF3M walks the line between a standard parlour and a lightweight compact traveler in both specification and feel, and it does so confidently. The performance and build rise above any niche concept and it could be an instrument you keep returning to both at home and away, albeit something you may treasure too much to risk denting at that campfire sing-along.

With a market as crowded as this, it’s crucial to stand out - and the D’Angelico Excel Bowery does just that. This guitar definitely delivers from the art deco stylings to the fantastic amplified sound of the Fishman Sonitone preamp.

Featuring a very playable slim C neck profile and large cut-away, the Bowery is perfect for beginners or electric players looking to enter the world of acoustic guitar. The all-solid construction delivers a bright attack and shimmering high-end, which makes this guitar great for strumming.

If you are looking for a guitar that is effortless to play and has a unique look, then it’s worth seeking this one out.

If Seagull guitars are known for one thing, it’s their impeccable build quality - or perhaps the rather unique headstock shape. If you were wondering, the tapered headstock is designed to ensure straight string pull through the nut and ultimately aid in tuning stability.

The use of wood on this acoustic guitar is absolutely stunning. Pairing a solid cedar top and wild cherry back and sides, the Entourage delivers a robust and punchy sound perfect for strumming or fingerpicking. If you are looking for a guitar that will stand the test of time, then the Seagull Entourage Autumn Burst is well worth considering.

Gretsch is best known for its truly iconic drums and snazzy electric guitars, but it also makes a fine line of acoustics, most of which are remarkably inexpensive. The snappily named G5022CWFE Rancher Falcon Jumbo is obviously from the more-is-more school of aesthetics, an appearance that clearly owes a lot to Gretsch’s electric Falcon range.

It’s available in brightest white or darkest black, colors that pop against the dazzling gold-sparkle bindings on the top, back, sound hole, fingerboard and headstock. Not enough bling? Well, just to liven things up a little more, Gretsch has slapped a huge gold-sparkle winged logo on the headstock and bolted on some gold-plated tuners. It’s all jolly good fun, but possibly not for players lacking a sense of humor.

However, it's not all show and no go. Like all good jumbos it’s built with a solid spruce top and maple sides, which provide that characteristically forthright yet balanced tone, with clarity aplenty in the well-tamed low end. It’s also stage ready, with a Fishman Presys III Pickup System with preamp and tuner already built in.

There’s an awful lot on offer here for the money.

The OM-140CE is a model that sits within Guild’s Westerly Collection, a heritage-inspired line that pays homage to the factory occupied by the brand in Westerly, Rhode Island during the mid-‘60s. These days, Guild’s top-end production is centered on California, with the rest of its range built in the Far East, yet the OM-140CE makes a decent stab at evoking the spirit of the brand’s halcyon days.

It’s a mid-sized acoustic that features solid wood throughout. Sitka spruce for the top, and African mahogany for the back and sides. As such, it has a beautifully balanced voice that’s equally suitable for energetic strumming as it is delicate fingerstyle.

Scalloped X-bracing, a rosewood bridge and a real bone nut and saddle are appealing premium features to have, as is the fine mother-of-pearl rosette. Neatly concealed within the cutaway body is a Fishman Sonitone preamp and piezo pup system for solid amplified tone.

Period-correct features include the Chesterfield headstock emblem, vintage open gear tuners and a tortoiseshell pickguard, plus there’s a comfortable C-shape vintage-style neck to wrap your fingers around.

Strictly speaking, the RRP is just over $1,000, but street prices are well within our limit.

You’ve spotted it, the SLG200S isn’t an acoustic guitar. It doesn’t look like an acoustic guitar, it doesn’t resonate against your body like a good acoustic guitar – heck, it doesn’t even have that gorgeous, woody fragrance. So, what’s it doing in this guide?

Well, the SLG200S is a state-of-the-art modeling guitar that can do many things a ‘proper’ acoustic just can’t. First, it sounds incredible. Its tone is modeled on one of Yamaha’s finest acoustics, the mid-sized LS26, but you can also blend in the SLG200S’ own piezo pickups and dial in some reverb and chorus to taste.

You can play it with headphones for near-silent practice sessions, or plug it into an amp for a massive sound with zero risk of feedback. It’s also a remarkably convenient recording guitar that never needs to be miked up.

The SLG200S is made of solid mahogany with a rosewood frame, so it’s much more durable than an acoustic guitar as well as being resistant to changes in temperature and humidity. It can also be stripped down to fit into a smart gigbag that’s small enough to fit in an aircraft overhead locker.

Frankly, the SLG200S doesn’t offer the authentic playing experience of a real acoustic guitar, but it will suit many guitarists who frequently record, gig or want to practice without annoying family and neighbors.

Best acoustic guitars under $1,000: Buying advice

• Downsize to one of the best 3/4 acoustic guitars
• Enhance your acoustic with the best acoustic guitar amps
• Add another dimension to your playing: the best 12-string guitars
• Just starting out? Check out the best beginner classical guitars
• Unplug and play with the best acoustic bass guitars
• Get a bargain with the best acoustic guitars under $500