Searching for the best acoustic guitar is a complex endeavor. Weighing the pros and cons of hundreds of models isn’t easy, neither is finding something that fits your budget. So, how can you tell which guitar is going to give you the most bang for your buck?
You could opt for a high-end model that ensures quality, but most players don’t have an extra three to four thousand dollars lying around. Believe it or not, there are dozens of models that provide top-quality sound without breaking the bank.
We dug through hundreds of models to find the best acoustic guitar for under 1000 dollars. From exotic woods to professional grade performance, these guitars are worth every penny. Here’s what we found.
How We Chose Our Ratings
In every list we create, our goal is to bring you an honest list of best products for the price with accurate descriptions. We start by looking at customer reviews and testimonials, checking each for truthful statements and user experiences. A company can make any claim, but customers tell the real story behind a product.
Next, we take data surrounding the products into consideration. Types of woods, neck construction, and other aspects of guitar build all go into this list. We also consider the reputation of the brand. A long history of excellence and satisfied customers is something to look for in any brand.
Top 10 Best Acoustic Guitars
Here they are, out top picks for the best acoustic guitar under 1000 dollars. We’ve placed the best of the best at the top, giving each a ranking out of five stars.
- Breedlove Pursuit Exotic Concert CE Engelmann/Striped Ebony
This acoustic guitar from Breedlove offers a unique design with a second sound hole on the right side of the body. Aside from a volume boost, this extra hole allows the player to hear their instrument the way the audience does when playing. Equipped with L.R. Baggs electronics, you can enjoy a built-in tuner along with quick adjustments to your tone with the 3-band EQ controls.
The neck is crafted from Radiused East Indian rosewood for a warm, rich sound. A soft cutaway and cedarwood body balance out your lows and highs, making this model an excellent choice for pleasing a crowded room. Finally, there’s plenty of resonance despite being a concert-sized model.
- Made in North America
- New Scalloped Adirondack Spruce bracing
- Rosewood Fingerboard
The Artist Mosaic by Seagull offers a solid wood acoustic body with a cedar top and mahogany all around. On top of the mahogany neck rests a rosewood fingerboard, delivering top-end quality sound for a reasonable price.
The woods used to create a warm tone, while the shape keeps things crisp and clear. This dreadnought-style body has been enhanced to deliver a larger than life projection without creating an over-the-top bass sound. The result is a loud response to even the softest pluck or pick without muddling the tone.
- Solid Sitka Spruce top with scalloped bracing for a louder, richer acoustic sound
- Yamaha's new SRT2 system allows you to blend between microphone models and the piezo pickup to find your perfect tone
- High comfort satin mahogany neck with a slim taper profile
The A3M is a newer model from Yamaha, continuing their performance line of A-series guitars. This is an electro-acoustic dreadnought design crafted from solid mahogany wood. Equipped with Yamaha’s S.R.T. system, players can utilize both a piezo pickup and mic input to enhance their performance.
A hand-rolled fretboard on the mahogany neck not only shows off the A3M’s craftsmanship but helps each note ring crisp and clear. From low-end to high-end tones, everything comes through with an incredible sound and smooth precision.
- Top material: solid sitka spruce
- Body material: solid mahogany
- Side material: solid mahogany
Epiphone is well known for creating entry-level models at exceptional prices, but their Masterbilt series is designed for performance. A solid mahogany boy, solid Sitka spruce top, and tapered D shape create rich sound with incredible resonance.
Vintage detailing adds a touch of beauty, but the real steal is in the rosewood fretboard and electronics. Equipped with an eSonic-2 stereo preamp, players can adjust the NanoFlex and NanoMag pickups to best suit the crowd they’re playing for. Tone controls, stereo blend, and a phase switch all make this guitar versatile, while the built-in tuner ensures you’re always gig-ready.
- Shape: Grand Auditorium
- Back/Side Wood: Walnut
- Top Wood: Sitka Spruce
Taylor’s 100 Series features the company’s Grand Auditorium shape, creating an attention-grabbing sound with max volume. The cutaway helps players reach higher notes, while the volume and tone knobs allow them to even out the noise.
The sides and back of the body are crafted from laminate sapele, with the neck forged from solid spruce. Both contribute to a clear resonance no matter the note, while the wood used in the body adds to this guitar’s massive sound. Complete with travel-friendly case, you can’t go wrong with this deal.
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Ovation makes gorgeous acoustic guitars, but it isn’t all about looks for this company. This model is designed with AA solid spruce, a Lyrachord composite backing, and satin-finished mahogany neck for a one-of-a-kind sound.
Equipped with an OP-Pro preamp and OCP pickup system, you can rock out with ample sound and rest assured that your high-end will be heard across the room. The distinctive multi-holes allow for your lower end to resonate without dampening or sounding muddy, too.
- Construction: Mortise/Tenon Neck Joint
- Body Size: D-14 Fret
- Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
Solid wood construction, a sapele backing, and a spruce top create a quality tone at a reasonable price in the DRS2. A Fishman Sonitone system inside the body allows for simple control over your sound, while the richlite fingerboard creates a crisp yet woody tone while you play.
As for the quality of the build, you can rest assured that Martin delivers in this model as it does with every other in its vast collection. If you’re looking for a larger acoustic boasting a supreme build (without paying a fortune), then the DRS2 might hit the sweet spot.
- Mahogany back and sides provide a rich and balanced tone
- Grade "A" Sitka spruce top for strong and balanced projection
- The Mahogany neck with Ebony fingerboard provide comfort and a sharp attack
Fender’s PM-3 is a triple zero size guitar, finding its place somewhere in-between a dreadnought and a parlor. Its solid wood construction provides ample volume as notes resonate through the mahogany, while the smaller stature helps high notes ring out through the spruce top. As for tonality, the rosewood fretboard has you covered.
The C shape of the body rests comfortably as you play, while the cutaway helps you reach higher frets. Ultimately, the tone is natural and vibrant. Using the 2-band EQ, master volume control, and phase controls help bring out the high-quality sound in this low-priced Fender.
- Solid Sitka spruce top with scalloped braces gives you clean articulation and a crisp tone
- Solid Santos rosewood back and sides guarantees deep bass and strong cutting power
- Slim mahogany neck offers fast, easy action and inherently long-lasting stability
Featuring a classic Twentieth Century body, the BR-160 beckons back to an older time. The tortoise-style pickguard, herringbone binding, and open back tuners add to this vintage look. Solid Indian rosewood is used in the body’s construction, while the top is crafted from Sitka spruce.
A mahogany neck creates a light, warm tone suited for bluegrass and folk stylings. Every aspect of this guitar is designed to bring old-school charm into the modern age. While there are no electronics to speak of, you don’t need them to bring out superb tones from the BR-160.
- Made in North America
- Double-Action Truss Rod
- Solid Rosewood Back and Sides
This guitar is from Seagull’s solid wood series, featuring mahogany sides and a spruce top. With a semi-gloss finish, the Maritime is one sharp looking guitar boasting high-quality resonance. Despite the loud sound, players will find clarity in each note from lows to highs.
Outside of these features, the Maritime is a classic acoustic guitar. There are no electronics and no fancy add-ons. However, the sound quality is incredible for a model under $1000.
Buyer’s Guide
While any of the above ten models make the cut for the best acoustic guitar under 1000 dollars, it isn’t exactly fair to call them high-end. Premium guitars come with a premium price, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find an excellent model in this price range.
Sure, you can always spend a few extra thousand for a top-quality instrument, but most casual players never need a stadium-ready acoustic. At $1,000, you’re paying for superb tone with a few cozy features. However, it still helps to know when a guitar in this price range is worth it. Look for these features before spending any cash.
Building Material
First, you shouldn’t settle for anything less than solid wood when paying a grand for a guitar. Almost every model on our list has this feature, and it adds to the stability and sound of your instrument. Not only should it be solid wood, but the design should show off the company’s craftsmanship at this tier.
If it isn’t a solid wood model, then it can feature laminated backing and still make the cut. When this is the case, you might see more features put together for looks. Either way, a $1,000 guitar should look and feel like a high-end model.
Hardware
Most guitars in this price range feature some form of electronics in their build. Some sacrifice these components for higher-quality woods or other features, but it’s almost standard on C and D shaped bodies.
Preamps, tuners, and other controllable features should all be quality. If these components are not well-known names or standard on more expensive models, then this is a good indication that the guitar isn’t worth the price.
At the same time, non-electrical hardware components should hold the same level of quality. Bone nuts, bridges, and saddles should all be a substantial upgrade from the $500 class of guitars. Some sort of travel case, whether it’s a hard shell or gig bag, might be included if there are less upgraded hardware components.
Tone
This area matters the most when hunting for an acoustic guitar, no matter the price range. For $1,000, your model should sound like a high-end instrument. Numerous factors can change the quality of your tone, including:
Despite these varying factors, guitars in this price range should deliver a deep sound with excellent resonance. Solid wood models will further develop these qualities as they age, making them even more valuable. At the same time, your tone should sound rich and full without any mudding from the bass end or barely audible high notes.
Each guitar will, of course, sound different. Choosing the sound and feel you like most is a vital part of the process, but there’s a certain bar set for guitars that cost around $1,000. The idea is that they should provide a higher-level quality at a lower price, sacrificing stage performance features for excellent builds.
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Choosing the Right Guitar for You
While the ten models on this list are some of the best in the price range, the right guitar for you will ultimately be decided by a few key factors. Now that you know what to look for regarding quality, the next step is to determine how you will use the guitar.
If this is your first one, then pick something that feels comfortable to play. Otherwise, the style you usually play and the way you intend to use your guitar will make a difference. For instance, you might need a preamp and other electronics if you plan on playing a lot of gigs. On the other hand, you might want something with higher quality physical components for home recordings.
Picking and choosing between these small factors will help you make a purchase you feel satisfied with. Don’t be afraid to head to your local guitar store and test some of these models out, either. The more time you spend deciding, the happier you’ll be with your new acoustic.
Last update on 2023-03-21 at 13:10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
