Best Beginner Acoustic Guitar in All 3 Categories - 2024

Guide to Guitars for Beginners

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One of my primary duties as a guitar instructor is recommending the best beginner acoustic guitar for my students. This helps them avoid difficulties with tuning, string action, dull sound, and other quality problems.

I've even taken the time to go with my students as they buy their guitars. And to this day, many of my former students and friends still ask me for guitar-buying advice.

In this guide, I'm extending my recommendations to you, following the same principles I use when recommending guitars to students and drawing from my years of playing and teaching experience to help you buy an excellent first acoustic guitar. One that is practical, enjoyable, and inspiring to play.

Below are my recommendations - featuring top-rated acoustic, acoustic-electric, and classical guitars - all of which I consider the best for beginners.

Each guitar I recommend is readily available from major music gear retailers in the US. This way, your first acoustic guitar is one click away.

Best Beginner Acoustic Guitar - Guitar Teacher's Top Picks

The Best Acoustic Guitars for Beginners

Yamaha FG830

96
GEARANK

96 out of 100. Incorporating 850+ ratings and reviews.

Street Price: 

$350
Yamaha FG830 6-String Acoustic Guitar

Cons

  • Urea (Plastic) nut and saddle
  • Cheaper models are available (800 models)

Pros

  • Solid spruce top with traditional X-bracing
  • Good low-end and treble
  • Impressive acoustic projection
  • Sound is clear and has good definition

This edition sees the Yamaha FG830 rise to the top of our ratings with its harmonious blend of craftsmanship, tonal excellence, and value for money.

For the price, it sports a solid spruce top with a resonant and loud sound profile, catering to both strumming and intricate fingerstyle techniques.

Compared to the laminate nato wood used on cheaper 800 models, the FG830 sports laminate rosewood for the back and sides. This ups the guitar's clarity and projection.

And this dreadnought beauty not only sounds great; it showcases Yamaha's unwavering commitment to quality. Excellent build quality and construction, a comfortable neck profile, and flawless fretwork contribute to a playing experience conducive to learning the guitar.

The FG830 is an excellent guitar for beginners and even intermediate to advanced players looking for a budget-friendly, quality acoustic guitar. This is the best rated among the many acoustic guitars for beginners 2023, and I don't see it slowing down this 2024.

Specifications

  • String Type: Steel
  • Body Shape: Dreadnought
  • Top: Solid spruce
  • Body: Rosewood
  • Number of Frets: 20
  • Scale Length: 25.5"
  • Nut Width: 1.6875""

Rating Source Highlight

Website Source *Rating Value
ProducerHive Vinny Kaul 90/100
*Displayed values are prior to the Gearank Algorithm's adjustments it makes when evaluating the source.

Yamaha FS800

95
GEARANK

95 out of 100. Incorporating 550+ ratings and reviews.

Street Price: 

$230
Yamaha FS800 Concert Body 6-String Acoustic Guitar

Cons

  • Bass has less depth and lacks trebly zing
  • Urea (Plastic) nut and saddle

Pros

  • Solid spruce top with traditional X-bracing
  • Great value acoustic guitar
  • Balanced response, sustain, and projection
  • Chords and notes ring well

Yamaha remains the brand to beat for student-friendly instruments, and the FS800 is one of their highest-rated beginner acoustic guitars.

This concert body acoustic comes from their popular FG/FS series, and for the price, it comes with nice features that include a solid spruce top and traditional scalloped X-bracing support. This makes the top vibrate better, which results in good response, sustain, and projection.

Having a smaller concert body makes the FS800 more comfortable for younger players. It also has a slightly shorter scale length, lessening string tension for more effortless playability. This comfortable playing feel, nice specs, and affordability makes the FS800 an excellent choice for beginners.

The smaller profile and shorter scale affect the sound, bumping up the mids without overwhelming other frequencies. This gives it a balanced tone that lets you hear every note more clearly. This type of tone will sound better as you get more experience and learn about tone complexities.

On the flip side, it has less of the boominess and treble crispness that you get from dreadnoughts.

Build quality is better than what you'd typically expect in this price range.

The body feels solid and stays within Yamaha's expected quality standards. The guitar's nato neck doesn't feel cheap. It feels smooth and comfortable to play.

Regarding student-friendly instruments, it's hard to go wrong with Yamaha, especially if you're going with their top-rated student-friendly acoustic guitar. When it comes to specs and value, the FS800 guitar is hard to beat.

Specifications

  • String Type: Steel
  • Body Shape: Concert
  • Top: Solid Spruce
  • Body: Nato/Okume
  • Number of Frets: 20
  • Scale Length: 25"
  • Nut Width: 1.69"

Rating Source Highlight

Website Source *Rating Value
YouTube FNDGuitar 95/100
*Displayed values are prior to the Gearank Algorithm's adjustments it makes when evaluating the source.

Best Beginner Guitars - Acoustic-Electric Guitars

Yamaha CSF1M

96
GEARANK

96 out of 100. Incorporating 80+ ratings and reviews.

Street Price: 

$450
Yamaha CSF1M - Tobacco Brown Sunburst

Cons

  • Pickup included has no preamp
  • Small body size is not everyone's cup of tea

Pros

  • Focused and clear sound
  • Loud and has good sustain for a small guitar
  • Student-friendly short-scale neck and compact size
  • Passive pickup works surprisingly well with acoustic processors, preamps, and effects

The Yamaha CSF1M is a parlor guitar that punches above its size. It's a compact, student-friendly instrument that's ready for the stage.

Its solid Sitka spruce top, scalloped bracing, and mahogany back and sides deliver a focused, articulate tone. Its smaller size makes it comfortable to play while still having good acoustic projection.

The shorter 23.5" scale length adds a touch of warmth to the sound and makes it easier on the hands. This makes it an easy pick for younger students while offering an excellent grab-and-go option for experienced players. Don't expect it to sound as full as a dreadnought, but its warm voicing will not disappoint. It is perfect for folk, blues, rock, and country genres.

It also features Yamaha's SRT Zero Impact Pickup system, a passive pickup system developed to be more discrete than the usual active electronics found on acoustic-electric guitars. Being passive, it doesn't have the tone-shaping features and loudness of active pickups, but it is very transparent. It works well with acoustic guitar processors, pedal preamps, and effects.

Whether you're developing strumming or fingerpicking, this little guitar will not disappoint. And having been crafted by Yamaha, the CSF1M boasts excellent build quality.

Rounding up its features is its sleek finish and old-school blues box appeal.

The Yamaha CSF1M is a stellar option for those seeking a portable, sonically impressive acoustic practice and performance companion.

Specifications

  • String Type: Steel
  • Body Shape: CSF
  • Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
  • Body: Laminate Mahogany
  • Number of Frets: 20
  • Scale Length: 23.5"
  • Nut Width: 1.692"
  • Electronics: SRT Zero-Impact Piezo pickup

Rating Source Highlight

Website Source *Rating Value
WEBSITE AUTHOR SCORE/100
*Displayed values are prior to the Gearank Algorithm's adjustments it makes when evaluating the source.

Guild D-240E

94
GEARANK

94 out of 100. Incorporating 175+ ratings and reviews.

Street Price: 

$439
Guild D-240E 6 String Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Cons

  • Plastic bridge pins (replaceable with bone)
  • Too traditional / plain, in terms of looks and tone

Pros

  • Traditional aesthetics and feel, boisterous and resonant acoustic sound
  • Incredible build quality at a student-friendly price point.
  • Classic dreadnought tone, with deep bass and brassy highs
  • Discrete active pickups with good plugged-in tone

The Guild D-240E is a superb acoustic-electric guitar that blends classic dreadnought design with modern functionality.

It has a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a big dreadnought body, which lets it deliver rich bass and brassy highs. As expected from traditional dreadnoughts, it takes hard strumming like a champ and has excellent projection. Note that the back and sides feature mahogany construction, compared to the usual cheaper tonewood options used on other guitars.

Guild equipped the D-240E with the Fishman-designed AP-1 Sonicore pickup system, which produces a naturally amplified sound. You'll have to get close to see the discrete soundhole-mounted controls, which removes the need for body modifications.

The fast, slim C-shaped mahogany neck provides a modern contrast to its overall traditional design. And this is a welcome change, especially for students who prioritize playability.

Attention to detail is evident in the overall construction of this guitar, from the herringbone rosette vintage-inspired appointments to its satin finish.

If you're looking for a no-nonsense traditional guitar that you can learn and play on stage, this is for you. This is also a fabulous yet affordable pick for budget-conscious guitarists looking for a traditional acoustic-electric dreadnought guitar.

Specifications

  • String Type: Steel
  • Body Shape: Dreadnought
  • Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
  • Body: Mahogany
  • Number of Frets: 20
  • Scale Length: 25.5"
  • Nut Width: 1.688"
  • Electronics: Guild/Fishman AP1 with Sonicore pickup

Rating Source Highlight

Website Source *Rating Value
WEBSITE AUTHOR SCORE/100
*Displayed values are prior to the Gearank Algorithm's adjustments it makes when evaluating the source.

Best Guitars for Beginners - Classical / Nylon String Guitars

Kremona Soloist S65C

94
GEARANK

94 out of 100. Incorporating 90+ ratings and reviews.

Street Price: 

$499
Kremona Soloist S65C Classical Guitar

Cons

  • A bit pricey compared to other student-friendly nylon string guitars
  • Low end is a bit lacking

Pros

  • Solid red cedar top
  • Warm and resonant tone
  • Ceramic saddle and nut
  • Excellent build quality for the price

The Kremona Soloist S65C is a classical guitar that's gained market traction for its exceptional craftsmanship and tonal excellence.

Crafted with a solid red cedar top and rosewood back and sides, it delivers a warm and balanced sound that captures the essence of classical guitar music. I am impressed by its tonal clarity, sustain, and responsiveness. It can easily pass for a more expensive professional-grade instrument. My only complaint is the need for more low-end, but it does give the S65C a distinctly focused tone that I like.

I'm impressed with the intricate craftsmanship of the wooden rosette, which is applied to the overall build of the neck, fingerboard, and body.

Speaking of the neck and fingerboard, the S65C does not stray from traditional neck specs, which ensures that classical students start with a proper guitar. Note that classical guitar necks are wide and flat, which can be challenging for younger beginners and those used to thin necks.

In summary, the Kremona Soloist S65C is an impressive nylon string guitar that will please serious students of classical guitar music.

Specifications

  • String Type: Nylon String
  • Body Shape: Classical
  • Top: Solid Red Cedar
  • Body: Wood binding and Rosette
  • Number of Frets: 19
  • Scale Length: 25.6"
  • Nut Width: 2.0"

Yamaha C40 MkII

93
GEARANK

93 out of 100. Incorporating 1900+ ratings and reviews.

Street Price: 

$150
Yamaha C40 MkII Classical Nylon String Guitar

Cons

  • No solid wood component
  • Not for non-classical players

Pros

  • Most popular beginner classical guitar
  • Time-tested build quality and reliability
  • Good clarity and balanced sound
  • Student-friendly playability

The Yamaha C40 MkII is a nylon-string guitar widely used by beginner and classical guitar students mainly because it is cheap and widely available and because of its quality-to-price ratio.

Nylon strings are significantly easier to fret than steel strings, making this guitar ideal for new players. However, it has a wide nut width following traditional classical guitar specs. This may be too wide for those used to slim profile neck acoustics.

Nylon strings are also dramatically different, with a warmer tonality than steel string acoustics.

I got the C40 back when taking formal classical guitar lessons, which has served me well for that purpose. It has good clarity, which is important for learning different techniques, and has balanced bass and treble.

On the other hand, the C40 is not a good fit for playing modern songs, let alone rock songs. While it can technically be used to play non-classical songs, they will sound different, so carefully consider your preferred style of music before getting this guitar. Switching to a nylon string guitar is an excellent way to make a familiar song sound fresh.

The Yamaha C40 is moderately impressive on paper, with no solid top or premium cosmetics. But it easily trumps others with its legacy and longevity. So many guitar players started/studied guitar on the C40. I, for one, can still play my over two decades old Yamaha C40, which still looks and plays well, albeit a bit battered because of use.

When I was taking classical guitar lessons, I used to carry it all over the city where I live, and I never had any serious issues with it.

I used to rank this as one of the best guitars for beginners - I even recommend it over popular beginner electric guitars.

But times have changed. These days, kids are more interested in modern musical styles that require steel strings. But if you are a guitar player who want to study classical guitar on a budget-friendly instrument, the Yamaha C40 is still your best option.

If you're aiming for a traditional classical guitar tone and playability at a modest price, then this is the best beginner guitar for you.

Features

  • String Type: Nylon String
  • Body Shape: Classical - a little smaller than a Grand Orchestra
  • Top: Laminated Spruce
  • Body: Meranti back & sides
  • Number of Frets: 18 - 12 open
  • Scale Length: 29.5625"
  • Nut Width: 2.0625"

Rating Source Highlights

Website Source *Rating Value
YouTube Mike Paradiso 94/100
YouTube 5 Minute Music 95/100
*Displayed values are prior to the Gearank Algorithm's adjustments it makes when evaluating the source.

Things to Consider When Buying a Beginner Acoustic Guitar

Perfect Fit

Like all musical instruments, acoustic guitars bring out the musician's distinct style. This is the reason why there is no one guitar to fit everyone perfectly. Instead, many different guitar designs cater to personal playing styles and expressions.

People will usually gravitate towards beginner guitars that are similar to what their favorite musicians use. So, the safest choice is to start on an instrument that looks and sounds familiar. But this is not a strict rule because some experts will advise beginners to learn non-familiar instruments like a nylon string guitar to expand their sonic and playing palette right at the start.

Things That Make Beginner Acoustic Guitars Easy (Or Hard) To Play

Playability is a critical factor to consider when getting beginner acoustic guitars. Below are the main factors that make a guitar easy or hard to play.

Action

Action is the distance between the strings and the fretboard. It's adjusted in most acoustic guitars by filing down or shimming the bridge saddle. The nut is sometimes filed down as well. Other factors affecting action include neck relief and fret height. If it's too high (above the fretboard), the strings are hard to press down. If it's too low (close to the fretboard), the strings will buzz when you play them. So, guitar manufacturers aim to set it at an average factory setting.

According to Martin & Co. guitars, the 12th fret action should have a maximum of 0.90" (2.8mm) for the low E string and 0.65″ for the high E string. As long as the string height is somewhere close to the measurements above, you shouldn't have too many issues. If it's significantly higher or low enough to cause buzzing, you will either want to get a set-up or buy a different guitar.

Nut Width

As previously mentioned, a guitar's nut is what the strings pass through before the fretboard starts. It's on the end closest to the tuning pegs and has six grooves for the strings to sit in.

Nuts come in different widths. Guitars with wider nuts have the strings spaced farther apart; the opposite is true for those with thinner nuts. The two most common nut widths are 1.69" and 1.75". Younger musicians, or those of you with smaller hands, may prefer something even thinner (though they won't necessarily need it!). Note that classical guitars usually have a wider nut width of about 2". In addition to nut width, neck shape is another factor to consider.

String Type

There are two main types of acoustic guitars: steel string and nylon string.

Steel strings, which are steel-plated with a bronze alloy, are more challenging to press down. Younger children (generally under 7) often struggle to push these strings down. This is the most familiar configuration widely used in most music styles. Note that how you change the strings of steel-stringed acousticsis slightly different from that of nylon guitars.

Nylon strings are made from a material that gives them a different sound and makes them significantly more straightforward to push down than steel strings. This is the most common choice for students who want to learn classical guitar music but is in no way limited to that, especially popular artists like Jason Mraz using them. Younger players find these strings much easier to press down.

Body Type

Acoustic guitars come in various body shapes and sizes, and the general idea is that bigger-bodied guitars have more volume and bottom end, making them sound fuller. Smaller-bodied guitars lack low end, emphasizing the mid and high frequencies, which works great with fingerstyle playing and other similar styles. Big-bodied guitars like the Dreadnought can be too big for smaller players, so guitars with compact bodies will be ideal. The type of finish on the body and neck also impacts playing feel and comfort. I prefer a satin finish, but it's not very good at protecting the wood. Speaking of protection, your guitar's body style and size will also dictate the gig bag or guitar case you'll need.

Here, we've ordered the most commonly found body styles in order of biggest to smallest:

  • Jumbo
  • Dreadnought
  • Slope-Shoulder Dreadnought
  • Grand Orchestra
  • 000
  • Classical
  • 00
  • Parlor

What is the Best Guitar for Short Fingers?

Most of the guitars featured here have a 1.69" nut width, which is a standard specification used by many guitar manufacturers. This width is good enough even for young players. Guitars with narrow nut widths and flat fingerboard radius are easier for those with short fingers. 3/4 size guitars and parlor guitars usually fall into this category. Classical guitars (and nylon string guitars in general) typically have wide nut widths at around 2", which may make fretting some chords harder for those with short fingers. But this does not mean that classical guitars are impossible because while it may be hard at first, the wider string spacing opens up the fretting hand better, improving stretching ability and strength. This is why I've taught many young guitarists on classical guitars, and other guitar teachers do the same.

Buying Advice on Acoustic-Electric Guitars

The simple addition of a compact piezo pickup and preamp system can turn your acoustic guitar into a stage-ready instrument. And this added function makes them the best deals to get for serious students of the instrument.

These days, many beginner acoustics come with pickups right out of the box. This is why we added a section featuring the best beginner acoustic-electric guitars so you can take your starter guitar with you on stage. Acoustic-electric guitars are highly recommended for fast learners and serious guitar students, so they won't have to buy another guitar for their performances when amplification is needed.

Big-name brands know this and have been offering student-friendly guitars like the Martin LX1E with built-in pickups.

What To Expect During Your First Few Weeks of Playing the Guitar

The first month of guitar playing is going to be the hardest. This is because when you start playing, you don't have any calluses, so playing your guitar for more than 15 or 20 minutes at a stretch will hurt the tips of your fingers. However, if you stick with it, you'll have a few good calluses built up when you've been playing for three or four months.

Your main concern should be overplaying. We know playing for long periods is tempting, especially when you first get your guitar. However, if you do this before you've built up the proper musculature, you can cause permanent damage to your body. So when you're just starting, take a 15-minute break for every 30 minutes you play. You can extend these times when you've been playing longer, though make an effort to stay within two hours in one sitting.

Which is better for beginners, Acoustic or Electric Guitar?

Both have their merits. The electric guitar has thinner strings that make it easier on the fretting hand. It is ideal for learning bending, slides, hammer-on, and other intermediate to advanced-level techniques. On the other hand, an acoustic guitar is perfect for learning basics like strumming and plucking.

The main reason I typically recommend acoustic is its accessible price. Acoustic guitars are usually cheaper and do not require extra amp expenses. This also makes it easier to grab and play.

Sometimes, I recommend an electric guitar, like when a student has already learned the basics of a borrowed instrument or strongly prefers an electric guitar.

Tips on Practicing

Everyone learns differently, so it's hard to suggest a one-size-fits-all approach to practicing the guitar. The most important thing to remember is that learning the guitar is a process. No one is awesome at playing an instrument when they first start. Most musicians struggle for a while before they start learning. So, even though it may be difficult, keep working on it.

Also, if you're not going to invest in guitar lessons, most musicians have a good experience with Hal Leonard's books. The company also publishes books on different styles for more advanced musicians. There are also a ton of great YouTubers creating lessons. All you have to do to find them is type "Beginner Guitar Lessons" in YouTube's search bar, and you'll find what you need to get started.

Advanced Topics

We wanted to include only a little additional information, as too much could confuse beginners and is optional for anyone just starting. However, if you'd like to read more advanced details on Tonewoods, Scale Lengths, or Acoustic-Electric Guitars, please read what to look for when buying an acoustic guitar. Another important consideration is dominant hand orientation. Look into the Left Handed vs Right Handed Guitar discussion.

Beginner Acoustic Guitar Selection Methodology

The first edition was published in 2017. The current edition was published on Dec 14, 2023.

All the Gearank.com staff and this guide's author play acoustic guitar, so the primary criterion for our selection of the best beginner acoustic guitars is that they should be relatively more straightforward to play. With that in mind, we created a list of good beginner guitars. It features guitar candidates with suitable nut widths, scale lengths, body types, and string types, which we know from experience will make learning to play as painless and enjoyable as possible. A good beginner guitar can help beginners get through the first few weeks of learning and practice.

For this edition, three main sections feature regular acoustic guitars, classical guitars, and acoustic-electric guitars. We've also increased the price range to $500 to account for market price changes. This still limits the list to budget-friendly options, but if you have extra dough, you can go for beginner acoustic guitars from premium brands like the Taylor Academy 10, Martin D Jr-10, and the like.

Only those available from major online music gear retailers in the USA are included. If you'd like to know how the Gearank scores out of 100 were calculated, please read How Gearank Works.

Further Advice

If after reading this guide you still have some questions about buying your first guitar, please feel free to post questions in the comments section below and we'll help you out.

About the Author and Contributors

Here are the key people and sources involved in this guide's production - click on linked names for information about their music industry backgrounds.

Lead Author & Researcher

Alexander BrionesAlexander Briones

I have been writing about and researching music gear for many years, all while serving as a music director at my local church. I engage in guitar playing and singer-songwriter stints, in addition to mentoring young musicians and teaching guitar and bass.

My first acoustic guitar was an Ovation knock-off that had ridiculously high unplayable action. It was not until a few years later when I was given a Yamaha C40 that I actually started enjoying playing. After having gone through this frustration, I've made it my personal mission to prevent other students from suffering the same fate.

Contributors

Alden Acosta and Jerry Borillo: Product research.
Mason Hoberg: Supplemental writing.
Jason Horton: Editing and Illustrating.

Media

Main/Top Image: based on a stock photograph in the public domain.

The videos have been embedded in accordance with YouTube's Terms of Service.

Image Credit: The individual product images were sourced from their respective manufacturers' websites, promotional materials or supporting documentation.

Comments

Thank you, this really helped

Thank you, this really helped a lot. My son wants to start playing and I had no idea where to start. I now feel Confident that I will be making the right purchase for him. Now all I need is ear plugs ???

I am learning to play guitar

I am learning to play guitar and the only chord I am having trouble with is C. Having short large fingers means that the G string does not ring clear. Should I look for a guitar with a larger nut or switch to Nylon. Both have been recommended to me by guitar players.

Larger nut widths, which is

Larger nut widths, which is what nylon string guitars tend to have, are easier to play with thicker fingers, so I agree with the advice you have received.

Maybe you could go into a large guitar shop and try a few different options to see what feels best for you.

I am also a senior person

I am also a senior person considering learning how to play the guitar for the first time. There is a small music store in my neighborhood that I am planning on purchasing my guitar. The store only carries two companies and Teton Guitars is the larger of the two. My question is do you recommend Teton Guitars? How do they compare to the companies/models you recommend for beginners. The model suggested by the store is STS10NT. What do you think of this model? Thanks for any recommendations you may have.

Teton is a brand that isn't

Teton is a brand that isn't sold by any of the major online music gear stores so they don't feature very prominently in our research.

The handful of ratings and reviews I've seen for the brand are good, but we have no rating data on the model you asked about.

Our recommendations are the ones you see listed above for beginner guitars.

I recently purchased an

I recently purchased an Ibanez SGT130 for my husband for his birthday. How does that compare to the Ibanez AW54 listed above?

I am a singer and want to

I am a singer and want to learn guitar. I want to sing solos with my guitar do you suggest the Yamaha FS830 or FS800. i know there's a cost difference, but i prefer to have the better sound for solo. R&B, Soul, Gospel.

The main difference between

The main difference between the two models you mentioned is the wood used for the back and sides, which is laminate okoume for the FS800, and laminate rosewood for the FS830.

While laminate rosewood will definitely look better, the difference in tone between these two laminate wood is not going to be enough to justify the price increase. And with the FS800 having substantially higher ratings, market response seems to agree with my opinion.

So, if forced to choose between the two, I'd go for the FS800.

Interesting question!

Interesting question!

We haven't created one, but we do list the nut widths of all the guitars above under Specifications in their individual descriptions.

Hi. A senior beginner here.

Hi. A senior beginner here. I appreciate your advice on guitars for beginners. I am considering some steel-string acoustics from Yamaha, specifically the FS800 series(Concert body type) and The Yamaha FG800 series (Dreadnought body type). I have also come across the Epiphone Hummingbird Artist acoustic, and am interested in that as well. Just wondering if you would have any thoughts on any or all of the above. Thanks very much for your time. Matt

The Yamaha FG800's edge is

The Yamaha FG800's edge is its solid spruce top, while the Epiphone Hummingbird's advantage is its aesthetic appeal. Note that we don't have data for the FS800, but being from Yamaha, I wouldn't be surprised to find it doing just as well.

Although outside the scope of this guide, the guitars you mentioned are reasonably priced and similarly rated. So it'll mostly boil down to your preference: either you want to go for a solid top with conventional appearance, or a premium looking guitar with laminate top.