There’s no denying the intricate craftsmanship and sound of luxurious acoustic guitars. But with the best acoustic guitar under 1000, you can get close to what these expensive models offer.
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Acoustic Guitar Guides
The $500 to $1,000 price range is where you can find accessibly priced acoustics with superb build quality and premium tonewoods. They won’t have high-end aesthetic features, but they give you similar playability and tone, which means excellent value for your money. They make for a great entryway into the world of premium acoustic guitars.
Here, we feature the best acoustic guitars under $1000, narrowed down to the cream of the crop. As we usually do here at Gearank, our recommendations are based on our decades of experience and our analysis of actual reviews, ratings, discussions, and recommendations from users and experts.
Note: These guitars are pure acoustics without pickups. If you’re looking for a guitar you can plug in, see our Acoustic-Electric Guitar Guide. Otherwise, you can add your own aftermarket Acoustic Guitar Pickups later if you want to.
The Best Acoustic Guitar Under 1000 – Your Options
| Gearank* | SRC* | Check Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Guild DS-240 Memoir | 96 | 90+ | |
|
Seagull S6 Original | 94 | 700+ | |
|
Taylor Academy 10 | 98 | 125+ | |
|
Guild OM-120 | 93 | 60+ | |
|
Taylor Academy 12 | 96 | 70+ | |
|
Guild D-140 | 94 | 60+ |
Author & Contributors
Alexander 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.
Guild DS-240 Memoir
Cons
- Not for fans of trebly sounding acoustics
Pros
- Clear sound with woody overtones sustain
- Warm and balanced tone
- It does bends and bluesy stuff with ease
The Guild DS-240 Memoir is part of Guild's vintage-inspired acoustic series. It is a masterfully crafted instrument that retains vintage aesthetics while using modern production methods for better consistency. And it does all this while keeping a price under $1000.
Featuring a solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides, this guitar delivers a rich, resonant tone with excellent projection and clarity. It has a nice warm tonality without the excessive top-end "zing" of modern acoustics.
Its classic woody tone matches its round shoulder dreadnought body shape, resulting in a genuine, high-quality retro vibe. The volume and low-end response are noticeably better than many similarly priced instruments.
The guitar's comfortable C-shaped neck and 20-fret fingerboard ensure smooth playability, while the Nubone nut and saddle contribute to its impeccable intonation and sustain. Vintage-style die-cast tuners provide precise tuning and stability, and the sunburst finish wraps up its classic visual appeal.
In summary, the Guild DS-240 Memoir combines timeless design with modern craftsmanship. It's an excellent guitar with good playability and a warm, balanced sound.
The acoustic-electric guitar alternative to this model is the Guild D-240E.
Specifications
- Body Shape: Slope Shoulder Dreadnought
- Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
- Back and Sides: Laminated Mahogany
- Finish: Vintage Sunburst Gloss
- Bridge: Pau Ferro
- Neck: Mahogany
- Neck Profile: C Shape
- Fingerboard: Pau Ferro
- Fingerboard Radius: 16”
- Number of Frets: 20
- Frets to Body: 14
- Scale Length: 24.75”
- Nut Width: 1.6875″
Seagull S6 Original 046386
Cons
- Wide nutwidth can be an issue for some.
- I'm not a fan of its narrow headstock aesthetic
Pros
- Consistently good workmanship
- The wider spacing between the strings allows for easier fingerpicking
- Good sustain and rich sound
- Great value for the money
Canada-made Seagull Acoustics is well-loved for its quality, as evidenced by the many high ratings it continues to receive in reviews. The S6 Original 046386 is currently their best-rated guitar in this price range, bringing Seagull's brand of playability and build quality at a very accessible price point.
At the core of this guitar is a solid cedar top, which, together with Seagull's modified Dreadnought Guitar profile, results in good acoustic projection and clarity. The company also ensures tonewood quality and structural stability by pressure testing the tops.
Like other Seagull guitars, this guitar features wild cherry back and sides, which help give the instrument a distinctly balanced Seagull tone.
The neck is crafted from silver leaf maple and topped by a rosewood fingerboard. It features Seagull's distinct narrow headstock shape, which better aligns the strings with the tuners for more stable tuning.
It also features a compensated saddle and nut made from composite material TUSQ, known for improved sustain.
With its high ratings and reasonable price point, the Seagull S6 Original is easy to recommend, especially for those who prefer wider-neck guitars.
A pickup equipped version called S6 Original Presys II is also available if you want a stage ready instrument.
Specifications:
- Body Shape: Modified Dreadnought
- Top: Solid Cedar
- Back and Sides: Wild Cherry
- Finish: Semi-Gloss Natural
- Bridge: Rosewood
- Neck: Silver Leaf Maple
- Neck Profile: Not Specified
- Fingerboard: Rosewood
- Fingerboard Radius: Not Specified
- Number of Frets: 21
- Frets to Body: 14
- Scale Length: 25.5"
- Nut Width: 1.8"
Taylor Academy 10 Dreadnought
Cons
- The smaller body means less projection and bass
- Can feel a bit awkward at first
Pros
- Impreccable attention to detail
- Neck profile, short scale length, and fret spacing makes it easy to play
- Comfortable beveled arm rest
- Sounds very balanced and much bigger than its 7/8 size
- Great beginner guitar
The Academy 10 is a short-scale dreadnought-style guitar from popular acoustic guitar manufacturer Taylor.
It is part of their entry level Academy line of acoustics, which makes Taylor's brand of attention to detail and build quality more accessible. It is also a great entry way into the world of Taylor guitars.
For the price, this Taylor guitar comes with a solid spruce top, paired with layered sapele for the back and sides.
Its most distinct feature is its beveled armrest, a feature found in more expensive models. This feature makes for a more comfortable playing experience, and since your arm does not need to rest too much on the guitar top, it also helps with the guitar's resonance and responsiveness.
Other features include having a maple neck with a 20-fret ebony fingerboard, Nubone nut, and Micarta saddle.
Note that among the best acoustic guitars for under 1000, this one has a shorter scale length of 24.8" and a nutwidth of 1.6875".
If playability and build quality rank high in your book, check out the Taylor Academy 10.
If you're looking for a stage ready mini-dreadnought then checkout the Taylor Academy 10e.
Specifications:
- Body Shape: Academy Dreadnought
- Top: Solid Spruce
- Back and Sides: Layered Sapele
- Finish: Varnish Natural
- Bridge: Ebony
- Neck: Maple
- Neck Profile: Slim Profile
- Fingerboard: Ebony
- Fingerboard Radius: 15"
- Number of Frets: 20
- Frets to Body: 14
- Scale Length: 24.8"
- Nut Width: 1.6875"
Guild OM-120 Orchestra
Cons
- Some parts, like the bridge pins, are still made of plastic
- Does not have the boominess of a dreadnought
Pros
- Neck is thin and smooth, easy on the fretting hand
- Visually stunning guitar -- with elegant mother-of-pearl detailing
- Clear and cutting mid-range
- Excellent build quality
The OM-120 Orchestra showcases how Guild pays exquisite attention to detail on every part of the instrument—from its very playable flattened C profile neck to its nicely tensioned 25.5" scale length, which adds a little sparkle to its warm mahogany tone.
The OM-120's all-solid mahogany construction gives it a warm sound that seriously impresses most guitarists who play it. Acoustic Life TV said it has "wonderful warmth and great punch but also this very seasoned woody bass sound." You can see his full review in the video below.
The Guild OM-120's tone and playing feel have been getting a lot of love; some even compare it favorably to the much more expensive Martin guitars, like the mahogany Martin 000-15M.
It's a traditional guitar that works great for rhythm, folk, worship, blues, rock, and fingerstyle. And this all mahogany guitar works great when employed on stage or in the studio.
This is the best acoustic under 1000 'all-around' option that you can use for most musical and playing styles.
The Guild OM-140CE is the closest acoustic-electric guitar version, with a similar body but with a cutaway design for easier upper fret access.
Specifications:
- Body Shape: Mid-sized Orchestra
- Top: Solid African Mahogany
- Back and Sides: Solid African Mahogany
- Finish: Gloss Polyurethane Natural
- Bridge: Indian Rosewood
- Neck: Mahogany
- Neck Profile: C Shape
- Fingerboard: Indian Rosewood
- Fingerboard Radius: 16"
- Number of Frets: 20
- Frets to Body: 14
- Scale Length: 25.5"
- Nut Width: 1.75"
Taylor Academy 12 Grand Concert
Cons
- Streamlined aesthetics
- Not a regular size guitar
Pros
- Precisely constructed and acoustically efficient
- Surprisingly loud and resonant for its size.
- A good example of Taylor's impeccable build quality
- Smaller size and arm rest bevel makes playing comfortable
Taylor Guitars is well known for high-quality acoustics, and this same quality is found in the accessibly priced Academy 12 guitar.
This is part of Taylor's entry-level Academy line. It has a Grand Concert-style body and a beveled armrest. The armrest allows for a more comfortable playing position and reduces unnecessary contact with the guitar top, improving its resonance.
Speaking of the top, this guitar has a solid spruce top supported by layered Sapele back and sides. Together, they form its Grand Concert body shape, known for its articulate tone that works nicely with fingerstyle players.
Other features include a slim profile maple neck, ebony bridge and fingerboard, Nubone nut, and Micarta saddle.
Its main strength is its beginner-friendly playability. Lucky starts out with this quality guitar. It is also a great primer for those who want to dive into the world of expensive acoustic guitars.
Given its shorter scale length and smaller body size, projection and bass are expected to be lacking. But it is a great guitar for practice and developing your guitar skills.
If you're looking for a premium-quality yet affordable acoustic guitar or grab-and-go beater, check this out. This model is also available in acoustic-electric configuration, called the Taylor Academy 12e.
Specifications:
- Body Shape: Academy Grand Concert
- Top: Solid Spruce
- Back and Sides: Layered Sapele
- Finish: Varnish Natural
- Bridge: Ebony
- Neck: Maple
- Neck Profile: Slim Profile
- Fingerboard: Ebony
- Fingerboard Radius: 15"
- Number of Frets: 20
- Frets to Body: 14
- Scale Length: 24.8"
- Nut Width: 1.6875"
Guild Westerly Collection D-140
Cons
- Bulky as expected of a dreadnought
Pros
- All solid wood construction
- Impressive projection and resonance
- Great value for the money
- The included padded gig bag is really nice with a very premium feel
Cordoba's acquisition of Guild may have been good for its acoustic line; an example is the Guild Westerly Collection D-140, which is well-received for its great specs and build quality.
With its solid Sitka spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides, this guitar can compete with more expensive acoustics. Its all-solid wood design is quite special in this price range.
The premium tonewoods used are shaped into the familiar dreadnought form, so you're getting an all-solid wood dreadnought at a more accessible price point. The top also features scalloped Sitka spruce bracing for improved resonance.
The D-140 has good projection and a traditional-sounding low-end. Its tone matches its overall traditional acoustic vibe.
It has a mahogany c-profile neck with a rosewood fingerboard, a 25.5" scale length, 1.75" nut width, and a 16" radius. Other features include a bone nut and saddle and vintage-style open gear tuners.
Thanks to the Guild Westerly Collection D-140, you can now have a premium-looking traditional all-solid wood dreadnought that's great for Recording Acoustic Guitar - at a very accessible price.
If you're looking for a traditional dreadnought guitar, then this is the best acoustic guitar under $1000 to get.
If you want a cutaway dreadnought with built-in pickup, then go for its sibling, the Guild D-140CE.
Specifications:
- Body Shape: Dreadnought
- Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
- Back and Sides: Solid Mahogany
- Finish: Gloss Polyurethane Antique Burst
- Bridge: Rosewood
- Neck: African Mahogany
- Neck Profile: C Shape
- Fingerboard: Rosewood
- Fingerboard Radius: 16"
- Number of Frets: 20
- Frets to Body: 14
- Scale Length: 25.5"
- Nut Width: 1.75"
Things to Consider When Buying a Mid-tier Acoustic Guitar
Most people buying guitars in this price range already have a pretty good understanding of the topics below so we'll keep this relatively short and sweet. If you'd like further information then please refer to our Tips for Acoustic Guitar Buyers.
- This is a topic where a myriad of opinions abound, but the consensus is that great acoustic guitars have solid wood construction. Solid wood result in better tone and projection - particularly when at least used for the top wood.
The vast majority of good guitars in the $500 to $1000 price range have solid tops, and many also have the rest of the body made from solids, although this drives up the instrument's cost.
Here are some of the most commonly used tonewoods in this price range:
-
Spruce
It is one of the most popular tonewoods for the top of an acoustic guitar and is generally considered to have an 'all-round' tone without being overly bright tone, warm, or bassy. Generally speaking, a spruce top guitar sounds clear and has good resonance. Spruce goes well with most other types of wood that may be used on the rest of the guitar.
-
Mahogany
Mahogany is a dense wood that lends itself to a warm tone that projects very well. It was traditionally used mainly on the back and sides of a guitar; however, in the last few years, it has become a very popular wood used to build an entire guitar - in fact, many all-mahogany guitars are now rated more highly than their traditional counterparts.
-
Rosewood
Rosewood offers a lot of warmth and complex overtones. It's usually found on the back and sides or fingerboard and is said to round out the overall tone of Spruce-topped guitars. It's also an expensive tonewood used sparingly on less costly models, so don't expect inexpensive guitars to have this feature. You won't even find solid rosewood among the best acoustic guitars under 1000 dollars. Still, many consider solid rosewood back and sides to be a great option for getting a great sound - more natural and alive.
Although specific woods have their characteristics much also depends on how they're used in building a guitar - if you'd like to dive deeper into this topic then you might like to read a luthier's opinion: Tapping Tonewoods by Dana Bourgeois.
Also note that some manufacturers use alternative tonewoods that have similar characteristics with the ones mentioned above but are cheaper or more readily available. While these alternative tonewoods don't perfectly sound like the traditional ones mentioned above, they do get the job done and are becoming ever more popular especially in the lower price ranges.
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- Generally smaller bodies such as Concert guitars will emphasize the mids and higher frequencies and are often preferred by fingerstyle players. At the other end of the spectrum Jumbo body guitars resonate the lower bass frequencies much better and are preferred by those who play a loud strumming style.
In between you have the Grand Auditorium which combines the tonal characteristics of small and large bodied guitars. The most popular shape is still the Dreadnought, which is nice and loud and produces a good balance of high and low frequencies with enough note definition for playing melodies with a pick. For those who want a compact acoustic guitar, you can look into parlor guitar models, with their small bodies.
When choosing the shape of your new acoustic guitar, you have to consider your playing style, tone preference, and playing comfort.
- Guitars with a low action allow for easier barre chords and faster runs, which include the use of playing techniques such as tapping on the fretboard and hammering on/off. Beginners and those transitioning from electric guitars generally find a lower action easier to play. A higher Guitar Action on the other hand lends itself a bit better to loud strumming styles of play where fret buzz would be a concern if the action was too low. Unfortunately guitar manufacturers typically don't provide string height as one of their specifications and the actual height tends to vary between individual guitars and batches so if you don't like the setup your guitar has when it arrives you either have to get a guitar technician to adjust it for you, or do it yourself. For advice on setting up your guitar see this guide from Guitar Player. Having good string action out-of-the-box requires more hands-on quality checking, so don't expect this from a cheap guitar.
- The nut width determines the spacing between the stings at the head end of the neck. Larger nut widths will suit players who are used to it, for example anyone transitioning from classical style guitars, or those who have larger fingers. Players with small fingers or those transitioning from electric guitar will find smaller nut widths easier to play.
- This is essentially the distance measured between the saddle and the nut, or more accurately described as double the distance from the nut to the 12th fret plus some "compensation" added by the position of the saddle. A longer scale length requires higher tension in the strings and results in a brighter tone. A more detailed explanation with examples is presented quite well by Stewart MacDonald and a good description of the implications of different scale lengths can be found at Guitar Player.
- Some guitars don't come with a strap button on the neck side, or they don't come with any at all. There are special types of guitar straps and strap adapters made specifically for this purpose and we detail those in our guide to guitar straps. You also have the option of buying strap buttons and installing them yourself, but you might not want to alter your guitar if you're not confident in doing in properly - you also don't want to drop a $1000 guitar because you incorrectly installed a $1 strap button.
- Once you start spending larger amounts buying a quality acoustic guitar, it becomes very important to look after your instrument properly. Here are some of the things you ought to consider to prolong the life and tone of your investment.
- Cleaning: Always wipe down your strings after playing as this will help to preserve their tone and make them last longer. Sweat from your fingers will also eventually gunk up the frets, so from time to time you'll need to take the strings off and give the fretboard a good clean.
- Secure Your Guitar: When not in use either store your guitar in a case or gig bag or on a guitar stand or rack to prevent it from being knocked over accidentally. Also consider using a guitar strap, even when playing seated, to reduce the risk of dropping.
- Protect The Woods: If you live in a place where you have extremes of weather, temperature or humidity then you run the risk of the woods cracking as they expand and contract with environmental changes. You can prevent this by using guitar humidifiers and/or guitar case hygrometers.
Guitar Tonewoods
Shape and Size
Action / String Height
Nut Width
Scale Length
Strap Buttons
How to Take Care of Your Acoustic Guitars
Best Acoustic Guitar Under 1000 Selection Methodology
The first edition was published in 2020. The current edition was published on June 25, 2024
To find the best acoustic guitar under 1000 dollars, we looked at 6-string steel string acoustic guitars that don't have built-in pickups. This is an important distinction that separates a traditional acoustic guitar from those that come with built-in electronics. As such, we did not feature acoustic-electric guitar models in this guide.
To ensure that you can readily buy them, we only feature the top rated acoustic guitars under 1000 which are available from major retailers in the USA. We undertook an extensive survey of acoustic guitars among the different guitar brands, priced between $500 and $1000. We ended up with 25 models being placed on our short-list for closer examination.
We then gathered and analyzed relevant information from over 1100 guitarist reviews, ratings and online discussions. All these were then processed using the Gearank Algorithm to produce the rating scores out of 100 you see above. We selected the highest rated options to recommend.
Here are the types of acoustic guitars not considered for this guide included: Acoustic-Electric, Classical / Nylon String and Travel Guitars.
For more information about our methods see How Gearank Works.
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 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.
Drawing from his experience in performing and recording, he teaches guitar and bass and mentors young artists to be better musicians. And when he is not busy playing or tinkering with musical gear, he puts on his entrepreneurial hat, which helps fund his passion for collecting guitars, mecha figures and Gunpla kits.
Contributors
Jerry Borillo: Product research.
Alden Acosta: Product research.
Jason Horton: Supplemental writing, Editing and Illustrating.
Media
Main/Top Image: by Gearank.com using photographs of the Blueridge BR-70, Seagull S6 Original, Guild OM-120, Taylor Academy 12 and Guild D-140.
The videos have been embedded in accordance with YouTube's Terms of Service.
The individual product images were sourced from their respective manufacturers' websites, promotional materials or supporting documentation.
Related Guides
Publication of our August 2021 Edition resulted in the following guitars coming off the recommended list above, but you can still read our analysis of them:
As a result of our September 2020 update the following guitar came off the recommended list above, but you can still see our analysis of it: