Acoustic Guitar reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 406 Reddit reviews across 19 subreddits and 71 posts to rank the best Acoustic Guitar brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/AcousticGuitar, r/Guitar, r/guitars, r/guitarlessons, r/GuitarQuestions. Top-rated brands include Yamaha (4.5/5), Taylor (4.7/5), Eastman (4.3/5).
Stats
Reviews406
Subreddits19
Posts71
Brands48
Products55
406 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Yamaha
4.5
(153)
"Stick with Yamaha for entry level guitars. The consistency and value for money are unparalleled."
"The value from Yamaha is incredible"
"The Yamaha fg3 is also an all solid wood guitar. The top is torrified Sitka spruce. Basically really high end woods for a killer price."
"I love my Taylor, but my Yamaha was SOOOOO consistent."
"They are the most incredible guitars made with the most incredible woods."
"Plays fantastic, sounds super balanced and the electronics in it are amazing."
"Been using a 350$ yamaha for years and its still my favorite."
"Yamaha makes great low end acoustics!"
"I trust Yamaha for anything acoustic at any price range."
"Perfect price to performance ratio in my mind has always been Yamaha, second has been Takamine."
#2
Taylor
4.7
(42)
"I love mine, and the Taylor electronics are hard to beat IMO."
"I’d recommend a Taylor GS Mini on the used market."
"Can't go wrong with Taylor or Martin."
"I have both a GS Mini and and Academy series and they are both great."
"I love my GS Mini. I play it more than my Martins for a variety of reasons."
"Taylor 214CE"
"It sounds great, and fits anywhere."
"Super portable, great for playing on the couch."
"Baby or mini Taylor. The sound is incredible for the size."
"$500 range can get you a used Taylor with ES system."
#3
Eastman
4.3
(21)
"Eastman!!!!"
"Second the Eastman rec. I have had my E1D-SP for about a year and love it. About $800 new and solid wood."
"Check out a used Eastman. They super high quality, made in China guitars. Basically, they knock off Martin for about 50% less."
"Eastman E1D is an all solid wood dreanaught. Hand crafted in china"
"Eastman has some awesome solid wood guitars in a few different body styles around this price point!"
"Eastman makes some very nice Martin-clones."
"If you can stretch your budget a bit further I'd recommend an Eastman E1OM."
"Used Eastman e6 or e8 series. Older ones still have the nitro finish which imho really makes a difference."
"Used all-solid Eastman."
"Definitely go with something from eastman’s pch series."
#4
Martin
4.2
(20)
"Martin D-41."
"Martin all day for me.."
"I play a lot of finger style, I love my Martin."
"Either brand is great; I own a few of each."
"I think you’ll have to figure that out on your own, BUT if it were me, Martin all day long."
"D18 all the way!"
"I love them for everything. Especially fingerpicking, the best part about a Martin is it gets better the older it gets."
"Hey a used Martin D15M or Sigma D15. It will play and sound phenomenal."
"For the price I love it."
"I'd look for a Little Martin or Baby Taylor, perhaps used if needed to fit your budget."
#5
Seagull
4.4
(18)
"Seagull s6… for the $$$ can beat it"
"Big fan of Seagull, they can be a little expensive but for the quality you get they're really top notch."
"I just bought a Seagull yesterday and I'm over the moon about it."
"I love my Seagull. Still one of my go to guitars."
"Take a look at the Seagull line."
"Really loved my Seagull S6 as a starter guitar."
"Seagull"
"If you had the money I cannot say enough good things about the Seagull S6."
"The quality of the Seagull S6 is dead on."
"Seagulls or Godins fly wayyyyyunser the radar."
#6
Orangewood
4.5
(12)
"Orangewood make fantastic acoustic guitars at affordable prices!"
"Check out Orangewood guitars."
"I have an orangewood oliver. It's a perfect starter guitar."
"Orangewood has got to be the best value guitar period."
"Get an Oliver by Orangewood"
"I hear people love Orangewood Guitars."
"Have 2 Orangewoods - ridiculously inexpensive. Especially when they run their Almost New/Open Box ! Very nice guitars."
"Orangewood has outstanding quality control. That's where I'd go if I needed a decent work horse acoustic."
"For low end money wise Orangewood."
"The best beginner guitars for the money, by far, are Orangewood."
#7
Takamine
4.5
(11)
"Consider a Takamine G series or Pro Series. Nobody does better factory electronics."
"I walked out with a Takamine, and I don’t regret it for a second."
"Takamine has the best acoustic guitars on the market imo."
"I have a Takamine that has a neck like an electric. It’s sweet."
"I’ve been very happy with my Takamine."
"I just got this Takamine last week on sale for almost 12k.. it's really nice."
"Look at Takamine."
"If you're in a heavy music area maybe look for a lawsuit era Takamine."
"My go to on stage...Takamine."
"My first was a Takimine g series spent $350usd."
#8
Fender
4.2
(10)
"I have found that the cheap fender acoustics fit the bill. I love it."
"My primary guitar is an 18-year old Fender T-Bucket 400ce and it plays great, sounds great, holds a tune, and has a super thin neck."
"Fender Redondo. I just got one and I love it."
"I went with the Fender Redondo and it was only 139.99USD. I think it's a great deal."
"Fender makes acoustics with great playability and comfortable necks."
"Fender Cx-60 S models also have very easy to play and thinnish necks, a little cheaper than the Yamahas."
"They often have a fender or Washburn package that is extremely well priced."
"There are a lot of great options for a beginner. Fender, Yamaha, Epiphone, Ibanez, Washburn."
"Fender acoustics easiest to play imo, great for beginner to learn on."
"Fender and Yamaha make superior budget acoustics by comparison."
#9
Alvarez
4.0
(10)
"Go play a 700-1000 Alvarez. I’d bet money your blown away."
"Alvarez"
"Alvarez guitars (new and used) tend to punch above their weight class."
"I got a new Alvarez 2 weeks ago for right around 220 with bag and all. Seems decent enough for a beginner like me."
"I have one near me I got an ancient Alvarez from that I love."
"I have two Alvarez and one Seagull. Both were great value for the money."
"Alvarez. I have a cheap alvarez that I've been playing for over 10 years."
"I'd look for an Alvarez. You can usually find an entry level one in the $150 + range."
"Ibanez, Yamaha, Alvarez, Recording King, Gretsch, or Epiphone would probably all be good."
"Alvarez. Honestly most everyone will give you an opinion."
#10
Breedlove
4.2
(9)
"Breedlove – often overlooked, but amazing clarity and playability."
"Love Breedlove. Check it out. Reasonably priced, very good quality."
"I would personally buy an Breedlove over either a Taylor or a Martin."
"Is another good option."
"Breedlove, Yamaha, Alvarez, Recording King, Guild, Sigma, and Seagull are all good choices for a budget."
"Check reverb for Breedlove, they are a great value and wonderful for fingerstyle."
"Can't you get a nice Canadian in that price range?"
"Breedlove has some really, really good stuff in the ~$500 range."
"I know breedlove and other companies make concert size, or just smaller size acoustics, but to my knowledge you'd end up paying closer to $500 or $600 for that kind of thing."
#11
Fishman
5.0
(7)
"I also dig Fishman. Been hauling one around in my trunk to gigs for 10 years, at least."
"Fishman Loudbox Mini or Bose S1 Pro."
"Fishman, can’t go wrong generally speaking."
"If you want the best cheaper acoustic amp, stick with fishman."
"I love the sound of my Fishman loudbox mini."
"Never heard a fishman I didn’t like."
"Fishman for sure"
#12
Gretsch
4.1
(7)
"Gretch Jim Dandy comes in various sizes and the price is incredible for what you get."
"Also look at the Gretsch Jim Dandy series."
"Gretsch Jim Dandy is a good choice. It's a flattop so the sound is good."
"If you are just playing at home, try a Gretsch Jim Dandy. They are cheap and really fun to play."
"Ibanez, Yamaha, Alvarez, Recording King, Gretsch, or Epiphone would probably all be good."
#13
Ibanez
4.0
(7)
"Ibanez, Epiphone, or Yamaha. Consider whether you want a cutaway."
"The first acoustic I ever borrowed from the library was an Ibanez. Real nice guitar."
"Ibanez is the best option."
"Ibanez acoustic guitars are great."
"Ibanez has some good solid-top guitars in that price range."
"Expect to pay ~$300 for a decent acoustic guitar from Ibanez."
"Ibanez, Yamaha, Alvarez, Recording King, Gretsch, or Epiphone would probably all be good."
#14
Harley Benton
3.7
(7)
"You will very likely get an instrument that is as good as the other brands, possibly better."
"Thomann has great and affordable guitars under the brand Harley Benton, their own guitar brand."
"The best cheap guitars are the Harley Benton, check them at https://www.thomann.pt/"
"Take a look at Harley Benton."
"They sound great for the price."
"Harley Benton have some decent value, but maybe I can still get better quality from a starter Cort or Fender."
"I'd maybe try the most expensive Harley Benton acoustic I could afford."
#15
Washburn
4.0
(5)
"For that pricepoint i recommend checking out Washburn Guitars on Yupangco. It is currently on sale plus you have the option to select if Acoustic/Electric"
"Washburn do great dreadnoughts around that sort of price"
"Yamaha or Washburn."
"Would be a good beginner guitar."
"Washburn makes some nice $350~ guitars. I think that is the range you need to be in to start seeing quality."
#16
Martin D28
5.0
(4)
"You must try these all first hand."
"D28 or J45"
"Buy a new Martin D28 (2025) and don't look back."
"The Martin D28."
#17
Epiphone
4.3
(4)
"Also look up and try Epiphone Hummingbird Pro."
"Just make sure you check it at the store for quality/setup issues."
"Epiphone has some inexpensive acoustic guitars that play like an electric."
"Ibanez, Yamaha, Alvarez, Recording King, Gretsch, or Epiphone would probably all be good."
#18
Blueridge
4.0
(4)
"I have a cheap Blueridge that I prefer to my D-28."
"I really like my Blueridge acoustic... it plays well and isnt super expensive."
"Look at Blueridge, by Saga Music."
"Blueridge and Recording King guitars are pretty great bang for buck."
#19
Martin D18
5.0
(3)
"Pretty much any other Martin."
"A Martin D-18 or a Martin D-28."
"I have 2 old Martin D18's and was surprised how good a FG830 sounds."
#20
Guild
3.8
(4)
"Guild D-120"
"Makes some really nice 300-500 dollar acoustics."
"Depending on your budget, Guild makes great guitars in the $450-$700 range."
"Guild's"
#21
Taylor GS Mini
4.7
(3)
"Used Taylor GS Mini for quality."
"If you have a bit more $$ go for a Taylor GS Mini for $500."
"GS mini if you are just starting out."
#22
Martin X series
4.3
(3)
"Martin X Series – durable and warm-sounding"
"Martin X-series. Great Martin Tone, very playable for less than $700"
"Big fan of Martin’s x series"
#23
Ovation
4.0
(3)
"OVATION…..OVATION……standing or sitting it’s always an OVATION!!"
"I like Ovation in that price range."
"I am a big fan of Ovations. They are inexpensive, sound good, look good."
#24
Gibson J45
5.0
(2)
"J-45 is my favorite larger guitar."
"I really like mahogany guitars for that kind of music. J45/D18/D15, 00-18 or an OM would be my go to."
#25
Taylor Academy
5.0
(2)
"I recommend taylor academy to people. They hold a bit of their value. If you take care of it, you've rented it for a couple of hundred dollars and you can move on to the next level when it's time."
"Taylor makes academy level guitars that are perfect for a beginner."
#26
Tanglewood
5.0
(2)
"Tanglewood make good quality and affordable guitars."
"Tanglewood are excellent."
#27
Emerald
4.5
(2)
"Look at Klos, Emerald, and McPherson carbon fiber guitars."
"I’d go carbon fibre in that situation - Emerald are great."
#28
Oscar Schmidt
4.5
(2)
"Yamaha makes famously good starter guitars. I also found a new brand recently at a local shop... called Oscar Schmidt."
"Oscar Schmidt is a good option for either."
#29
B Sharp
4.5
(2)
"100% B Sharp."
"Check out B Sharp. They're pretty good."
#30
Art & Lutherie
4.5
(2)
"Art & Lutherie sounds like what you're in the market for. I've had mine for seven or eight years, and it's held up great."
"There are a few Canadian brands that punch above their weight and can also be found used. Art & Lutherie is another one."
#31
Newporter
4.5
(2)
"I got a Newporter to busk with, and it’s become my main player for gigs."
"Newporter or Redondo if you are considering the Malibu?"
#32
Guitar
4.5
(2)
"I recommend going to spain and go to a big guitar Shop and test different guitars."
"1k-3k is the decent price for a beginner guitar."
#33
Takamine G Series
4.5
(2)
"Takamine G series. Bulletproof and sound great."
"Takamine G series."
#34
Recording King
4.0
(2)
"Recording king!"
"Ibanez, Yamaha, Alvarez, Recording King, Gretsch, or Epiphone would probably all be good."
#35
Cort
4.0
(2)
"I'd go Cort before the Fender."
"Cort are inexpensive, Gretsch Jim dandy are keepers."
#36
Malibu
4.0
(2)
"If your budget is 500 before the discount, i'd go with the malibu player."
"I really enjoy the Malibu Player. It's small so it isn't very loud, but that's a good thing for me."
#37
RJ
4.0
(2)
"50% off pag a few hours until closing."
"May mura doon."
#38
Gibson Advanced Jumbo
5.0
(1)
"Gibson Advanced Jumbo is a cannon."
#39
Godin
5.0
(1)
"It punches far above its price."
#40
Hex
5.0
(1)
"Kasto full sound suninchha, yo guitar bajayera sunesi chai aru sathi haruko mid ra."
#41
Larrivee
4.0
(1)
"I thought the Larrivee was better and lower priced."
#42
Yamaha Academy series
4.0
(1)
"Or an academy series if you have the money they’re comfortable to play"
#43
Yamaha FS800
4.0
(1)
"Yamaha FS800 is a nice one, I enjoyed the Yamaha APX500BL too, but the FS800 was the better of the two."
#44
Harley Benton CLD 60SCE NT
4.0
(1)
"Harley Benton. Especially if you’re in Europe. https://www.thomannmusic.com/harley_benton_cld_60sce_nt_custom_line.htm"
#45
Fender CD60
4.0
(1)
"I played a fender cd60 for a long time. I always thought it was a good guitar for the money."
#46
Yamaha FG800J
4.0
(1)
"I upgraded from something I got from a friend to an FG800J a bit ago, and I’m still not at the point I can really appreciate the difference with more expensive guitars. It sounds amazing for the price."
#47
Recording King Dirty 30's
4.0
(1)
"The cheapest/best is the Recording King Dirty 30’s. They’re only $180 USD but thats literally the best you’re gonna get for “bang for buck”."
#48
Yamaha FGX800
4.0
(1)
"Yamaha FGX 800, someone can never going song buying a Yamaha in that price range. Alternative would be a Takamine(GD51CE) or Alvarez(AP66E) maybe on used market."
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