How to Choose the Right Beginner Acoustic Guitar

Before you click “buy”, these are the key features you should care about — factoring in what it means to really get started well rather than just buying cheap and regretting it. (And yes, I’ve pulled from recent 2025 buyer-guides.)

1. Size, Body & Comfort

Acoustic guitars come in many shapes and sizes (dreadnought, concert, parlor, 3/4 scale). The size you choose affects how comfortable you’ll feel. Smaller bodies help if you have a smaller frame or you’ll be sitting a lot. One guide says: “Look for playability, as a comfortable neck and action will help you learn more easily.”

2. Neck, Action & Playability

For a beginner, the guitar should feel easy to play. The neck profile (how thick/wide it is), the string action (how high the strings sit) and the build all matter. If the action is high or the neck is wide and rigid, you’ll struggle and maybe quit. One guide highlights that “for me a great acoustic guitar for beginners should be both inviting to play for newbies and sound good enough to keep their attention.”

3. Build Quality & Tone

Even as a beginner you should aim for something solidly built — you don’t want something falling apart or sounding flat after a few months. Many reviewers highlight e.g. the Yamaha FG800 as a standout for beginners for its quality.

4. Brand Reputation & Growth Potential

You’ll likely outgrow your first guitar (in skill if not instrument) so it helps if your guitar has some resale value or decent build so you can keep using it for a while. Accredited guides emphasise that major beginner models often remain valid as intermediate guitars too.

5. Budget & Accessories

Set a realistic budget. Don’t go ultra-cheap and regret it. At the same time you shouldn’t overshoot if you’re just starting. Also consider accessories (gig bag, tuner, strap). One list points out that there are beginner acoustics from around $200 that hit the sweet spot.

6. Style & Inspiration

Finally — pick a guitar you like the look of, enjoy the sound of, and feel good about playing. Because you will pick it up more often if you feel proud to own it. That emotional piece is often overlooked.

Top Acoustic Guitars for Beginners (2025 Picks)

• Yamaha F310: A very reasonable budget acoustic (~€170-200) from a trusted brand. Great for someone just starting and wanting a good value.
  Pros: Good build, trusted brand. Cons: Basic materials/features compared to higher models.
• Fender FA‑125 Dreadnought: Another budget friendly option (~€130-150). Entry level from Fender.
  Pros: Very affordable, big name brand. Cons: Basic finish and hardware.
• Fender CD‑60 V3: Up a step — better finish, better neck profile, good for beginners who are serious.
  Pros: Excellent value, better build quality. Cons: Slightly higher cost.
• Fender CC‑60SCE: Acoustic‐electric (so you can plug in later if you want) and comfortable size.
  Pros: Flexibility (electric/plug in), good brand. Cons: Slightly more complex.
• Yamaha FG800: A well-reviewed model for beginners aiming for longevity. Many review sites list this as a top pick.
  Pros: Solid construction, good sound. Cons: Slightly higher budget.
• Fender CD‑60SCE: Another acoustic-electric option from Fender, good for plugging into an amp later.
  Pros: Good value, brand, electric option. Cons: More expensive than pure acoustic.
• Ibanez (Model) Western Acoustic: A value brand option around €200 with decent reviews. Good for those who want a solid brand and good value.
  Pros: Good brand, value for money. Cons: Less beginner-specific features.
• Epiphone Hummingbird Studio Starter Pack: This is more of a starter bundle (guitar + accessories) from Epiphone. Great if you want everything in one go.
  Pros: Bundle convenience, known brand. Cons: Guitar may still require setup, and bundle accessories may vary in quality.

Recommendation for Most Beginners

If I were advising someone buying their first acoustic guitar, I’d say: aim for something in the €150–€300 range. Make sure it’s comfortable, plays easily, sounds good to you. If you can stretch to something like the Yamaha FG800 or Fender CD-60V3 — because you’ll likely keep it longer — that’s worth it.

If budget is tight: pick something like the Yamaha F310 or Fender FA-125. Get it setup properly (reduce action, check intonation) and you’ll be off to a good start.

Also: consider whether you might ever want to plug in (acoustic-electric) — if yes, go for a model with that option. If no, a plain acoustic is simpler and often cheaper.