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10 Best Acoustic Guitars For Beginners 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#2

Fender FA-25 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar, Beginner Guitar, with 2-Year Warranty, Includes Free Lessons, Natural

Rating
9.8
Body Shape
Tonewood
Brand Reputation

Most important from
911 reviews

Body Shape
It's lightweight and great for travel, yet it plays beautifully and has a nice open sound, making it perfect for beginners or road trips.
Tonewood
This guitar sounded amazing with Phosphor Bronze Earthwood strings, so much so that it replaced a higher-end Martin D-28 as my 'go to' guitar.
Brand Reputation
The build was nicely intonated, the tuners were holding the guitar in tune, and it had a very rich tone, making it a pleasant surprise for its price.

The Fender FA-25 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar is designed with beginners in mind, making it a solid choice for those just starting out. It features a dreadnought body shape, which produces a bold and rich bass tone, suitable for genres like country, folk, and bluegrass. The combination of a spruce top and laminated basswood back and sides offers a decent tonal quality while keeping the guitar affordable.

The nato wood neck with a 'C' shaped profile and walnut fingerboard ensures a comfortable and smooth playing experience, which is important for new players developing their finger strength and dexterity. The scale length of 25.6 inches is standard, making it easier for beginners to handle chord transitions and scales. The guitar also includes sealed-gear tuners for more accurate tuning stability, which is particularly useful for those who are not yet familiar with maintaining their instrument's tuning.

Additionally, the FA-25 comes with a subscription to Fender Play, providing access to numerous instructional videos and lessons, which can accelerate the learning process. However, it's important to note that this guitar lacks built-in electronics, so it won't be suitable for amplified performances without additional equipment. The build quality reflects Fender's reputable craftsmanship, although being a beginner model, it might not offer the same resonance and sustain as higher-end guitars. This guitar should serve most beginner players well, offering a balance of playability, tone, and additional learning resources.

Rating
9.8
Body Shape
Tonewood
Brand Reputation

Most important from
911 reviews

Body Shape
It's lightweight and great for travel, yet it plays beautifully and has a nice open sound, making it perfect for beginners or road trips.
Tonewood
This guitar sounded amazing with Phosphor Bronze Earthwood strings, so much so that it replaced a higher-end Martin D-28 as my 'go to' guitar.
Brand Reputation
The build was nicely intonated, the tuners were holding the guitar in tune, and it had a very rich tone, making it a pleasant surprise for its price.
#3

Fender FA-25N 3/4 Size Nylon String Acoustic Guitar, Beginner Guitar, with 2-Year Warranty, Perfect Beginner Guitar for Kids that is Easy on Fingers, Includes 3 Months of Free Lessons, Natural

Rating
9.6
Body Shape
Tonewood
Neck Profile

Most important from
911 reviews

Body Shape
Lightweight and perfect for travel, this guitar offers great playability and an open sound, making it ideal for beginners and on-the-road use.
Tonewood
Replacing the factory strings with Phosphor Bronze Earthwood strings elevated the sound quality significantly.
Neck Profile
A minor neck adjustment was needed post-shipping, but overall, the guitar arrived well-intonated and held tune effectively.
Brand Reputation
The Fender FA-25N 3/4 Size Nylon String Acoustic Guitar exceeded expectations with its smooth frets, shiny, level finish, and impressive tone.

The Fender FA-25N 3/4 Size Nylon String Acoustic Guitar is an excellent choice for beginners, including children and adults with smaller hands. Its 3/4 size body makes it more manageable for new players, providing a comfortable learning experience. The nylon strings are softer than steel strings, which is helpful for beginners as they are easier on the fingers, and the 'C' shaped neck is designed for easy playability.

The guitar's construction features quality materials such as sapele for the body and agathis for the top, offering a balanced and pleasant tone. Fender's reputable brand name and 75 years of craftsmanship ensure reliable quality and durability, further backed by a 2-year limited warranty against defects. One standout feature is the free subscription to Fender Play, which includes thousands of instructional videos, a great bonus for those starting their guitar journey.

The guitar may lack some of the richer, fuller sound qualities found in full-sized models due to its 3/4 size. It also doesn't include electronics, which means it can't be amplified for performances or recording. Despite these minor drawbacks, it's a well-crafted, user-friendly instrument that supports and encourages the learning process for beginners.

Rating
9.6
Body Shape
Tonewood
Neck Profile

Most important from
911 reviews

Body Shape
Lightweight and perfect for travel, this guitar offers great playability and an open sound, making it ideal for beginners and on-the-road use.
Tonewood
Replacing the factory strings with Phosphor Bronze Earthwood strings elevated the sound quality significantly.
Neck Profile
A minor neck adjustment was needed post-shipping, but overall, the guitar arrived well-intonated and held tune effectively.
Brand Reputation
The Fender FA-25N 3/4 Size Nylon String Acoustic Guitar exceeded expectations with its smooth frets, shiny, level finish, and impressive tone.

Buying Guide for the Best Acoustic Guitars For Beginners

Choosing the right acoustic guitar as a beginner can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience. The key is to find a guitar that feels comfortable, sounds good, and motivates you to play. Here are some important specifications to consider when selecting an acoustic guitar for beginners, along with explanations to help you understand their significance and how to choose the best fit for your needs.
Body ShapeThe body shape of an acoustic guitar affects both its sound and comfort. Common shapes include dreadnought, concert, and parlor. Dreadnought guitars are larger and produce a louder, bass-heavy sound, making them great for strumming and playing with others. Concert and parlor guitars are smaller, offering a more balanced tone and easier handling, which can be ideal for fingerpicking and smaller players. Beginners should consider their body size and playing style when choosing a body shape.
TonewoodTonewood refers to the type of wood used to construct the guitar, which influences its sound. Common tonewoods include spruce, mahogany, and cedar. Spruce is light and strong, providing a bright and clear tone, making it a popular choice for beginners. Mahogany offers a warmer, more resonant sound, while cedar provides a softer, mellower tone. Beginners should choose a tonewood that matches their preferred sound and playing style.
Neck ProfileThe neck profile describes the shape and thickness of the guitar's neck, affecting playability and comfort. Common profiles include C-shaped, V-shaped, and U-shaped. C-shaped necks are rounded and generally more comfortable for beginners, while V-shaped necks have a more pronounced ridge, and U-shaped necks are thicker and more substantial. Beginners should try different neck profiles to find one that feels comfortable in their hand.
Scale LengthScale length is the distance between the guitar's nut and the bridge, affecting string tension and playability. Shorter scale lengths (around 24 inches) result in lower string tension, making the guitar easier to play, which can be beneficial for beginners. Longer scale lengths (around 25.5 inches) provide a brighter tone and more string tension. Beginners should consider their hand strength and comfort when choosing a scale length.
ActionAction refers to the height of the strings above the fretboard. Lower action makes the guitar easier to play, as less pressure is needed to press the strings down. Higher action can produce a clearer sound but may be harder for beginners to play. Beginners should look for a guitar with low to medium action to ensure a comfortable playing experience.
ElectronicsSome acoustic guitars come with built-in electronics, allowing them to be amplified. This can be useful for beginners who plan to perform or record. However, purely acoustic guitars without electronics are often simpler and more affordable. Beginners should consider whether they need the option to amplify their guitar when deciding on electronics.
Brand ReputationThe reputation of the guitar brand can be an indicator of quality and reliability. Established brands often have a history of producing well-made instruments and offer good customer support. Beginners should research and consider reputable brands to ensure they are getting a reliable guitar that will last.

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