Aspiring musicians often ask for our opinions on the best affordable acoustic-electric guitar. We list below many of the top options and offer a brief overview of what we like and dislike about them. This comprehensive review is designed to help you make an informed purchase decision in order to get the most bang for your buck in this price range.
Guitars are an incredibly versatile instrument, but it can be tough to find the perfect one. Most guitars need an amp and some pedals to sound their best, which can be pretty expensive for beginners.
There are many smart guitars on the market that don’t require any additional gear, which is great for musicians on a budget. The acoustic-electric option combines classical guitar sound with easy amplification that won’t break the bank.
Table of Contents
Buying Guide
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that musicians are always on the hunt for new sounds. Trying to find a way to re-create a song’s sound from a recording is an ongoing quest for many of us.
The Martin 000-18
The Martin 000-18 is the perfect guitar for the weekend musician or student on a budget. This guitar can be played without an amplifier, so only an acoustic amp will be needed for playing during live performances. The sound can be tweaked to get just the right tone you’re looking for.
The guitar body is made out of Sitka Spruce, while the neck is made out of mahogany. It has a mahogany fingerboard with black binding on the edges. The face of the guitar is inlaid with abalone inlay. This helps to give it a unique look, while still giving it an overall traditional look.
The Epiphone Les Paul 100
The Epiphone Les Paul 100 is a beautiful guitar that is suitable for death metal music! It features a mahogany top, mahogany back, and sides with rosewood binding. It has a rosewood fingerboard with the classic headstock.
The fingerboard is inlaid with Pearloid trapezoids. The guitar has a LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge, which helps to ensure that the guitar stays in tune. It also features two open-coil humbuckers and adjustable volume and tone knobs.
5 Best Acoustic-Electric Guitar Under $200
Last update on 2024-04-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Ibanez PF Series PF15ECE Dreadnought Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Cutaway Guitar Gloss Black
- Mahogany back and sides
- Spruce top
- Fishman Sonicore pickup
- SST preamp
- Onboard tuner
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Ibanez PF Series PF15ECE Dreadnought Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Cutaway Guitar Gloss Black is a quality instrument that has a classic design. It is designed with the modern musician in mind because it delivers a warm acoustic tone, clean amplified tone, and excellent playability.
Pros :
- Excellent sound quality
- Light weight
- Easy to play
- Positive tone
Cons :
- It’s pricey
- It’s bulky and heavy, and the weight is not well distributed between neck and body which can lead to wrist and finger fatigue
- It’s hard to play at the bottom end of the fingerboard unless you have large hands or make it a habit to use a capo on the first fret
2. Full-Size Thinline Black Acoustic Electric Guitar with Free Gig Bag Case & Picks
- Classic acoustic guitar design: This full-size 41" acoustic-electric guitar from R.W. Jameson features a beautiful design and exquisite sound. Shaped...
- Electric-acoustic versatility: The R.W. Jameson thinline acoustic electric guitar offers the option of various sounds. Unplugged, you can take...
- Perfect for students and all levels: Whether you are a beginner or student, an intermediate guitar player, or a seasoned advanced guitarist, this...
- Designed for comfort: This thinline cutaway acoustic electric guitar features the classic cutaway shape that allows for higher positioning and ample...
- Sold as a complete kit: This guitar is part of a complete package. Included is a perfect-fitting guitar gig bag, a shoulder strap, an extra set of...
Last update on 2024-04-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you like working on your music and playing with friends, you need a guitar. It’s the perfect instrument for beginners, but more importantly, it can be used by professional musicians of all skill levels.
Pros :
- The guitar has a solid Sitka spruce top with scalloped bracing
- The neck is made of mahogany with the company’s Richlite fingerboard
- The guitar has active electronics with volume, 3-band EQ, and built-in tuner
- Volume, tone, and pickup selector knobs are on one of the most visible spots on the body of this acoustic electric guitar
- There’s also a cutaway for easy access to the upper frets.
Cons :
- Cost-no where near beginner guitar
3. Yamaha APXT2 3/4 Thinline Acoustic-Electric Cutaway Guitar Old Violin Sunburst
- 6-string 3/4-sized acoustic-electric guitar with spruce top
- Meranti back and sides
- Hardwood neck
Last update on 2024-04-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Yamaha APXT2 is a 3/4 Thinline Electric acoustic guitar that features a rosewood back and sides, maple top with f-holes, natural linseed oil finish, gold tuners, ebony bridge, and fingerboard.
Pros :
- A lightweight and unplugged 3/4 size guitar
- 14 Fret, 25.6” Scale length, 21 Jumbo Frets
- Quality Cedar Top and Mahogany Back and sides Neck Binding
Cons :
- The guitar is a little expensive
- Some people complain about the narrow neck
4. Glen Burton GA204BCO-BK Acoustic Electric Cutaway Guitar, Black
- Flame Top; Basswood Back And Sides
- Catalpa Neck And Bridge; Rosewood Fingerboard
- Steel String; Sealed Gear Tuners. Number Of Strings: 6
- Country Of Origin : China
Last update on 2024-04-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Glen Burton GA204BCO-BK Acoustic Electric Cutaway Guitar, Black is a gorgeous guitar that is designed for beginners or anyone who just wants an inexpensive guitar.
Pros :
- Better sound quality
- Lighter to carry
- Built in locking tuner
Cons :
- Soloist-like, single pickup
- Lacks any real musicality
- The best option for one who is looking for a basic guitar with an easy learning curve.
5. Best Choice Products Beginner Acoustic-Electric Guitar Starter Set w/ 41in, All Wood Cutaway Design, Case, Strap, Picks, Tuner – Blue
- ALL-IN-ONE ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC GUITAR KIT: No need to purchase any additional accessories, this all-inclusive set comes with an amplifier, carrying...
- ULTIMATE BEGINNERS & INTERMEDIATE GUITAR: Experiment with the sound settings to better fit your genre and style; adjust the treble, bass, middle,...
- PLAY ACOUSTIC OR ELECTRIC: This classic guitar can be plugged into an amplifier for a customizable electric tone, or played without one for an...
- FIT FOR ALL AGES: Playing guitar is easy for beginners and experienced players alike with 11 accessories including a pick-guard that keeps your guitar...
- EASY TO PLAY: This acoustic-electric is comfortable to hold, with a cutaway shape that allows you to more comfortably reach past the neck and hit...
Last update on 2024-04-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Best Choice Products AC-3000 Acoustic-Electric Guitar Starter Set is the perfect option for beginners who want to start playing in an easy and affordable way.
Pros :
- Includes everything you need to start playing your first guitar.
- Has a set of picks, strap, tuner, and the picks are labeled too so they can be easily found!
Cons :
- The fret bars are uncomfortable
- This product may be too light to play harder songs without getting too straining for your hands
Conclusion :
The Gretsch G5422T Electromatic Guitar delivers the classic feel and looks of a vintage Gretsch without breaking the bank. It’s worth checking out if you’re in need of something that brings back memories while still paying homage to the brand name you know and love. Weighing in at just under 12 pounds, this guitar offers a full-bodied tone with a bright sound.