2021 Best Acoustic Guitars Under $1,000

The best acoustic guitars of 2021 have one major thing in common — value. Each guitar on this list has the appointments to fit the needs of a serious guitarist without feeling like a guitar for beginners. Value-priced instruments aren’t limited to beginner guitars and travel guitars. There are a host of options to choose from. Oftentimes, guitars in the $1,000 price range will feature solid-wood construction and provide you with lively, memorable tone and a better-quality guitar. These acoustics have premium features and pump out heavyweight tone at a lightweight price.

Shopping for guitars isn’t easy. Whether you shop by body style, brand name, or what’s available at your local instrument shop, you can run into unforeseen problems. The employees at your local music store might not have the information you need, or your favorite brand might not make an instrument that has the features you’re looking for. At Sweetwater, our guitar experts have been hard at work compiling a list of the best acoustic guitars on the market this year to make your guitar buying experience hassle free. Unlike other sites that will only list their 10 best guitar options, Sweetwater has provided you with the 20 best acoustic guitars you can buy for under $1,000 in 2021 and a helpful guitar review for each instrument on the list.

Taylor GS Mini-e Koa

Stunning looks and resonant character put the Taylor GS Mini-e Koa on our list of 2021’s Best Acoustic Guitars Under $1,000. This guitar has a comfortable body that’s reminiscent of the Baby Taylor, while providing a bold character. It has great playability and good looks courtesy of the prized koa tonewood, and it sounds great.

Koa is desired for its show-stopping good looks and warm sound. The GS Mini-e Koa acoustic guitar features a solid koa top and layered koa back and sides that produce a bright sound that mellows as the top breaks in. The onboard Taylor ES-B electronics will impress you with tone controls, a built-in tuner, and a low-battery indicator.

Be careful, though — the Taylor GS Mini-e Koa packs so many great features and value into such a small package that you won’t want to put it down. If you want to know more, check out our product page for the Taylor GS Mini-e Koa!

Pros:

Solid koa top adds warmth and good looks

Layered koa body resists changes in humidity

Taylor ES-B electronics sound great onstage

Taylor 214ce

A brilliant combination of Taylor’s classic Grand Auditorium body style with innovative updates, the 214ce is a dreadnought lover’s paradise that offers several welcome benefits for players of all kinds. While employing the familiar width and depth of a dreadnought acoustic, the 214ce sports a narrower waist to give it an incredible, treble-tinged sound all its own. Whether fingerpicking or strumming, this six-string’s note definition is sure to impress, possessing a sharpness and clarity that stand out against other guitars in its class.

By marrying strength and elasticity with a fantastic sonic balance and presence, Sitka spruce has made its way into the tops of many pro-quality acoustic guitars, and the 214ce is no exception. When paired with an Indian rosewood back and sides, the results are sure to impress, producing a rich and highly musical tone with a thick and throaty low end, a slightly scooped midrange, and shimmery, bell-like highs. Throw in high-performing ES2 electronics for clean amplified sounds onstage, and it comes as no surprise that the 214ce made our list of 2021’s best acoustic guitars under $1,000.

Pros:

Grand Auditorium body shape with narrower waist for sleeker look and treble zing

Classic combo of Sitka spruce and rosewood produces a balanced, resonant tone

Taylor ES2 electronics deliver pure, uncolored sound

Martin GPCX2AE

Two decades of high-quality, eco-friendly production can’t be wrong — Martin’s X Series line of acoustic guitars are top-notch instruments that uphold their commitment to the environment. With the GPC-X2E Grand Performance, Martin continues this vision while checking all the boxes: great design, impeccable tone, and instant playability. At its core is a Sapele top and figured Macassar HPL back and sides, projecting a bold, balanced tone with excellent presence. Almost magically, you’ll feel your fretting hand relax when holding the Performing Artist series neck designed with comfort and smoothness in mind.

Though wallet friendly in price, the GPC-X2E Grand Performance’s appointments and craftsmanship feel like a million bucks. With its scalloped X-bracing, striking mother-of-pearl pattern inlays, multi-stripe rosette-inlay soundhole, and genuine white Corian nut and saddle, this guitar is guaranteed to turn heads on stages throughout the years of playing ahead of it. Plus, the soundhole-mounted Fishman MX system translates the natural expression of the guitar exceptionally well, making it a favorite electronics system among many discerning players at Sweetwater.

Pros:

Sapele top and high-pressure laminate body produces a full-bodied, rich tone

Performing Artist series neck designed for comfortable playing and smooth response

Onboard Fishman MX electronics deliver natural sound

Part of Martin’s eco-friendly X Series line

Martin LXK2 Little Martin

Martin’s dedication to quality has made them among the most well-respected guitar builders in the business. The LXK2 Little Martin has a laminate neck and ships with mellow phosphor bronze strings. While it doesn’t sound like a full-sized dreadnought, it sings out warm tones under your picking hand. This guitar is a joy to play and will be the perfect parlor-sized guitar.

The Martin LXK2 is built with an emphasis on producing great sound in a smaller guitar. This petite guitar’s koa-grained HPL top, back, and sides are resistant to humidity and temperature changes. As such, the LXK2 is the perfect “pick up and play” guitar that lets you jam at home or on the road. This one is one of the best acoustic guitars for students, thanks to its small size.

Pros:

Perfect size for beginners

Koa HPL resists temperature and humidity changes

Epiphone Hummingbird Pro

The Epiphone Hummingbird Pro is the little brother of the Gibson Hummingbird. It’s instantly recognizable by its Faded Cherry Sunburst finish and ornate hummingbird pickguard. Its list of appointments includes a rosewood fretboard, Grover tuning machines, solid spruce top, and Shadow ePerformer electronics. Epiphone packed so much value into the Hummingbird Pro that it’s a surefire contender for the best acoustic guitar you can buy in 2021 for under $1,000.

The Epiphone Hummingbird Pro has a classic look, traditional styling, and warm tone, thanks to its mahogany body. If you like bling, the inlaid pickguard, full-body binding, and stunning fretboard inlays will be right up your alley. With Shadow ePerformer electronics, this axe is ready for the stage or the studio. When you’re looking for a guitar with good looks and superior tone, the Epiphone Hummingbird Pro is the one you want.

Pros:

Classic styling

Powerful tone

Shadow ePerformer electronics

Ibanez Artwood AW54CE

In the guitar world, Ibanez is primarily known for electric guitars. The Ibanez Artwood AW54CE takes Ibanez build quality and applies it to the acoustic guitar. It has sturdy construction and a comfortable neck that’s reminiscent of the Ibanez electrics that you know and love. If you came to this article looking for a guitar with incredible warmth and resonance, we highly recommend the Ibanez AW54CE.

The AW54CE acoustic-electric guitar is a phenomenal value. It has a solid okume construction that provides a lot of midrange presence while responding well under hard picking. The onboard Ibanez AEQ210TF provides natural-sounding amplification with treble and bass controls.

We can’t say enough good things about the AW54CE. With its warm tone, superior playability, and great aesthetics, the Ibanez Artwood AW54CE easily makes our list of the Best Acoustic Guitars Under $1,000.

Pros:

Solid okume top

Fishman electronics and Ibanez preamp

Onboard tuner

Martin D-10E Road Series

The Martin D-10E is the little brother to the Martin D-15M. It’s equipped with a solid Sitka spruce top and creature comforts like an inlaid soundhole and body binding. It has a large tone that rivals the Martin D-28‘s power without becoming muddy. It’s in our list of best acoustic guitars under $1,000 because of the high-end Martin dreadnought tone it produces at an affordable price.

This guitar has a solid Sitka spruce top and sapele back and sides. Like other Road Series models, it’s loaded with Fishman MX-T electronics and an auto-muting soundhole tuner. It has a fast neck, courtesy of the hand-rubbed neck finish. This guitar has Martin’s classic understated elegance that emphasizes the beauty of its tonewoods.

All in all, the Martin D-10E is a great introduction to the world of Martin dreadnought acoustic-electric guitars.

Pros:

All-solid construction

Auto-mute tuner

Performance taper neck

Yamaha FG830

The Yamaha FG830 acoustic guitar is part of Yamaha’s FG series – the best-selling acoustic guitar series in the world. It’s a direct upgrade from the Yamaha FG730 and the perfect beginner guitar for the new player. It has a classic dreadnought body, steel strings, and extremely comfortable neck profile. Yamaha produces quality guitars with extremely reasonable price tags — and this guitar punches well above its weight in tone and durability.

The Yamaha FG830 has a lot of fans around Sweetwater, which is why we added it to our list of the Best Acoustic Guitars Under $1,000. The comfortable dreadnought body style has a solid spruce top and scalloped bracing that produce a powerful bass sound and projection. Players of all types will appreciate the neck’s satin finish and rounded fret edges that enable the Yamaha FG830’s smooth playability.

Pros:

Comfortable rounded fret ends

Stellar Yamaha build quality

Incredible value in an acoustic

Takamine GN93CE NEX

Takamine’s guiding principles are build quality and value. The GN93CE NEX acoustic-electric guitar is the embodiment of that commitment to quality. This guitar has a 3-piece black walnut and maple back in addition to a spruce top. The Takamine GN93CE NEX showcases a great rustic sound and spot-on intonation, thanks to the split saddle.

The Takamine GN93CE NEX provides you with a well-rounded sound both plugged and unplugged. You can play soft melodies or dig in and enjoy the full response of the scalloped bracing. The onboard TK-40D preamp produces clear tones and carries a 3-band EQ with a built-in tuner.

What more can we say? This guitar is a dream to play and will keep you company for a long time — onstage and off.

Pros:

Incredibly comfortable neck has great intonation

Onboard TK-40D preamp sounds great

Scalloped X-bracing allows the top to vibrate more freely

Taylor Academy 10e

The Taylor Academy 10e will make an incredibly valuable addition to anyone’s guitar arsenal. A true Taylor guitar, this model is exquisitely crafted and packed with awesome features, and it carries a host of upgrades over other Taylor dreadnought guitars. Chief among these upgrades is the contoured armrest that softens the contact point between the guitar’s body and the player’s arm. The Taylor Academy 10e is one of the best acoustic guitars under $1,000, offering comfort from the first chord and sounding great doing it.

The Taylor Academy 10e promises to solve issues that other guitars exhibit, such as high action, poor intonation, and thin tone. It has an ebony fingerboard and hard rock maple neck that make playing easier than ever. Players of all skill levels love the premium tonewoods, and the unique armrest reduces playing fatigue.

Pros:

Contoured armrest for playing comfort

Taylor’s excellent build quality

Built-in tuner and ES-B preamp

Breedlove Jeff Bridges Amazon Concert CE

Jeff Bridges isn’t shy about his activism in the Amazon rainforest. And, together with Breedlove, he’s on a mission to prove that sustainability can look and sound better than ever before.

The Jeff Bridges Amazon Concert CE boasts sustainably sourced granadillo plucked directly from the Amazon rainforest for its back and sides to deliver a bright, powerful sound with seemingly endless sustain. A torrefied European spruce top adds a welcome punch to this six-string, rounding out a formidable and affordable acoustic that sings like the birds.

Breedlove has made environmental sustainability a pillar of their values since the company’s origins in 1990. Not only do you get an incredibly dynamic guitar at an attractive price — but you can feel good knowing you are a part of Breedlove’s admirable mission.

Pros:

Part of Breedlove’s acclaimed Organic Collection

Sustainably sourced granadillo back and sides and torrefied European spruce top for a balanced and punchy tone

Natural Sound electronics and under-saddle pickup for fantastic plugged-in sound

Washburn Comfort G55CE Koa

The Washburn Comfort G55CE Koa is descended from a century of quality instruments. Washburn’s fine fretted instruments have been played by some of the biggest names in folk, blues, and rock and are widely recognized for their great tone and build quality.

The Washburn Comfort G55CE Koa Grand Auditorium acoustic-electric guitar has a comfortable contoured top to increase your playing satisfaction. The koa top, back, and sides offer good looks and a bright tone. It’s equipped with Fishman Presys+ electronics to provide a balanced plugged-in tone that’s ideal for live sets. Whether you’re playing unplugged or through a PA, you’ll love the way this guitar sounds.

If you want an incredibly comfortable guitar that produces full-bodied tone in a budget-friendly package, the Washburn G55CE should be your top pick.

Pros:

Contoured arm rest

Fishman electronics sound great

Koa construction provides unique tone

PRS SE Angelus A50E

The PRS SE Angelus A50E is designed to provide beautiful tone and wonderful playability at a price you can’t turn down. The PRS SE Angelus A50E acoustic-electric guitar has gorgeous tonewoods and stunning inlays that look just as good as they sound.

The PRS Angelus SE A50E has PRS’s X-brace/classical hybrid bracing method. This allows the solid spruce top to resonate freely to create a more powerful tone. It has soundhole-mounted Fishman GT1 electronics that let your plugged-in tone shine through without adding too much compression.

The Angelus SE A50E allows you to experience PRS quality at an affordable price. It has a sprightly tone that simply begs to be picked up and played. If you’re looking for one of the best acoustic guitars that shimmers, shines, and delights audiences, try the PRS Angelus SE A50E.

Pros:

PRS USA-designed bracing pattern

Figured back, binding, and stunning inlays add extra flair

Solid spruce top

Seagull S6 Cedar Original

The S6 Cedar Original from Seagull is a great entry-level dreadnought guitar. This full-size guitar has a solid cedar top that plays well whether you play fingerstyle or use a pick. Seagull fans love the S6 for its responsive body. Each Seagull guitar is handcrafted in Canada and showcases good looks, easy playability, and unforgettable tone.

Seagull’s S6 Original acoustic guitar has a pressure-tested solid cedar top paired with wild cherry back and sides. Its modified dreadnought body shape provides a warm tone and eliminates unwanted boom. A compound curved top enhances the natural projection of the cedar.

The Seagull S6 acoustic guitar’s detail-oriented construction, innovative neck, and dedication to quality make it a definite contender for best acoustic guitar of 2021. Want one for yourself?

Pros:

Integrated set neck is incredibly stable

Detail-oriented construction

Left-handed versions available

Guild DS-240 Memoir

Guild has been producing quality guitars for decades. The Guild DS-240 Memoir is a finely crafted acoustic guitar that plays like a dream. It has a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides that join together to produce a vintage sound that is neither boomy nor thin. Once you pick it up, you won’t want to put it down. When we say you’ll love this guitar, we mean it.

The DS-240 Memoir’s spruce top is reinforced by X-shaped scalloped bracing. This construction allows the top to vibrate more freely and enhances the bass response. It has a C-shaped mahogany neck that feels slim and fast in your hand.

The Guild DS-240 Memoir is made with quality materials and designed to be your go-to acoustic guitar for studio work and casual playing.

Pros:

Solid top and scalloped bracing

Comfortable C-shaped neck

Premium, vintage tone

Luna High Tide Exotic Mahogany

Luna guitars have their own distinctive vibe. The Luna High Tide Exotic Mahogany has eye-catching looks, thanks to its figured mahogany top, back, and sides. This Grand Concert–body-style guitar has a powerful tone that is perfect for studio work as well as acoustic sets. If you like your instruments to stand out, this guitar has stunning tide inlays on the fretboard, an inlaid rosette, and exotic mahogany that will wow onlookers.

The exotic wood and abalone inlays make the Luna High Tide Exotic Mahogany perfect for the beach or bonfire singalongs and is guaranteed to be a conversation starter in any performance setting. For your live performance needs, this guitar has Fishman Presys+ electronics. It uses a Sonicore pickup and 3-band EQ that lets you dial in your perfect sound.

Pros:

Eye-catching tonewoods

Fishman electronics and 3-band EQ

Comfortable neck profile

Fender Newporter Player

Fender’s rich heritage has produced many great guitars, guitar straps, and guitar strings over the years. The Fender Newporter Player, a member of the California series, is a great-sounding acoustic-electric guitar that comes in a range of fun, unique colors. This classic styling harkens back to the very earliest Fender acoustics that found their way onto beaches and park benches across the nation.

The Newporter has a nicely balanced tonal character that’s perfect for live sound and studio applications. Its mid-sized body shape and solid spruce top are especially great for singer/songwriters. If you like a slim neck, the Newporter Player should be your acoustic guitar of choice.

Pros:

Proprietary bracing keeps the top loose and the back stiff for projection

Fun colors and matching headstock

Solid Sitka spruce top

There you have it! Our list of 2021’s Best Acoustic Guitars Under $1,000 had guitars from almost every price point that can be used for a host of different applications. If you have any questions or you’re still struggling to find the best acoustic guitar for you, give your Sweetwater Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700! We can help you find the perfect guitar to fit any budget.

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