5 Acoustic Guitars Under $1000 We Would Buy Right Now 

Hey, great video, guys! A little over a year ago I was looking for a new guitar, and after much looking, comparing, and prayer I decided on the Yamaha LL16. Beautiful guitar! My dealer was out of stock, so I had to special order with them. After nearly a year of anxious waiting--and reevaluating--I decided instead to buy a burst Yamaha LS16 folk body guitar that they had in stock. Wow, for 899.00, it is incredible! I couldn't believe the sound and playability the first time I played it! I seriously couldn't recommend it more.

Those Taylor GS Mini guitars are incredible value for the sound and look you get from them. Being a travel guitar it makes it pretty versatile as well. I do agree that the Sitka spruce and Rosewood combo is great but I bought a used Koa deluxe model with burst design and Expression system that had a solid top. Gorgeous guitar and sounds amazing to me. Just wanted something different to pair with my Taylor 814ce Builder Edition that came with Adirondack spruce top and Indian Rosewood back and sides. As for Alvarez guitars… I am a huge fan and so glad someone else appreciates them and that made the list. Alvarez will be the next guitar I would buy. Wish I could find them locally where I live. You really can’t go wrong with an Alvarez. Quality, craftsmanship, value, and sound for an incredible price! One of my favorite guitars I ever owned was an Alvarez!

Hey guys, enjoyed this video. Quick question, the Yamaha LL16D that you reviewed in a separate video is a higher end guitar than the LL16 ARE mentioned in this video. Is the LL16 ARE still your recommendation? From what I can tell it only has cosmetic differences to the LL16D (abalone binding, hardshell case, abalone fingerboard inlays)

Seagull maritime cutaway. Seagull doesn't get the love they deserve. Beautiful craftsmanship, beautiful tayloresque sound, amazingly playable. I love mine! Got the one with electronics (new its over $1000) used for 500. Without the electronics though you are in under $1000 and comes with a very nice gig bag

Great advice and choices I think. Somebody mentioned they wanted to see the 1-2 grand range or similar videos I would check out too for sure

Guys, a nice job on the video. I enjoyed listening to the rational for each choice.

Great video, thank you guys. Hoping you will do more of these. There's a couple of interesting price ranges above 1000 too which I'd love to get your gist on. You could even differentiate in videos between body types or scale length because many people (like myself) are shopping a specific bracket like that.

Question,, do you think the Yamaha LL16 is worth the extra cash to get the deluxe model? What is the up grades for the deluxe? Thanks,,love watching your videos,, I too didn’t want you to cut the LL16d

Wow! I was thing about the Yamaha FS-820/830 when I was looking for my first guitar as pandemic pause 2020 began, and I no longer was driving to school (K-5)in the mornings as volunteer crossing guard and Friday ALP Math help. Instead my first guitar came from a GC used but excellent (advertised as a 12e, so the managers first back to work packed several extras in the box) Taylor Academy 12 (produced on Dad's 90th birthday) for the then-new price of $500. Shortly after, a 12e appeared from a music store clearing out inventory at $360, then a Breedlove Pursuit Exotic Concert E- Sitka/Koa $360 (added a Gator Cases 000 hard case). My first all-solid wood guitar (and last to leave me) was a Cole Clark Angel 2 Redwood/Blackwood ($1834 in summer 2022 from AMS in NJ). I gave a B-stock Breedlove European spruce/mahogany all-solid guitar to my son-in-law, which has a thinner than semi-gloss finish and some small patches where the finish didn't bond to the plastic binding, which sounds incredibly warm and open for $350 via Reverb. A daughter is taking care of the similar B-stock Jeff Bridges signature concert (Reverb and Sweetwater had these at the same price, so I ordered from my Sales Engineer's Associate) at $425, the embroidered gig bag likely accounting for the additional cost. Gloss finish needs to open up to add the warmth of the non-sig version, but they're all good and appreciated. We bought that daughter a Yamaha FG-730S a couple decades ago, but that felt too big for my learning experience, and guitar collecting (ROFL). My SIL asked me last year, "Did you buy any new guitars?" I truthfully replied, "No, I bought a new banjo." (Gold Tone B-stock AC-5 with bag, to which I added an armrest and a set of better tuners for a future install. Better than the low-end Rogue that I was given by 'Johnny Guitar' of KCHU before I retired from Alaska...)

I have the Alvarez MD60BG, opted for the non electronic, mahogany sides and back model. It was $600, it sounds incredible and it’s beautiful. I put a beveled Martin pickguard on it and some bone bridge pins. It’s light, loud, Rings like a bell, and cuts through like a knife. All I ever wanted in a Dread.

Taylot 114ce. Do you prefer natural sapele or do you think the others would sound good too?

I picked up an M-120 Guild a couple years ago, and I love it. I went in to the store to look at some Alvarez models, but the Guild blew me away. It's also one of the few instruments I've bought that impressed my wife (she's a tough customer).

I have the older MD70CE. It is a stellar guitar. I mostly buy used. But my best new guitar purchase was from a store that was going out of business, unfortunately. He sold me a brand new Takamine P3DC for under $1k. I love that guitar.

Need some advice looking for my next guitar, I’ve been playing for just under a year looking to stay right at $1,000. Looking for a Sitka top and mahogany back and sides. . I’m eyeing the Yamaha FG3 and Eastman AC322ce. Thoughts on those two and other options. Tbanks

Takamine makes great guitars under $1000. I went to my local store with a friend who's never played before and we tried a bunch of guitars and he connected with an all solid sapele Takamine NEX which is their grand auditorium cutaway guitar for $449 without a case. $600 plus tax for everything and it's a great guitar for those who like the all sapele/mahogany tones. Would love to see a breakdown on a Takamine. Thanks for the great content guys!

Im jumping back into playing after a 7 year break for my grandson, i am having a problem i never had before... Most of these guitars im lookikg at are 1.69 nut, its not string spacing but these distance from the high E to edge of neck is super crucial or ill unintentionally fat/skin/old man palm/skin fold ( can you tell im frustrated) mute the high E on C-F ect... I played a mid to intermediate level Takamine for 13 years unfortunately it was stolen by family at 52, i don't want to adjust grip much any opinions? Can i just measure some of these? Get a copy with the high E inboard more? Get luthier to cut a nut that way? Im leaning towards those gibsons and takamine i had were 1.75 nut? Any guidance is appreciated...really enjoy these videos

Fantastic info gentlemen! I would love to see your breakdown of electric guitars under $1,000. There are so many choices out there.

I have the Alvarez MD70 (rosewood dread) and it is absolutely one of my favourite guitars at the moment!! Basically an HD-28!! Normally I play Lowdens but it's perfect for when I want that American tone!!

At my local shop I have the option of the spruce/sapele or the mahogany GS Mini, which one would you guys recommend?

Is a Stewmac kit worth it if you want to see if it's something you want to do, or is that not a legitimate step towards building a custom guitar?

I have a Yamaha AC3M like a dark sunburst colour. Changed the nut and saddle to bone and got it set up. This thing literally belts the sound out, with loads of midrange . Around £750 here roughly 1000 usd with a solid wood body. Absolutely love it.

I have guild OM 150ce, a bit over 1000 bucks but I love it. What are your thoughts about it’s construction? Thanks!

Excellent review guys !

Thanks, useful overview. Any recommends for OM or OO/OOO size acoustics? And yes on electric guitars review on a budget..

I wish yall would have done this video a few months ago. What do you think about a Martin 000-15sm?

Very informative. Thank you. Liked and subscribed.

Another gem that is incredible value is the Simon and Patrick Woodland Pro Folk, well under a thousand, made in Canada and all solid. A great compliment to my Yamaha Ll16D as excels in different ways. What are your thoughts on StewMac kits, just got one but more as a way to learn to build, curious how good the finished project will end up.

It never fails to amaze me that nobody ever picks Seagull. I have a friend who is a professional guitarist, he has 15 or 16 acoustics including a $3000+ Martin. He plays the same guitar I usually do, a Seagull S1 Original. We were shooting the bull between sets one night and I mentioned that he seemed to use the S1 as his "go to" acoustic. He leaned in like he didn't want anyone else to hear and said, "It sounds better than pretty much all of the others, including my Martin." I have heard him play both (and many others) and I have to agree.

I like seagulls, just because the cedar tops have their own warmth.

Great content, guys! I'd really love to see you go into depth on some of the high end stuff too. If you end up doing a video on those, or if you end up cutting another guitar in half again, may I make a request? You did the LL16D and I can definitely see why the LL16 made it to this list. However, apparently the LL26, 36, and 56 (made in Japan) take it quite a few steps further. Apparently, they're handcrafted by a single craftsman and include something like voicing (that they call tap tuning) -- I'm really curious to see just how handcrafted these really are, and how they compare to something a master luthier, such as yourself, would make. Moreover, I'd love to hear how you think they compare to similarly priced options from Breedlove, Taylor, Martin, etc. Oooh, a factory tour reaction would be cool too

Recording King also has some very nice, all solid wood, guitars for under $1,000.00 too. I've got the RD-328 and love it. It's designed after the 40's Martin guitar with Adirondacks spruce tops and your choice of either mahogany or rosewood for the back and sides (again, all solid wood). And it has scalloped bracing that's done well. I've made a couple videos on this guitar myself. The deep V shape of the neck took me a bit to get used to but I'm loving it now. It will do just fine until I can afford a Martin HD-28.

What do you guys think about the Guild DS240 and the cheaper eastman j45 style guitars? Both are under 700 bucks and I won’t really have a chance to test them before buying.

I've owned the Yamaha FSX830C natural for several years now. Over time I've done a few upgrades: ditched the undersaddle piezo pickup for a K&K pure mini (K&K tech support explained how to connect it to the existing onboard preamp) , installed a Graphtech nut, bone saddle, Stewmac ivoroid bridge pins, and gold Grover tuners. The guitar responds very well to upgrades - they made a huge difference in tone and looks, very happy with this guitar.

Does anyone know what else I’d need to buy Mike daws style acoustic electric guitar to get similar microphones and pickups INSIDE and anywhere else I’d need to get a similar sound around the entire guitar? Can you please guide me?

Im seriously got the trigger finger on my 1st Alvarez..and my 1st all solid mahogany guitar the "MD66CE" Im just afraid it will sound too dull and i dont know...muted.compared to my other Sitka topped,mahogany backed acoustics. Any thoughts folks?

Great, informative video! I also think the Taylor Academy 20e (walnut) really should be considered at this price point.

I love my Seagull S6. It has actually a Cedar top so I would have loved to hear your opinion on it! It's made in Canada from endemic wood and just beautiful

I love watching you guys. Your depth and knowledge really helps me as an so so self taught guitar player. I bought an Ibanez performance guitar back in the 90s because that was all I could afford at the time. I mainly played electric but as I’m getting older I find myself playing acoustic more. My father-in-law had a Martin 000d-28. Which sounds awesome but I’ve played Taylor’s at the local shops and feel like I pull toward them more. I see in here you mentioned the Taylor 114. Do you think the 214ce is also a good bang for the buck? I almost bought a Taylor 814ce used for 2700.00 but the wife would have killed me. Anyway love your content and just wondered about your thought about the 214ce. Keep up the awesome content. You are like the Bible for guitar knowledge. 😉

What do you think of the Taylor GT (or 11 series or whatever they call it now)?

I saw your breakdown of the Taylor Academy 12e and put it on my list to track, it's a very nice guitar for the money. I was leaning to the Yamaha's you mention here but when the Taylor showed up locally used I pounced, I am very happy with the Taylor.

I got Recording King RD328 for ~700 bucks and I am very impressed. All solid, basically Martin guitar for a fraction of a price, you cannot go wrong with this one. I did some upgrades myself, like install K&K in it, bone bridge pins, slotted the bridge pin holes, better compensation on the saddle, etc. After a month or so of playing this guitar rings like a bell, I can imagine stripping the poly finish and apply some nitro would help even more.

I'd love to know what you guys make of the Recording King RD-318 or RD-328.

I have a Yamaha LL16, a Red Label FSX5 (the slightly more expensive Japanese cousin of the Chinese FS3, with a pick-up), and a Taylor GS Mini (the version with the lam quilted sapele back and sides). I understand that there are those who wouldn't touch Yamaha, but I have always gone for what sounded the best to me within a certain price range. I thoroughly enjoy playing all of them, but especially love the Red Label, as you mentioned, for the sound. An amazing instrument.

I love my Yamaha Red Label FS5, but it was a bit over $1K. I tried some Taylor and Martin guitars first, but that Red Label sound got me.

Good choices. I happen to own two Taylor’s: the first GS Mini on the market, with Spruce top. It’s better for strumming than my 1980s era Taylor 412ce, which is better for finger style and writing. And I have a Yamaha FG 720S, with a cherry burst top. All are great guitars. Thanks for your reviews.

Love my Alvarez. Had another one that I bought ten years ago and the top started lifting behind the bridge. Sent it back for repair but they couldn’t fix it so they called me back and said pick out another guitar on us. I forgot they had a lifetime warranty. Good company, great polite people, too. Highly recommend them.

Great video, very good information 👏🏼

Recent gift of a Yamaha AC3M gave me an appreciation of the quantity I was ignorant & somewhat biased. Loved my Tailor Martin Eastman acoustics but this Yamaha for the money has em tapping out. Thx for review.

Do guys have experience with Zager guitars?Thanks

In view of the closeness in price of the two non cutaway yamahas, how would you compare the sound of the LL-16 to the FS3? I'm interested in both, but would only buy one. i've been drooling over those red labels for months now.

Thanks for another fun video! A few favorite all solid woods that fit this quest: Guild m-120 love it!.. guild m-140 is also very nice and one might pick up the pair for near the 1k mark street price Guild f-150 impressive clarity, playability, projection with picking, heavy strum, even fingerstyle Alaverez Masterworks Elite 70 Folk - surprisingly exceptional experience Epiphone inspired by Gibson line: J45, J200, Hummingbird… spent quite a bit of time with these and impressive though haven’t won me over… lots of folks love them.

Love the Norman Blake reference, he lives just down the road from me. I have one of his 1963 OO16c's. It is such a cool guitar.

Seagull. I have the S6 flame maple with the LR Baggs system. Fabulous sound, both plugged in and acoustic.

Can someone help me? I’m doubting between the Taylor 214CE-SB DLX or the Martin Johnny Cash DX? Which one would you pick? Take in consideration the following I play a lot of pop songs. But I also love to play groovy patterns and rhythmic guitar style. I also want to use a loop station and be able to use a Fender Musting Micro Amp so I can practice in silence with headphones. Because I still live with my parents and sometimes I will need to practice late at night due to my difficult work schedule. Also take in consideration the material which guitar is scratch sensitive? Can someone advice me on this? Or if you know a better guitar for my needs you may always recommend another one in this price range but nothing over the 1200 euro’s mark. I thank you in advance!

i'm sorry , can anyone tell me something about "Segovia" acustic guitars ? i cant find anything about it ! i got one ful size blue guitar with label seies number and all that but i cant seem to find anything about it.. thank you ahead. oh btw i love it

Have you ever done one of your tests on a zager zad80?

Hi there, love your videos even though I'm not into luthier-ing or wood work because you sound genuine. I started my life long dream to learn guitar and music theory 6-months back. It'd be appreciable if you can make a video on best full size cutaway acoustic-electric guitars one can buy around $1000 if possible. Keep up the good work!

You didn’t mention the the Yamaha LL16 has solid rosewood back and sides. I’ve just bought one and it is a cannon that blasts out very sweet tones. Super impressed and surprised after always favouring my Gibsons and Martin in the past,the LL16 is currently my acoustic of choice.

I have an fg3. It sounds great. It did need a setup. nut was pretty high, changed out the saddle for a graphtec. Ebony pins. Love it.

need some advice, How would the Yamaha LL16 compare to a Taylor 414ce Special Edition Rosewood? I am a lefty so my choices are limited for all solids. Which would hold its value over time? Which is more versatile? I love both but can only buy one, the price doesn't matter.......i mean is the Taylor really worth $2000 more???

I found you guys after you appeared on Rhett's channel. Love your work. Fuunny you mention the Yamaha Red Label, my first guitar is 1968 Yamaha FG-300 that I inherited from my dad. It was his main and only guitar for 20 years before he passed. When you say "cannon" you aren't kidding, it kills it in the low end and though it is fully laminate it is a great guitar. I have a video of an acoustic gig where my buddy is playing a Martin OM, and it completely takes over the mix. It is the only guitar I will never part with. Recently had some maintenance done by a local tech (one fallen brace, bridge plate re-build, full setup and unfreezing the truss rod) and it has new life.

What I am looking for is a 4 string tenor guitar with nylon strings. Do you know where I could get one?

New to the channel, loved this vid and the simple guitar hack on improving tone via slotted bridge! Really interested to hear your sub $2000 list!

Any opinions on where the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson J-45 lands in your comparisons. List price is $749 includes electronics. Thanks!!

I bought a Yamaha LS-TA 1,129 $, solid rosewood back and sides and solid spruce

I would definitely look at the Orangwood guitars. I just bought a Sage Torrified Spruce Live on sale for around $750. That guise id over $1000 normally. I bought that guitar based on your breakdown video

Have you cut up an Alvarez yet? I can't find a video

Guys what do you think about Maton Guitars, would you do a review video and your opinions on some of them? Cheers

Great information! I would definitely like to see a similar video for electrics.

I'm glad the GS Mini made the list. I've had a mahogany top version for 10 years and it just plain works every time I pick it up. I stuck a Fishman Rare Earth in it, threw some smoked nickel Taylor tuners on it, and a graphite saddle.

This was encouraging to see. I recently played two Yamaha guitars, the Transacoustic model with a cutaway at the $679 price point, and an LL16. Those things just exploded..talk about cannons! I'm now shopping for a Yamaha!

I would pick Yamaha AC3M over FSX800. All solid wood, great pickup with impulse response simulator and auto feedback suppress on board.

What are your thoughts of the Furch Violet and Blue series. They are right at the $1,000 mark?

The LL and the LS 16 are such good value guitars.

The whole list could be Yamahas

Great video for sure very informative lol. Loved seeing some Yamaha features but I honestly can’t get behind them yet haha some day maybe lol. I wanted to say that the jab at the gs mini Koa was unexpected haha. I have a mini Koa and I absolutely love it and it’s tone is great. It has become my go to Acoustic in my collection lol.

I own 5 Yamahas 3 red labels, one is original FG180 I bought in Japan. Love my yamahas

I own and ride a 2008 Yamaha FJR1300A that I bought brand new. they definitely make great motorcycles!

Hey Guys, Your thoughts on Recording King RD-328 and RO-318. Would love to hear. Thanks!

Whats a really good 12 string guitar under 1k ? Planning to use paired strings on it

I love my taylor 214 I bought it used with minor stratches. I added the LR Bragg pickup. It sounds amazing. I bought new the Guild F-250ce , just cause I wanted a epiphone ej-200, and I wasn't ready to buy the Gibson sj-200. The Guild has the Jumbo tone I love and does the job. Guild also has amazing pickup on it. I would buy most guitar used with minor scratches Just cause you dont feel back if it bumps the wall.

I’m not surprised you guys pulled so many Yamahas. They’re so good

All good choices. Spot on concerning the gs-mini Koa

Why pick the FS3 over the FG3, even though the FG3 has the full dreadnought sound or are you saying any Red Label size in this price range ?

I bought an Epiphone Hummingbird for $ 300 bucks. This guitar is awesome, great action,great sound and looks great. Very happy with it.

Glad to see eastman on there and they should be. I have a 00 and it's awesome. This was a very good topic. Well done

What about the Epiphone J45 you reviewed? It seems like a GREAT guitar in this price

For a workhorse / gigging guitar, I'm a big fan of Ibanez' Talman acoustics. They can take a bating, are pretty inexpensive, don't sound too bad and are pretty consistent across the range. Not your home centerpiece, but a decent gigging guitar.

Ive had a Yamaha FG730S for over a decade now and love it. Definitely need to play it more!

I am no I just ordered the recording king RD 342 ! Do I make a mistake?

...big fan of your channel. I bought a "new" Yamaha LLTA last month after watching your breakdown video on the LL16. I assume that they are essentially the same guitar other than the TA system. I got the sunburst and I love it. Thanks for saving me about $500 - I was looking at an Eastman E20OM-TC...also a very nice guitar, but I just didn't want to spend the extra cash. a side note - I own an Eastman E8D-TC, (I feel like you were referring to this guitar when speaking about Eastman's just over $1K price point) it is an exceptional instrument. To your point about good guitar's on the used market - I found a 97ish Yamaha LS-400VT for about $1K and I wouldn't sell it for twice that. Don't pass over solid wood Yamaha's (not just the red labels) - they will likely be hanging on the affordable side of your local guitar store's acoustic room.

I used to have a blueridge 000 and I loved it! I was considering getting another one but I want to make the perfect choice. This will be my only acoustic for a while

I bought an Eastman ac222ce for my 50th birthday. I love the damn thing. Such a beautiful guitar. and the tone on it is spectacular.

Great video guys. I have played some $500 Eastman e2d guitars with phenomenal sound that have cedar tops. Solid top and sides.

Amen! Yamaha and Alvarez Masterworks are the best!!! Thanks for the great video.

What's your take on the Seagull Entourage?

I have an old Yamaha LA-8 I bought for not much money ages ago (must be 20 years?). I had no clue then, and am no expert of flat-top guitars now but do I know that I love the way it plays, sounds, and looks. I mostly play acoustic arch tops but when the need for a flat-top arises, I'm always glad to take her off her stand. Out of your list, I think I'd pick the FS3. Who needs a cutaway anyway ;D?

I would love to hear your opinion on the Alvarez ADE90CEAR and the Yamaha FG-TA TranAcoustic. Both are sub-$1K and both have astonishing sound quality.

I 100% agree with the Yamaha picks, I had a LS6 A.R.E and for the price, it was amazing. Piezo mic, classic looks, a smaller size more suitable for me and so on. Really saddened I had to sell it, but on the upside, I'm building something similar at the moment to replace it based on a Lakewood A32 :)

Long time believer of Yamaha and Eastman in this price range. Love what they’re putting out! Also, yes to the electric list!