Guitars that cost anywhere from about $1000 to $1500 are often considered to be mid-range guitars, although they're definitely a higher tier of midrange than the $500 midrange guitars you might have seen for sale online. Buying in this price range can be challenging, as some guitars will offer you more for your money than others. To help you choose the best acoustic guitar under 1500 dollars, we've compiled a list of some of our favorites.
Our Top 7 Picks for Best Acoustic Guitar Under 1500
Best for Folk Music
Martin 000-15M
Best Value Acoustic
Yamaha FG5 Red Label
Best Playability
Taylor 214CE Deluxe
Review of our Top Picks
Yamaha FG5 Red Label -- Best Value Acoustic
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Brief Review & Star Rating
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When it comes to value in acoustic guitars, Yamaha can't be beat. While their Red Label acoustic guitar line is more expensive than many Yamaha instruments, you get a build that could potentially cost thousands more when purchased from other manufacturers.
This one has a solid Sitka spruce top paired with solid mahogany back and sides for versatile, quality sound. The lightweight and strong African mahogany neck is topped with a fast-playing ebony fingerboard, and modified scalloped bracing gives you full lows and sparkling highs. Aesthetically, the FG5 is a straightforward, no-nonsense looking dreadnought, but its tonal qualities blow many players away.
Our Star Rating
Given its excellent build quality, we think this is the best value acoustic guitar on the list. We give it five out of five stars.
Blueridge BR-143CE -- Best Value Acoustic-Electric
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You might think it's difficult to find an all-solid acoustic-electric guitar for under $1000, but this unique 000 model from boutique builder Blueridge might surprise you. This slim-neck, highly playable smaller guitar has a Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides, and scalloped bracing ensures crisp and articulate tone. A Venetian cutaway also lets you access those hard-to-reach frets. It comes with a Fishman Presys Blend electronics system complete with an onboard tuner.
Our Star Rating
Based on its relatively low price for its build quality, we think this is the best value acoustic-electric guitar on the list. We give it four out of five stars.
Taylor 214CE Deluxe -- Best Playability
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Brief Review & Star Rating
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When shopping for acoustic guitars under 1500 dollars, some players first focus on Taylor's more affordable offerings. This manufacturer has been criticized by some players for using layered wood on the backs and sides of relatively expensive models. However, while layered wood generally isn't preferable to solid wood, even relatively affordable Taylor acoustic guitars like this one often have an excellent sound.
The 214CE, like many Taylor guitars, is made using the highly versatile Grand Auditorium body style. It's also made with forward-shifted X bracing, meaning it has a surprising amount of low end for such a (relatively) small instrument. It has a Sitka spruce top that's solid, and it's paired with layered Indian rosewood. It also comes with Taylor's remarkable Expression System electronics.
Our Star Rating
Thanks to its slim neck, cutaway, and smaller body, we think this guitar has the best playability on the list. We give it four out of five stars.
Ovation Exotic Woods Koa -- Best Unusual Design
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While some acoustic players might prefer a more traditional look when shopping for guitars under 1500 dollars, Ovation guitars are worth checking out. These unique, highly resonant instruments are made with composite, bowl-shaped backs, making them highly durable. This one is topped with a stunning layer of koa and adorned with a contrasting leaf pattern that surrounds the several small sound holes.
Ovation acoustic guitars come in varying depths, and this one has a very deep body for enhanced low end. It also comes with Ovation electronics--you get a three-band EQ and an onboard tuner, as well as a low-battery light that ensures you won't run into power issues when performing.
Our Star Rating
Thanks to its unique look and impressive sound, we think this guitar has the best unusual design on the list. We give it four out of five stars.
Eastman DM2 Gypsy Jazz Guitar -- Best For Jazz
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Eastman is a renowned builder of quality acoustic guitars, but this truly unique instrument is made especially to suit players of the distinctive genre of gypsy jazz. However, even if you play another genre, it's worth adding to your collection if you have the money to spare.
This acoustic guitar has a highly responsive Engelmann spruce top that's paired with laminated rosewood back and sides. It features a traditional small soundhole and gypsy-style tailpiece. Granted, this unusual design may not suit the traditional acoustic player, but for those who play gypsy guitar (or want to), it's an excellent choice.
Our Star Rating
Thanks to its truly unique build, this is the best acoustic for playing jazz on the list. We give it four out of five stars.
Martin 000-15M -- Best Guitar For Folk Music
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For some players, the best guitar acoustic option is a mellow-sounding instrument with vintage appeal. The Martin 000-15M is a smaller-bodied guitar that's made entirely of solid mahogany. It's also stained darker than many mahogany guitars, giving it a distinctive look that also isn't overwhelming.
Martin is a company that's best known for its dreadnoughts. But for players who prefer the smaller, easily-playable 000 body, this acoustic guitar is a great choice. Plus, for guitarists with a focus on folk music, the mellow sound of mahogany and the clear projection of this model's body might make the Martin 000-15M the best acoustic for them.
Our Star Rating
Thanks to its solid mahogany top and body and smaller size, we think this is the best guitar for playing folk music on the list. We give it five out of five stars.
Takamine EF341SC Keystone -- Best Unusual Tonewoods
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Brief Review & Star Rating
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Takamine has long been a respected manufacturer of well-crafted guitars for affordable prices. The Takamine EF341SC has a solid cedar top, meaning that its tone is warm and more midrange-focused than many spruce-topped guitars.
However, the back and sides are an interesting choice when paired with the solid cedar top. The Takamine EF341SC has back and sides of laminated maple, which help increase projection. While the tonewood combination is unusual, the end result is a well-balanced sound. That sound is amplified by Takamine's Palathetic pickup and CT-4B preamp with onboard tuner.
Our Star Rating
Many of the best acoustic guitars break the mold in some way, and we think this one has the best unusual tonewood combination on the list. We give it three and a half out of five stars.
Buying Guide -- How Do You Find the Best Acoustic Guitar Under 1500?
Buying a guitar is a deeply personal decision, and the best guitar for you might not be right for another player. In this section, we'll go over some things to consider as you shop.
Brand Isn't Everything
While it isn't true of every major brand, many guitarists end up paying a premium for the name on the headstock when they can find guitars made with higher-quality woods and better quality control for less.
That said, many famous brands became famous because their guitars sound good, and you don't need to write off any given brand because it's popular. Ultimately, it's a good idea to make sure that the specs and sound of a guitar match up with what you need.
Consider What Features Are Most Important
Buying an acoustic guitar in this price range can be tricky. You probably already know the basics of selecting a guitar, but in this range, certain things tend to be sacrificed in order to keep costs low.
For example, lots of people want a guitar that's made with all solid wood. You won't generally have an issue finding solid guitars in this price range. But if you want something with electronics, the quality of the electronics is likely not going to be top-of-the-line. As you may have noticed on our list, many of the instruments with better electronics have laminate back and sides, while many of the all-solid guitars came with sub-par electronics or none at all.
None of these choices is better or worse than any other--it all comes down to what's most important to you. As you shop, remember that you can't expect both world-class electronics and solid premium tonewoods in this price range.
What Playability features Matter?
We all know that playability is important when choosing a guitar. But what makes a guitar highly playable to one person may make it very difficult for another to play. If you've been playing guitar for awhile, chances are that you know what playability features are most important to you. Here are some of the features you may want to look for:
Making the Decision
Finding the best acoustic guitars is a challenge for anyone, as most quality guitars will sound perfect to some players. And while we think any instrument on our list of acoustic guitars under 1500 dollars is a good one, we think the two best choices on the list are the Yamaha FG5 and the Martin 000-15M.
Both of these guitars are incredible values, and their all-solid construction will only improve their tone over time. However, if you need an acoustic-electric, we think the Blueridge BR-143CE is a worthy consideration.
It's also made of all solid wood, and its distinctive aesthetic is one that's likely to suit many performers. Ultimately, let your ear and playability preferences be your guide--the best guitar for you is one that inspires you to keep playing!
