If you're preparing to buy an acoustic guitar up to $2,000, chances are good that you've developed your playing style and know what you want as a guitarist. However, when it comes to finding the best acoustic guitar under 2000 dollars, there's no easy answer. In this article, we've gathered our top choices for the best acoustic guitars in this price range. Each one is a quality choice--it all comes down to what you're looking for in an instrument.
Best Unusual Tonewoods
Takamine TF77PT
Best Value
Guild D-20E
Best Dreadnought
Godin Metropolis EQ
Review of our Top Picks
Taylor 317E -- Best For Folk Performers
Important Features
Pros & Cons
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Brief Review & Star Rating
Review
For those who find themselves looking for the best acoustic guitars, Taylor is a great brand to look at first. This company pioneered the Grand Auditorium body style, a build that is uniquely versatile--it's large enough to deliver balanced tone with a defined low end, but it's not so large that it causes feedback issues when plugged in.
The 317E, however, is a departure from Taylor's signature design--this one is a round-shouldered dreadnought, so it has a slightly bigger sound than most Grand Auditorium builds.
This guitar also features Taylor's new V-class bracing, which some players see as an improvement over the traditional X bracing used in most modern acoustics. This bracing style frees up more of the soundboard, allowing it to vibrate freely and deliver more dynamic sound.
Its simple yet understated design has a top of solid Sitka spruce, and the back and sides are made of solid sapele. This lower-cost tonewood combines many of the features of both Indian rosewood and mahogany, making it a versatile choice.
Our Star Rating
Because the slope-shouldered dreadnought is a classic body shape when it comes to folk music, we think this guitar is the best option for folk performers. We give it four out of five stars.
Guild D-20E -- Best Value
Important Features
Pros & Cons
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Brief Review & Star Rating
Review
Guild is a manufacturer that has consistently produced some of the best acoustic guitars, especially for folk and bluegrass players. The D-20E, which was formerly called the D-25, is also an outstanding value. This guitar is a dreadnought with no cutaway, so players get the full depth of classic dreadnought sound. It's also made of all solid mahogany.
If you prefer a mellower sound with an emphasis on midrange frequencies, the D-20E might be a good choice. However, the scalloped X bracing prevents it from over-focusing on the mids, resulting in a smooth and balanced sound.
Like many guitars in this price range, this one is also designed with performers in mind. It has a satin-finished neck for easy playability, and it comes equipped with the top-of-the-line L.R. Baggs VTC Element pickup system. Many players looking for guitars under 2000 dollars are seeking something made of all solid wood with quality electronics for live playing, and this guitar offers just that.
Our Star Rating
Given its excellent build quality and great electronics, we think this guitar is the best value on the list. We give it five out of five stars.
Takamine TF77PT -- Best Unusual Tonewood Combination
Important Features
Pros & Cons
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Brief Review & Star Rating
Review
For some players, the best acoustic guitars under 2000 dollars are those that have a truly distinctive sound. This guitar has what might be one of the most unusual builds you'll find. The top is solid cedar, which offers a warm, rich sound. The back and sides are solid koa, which adds a remarkably full top end to the tone.
The TF77PT also is an orchestra body guitar. This shape has a traditional appeal, and it's also similar to the Grand Auditorium in terms of versatility. It also comes with Takamine's unique CoolTube tube-powered preamp. If you've ever been disappointed by characterless live sound from your pickups, this is an electronics system worth checking out.
Our Star Rating
We think that this guitar's cedar and koa build means that it has the best non-traditional tonewood configuration on the list. We give it five out of five stars.
Godin Metropolis EQ -- Best Dreadnought
Important Features
Pros & Cons
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Brief Review & Star Rating
Review
Given the number of high-end acoustic guitars Godin produces, you might not think this brand should be your go-to for guitars under 2000 dollars. However, the Metropolis EQ is a great guitar with a classic tonewood configuration and world-class electronics.
It has an all-solid build with a top of Sitka spruce and mahogany neck and body. It also comes with the top-notch L.R. Baggs Anthem electronics. This pickup system incorporates a tiny soundhole microphone, giving you live sound that is remarkably natural.
Aesthetically, this is an acoustic guitar that looks distinctive without being garish. The uniquely shaped pickguard and original Godin inlays offer a beautiful twist on classic dreadnought design.
Our Star Rating
Based on its great build and high-quality electronics, we think this is the best dreadnought on the list. We give it five out of five stars.
Eastman AC822CE--Most Versatile
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Brief Review & Star Rating
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For many players, the classic combination of a spruce top and rosewood back and sides is a must-have. The Eastman AC822CE offers the beautifully balanced combination of a solid Engelmann spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides. As Indian rosewood becomes steadily more scarce, the price of any guitar with Indian rosewood back and sides seems to go up.
However, given its build quality, this acoustic guitar is fairly affordable, and it's easily one of the best guitars under 2000 dollars on the market. Its mahogany neck helps warm up the sound, and the slim Grand Auditorium body with a cutaway is remarkably easy to handle. Hand-scalloped X bracing helps create balanced sound regardless of the genre you play.
Our Star Rating
Given the fact that its body shape and tonewood configuration make this guitar ideal for many musical styles, we think it's the most versatile guitar on the list. We give it four out of five stars
Fender Acoustasonic Stratocaster -- Best Unusual
Important Features
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Brief Review & Star Rating
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Technically, this guitar, like each model in the Acoustasonic series, is a hybrid acoustic/electric guitar. While its body is deep enough to sound good while played acoustically, its combination of magnetic and piezo pickups means that you can choose acoustic or electric sound when plugged in.
Many players looking for acoustic guitars under 2000 dollars might prefer an instrument that sounds like a true acoustic instrument. But if you would prefer a guitar that can sound like either an acoustic guitar or an electric guitar, this one is worth a look. It has a mahogany body and spruce top, so the tone is balanced.
Our Star Rating
Since this model effectively gives you two guitars in one, we think it's the best unusual guitar on the list. We give it four out of five stars.
Breedlove Frontier Concerto E -- Best Concert-Body
Important Features
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Brief Review & Star Rating
Review
For some players, the best guitars acoustic selection has to include at least one smaller-bodied guitar. We've labeled this one as a concert body, but it's technically a concerto body, which is Breedlove's unique take on the concert-style acoustic. The small body combined with the all Honduran mahogany build makes this a guitar that combines the warmth of mahogany with the remarkable projection of a smaller guitar.
This is also an excellent guitar for those who prefer a unique aesthetic. The high-gloss mahogany finish is paired with beautifully contrasted white binding. It also has a wider lower bout than most concert-body guitars, giving you a focused low end.
Our Star Rating
Given its unique tonal properties, we think this is the best concert-body guitar on the list. We give it four out of five stars.
Buying Guide -- What Should You Look for When Buying a High-End Acoustic Guitar?
There's an impressive selection of acoustic guitars under 2000 dollars. However, that selection can quickly become overwhelming, especially if you aren't sure exactly what you're looking for. As you evaluate guitars, be sure to keep these things in mind:
What Shape Do You Need?
When buying a guitar, one of the most important things to consider is the body style you need. The body of a guitar has a massive impact on sound quality, which is something you likely already know if you're shopping for an instrument in this price range.
Many acoustic guitars have dreadnought bodies. This shape is large and is often used to accompany singers thanks to its full voice. However, smaller players may sometimes find dreadnoughts too large and unwieldy to play comfortably.
Some musicians choose orchestra model or Grand Auditorium guitars. These mid-sized bodies balance playability and projection, and most have a lower risk of feedback issues when plugged in. Parlor and grand concert models are smaller and have excellent projection, but some lack a full low end. Depending on your style of music, this might be a desirable trait.
Of course, make sure that you don't value the looks of an instrument over the sound. Be sure to listen to a few sound demos of any guitar you're thinking about buying--this will help you decide whether or not the guitar's sound suits your playing style.
How About Tonewoods?
The right tonewoods make all the difference when choosing the right guitar for you. Of course, no wood choice is really wrong--it all comes down to what sounds good to you. Here's a brief rundown of common tonewoods and what they sound like:
Are Electronics Necessary?
Most casual players don't drop thousands of dollars on guitars, and many instruments in this price range come equipped with electronics to make them more appealing to performers. Many higher-end guitars use unique electronics that combine piezo elements with small soundhole microphones. Others, like Taylor guitars that use Expression System 2 electronics, use a behind-the-saddle design that avoids the compressed, somewhat unnatural sound that often comes from undersaddle pickups.
Especially in this price range, pickups contribute significantly to a guitar's price. If you do not need electronics at all, you may want to instead invest in a well-made, all-acoustic model.
Making the Decision
When it comes to our list of best guitar acoustic offerings, we think you really can't go wrong with anything on the list. However, we think the Guild D-20E is the best pick on the list. This all-solid guitar is a great value, and you get more for your money with this guitar than many on the list.
If you're looking for a classic tonewood combination, we think the Godin Metropolis EQ is a worthy runner-up, and for those seeking something truly unique, the Takamine TF77PT just might be right for you. Be sure to carefully evaluate specs and listen to sound demos, and you'll be well on your way to finding a great guitar for 2000 dollars or less.