Imagine the warm, resonant strum of a guitar filling a room. That sound is pure magic, and for many, it starts with an acoustic guitar. But buying a brand-new acoustic can stretch your wallet thin. That’s where used acoustic guitars shine! They offer incredible value, letting you own a beautiful instrument without breaking the bank.
However, diving into the world of used guitars can feel a little overwhelming. How do you know if you’re getting a good deal? What if there’s a hidden problem with the guitar? It’s easy to feel unsure about what to look for, and the fear of making a bad purchase can hold you back from finding that perfect instrument.
This guide is here to help! We’ll walk you through the exciting journey of finding a fantastic used acoustic guitar. You’ll learn how to spot the gems, avoid the duds, and make a smart choice that brings you years of musical joy. Get ready to discover your next favorite guitar!
Top Used Acoustic Guitars Recommendations
- One right-handed Fender Alternative Series Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar – a perfect beginner guitar for all ages
- Backed by a 75 year legacy of quality and craftsmanship -- the FA Series has all the sound and style of Fender's iconic acoustic guitars with specially designed features for beginners.
- This beginner guitar comes with a subscription to Fender Play that includes lessons with thousands of instructional videos to build your skills by playing the songs you love.
- This guitar's dreadnought body shape resonates with a bold and rich bass tone, great for playing country, folk or bluegrass
- The easy to play "C" - shaped neck, walnut fingerboard and light weight all-laminate body allow for a smooth and comfortable playing feel, and the sealed-gear tuning machines allow for accurate tuning, with a walnutbridge for optimal tone production
- One right-handed Fender Alternative Series Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar – a perfect beginner guitar for all ages
- Backed by a 75 year legacy of quality and craftsmanship -- the FA Series has all the sound and style of Fender's iconic acoustic guitars with specially designed features for beginners.
- This beginner guitar comes with a subscription to Fender Play that includes lessons with thousands of instructional videos to build your skills by playing the songs you love, all with no additional cost
- This guitar's dreadnought body shape resonates with a bold and rich bass tone, great for playing country, folk or bluegrass
- The easy to play "C" - shaped neck, walnut fingerboard and light weight all-laminate body allow for a smooth and comfortable playing feel, and the sealed-gear tuning machines allow for accurate tuning, with a walnut bridge for optimal tone production
- Complete Beginner Guitar Pack - Everything needed for starters is included, just unbox & play. The bundle includes Moukey 41” acoustic guitar, chord poster, 3mm padded gig bag, tuner, strap, capo, strings and picks. A decent gift for children, friends and family.
- Ideal for Beginner - With cutaway design, Moukey 41” acoustic guitar is easy for starter to learn. Dreadnought body provides a full and vibrant tone, suited for all styles of music. The precise position marks at 3th, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th 15th and 17th frets on neck and top of fingerboard help the starters to learn conveniently.
- Come with Chord Poster - The ultimate beginner-friendly guitar chord poster shows the most commonly used chords, enabling starters to memorize fretboard and play chords on the first day.
- Exquisite Workmanship - Quality basswood body, Okoume neck, smooth fingerboard, and non--scratching frets enable Moukey acustica guitarra to be played comfortably for a long time. 2 strap pegs allow you to attach the strap easily.
- Stay in Tune - Constructed with 1:14 enclosed copper tuning machines, Moukey full size guitar can be tuned finely and smoothly without slipping. Along with hard bridge saddle and bone nut, Moukey guitarra acustica is easy to tune and hold tune after first tune-up of strings.
- Perfect beginner guitar: Designed for students and teens who are just getting started. This 38-inch, right-handed, acoustic guitar features all the bells and whistles. Designed with 18 smooth frets, 6 pre-installed steel strings, and an easy to hold neck.
- Complete beginner kit: This all-in-one entry-level guitar bundle includes a 38-inch acoustic guitar, carrying bag, 3 picks (assorted colors), shoulder strap, extra strings, and 4 months of free app-based lessons (iOS or Android). The App features thousands of songs, step-by-step lessons for all skill levels, and a built-in digital tuner for easy tuning anywhere.
- Superior-grade tonewoods: Top, back, and sides are crafted from basswood for versatility and warmth, with a high-gloss finish. Whether playing soft or loud, strumming or flatpicking, this guitar remains responsive and retains its tonal integrity. This guitar is built to last.
- Incredible sound: Perfect for musicians-in-the-making, this beginner acoustic guitar features an impressive tone, bright sound, and standout projection. It's waiting to be heard.
- 38-inch beginner guitar: Measuring 38" (L) x 14" (W) x 3.25" (H), this beginner guitar delivers the timeless look and sound of a traditional acoustic guitar. Low string action helps reduce finger fatigue for easier playing and improved comfort while learning. Note: New strings may arrive out of tune, which is normal. As the strings stretch with use, the guitar will hold tuning better over time.
- AN AMERICAN ORIGINAL 130 years of history is at the root of our foundation building high quality instruments. Many of the biggest names in music have played Washburn and some of the most significant trendsetting songs has been played on a Washburn
- THE GO-TO COMPANION The Washburn WA90CE dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar is a go-to companion for the living room, the campfire or the stage, with a solid balance of stability, tone and aesthetics
- BODY & FINISH The cutaway makes it easy to reach the uppermost frets. It has a linden top, back and sides, Tobacco Sunburst color with gloss finish. Paired with an okoume neck and black walnut fingerboard. The WA90CE is ideal for strumming, playing some blues or bluegrass flat picking
- BARCUS BERRY ELECTRONICS The Barcus Berry LX4 preamp with built-in tuner means you’ll always be ready to plug in and in perfect tune. Bass, Middle, Treble, Presence, Volume, Tuner on/off controls makes this perfect to take anywhere and play anytime!
- NECK & HARDWARE Additional features include chrome die-cast tuners, a walnut bridge and an ABS saddle and nut. Great guitar for adults
- With a combination of reliable Fender quality, player-friendly features and attractive aesthetics, the all-new California Debut is a value-packed option for today’s acoustic player
- Designed for beginner's, featuring a durable all-laminate body crafted with premium tonewoods, and an easy-to-play “C”-shape neck with tilt-back 6-in-line headstock. With a walnut fingerboard for a smooth and comfortable playing feel.
- Further details include Dreadnought body shape, sealed-gear tuning machines for accurate tuning, a walnut bridge for optimal tone production, a smooth satin finish, and body and neck binding for added durability
- The CA Debut series packs premium Fender quality into an affordable beginner friendly acoustic guitar. The CA Debut series also ships with a free 30-day subscription to Fender Play & Fender Tune, so you can start learning from the comfort of your home the second you unpack your new guitar!
- 2-Year Limited Warranty: Fender guitars are built with unmatched quality, down to the last screw- which is why Fender warrants this Fender acoustic guitar to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for two (2) years from original purchase
- Crafted with a solid Sitka Spruce top for enhanced tonal clarity and resonance, complemented by mahogany back and sides that deliver a warm, balanced sound; Reinforced with Jasmine's Advanced 'X' Bracing for improved structural integrity and dynamic projection.
- Smooth-playing neck with 20 frets on a rosewood fingerboard, featuring pearloid dot inlays for easy navigation; Nato neck and 25.5" scale (648mm) ensure comfortable playability and precise intonation.
- Satin finish for a smooth, understated look; Equipped with phosphor bronze light gauge strings (012–053) for warm, balanced tone and enhanced playability.
- Equipped with a durable synthetic bone nut, offering a 43mm (1-11/16) width for enhanced tuning stability and smooth string action.
- Outfitted with chrome hardware for a sleek, durable finish; Features a rosewood bridge with a synthetic bone saddle.
- Solid Sitka Spruce Top
- Rosewood Back & Sides
- Rosewood Fingerboard
- Rosewood Bridge
- Diecast Tuners
Your Guide to Finding a Great Used Acoustic Guitar
Buying a used acoustic guitar can be a fantastic way to get a quality instrument without spending a lot of money. It’s like finding a hidden treasure! This guide will help you find a guitar that sounds amazing and feels great to play.
1. Key Features to Look For
When you’re looking at a used guitar, pay attention to these important parts:
The Body Shape
- Dreadnought: This is the most common shape. It’s big and loud, perfect for strumming chords and playing with others.
- Concert/Orchestra Model (OM): These are smaller and more comfortable to hold. They have a balanced sound, good for fingerpicking and solo playing.
- Parlor: These are the smallest. They are super easy to carry and have a sweet, mellow tone.
The Neck
- Fretboard: This is the long piece of wood where you press down on the strings. It should feel smooth.
- Frets: These are the metal strips on the fretboard. Make sure they aren’t worn down too much.
- Neck Joint: Where the neck connects to the body. It should be strong and not wobbly.
The Headstock
- Tuners: These are the little knobs you turn to tune the guitar. They should turn smoothly and hold the tuning well.
2. Important Materials
The wood a guitar is made from makes a big difference in its sound.
Tops (The Big Flat Part)
- Spruce: This is the most popular wood for guitar tops. It gives a bright, clear sound.
- Mahogany: This wood gives a warmer, richer sound.
Back and Sides
- Rosewood: Known for its deep, complex sound with lots of bass.
- Mahogany: Offers a balanced tone, good for many styles of music.
- Maple: Creates a bright and focused sound.
The Fretboard
- Rosewood: A common and good choice.
- Ebony: A harder wood, often found on more expensive guitars.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Some things make a guitar sound better, while others can make it sound worse.
What Makes a Guitar Sound Great:
- Solid Wood Construction: Guitars made from solid wood (not thin layers glued together) sound much richer and will improve with age.
- Good Setup: A guitar that has been properly set up will be easier to play and sound its best. This means the strings are at the right height.
- Brand Reputation: Well-known guitar brands often use better materials and have better craftsmanship.
What Can Lower a Guitar’s Quality:
- Cracks and Dents: Big cracks in the wood can affect the sound and make the guitar weak. Small dents are usually okay.
- Warped Neck: If the neck is bent or twisted, it’s hard to play and tune the guitar.
- Buzzing Strings: If the strings buzz when you play them, it means something isn’t quite right with the frets or the setup.
- Worn Frets: If the frets are very flat and worn down, it can make the guitar sound dull.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you want to use the guitar.
- Beginner: A smaller, comfortable guitar with a good setup is best. You want something that’s easy to play so you don’t get frustrated.
- Strummer: A dreadnought guitar with a solid spruce top is great for loud, full chords.
- Fingerpicker: A concert or OM-sized guitar with a balanced tone works well.
- Traveler: A smaller parlor guitar is easy to take with you anywhere.
A used acoustic guitar can be a wonderful companion for learning, writing songs, or just having fun. Take your time, do your research, and you’ll find a gem!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the main Key Features to look for in a used acoustic guitar?
A: You should look at the body shape (like Dreadnought or Concert), the feel of the neck and fretboard, and the condition of the tuners on the headstock.
Q: What are the most important materials for a guitar’s sound?
A: The wood used for the top (like spruce or mahogany) and the back and sides (like rosewood or mahogany) are very important for how the guitar sounds.
Q: Does the body shape really matter?
A: Yes! A bigger body shape like a dreadnought is louder and good for strumming, while a smaller shape like a concert is more comfortable and balanced for fingerpicking.
Q: What signs of damage should I watch out for?
A: Look for big cracks in the wood, a warped neck, or strings that buzz when you play them. These can mean the guitar needs expensive repairs.
Q: How can I tell if the neck is straight?
A: You can look down the neck from the headstock to the body. It should look mostly straight, with a slight curve. If it’s twisted or has a big dip, that’s not good.
Q: Is it okay if the guitar has some scratches?
A: Small scratches and dings are usually fine and are normal for a used guitar. Big cracks or damage to the wood are more serious.
Q: What does “solid wood” mean, and why is it better?
A: “Solid wood” means the wood pieces are thick and natural. Guitars made with solid wood sound much better and their sound gets richer over time, unlike guitars made with thin, layered wood.
Q: How important is the guitar’s “setup”?
A: A good setup means the strings are at the right height above the fretboard. This makes the guitar much easier and more comfortable to play.
Q: What kind of guitar is best for a beginner?
A: A beginner usually needs a guitar that is comfortable to hold and easy to play. A smaller body size and a good setup can help a lot.
Q: Can a used guitar sound as good as a new one?
A: Yes! Many used guitars, especially those made from solid wood, can sound even better than new ones because the wood has aged and opened up its tone.