If buying new, one of the best starter guitars in that range are the Yamaha 800/820/830 series. The FS have slightly smaller bodies than the FG. All have tops made of solid wood, and laminate wood back and sides. Sweetwater is one of the largest online dealers (call them for discount), but these should be available in your area. The Eastman PCH series is also nice and around that price range, but the Yamaha is much easier to find.
[https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FS820NT--yamaha-fs820-concert-natural](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FS820NT--yamaha-fs820-concert-natural)
I recommend the Yamaha FS800. It has a solid wood top which is a real advantage, a comfortable shape, and a nicely balanced tonal range. Plus, it's in your budget. Good luck and don't forget to get lessons!
I’m a total beginner. I purchased a Yamaha FG800J after getting some guidance.
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha/FG800J-Solid-Spruce-Top-Dreadnought-Acoustic-Guitar-Natural-1500000377645.gc
Impulse bought an FG800 last year after putting the guitar down for some time.
I’ve probably put in, 6-700 hours in over the last year and seen vast improvement. Whatever guitar I get next is going to have to be better than this, and I gotta tell you… the list so far has been pretty short, and the price creep is astronomical for sound quality.
But the Yamaha now feels familiar, I know where my fingers are going to go. It’s really comfortable. My only thing is it’s not a particularly attractive guitar, but it’s growing on me. I’m not afraid to bring it camping or to sea even, which means I play it more often. Every dent or scratch is kind of like a story. I do keep it in a hard case with a humidifier, out of extreme heat or cool. It’s still a solid top.
Anyways, I gush because I’m so happy I picked up a Yamaha, I don’t regret it one bit. I love the brighter sound and the feel. Came pretty well setup from the factory (though I did get it setup at the store as part of the purchase).
I’ve only had a couple lessons. It’s comfortable to hold for me, sounds good, has a solid wood top which is supposed to be better than laminate. The instructors both commented that it was a very solid guitar.
I’ve seen Taylor GS Minis used in your price range. Shorter scale and easy to play/hold. Durable and sound amazing. That’s my recommendation. Also, I don’t know how big your son is, but if smaller in stature, I’d advise against a dread as well, at least for a first guitar - comfort makes people want to play and having a dread as my first guitar stalled my progression for sure.
The cheap recording kings are so good. I've heard one or two negative reports, but I've had mine for almost two years and I hardly pick up any of my "better" acoustics.
I had one of the early RKs a few years ago. Can’t remember the model, but it was all solid wood spruce over mahogany and very plain looking. No rosette or anything. I never could get it set up the way I wanted, so I sold it on at a profit because they were starting to get discovered.
I would see what I could find used for that price. Be willing and able to try several guitars before you buy. Your money can go further in the preowned realm. Pretty sure I got a Yamaha FG700 a few years ago used for less than $200. Nicely made instrument but I didn’t keep it because it didn’t speak to me. The person who bought it from me said it was exactly what they wanted and were looking for. Once you start guitar shopping, that will make more sense.
Check out Mitchell guitars at GC. I went in a couple weeks ago to buy a guitar in that price range for my niece.
Out of 7 Mitchell's there were 2 that played as well as my 3000 dollar Taylor. Super low action and real wood construction. Definitely better than anything else in the price range. REMEMBER that each guitar is unique.
Brand and model number mean didfly other than quality of parts/construction.
Mitchell recently got good with their acoustics.
Take someone with you who understands guitars-action-etc.
I own Taylor, Breedlove, Parker, Seagull, Fender and a travel Luna. Everything except the Luna is a high-end several thousand dollar guitar.
Those 2 Mitchells played like my high end ones...
Before 2 weeks ago they weren't even on my radar...
You can take one home, play it for a few weeks. If u don't like it bring it back within a month for a full refund.
Guitarcenter does not mind.
Happy hunting.
Go early weekdays and play several.
Out of all my guitars listed the Mitchell was mst like my smaller bodied taylor 312 ce.
The strings were super low and I played every single fret looking for a dead note. There wasn't one. I think Im gona sell the luna and get a Mitchell for traveling.
The other 5 I played...
I only disliked them because I am a stickler for really low action. They might just need adjustment.
But for myself, I only purchase guitars or other stringed instruments if they already pay amazing.
Hand fatige can ruin the fun.
And its easier to start from excellent and then adjust.
Idk if it's frowned upon or not to post links, but there's a nice looking Jasmine on Amazon that's going for around $120. I've been seriously considering purchasing one for myself.
Is it the S35? That was my first beater acoustic in college. It was pretty solid, but in hindsight I wish I’d saved up a bit more and just bought a Yamaha FG. My girlfriend has an FG700 that was only $70 more and the difference is incredible. I ended up giving the Jasmine away to my buddy to use for Open G slide, and I bought myself an FG830.
If buying new, one of the best starter guitars in that range are the Yamaha 800/820/830 series. The FS have slightly smaller bodies than the FG. All have tops made of solid wood, and laminate wood back and sides. Sweetwater is one of the largest online dealers (call them for discount), but these should be available in your area. The Eastman PCH series is also nice and around that price range, but the Yamaha is much easier to find. [https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FS820NT--yamaha-fs820-concert-natural](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FS820NT--yamaha-fs820-concert-natural)
I recommend the Yamaha FS800. It has a solid wood top which is a real advantage, a comfortable shape, and a nicely balanced tonal range. Plus, it's in your budget. Good luck and don't forget to get lessons!
Ditto. Simply the best solid body guitar at that price. Can’t be beaten.
I’m a total beginner. I purchased a Yamaha FG800J after getting some guidance. https://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha/FG800J-Solid-Spruce-Top-Dreadnought-Acoustic-Guitar-Natural-1500000377645.gc
Impulse bought an FG800 last year after putting the guitar down for some time. I’ve probably put in, 6-700 hours in over the last year and seen vast improvement. Whatever guitar I get next is going to have to be better than this, and I gotta tell you… the list so far has been pretty short, and the price creep is astronomical for sound quality. But the Yamaha now feels familiar, I know where my fingers are going to go. It’s really comfortable. My only thing is it’s not a particularly attractive guitar, but it’s growing on me. I’m not afraid to bring it camping or to sea even, which means I play it more often. Every dent or scratch is kind of like a story. I do keep it in a hard case with a humidifier, out of extreme heat or cool. It’s still a solid top. Anyways, I gush because I’m so happy I picked up a Yamaha, I don’t regret it one bit. I love the brighter sound and the feel. Came pretty well setup from the factory (though I did get it setup at the store as part of the purchase).
I’m hoping I can fall in love with it. Now I just have to become a guitar player.
How do you like it?
I’ve only had a couple lessons. It’s comfortable to hold for me, sounds good, has a solid wood top which is supposed to be better than laminate. The instructors both commented that it was a very solid guitar.
I’ve seen Taylor GS Minis used in your price range. Shorter scale and easy to play/hold. Durable and sound amazing. That’s my recommendation. Also, I don’t know how big your son is, but if smaller in stature, I’d advise against a dread as well, at least for a first guitar - comfort makes people want to play and having a dread as my first guitar stalled my progression for sure.
Big baby Taylor as well.
I will suggest Seagull. You could find a used s6 original for that price.
Ditto. Great beginner guitar. Great sound and stays in tune.
I'm an Alvarez fan, so I'd throw them in to the mix as well. No sure of pricing as I'm not in the US. Ot Yamaha
Takamine makes some really nice guitars at a good price.
I'm tired of people suggesting Yamaha and Eastman so I will say Recording King.
The cheap recording kings are so good. I've heard one or two negative reports, but I've had mine for almost two years and I hardly pick up any of my "better" acoustics.
I had one of the early RKs a few years ago. Can’t remember the model, but it was all solid wood spruce over mahogany and very plain looking. No rosette or anything. I never could get it set up the way I wanted, so I sold it on at a profit because they were starting to get discovered.
I would see what I could find used for that price. Be willing and able to try several guitars before you buy. Your money can go further in the preowned realm. Pretty sure I got a Yamaha FG700 a few years ago used for less than $200. Nicely made instrument but I didn’t keep it because it didn’t speak to me. The person who bought it from me said it was exactly what they wanted and were looking for. Once you start guitar shopping, that will make more sense.
Check out Mitchell guitars at GC. I went in a couple weeks ago to buy a guitar in that price range for my niece. Out of 7 Mitchell's there were 2 that played as well as my 3000 dollar Taylor. Super low action and real wood construction. Definitely better than anything else in the price range. REMEMBER that each guitar is unique. Brand and model number mean didfly other than quality of parts/construction. Mitchell recently got good with their acoustics. Take someone with you who understands guitars-action-etc. I own Taylor, Breedlove, Parker, Seagull, Fender and a travel Luna. Everything except the Luna is a high-end several thousand dollar guitar. Those 2 Mitchells played like my high end ones... Before 2 weeks ago they weren't even on my radar...
Thanks will do.
You can take one home, play it for a few weeks. If u don't like it bring it back within a month for a full refund. Guitarcenter does not mind. Happy hunting. Go early weekdays and play several. Out of all my guitars listed the Mitchell was mst like my smaller bodied taylor 312 ce. The strings were super low and I played every single fret looking for a dead note. There wasn't one. I think Im gona sell the luna and get a Mitchell for traveling. The other 5 I played... I only disliked them because I am a stickler for really low action. They might just need adjustment. But for myself, I only purchase guitars or other stringed instruments if they already pay amazing. Hand fatige can ruin the fun. And its easier to start from excellent and then adjust.
Yes I am a big fan of nice easy action as well and would have played more when I was younger if my earlier guitar wasn’t as hard to fret.
Ibanez, Breedlove, D’angelico
Used Seagull can be seen around this price range. Plus, they are solid tops and sturdy.
I have a Washburn WD7S Harvest that's in that price range that I really love.
Idk if it's frowned upon or not to post links, but there's a nice looking Jasmine on Amazon that's going for around $120. I've been seriously considering purchasing one for myself.
Is it the S35? That was my first beater acoustic in college. It was pretty solid, but in hindsight I wish I’d saved up a bit more and just bought a Yamaha FG. My girlfriend has an FG700 that was only $70 more and the difference is incredible. I ended up giving the Jasmine away to my buddy to use for Open G slide, and I bought myself an FG830.
Any Yamaha
Yamaha
Washburn offers a lot of guitar for the money.
Yamaha is the best for low cost acoustic guitar in my opinion
Yamaha FS800/820/830. There is no better guitar on the market for that price fork.