It’s also tougher to find clear, accurate electronics sets under $500. These offer better tone than cheaper multi-wood laminates, and they’re still very durable. If you want better sound, look for “layered” body woods that are laminates of only one wood type. Thankfully, the top provides a lot of your guitar’s tone, so a solid top will help your guitar sound good regardless of the body woods. You’ll often find a solid top on an acoustic guitar under $500, but it’s extremely rare to see a guitar made entirely with solid slabs of wood. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t find a fantastic electro-acoustic guitar here - you just need to prioritize factors like build quality and versatility as you search. Under $500, you’ll find a lot of mediocre acoustic-electric guitars on the market. It offers some of the clearest, most natural tones for a pickup at this price. The Taylor ES2 onboard pickup and preamp is another plus. It’s got amazing sustain and clarity, with ringing, bright trebles and a tight, controlled bass response. Overall, you should check out the Taylor 214CE for the best model under $1,000. These guitars, which are tailored to the specific qualities of the tonewoods, are some of the best acoustic electric guitars that you’ll find in this bracket. Look for a guitar like the PRS SE A50E, which combines a maple body with innovative hybrid bracing to maximize the bright, sweet sound of the maple back and sides. However, some companies include only a light veneer of the wood, or swap out the tonewood but leave the bracing pattern unchanged. You’ll also find guitar manufacturers starting to use different styles of tonewoods at this price, like maple for the back and sides. Looking for guitars that are built for your specific style can help you get the most out of your purchase. While these guitars might not appeal to every player, they’re perfect for guitarists who want a specific sound. Like the AJ45ME, many of the more expensive acoustics are optimized for one style or genre of music. It’s designed to nail the mid-rangy, nasal, slightly compressed sound that the Gibson J45 made famous. This bracket is also where some manufacturers branch into specific styles of acoustics, beyond jack-of-all-trades beginner models. Solid wood vibrates more efficiently, transmitting your sound out of the guitar for better projection and character. Solid tops are extremely common in the under-$1,000 market, and for good reason. In this price bracket, you should look out for factors like build quality, tonal character and responsiveness. If you’re willing to spend up to $1,000, you can find some fantastic acoustic-electric guitars. PRS SE Parlor P20E Acoustic Electric Guitarīest Parlor-Sized Acoustic: Compact parlor guitar with retro sounds and modern finishing Punk Rock Inspired Acoustic: Concert acoustic with the mojo and tone of its namesake Well-Balanced Small Bodied Cutaway: Beautiful look and feel, with Takamine’s famous preamps for playing on stageįender Tim Armstrong Hellcat Acoustic Electric Guitar Takamine GN93CE-NAT Acoustic Electric Guitar J45 Jumbo Inspired Masterpiece: Faithful specs for vintage J-45 tone in a modern, affordable package Top Grade Electronics: Innovative acoustic that’s built to be plugged in and played liveĮpiphone Masterbilt AJ-45ME Acoustic Electric Guitar
Ovation Celebrity Elite Plus Electric Acoustic Guitar Taylor K14ce Builders Edition Acoustic Electric GuitarĮxceptional Build Quality and Tone: Beautiful, sweet-sounding guitar for players who want the absolute best option Unique Hybrid X Bracing: Premium tonewoods and inventive bracing to sound great amplified and unplugged Innovative Acoustic Design: Electric feel and true acoustic sound in one guitar lets you do it all Superb Quality On A Budget: Workhorse aesthetic and punchy sound in a dreadnought guitarįender American Acoustasonic Stratocaster Premium Pick: Sparkling, ringing acoustic for players with a large budget
Best Choice: Articulate choice that shines across all stylesĮpiphone Hummingbird PRO Acoustic Electric Guitarīest Value: Powerful dreadnought with vintage looks and versatile sound