10 Best Guitars For Beginners 2025 in the United States

The Ashthorpe 38-inch Beginner Acoustic Guitar is an excellent choice for students and teens starting their musical journey. Designed as a right-handed guitar, it features a compact size and lightweight build, making it easy for beginners to handle. The body is made from laminated basswood, which offers a warm, versatile tone and a high-gloss finish for aesthetic appeal. The neck is also of basswood, which might be less sturdy compared to other materials, but is suitable for a beginner's needs.

With 18 frets and 6 alloy steel strings, it provides a standard playing experience for new guitarists. The guitar comes with a complete starter kit, including a gig bag, picks, a shoulder strap, a digital tuner, a pitch pipe, extra strings, and an instructional sheet, ensuring that beginners have everything they need to get started. Since it is designed with beginners in mind, the action might need adjustments for more advanced play and the tuning stability can be a bit inconsistent, requiring frequent retuning.

The sound quality is impressive for its price range, with good projection and a bright tone. This package is well-suited for those who are just stepping into the world of guitar playing and need an all-in-one starter kit to begin practicing immediately.

The Fender Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar is a solid choice for beginners looking to start their musical journey. Its all-laminate construction with a lindenwood top and mahogany back and sides ensures durability, making it well-suited for the everyday use that novice players might put it through. The dreadnought body shape delivers a full-bodied sound, which many new guitarists appreciate as it provides a rich tone that can be quite inspiring.

One of the standout features is its slim neck, designed for easy playability. This is particularly beneficial for beginners who might struggle with thicker necks, allowing for a more comfortable learning experience. The inclusion of a gig bag, tuner, strap, strings, winder, and picks in the bundle adds significant value, as it equips new players with everything they need to start playing right away. Additionally, the Fender Play online lessons and Austin Bazaar instructional DVD are excellent resources for learning, catering specifically to those who may need some guidance.

On the flip side, while the lindenwood top provides good sound, it may not match the tonal depth of higher-end solid wood guitars. The action, which can affect playability, might require some adjustments based on individual preference, as is common with many budget instruments. Some users also report that the tuning stability could be a concern, especially for those who frequently change tunings or are still getting accustomed to tuning their instrument.

The Yamaha FG800J NT is a solid choice for beginners looking to start their musical journey on the right note. It features a traditional Western dreadnought body that is well-known for its bright, balanced tone and strong low-end projection, thanks to the solid spruce top. The body size and shape make it comfortable to hold and play, which is essential for beginners who may spend a lot of time practicing. The neck is made from nato wood, and the fretboard is rosewood, providing a smooth playing experience. The phosphor bronze strings are durable and produce a warm, resonant sound.

Beginners might find the factory-set action (the distance between the strings and the fretboard) a bit high, which could make pressing the strings down harder initially. The tuning stability is generally reliable, although frequent tuning adjustments might be necessary as the guitar settles in its early days. The craftsmanship, including the quality of materials like mahogany and rosewood for the back and sides, ensures this guitar is built to last. Its fixed guitar bridge system adds to the ease of use, as beginners won’t need to worry about making adjustments.

In summary, the Yamaha FG800J NT combines quality and playability, making it a strong contender for any beginner guitarist. Just be prepared for a bit of an adjustment period as you get used to the instrument's setup.