Are you on a tight budget but still want to get your hands on a high-quality acoustic-electric guitar?
In this guide, we’ll be exploring some of the best affordable acoustic electric guitars under $200 that will give you the sound and feel of a much more expensive instrument without breaking the bank.
Whether you are just starting or want to upgrade to a better guitar, these guitars offer excellent value for their price and are sure to impress.
If you are in a hurry, here is a summary of the affordable acoustic electric guitar:
How Much Should I Spend on an Acoustic Electric Guitar?
The amount you should spend on an acoustic-electric guitar depends on your level of experience, playing style, and personal preferences.
If you are just starting out, you can find a decent acoustic-electric guitar for under $200. These guitars may not have all the bells and whistles of higher-end models, but they will get the job done and provide you with a good foundation.
Intermediate guitarists who are looking for better sound quality and more features may need to spend a bit more than beginners, anywhere from $300 to $1000.
Professional guitarists or those with advanced skills may want to invest in a high-end acoustic-electric guitar that is made of solid wood and has premium features. These guitars cost up to $1000 or more.
You should try out different guitars and find one that feels comfortable to play and produces the sound you are looking for.
Best Affordable Acoustic Electric Guitars Under $200 Reviewed
Yamaha FGX800C Acoustic-Electric Guitar
The FGX800 comes with a Solid Sitka Spruce Top and Nato Back & Sides, which integrate to produce a rich, expressive sound with good progression. A combination of improved harmonics and excellent tonal balance ensures FGX800C remains relevant for years to come.
It sports a dreadnought cutaway shape, a comfortable neck, a Scalloped X bracing pattern, and a gloss body finish. It also includes a saddle piezo pickup, System-66 pickup, and preamp electronics, which reproduce the natural tones of Spruce.
Yamaha FGX800C boasts a 3-band EQ and a chromatic tuner with mids that cut out undesirable feedback and ensure that your performances sound fantastic.
Furthermore, the instrument features Diecast tuners, 20 frets, and an adjustable truss rod. However, while it promises high value, it has a low-quality strap.
Pros
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Clear sound and warm tones
- Durable
Cons
- Low-quality strap
- Heavy strings might be uncomfortable for beginners
Ashthorpe Full-Size Acoustic-Electric Guitar Package
High-quality tonewoods make up Asthorpe full-size’s body. Spruce is on top for its excellent durability and melodic capabilities, and Basswood is on the back and sides for perfect tonal resonance.
The soundboard’s underbelly is X-braced for additional structural support. The guitar features a full-size cutaway designed body, while the neck is made of marine-grade Okoume.
The guitar body is cut back around the neck to give more accessible access to the upper frets, resulting in a more pleasant playing experience.
Ashthorpe Full-Size Cutaway is ultra-thin, resulting in unrivaled sound and beauty, and it is light enough to travel and play with ease. When plugged into an amp, an inbuilt 4-band pickup equalizer coupled with a volume control knob provides you complete tonal control. It is also loaded with adjustment slide controls for treble, mid-range, and bass.
The guitar’s EQ is powered by a 9V battery and includes a battery check button. However, it doesn’t feature an amp. You can find cheap guitar amps for under $100.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Great sound
- Hardy manufacturing
Cons
- It doesn’t include an amp
Jameson Guitars Full Size Thinline Acoustic-Electric Guitar
This lightweight guitar comes with a narrow line that gives it a distinct look and a single cutaway that allows easy access up the Rosewood fingerboard. It has a maple neck, a truss rod, 20 frets, traditional dot inlays, and comfortable width and thickness for new players.
Furthermore, Jameson Guitars Full-Size Thinline acoustic-electric hosts a built-in EQ and a stock pickup onboard, which translates to a mid-range sound with many audio settings. The steel-string guitar boasts die-cast tuners that hold up well and volume and tone controls that are easy to use.
However, avoid strumming it forcefully to avoid tuning problems and ensure durability.
You will also get free guitar picks and a gig bag case for storage when you buy this guitar. Even though players enjoy high treble, mid-range, and bass frequencies, the guitar lacks some electrical features.
Pros
- Portable
- Excellent sound and playability
- It comes with a gig-bag
- Includes extra accessories
Cons
- Quality control problems
- Needs frequent tuning
Yamaha FX325A Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Yamaha FX325A is an upgrade of Yamaha FX325 that’s great for novice players, intermediate, and advanced players due to its great sounding system.
The FX325A features a 25-inch scale length and a maximum body depth of 4.6”, making it loud and resonant. It also has a nato neck, a 20-frets rosewood fingerboard, and a 15.7” radius.
The guitar’s fingerboard is graced with centered dot inlays, enabling you to visually identify where your fingers are playing. It is outfitted with System53, a 3-band EQ, and an incredibly easy-to-operate Piezo Pickup.
It has a decal soundhole rosette and a tortoise pattern pickguard. Additionally, its black/cream body binding connects the strings to the body that has a rosewood bridge with black ABS pins.
This guitar boasts an under saddle ART 1-way pickup, an inbuilt tuner for electronics, a hex wrench, two AA batteries, volume, and tone controls. However, the strings are too high and its thin tonewood is susceptible to breakage.
Pros
- Easy to play
- Decent sound at an affordable price
- Comfortable
- Great for beginners
Cons
- Too high strings
- Thin tonewood hence vulnerable to breakage
Related: Best Acoustic-Electric Guitars Under $300
How Acoustic Electric Guitars Work (Video)
FAQs
What Is An Acoustic-Electric Guitar?
An acoustic-electric guitar describes an acoustic guitar that has a plug. The ability to plug in an acoustic guitar and crank up the volume is a desirable feature because acoustic instruments are notoriously soft.
Will An Acoustic-Electric Guitar Under 200 Sound Good?
Naturally, a more expensive guitar will sound better than a cheap one, but this isn’t to say that acoustic-electric guitars under $200 won’t sound decent.
A seasoned player will tell the difference in a flash. However, a novice guitarist may not be able to tell the difference enough to justify spending extra dollars on a guitar.
Budget guitars are available to beginner guitarists and those on a budget.
What Should I Consider When Buying an Acoustic-Electric Guitars Under $200?
Your taste and preference determine what’s essential to you when choosing an acoustic-electric guitar. However, there are some characteristics to look for when shopping for guitars in this price range, such as body shape, tonewoods, electronics, and accessories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best affordable electric acoustic guitar?
In terms of affordable electric acoustic guitars, there’s quite a big market out there, but we can’t pinpoint just one as the best. It all depends on factors such as your playing style, genre preferences, and personal taste. What I’ve personally found is that guitars from brands like Ibanez, Fender, and Yamaha often offer sound quality, durability, and features that punch well above their weight, considering their affordable price points.
What is the best acoustic guitar for an electric guitarist?
Transitioning from electric to acoustic can be a slight adjustment due to the differences in body size, neck width, and string gauge. But don’t worry, some acoustic guitars make this transition easier. Personally, I’ve found that smaller bodied guitars or those with a cutaway design like the Taylor GS Mini or the Martin D-15M tend to be favored by electric guitarists because they’re easier to handle and offer great sound. But remember, the best guitar for you is ultimately dictated by your playing style, preference, and comfort.
How much should I spend on an acoustic electric guitar?
As someone who’s been immersed in music for a long while, I can say that the cost of an acoustic-electric guitar can vary greatly based on the brand, materials, and features you’re looking for. If you’re planning on buying an electric guitar, I usually recommend setting aside at least $200 and not going over $400. On the other hand, if what you’re after is an acoustic or classical guitar, a budget of $150 to $250 is often adequate. Remember that these are just ballpark figures, but they do represent a good baseline from my experience assisting musicians in finding the right balance between quality and affordability.
What is the best price point for an acoustic guitar?
Just like with any musical instrument, the best price point for an acoustic guitar depends on your individual needs and goals. If you’re a beginner, you can potentially find a decent starting guitar for as low as $100 to $200. Intermediate players might be looking at the range of $200 to $600 for solid wood construction and better resonance. Advanced and professional players may find that guitars in the $1000 and up range offer the craftsmanship and sound quality they need. Of course, these are just estimates—I’ve personally played on out-of-the-park budget guitars and been let down by some high-end ones. So, the most important thing is to try before you buy, no matter your budget.