So, you're looking for a new acoustic guitar, and have a budget of $2000, huh?
Well, you've come to the right place.
We've compiled a list of the best acoustic guitars under $2000 to help you make the best selection for your money.
If you're looking for an acoustic guitar with a good level of build and material quality, $2000 is a pretty good budget.
How we compiled this list.
So, what gives us the right to say which guitars are best in this price range? What gives our opinions so much weight on this topic?
While we are guitar players, what determines the "best guitar" is a very subjective topic. Every player has their own preferences.
That's why rather than relying on our opinions, we compiled a list of every guitar mentioned on forums like gear sluts, reddit, Seymour Duncan's user group forum, and Quora - where people are seeking out the best acoustic guitar under $2000.
Many people within this price range recommended specific brands, such as Taylor, Martin, or Blueridge, rather than specific guitars. For this reason, we furthered our search by looking for the best acoustic guitars within these brands, and eliminated any recommendations over the price of $2000.
After reading through these forums top to bottom, we tally up how many times each guitar was recommended by an owner of that guitar.
With this process, we arrive at the results below - an organized list of guitars that are most recommended by people who actually own and play them.
So instead of relying on our opinions, you're putting your trust in other musicians who spend their time online helping others find the best gear they can get.
For each guitar, we looked at a number of text and video reviews online, as well as the manufacturers own websites, to compile the best information available for each one. We also included video demos with each guitar on this list.
Before we jump into the list, let's go over a few things you should keep in mind when looking for a new guitar.
What should you look for in an acoustic guitar?
When buying a guitar, you want to make sure you get the best for the money. To do that, here are some things you should consider looking at when purchasing a new guitar at any price point.
Overall Sound - This is the most important factor - the guitar has to sound good to you. It's tough to come up with an objective measure of sound quality - many people say you can't. It doesn't matter what anyone else says about how the guitar sounds if you don't like it yourself. Part of being a guitar player is being able to perform with an instrument that best represents your playing style and individual taste.
Wood - Different woods have different sounds. Mahogany and Rosewood are quite popular in high end instruments for their tonality, while basswood is common in low end instruments because it's less expensive to get a hold of. For more info on how wood affects guitar tone, check out this tone wood guide. On higher end guitars, look for Mahogany if you want a brighter tone, and Rosewood if you want a warmer tone.
Solid wood top vs. laminate top - A solid top has a big advantage over lower end and beginner guitars that use laminate tops. Solid top guitars resonate more freely than laminate top guitars, so they can produce a more full sound on all levels of EQ and volume.
Body Style - The body style of an acoustic guitar is most commonly looked at as a preference that's based on looks, but this can affect the tone as well. There are a number of acoustic guitar body styles, such as Dreadnaught or Grand Auditorium. You can learn more about acoustic guitar body types in this article.
Type of usage - Are you using the guitar for recording? Live performance? Just for practice? Keep these things in mind when making your purchase. While you can use the same guitar for all of these, some guitarists prefer to have different guitars for each use case.
Action and Playability - If you like the sound of the guitar, great! However, you want to make sure the guitar is playable as well. A big factor in the playability of a guitar is the action - this is how high the strings are from the neck, and is affected by a combination of the trust rod, nut, and bridge adjustments. If you happen to come across a guitar that has the sound you want, but the action is too high, you can get it set up at a local guitar repair shop.
Electronics - Many guitarists find it helpful to be able to plug in their acoustic guitar. Some acoustic guitars include a pickup system that let you do just this, along with some volume and EQ adjustments. The preamp that controls EQ and volume settings is typically located on the side of the guitar that faces up while playing. Sometimes, the preamp also includes a tuner, but not always. Not all of the guitars on this list include electronics, but we'll make note of the ones that do.
These are some of the things you should keep in mind when looking for an acoustic guitar. In the list below, we'll be sure to include details about each of these points that are relevant to each guitar.
Is there a clear winner?
In this case, there isn't a particular guitar that is considered the absolute best within this price range. However, the best acoustic guitar brands under $2000 seem to be Taylor and Martin based on a number of forum discussions. In our research, these were far and away the most recommended brands among guitar players.
Because of this, for the purposes of this article, we ended up furthering our research into these brands to help compile this list. Taylor and Martin guitars are listed first on this list because they made up a majority of the brand mentions.
Generally, Taylor's tend to have a more modern sound that's usually very crisp, balanced and articulate, similar to tones you'd find from artists like Taylor Swift or John Petrucci.
Martin's, on the other hand, have a warmer tone that's similar to the tones you'll find from artists like Johnny Cash or Paul McCartney. Some modern artists, like Ed Sheeran, also use Martin guitars.
Top 10 Acoustic Guitars Under $2000
Taylor 314ce
What type of wood and body does the Taylor 314ce have? - The best part of this guitar is that it's built with all solid wood - not a laminate. This guitar has a Taylor Grand Auditorium Cutaway body that allows for great volume levels with finger picking. As for woods, this guitar has a Sitka Spruce Top that delivers a tone slightly brighter than Mahogany, and solid Sapele for the back and sides of the guitar.
What is the action and playability like on the Taylor 314ce? - During our analysis of reviews online, good feel and playability were among the top comments about this guitar.
What electronics does the Taylor 314ce have? - The 214CE features Taylor’s trademark Expression System 2 electronics system, which is powered by a 9v battery. The pre-amp section does not feature a tuner, and has a three knob control system to adjust bass, treble, and volume.
How does the Taylor 314ce sound? - Taylor guitars generally have a bright tonality, and this guitar lives up to that. If you're looking for a guitar with crisp, balanced and articulate tones, this is the guitar for you.
Martin D-15m
What type of wood and body does the Martin D-15m have? - This guitar has a Dreadnaught body that goes to the 14th fret of the guitar. It also has all solid wood - featuring solid genuine mahogany for the top, back, sides, and neck.
What is the action and playability like on the Martin D-15m? - During our analysis of reviews online, good feel and playability were among the top comments about this guitar - even when discussing playing on the higher notes.
What electronics does the Martin D-15m have? - This guitar doesn't have any electronics.
How does the Martin D-15m sound? - Guitarists have described this guitar as gritty punching tones on the lower frets when playing chords, with clear bright notes higher up that are good for leads.
Taylor 312ce
What type of wood and body does the Taylor 312ce have? - This guitar features a Grand Concert body style with a Solid Sitka Spruce top and Solid Sapele back and sides.
What is the action and playability like on the Taylor 312ce? -
What electronics does the Taylor 312ce have? - Like the 314ce, good feel and playability were among the top comments about this guitar.
How does the Taylor 312ce sound? - This guitar lives up to Taylor's reputation of bright, crisp tonality. If you're looking for a guitar with balanced and articulate tones, this is the guitar for you. Users of this guitar come from all styles.
Martin D-16GT
What type of body and wood does the Martin D-16GT have? - This guitar has a Dreadnaught body that goes to the 14th fret of the guitar. It also has all solid wood - featuring solid Sitka Spruce for the top, and Solid Genuine Mahogany for the back and sides.
What is the action and playability like on the Martin D-16GT? - Reviewers online have described the playability of this guitar as smooth, with great resonation in the wood. There were n0 complaints about the action.
What electronics does the Martin D-16GT have? - This guitar doesn't have any electronics.
How does the Martin D-16GT sound? - This guitar's tone has been described as punchy, clear, and warm with clear high end.
Martin D-16RGT
Martin D-16RGT vs. Martin D-16GT - What's the difference? - The biggest difference between these guitars is that the Martin D-16GT has Mahogany back and sides, while the Martin D-16RGT has Rosewood back and sides.
What type of wood and body does the Martin D-16RGT have? - Like the Martin D-16RGT, this guitar has a Dreadnaught body that goes to the 14th fret of the guitar. It also has all solid wood - featuring solid Sitka Spruce for the top. The main difference between this guitar and the Martin D-16RGT is that this model has Rosewood for the back and sides.
What is the action and playability like on the Martin D-16RGT? - Owners of this guitar have endlessly complimented it's playability. It sounds and plays great all the way up the neck.
What electronics does the Martin D-16RGT have? - This guitar doesn't have any electronics.
How does the Martin D-16RGT sound? - This guitar has been described as having a great overall tone with rich low end and clear, crisp single notes.
Larrivee OM-03E
What type of wood and body does the Larrivee OM-03E have? - This guitar has a Orchestra body style that ends at the 14th fret. As for wood, this guitar sports a solid Canadian Sitka Spruce top, and has solid Mahogany on the back and sides.
What is the action and playability like on the Larrivee OM-03E? - Reviewers of this guitar praise its playability as being effortless and smooth, with perfectly set action and intonation.
What electronics does the Larrivee OM-03E have? - This guitar has a Stagepro Element pickup with volume, bass, mid and treble controls, and a tuner.
How does the Larrivee OM-03E sound? - This guitar is described as having a very balanced sound with dynamic low end and a shimmering, crystalline high end that will please both those who use their fingers and a pick.
Breedlove Cascade C25
What type of wood and body does the Breedlove Cascade C25 have? - This guitar sports a concert body type, and has an all solid wood body with a Cedar top and East Indian Rosewood back and sides. The neck is constructed with Nato Mahogany, with a East Indian Rosewood fretboard on top.
What is the action and playability like on the Breedlove Cascade C25? - The action has been described as "perfect right out of the box," making this guitar playable all the way up to the higher end of the neck.
What electronics does the Breedlove Cascade C25 have? - This guitar contains LR Baggs Element Active electronics.
How does the Breedlove Cascade C25 sound? - This guitar has been described as having deep,resonant bass tones and beautifully ringing treble tones.
Blueridge BR-160
What type of wood and body does the Blueridge BR-160 have? - This guitar has a Dreadnaught style body built with a solid Sitka Spruce top, solid Indian Rosewood back and sides, and slim mahogany neck.
What is the action and playability like on the Blueridge BR-160? - Many guitarists have mentioned that the setup - action, and intonation - are perfect right out of the box.
What electronics does the Blueridge BR-160 have? - This guitar doesn't have any electronics.
How does the Blueridge BR-160 sound? - This guitar is described as having a tight, bright, and loud tone.
Takamine EF360S-TT
What type of wood and body does the Takamine EF360S-TT have? - This guitar has a Dreadnaught style body with a solid thermal Spruce top, solid Rosewood for the back
and, and a Mahogany neck.
What is the action and playability like on the Takamine EF360S-TT? - According to owners of this guitar, the action is set up great right out of the box, making the guitar easily playable all the way up the neck.
What electronics does the Takamine EF360S-TT have? - This guitar has a TLD-2 Line Driver preamp with a Palathetic pickup.
How does the Takamine EF360S-TT sound? - This guitar has rich and full overall sound with a crisp, well defined high end.
Larrivee 03R
What type of wood and body does the Larrivee 03R have? - This guitar has a body shape unique to Larrivee that's built with a Sitka Spruce top, Rosewood back and sides, and a Mahogany neck with an Ebony fretboard - all solid wood.
What is the action and playability like on the Larrivee 03R? - Owners of this guitar praise it's playability, claiming it stacks up against the Martin and Taylor guitars they've previously owned.
What electronics does the Larrivee 03R have? - This guitar doesn't have any electronics.
How does the Larrivee 03R sound? - This guitar has been described as having a balanced, rich tone.
Conclusion
Hopefully this list gave you some information to help you find the best guitar for your budget. With a budget of $2000 for your next guitar, your almost guaranteed to find something that can make your playing more enjoyable.