These are classic guitars under the $500 budget which are well worth the price for the quality and build. The recommended guitars will last you from your beginner to performing stage as a musician and worshipper. See our checklist on what to look at in a guitar before you buy one!
1. Taylor Big Baby
The Big Baby Taylor is what we would recommend (instead of the baby Taylor), a 15/16-scale Dreadnought.
It is slightly smaller (15/16th size) than a full-size guitar, which makes it perfect for a child, youth or a travelling musician. I’ve used this for awhile and I have to say that the tone from strumming is bright and full. It is slightly lighter and compact which makes it really suitable for a experienced cell group guitarist and newbie. Try this for a few years before moving up to a full premium Taylor.
Taylor Guitars has been around since 1974 and it is a premium guitar brand. Renowned musicians such as Dave Matthews, Prince, Mick Jagger and Taylor Swift have made Taylor their go-to guitars. This is a guitar that will last you for years to come!
If you’re looking for a step up and a full guitar from Taylor, the Taylor Academy Series Academy 12e Grand Concert Acoustic-Electric Guitar is a great choice.
2. Martin
3. Takamine
4. Yamaha
The Yamaha FG830 comes in a wide range of colors. When it was introduced in 1966, the Yamaha FG proved that a great acoustic guitar didn’t need to cost a fortune. With a focus on great playability, musical tone and outstanding build quality, the original FG180 quickly became a classic with countless careers and hit records starting life on an FG.
50 years since the introduction of the FG acoustics, the new range features the best-ever FG tone and the same great playability and class-leading quality that’s made it the choice of millions of guitarists. The 800 Series has a louder and stronger sound in the low to mid-ranges.
5. Epiphone
This guitar has a slight more ornaments than the rest – pickguard, pearloid crown fretboard inlays, sloped dove wing headstock, and that eye-catching mustache bridge
These are very well known guitar brands and the build quality will not change much as they are a classic series from each of the brands. These guitars from this list will last you for a long time, 10 years and more, even with simple care techniques – placing the guitar in a case after use, cleaning the fret board every few months, careful replacement of strings. But don’t worry, go ahead and strum them, pluck them and worship away freely!
The guitars are choosen because of the price point, build quality and most importantly – bright strumming sounds which make them perfect for acoustic praise and worship sessions. For guitars with a more mellow and warming sound, you may have to search elsewhere, such as a classic guitar with nylon strings.
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