There are a lot of acoustic-electric guitars on the market these days. With so many options, it can be challenging to find the best one for your needs. We’ve put together this guide to the best acoustic-electric guitars under 500! In this article, we’ll talk about what makes an acoustic-electric guitar incredible, and then we’ll recommend five models that fit in this price range. So whether you’re a beginner just starting out or looking for an upgrade, read on for the best acoustic-electric guitars under 500!
It’s not easy to find the perfect acoustic-electric guitar under 500. There are so many different guitars that it can be hard to know which one is right for you. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! We’ll give you some tips on what to look for when choosing an acoustic-electric guitar, and we’ll also recommend some of our favourite models.
(1) Fender CD-140SCE
Fender CD-140SCE Dreadnought is a unique acoustic-electric guitar. It has a great sound and is very comfortable to play with. The action is perfect, and the neck is exceptionally smooth. The Fender CD-140SCE is an excellent guitar for beginners and experienced players alike. The solid spruce top and laminated mahogany back and sides create a rich, full sound that is perfect for any style of music and a Venetian cutaway body style that provides excellent access to the upper frets. The CD-140SCE also features a Fishman Presys II pickup system that gives you a great amplified tone when playing through an amplifier or PA system.
Now to the hardware – the Fender CD-140SCE features a rosewood bridge and die-cast chrome tuners that keep this guitar in tune no matter how much you play it. The guitar also comes with a Fender hardshell case that protects it from the elements and keeps it looking great for years to come.
Pros
- Very comfortable to play
- Great for any style of music
- Good access to upper frets
- Excellent amplified tone
- Versatile and durable
Why do we like it
Fender CD-140SCE is a great-sounding guitar with plenty of volume and projection. The tone is full and rich, and it has excellent playability. The action is nice and low, making it easy to play for beginners and experts alike. We also love the built-in pickup system, which gives you the option of playing this guitar plugged in or unplugged. Overall, we think this is an excellent guitar for the money that sounds great & easy to play and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great-sounding acoustic-electric guitar.
(2) Martin LX1E Acoustic-Electric Guitar
For a mini guitar, the Little Martin LX-1E has many features to offer. It’s one of the best travel guitars you can buy, and it’s also perfect for kids and beginners. The Little Martin LX is a versatile guitar that can be used for various genres, including folk, rock, and blues.
Martin LX1E is one of the most popular acoustic-electric guitars on the market. It is known for its quality sound and construction. The solid Sitka spruce top provides excellent projection and tone, while the mahogany HPL back and sides add warmth and depth. The Fishman Sonitone electronics system gives you a great tone whether you’re playing plugged-in or unplugged, and the hard case ensures your guitar will be protected for years to come.
With this travel Martin guitar, you get the perfect blend of features, quality, and value. Whether you are looking for your first acoustic-electric guitar or an upgrade to your current one, the Little Martin is a great option.
Pros
- Durable construction
- Lightweight
- Great sound & versatile
- Reasonably priced
Why do we like it
Little Martin has a natural, rich sound and is perfect for fingerpicking or strumming. Additionally, the guitar is very well-made and looks beautiful. The craftsmanship is top-notch, and we were genuinely impressed with how nice this guitar looked and sounded. We highly recommend the Little Martin LXI to anyone looking for a great-sounding and well-made acoustic guitar. It’s definitely one of the best acoustic-electric guitar under 500 dollars that we’ve ever played.
(3) Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat
Fender pays tribute to Rancid‘s frontman and punk rock icon Tim Armstrong with the Hellcat, an acoustic-electric concert guitar unique to his own style. With its vintage-inspired 1960s, Fender Folkways look and feel, the Hellcat is perfect for any punk rocker or folk musician.
The Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat features a solid mahogany top with laminated mahogany back and sides; the mahogany neck has a rosewood fingerboard with 19 vintage-style frets. This guitar also features Tim’s signature “Skull & Roses” inlays, four-ply tortoiseshell pickguard, and chrome hardware. The Hellcat offers excellent tone and playability with its solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and rosewood fingerboard. The built-in Fishman pickup system ensures that your sound will be amplified clearly and accurately.
Pros
- Very lightweight, making it easy to carry around.
- Strap Lock System, which keeps the strap from slipping off.
- Built-in tuner, making it easy to keep in tune.
- Volume and tone controls on the preamp system are easy to use.
Why do we like it
We enjoyed the Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat Acoustic-Electric Guitar for several reasons. The first is an acoustic guitar that can be plugged in, which is excellent for those who want to play both acoustic and electric. It also has a unique style that distinguishes it from other acoustic guitars. The body is made of mahogany, which gives it a warm, rich sound. And the neck is maple, which provides a bright, clear tone. The guitar also has a unique bridge that allows for easy string changes.
Overall, we think the Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat Acoustic-Electric Guitar is an excellent choice for those looking for an acoustic guitar with both style and substance.
(4) Cordoba C5-CE Iberia Series
The Cordoba Iberia series is one of the most popular and respected lines of Spanish-made guitars and it has been in business since 1997, and their guitars are used by some of the world’s most famous classical and flamenco players. The Cordoba Iberia series guitar we’re reviewing is the Cordoba C-series model, their top-of-the-line nylon string guitar.
The C-Series has been praised for its excellent playability and tone, especially considering its low price. The guitars are well-constructed, with a comfortable neck shape and smooth action. The sound is warm and full, with good projection. The Cordoba C-series guitars are handmade in Spain using a traditional Spanish heel construction.
Cordoba C5-CE is a nylon string acoustic guitar with a solid Canadian cedar top and mahogany back and sides. This combination ensures excellent sound quality and mellow, warm tones, and the cedar top also provides good projection and volume. At the same time, the guitar has a rosewood fingerboard, bridge and gold tuning machines. This guitar has a cutaway body, allowing better access to the upper frets. The C5-CE has a thinner neck than a standard classical guitar, making it more comfortable for some players.
The guitar is equipped with a Fishman preamp and pickup system, including a built-in tuner, a phase knob, a treble & volume knob. This makes the guitar perfect for live performances or recording. The Cordoba C5-CE is an excellent choice for beginner to advanced guitar players looking for a nylon-stringed guitar with pickup.
Pros
- The sound quality is fantastic.
- Very comfortable to play.
- The action is low, and the strings are easy to press down.
- Built-in tuner, which is exceptionally convenient.
- Comes with a hard case which is excellent for travelling.
Why do we like it
We liked Cordoba C5-CE because it had a great design, was easy to hold, and sounded good. The electronics were also very user-friendly, and we liked how they allowed us to customize our sound. Overall, the Cordoba C5-CE is designed for the player looking for classical features in an acoustic-electric guitar with excellent sound quality and comfort.
(5) Fender CD-60SCE
Fender is one of the most popular and successful guitar companies out there, so it’s no surprise that they offer an amazing entry-level acoustic-electric guitar in the form of the CD-60SCE. This guitar is perfect for beginners or those looking for a budget-friendly option, as it offers excellent features and a quality build that belie its low price tag.
The CD-60SCE sports a dreadnought body shape, the most popular body shape for acoustic guitars. This gives the guitar a full and rich sound, perfect for strumming chords or fingerpicking. The body is made of laminated mahogany, which gives the guitar a warm tone. The top is made of spruce, a very versatile tonewood that works well with various genres.
The CD-60SCE has a Venetian-style cutaway, which gives the player better access to the upper frets, an excellent feature for those who want to play lead or do a lot of soloing. It also features a scalloped x-bracing, which reinforces the guitar’s top and allows it to vibrate more freely, resulting in a louder, richer sound
The guitar comes equipped with Fender’s proprietary preamp system, including a two-band EQ and an onboard tuner. This preamp system is designed to give the guitar a natural sound when amplified, and it does a great job of that. The guitar also has a built-in pickup, so it’s ready to be plugged into an amp or PA system.
Pros
- Crisp and clear sound
- Good action and playability
- Easy to use controls
- Durable and well built
Why do we like it
We all know how much guitarists love to play, but not every one of them can afford an expensive instrument. The Fender Electric Acoustic Guitar is one of the best guitars on this list, and it’s only around $400! You’ll get a high-quality mid-range sound with Fishman electronics. The neck has been ergonomically designed to make playing more comfortable for you as well.
If you’re looking for something that will make you feel like an expert without breaking into a bank account, then look no further than the Fender CD-60SCE.
What are the Different Parts of an Acoustic-Electric Guitar?
The different parts of an acoustic-electric guitar are the body, neck, headstock, fretboard, frets, inlays, pickups, and strings. The body is the largest and most visible part of the guitar. It is made of wood and houses the pickups, bridge, and tailpiece. The neck is attached to the body and is where the fretboard and headstock are located. The fretboard is made of wood or synthetic material and has metal frets that divide it into sections.
The headstock is at the end of the neck and holds the tuning pegs for the strings. The frets are thin metal strips that are placed perpendicular to the strings and divide the fretboard into sections. The inlays are markers on the fretboard that indicate where certain notes are located. The pickups are devices that convert the vibration of the strings into an electrical signal. The strings are metal wires that vibrate when plucked and produce the sound of the guitar.
Tips on how to find the best acoustic-electric guitar
When looking to buy an acoustic-electric guitar, it is important to keep in mind the factors that will make one guitar more suitable for your needs than another. Here are a few tips to help you choose the best acoustic-electric guitar for you:
- Consider what style of music you want to play. Different guitars are better suited for different genres of music.
- Consider the size of the guitar. Acoustic-electric guitars come in different sizes, and you will want to choose one that is the right size for your body. A guitar that is too large or too small will be uncomfortable to play.
- Price is not always an indicator of quality – there are some great guitars available at lower prices, and there are also some guitars that are overpriced. It is important to set a budget and stick to it when shopping for a guitar.
- Try out different guitars. It is important to play a few different acoustic-electric guitars before making a purchase. This will help you get a feel for what you like and what you don’t like.
- Pay attention to the construction and materials used in the guitar. These can affect the sound quality and playability of the instrument. A higher-quality guitar will be more comfortable to play and will sound better.
Shopping for an acoustic-electric guitar can be a daunting task, but following these tips will help make the process easier. Keep in mind that the best guitar for you is the one that feels comfortable to play and that suits the style of music you want to play. With a little bit of research, you’re sure to find the perfect acoustic-electric guitar for your needs.
FAQs
Q. What is an acoustic-electric guitar?
A. An acoustic-electric guitar is a guitar that can be played either acoustically or electrically. They have a built-in pickup that converts the sound of the strings into an electrical signal, which can then be amplified and played through a PA system or an amplifier.
Q. What are the benefits of acoustic-electric guitars?
A. The main benefit of acoustic-electric guitars is that they give you the flexibility to play them both acoustically and electrically. This means that you can use them in a variety of settings, depending on your needs. For example, if you want to play an acoustic gig, you can just use the guitar without plugging it into an amplifier. However, if you want to play an electric gig, you can plug the guitar into an amplifier and get a much louder sound.
Q. What are some of the downsides of acoustic-electric guitars?
A. Some of the downsides of acoustic-electric guitars include the fact that they can be more expensive than regular acoustic guitars, and they also require batteries or an external power source in order to work. Additionally, because they are electrically amplified, they can provide feedback if the volume is turned up too high.
Q. How do I choose the right acoustic-electric guitar for me?
A. When choosing an acoustic-electric guitar, it is important to consider your needs and what you will be using the guitar for. If you plan on playing mostly acoustic gigs, you might want to choose a guitar that has a built-in pickup but is still relatively affordable. On the other hand, if you plan on playing mostly electric gigs, you might want to choose a more expensive guitar with better sound quality. Ultimately, the best way to choose an acoustic-electric guitar is to try out a few different models and see which one feels and sounds the best to you.
Conclusion
So there you have it – our picks for the best acoustic-electric guitars under 500. Whether you’re a beginner just starting out or you’re looking for an upgrade, we hope this article has helped you find the perfect guitar for your needs. Remember, it’s important to choose a guitar that feels comfortable and sounds great in your hands, so take your time and try out a few different models until you find the one that’s perfect for you. Thanks for reading!
