Top 10 Best Acoustic-Electric Guitar Under $300 – Reviews & Guide 2022

When it comes to musical instruments, especially guitars then ease of playing is of pivotal importance. It is because you want to have a supportive musical instrument to bring out the best of your musical skills while playing those. This becomes even more important when you are a learner in the guitar domain.

Here is a quick preview of our top 10:
#1, Epiphone EEPUNACH1 – 15 Acoustic-Electric Guitar
#2,Cordoba Mini II Small Body Spruce Ebony Acoustic-Electric Guitar
#3,Traveler Guitar Ultralight Acoustic Electric
#4,Fender CD-60SCE Acoustic-Electric Guitar
#5,C. B. Gitty 3string Acoustic-Electric Guitar
#6,Other Acoustic-Electric Blueberry Burst Guitar
#7,Glen Burton GA204BCO – BK Acoustic-Electric Guitar
#8,Luna Henna Oasis Acoustic-Electric Guitar
#9,Ibanez PF15ECENT Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar
#10,Isarn Acoustic-Electric Phin 3-string

For guitars and among the beginners, the acoustic-electric types are the most in-demand. This type of guitar comes with a magnetic pickup or a microphone along. You may trust this type in a variety of different genres of music, especially when you desire to have the sound of an acoustic guitar and supplementary volume is required.

This makes a great choice for live performance, jamming sessions, and during guitar learning classes. Affordability is of the essence here for beginners so we will be targeting the guitars that are within the budget of $300.

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Table of Contents

Top 10 Acoustic Electric Guitars under $300

If you are on a budget of $300 for an acoustic-electric guitar then the enormous available choices in the range would overwhelm you. It could be a daunting task at times to pick the best fit when you are required to keep a check on so many factors.

Let us make your life easier by mentioning the top avai
label acoustic-electric guitars available in the market as mentioned below:

#1, Epiphone EEPUNACH1 – 15 Acoustic-Electric Guitar

This is an all-natural look guitar from the Epiphone brand with some excellent feedback and reviews from its existing users. The finishing of this guitar is a bit glossy with a pattern that is proprietary bracing. It comes with the Solid Spruce top along with the cutaway.

The body and neck of this instrument are laminated Mahogany type. If you want to know about the next profile then you will be pleased to know that it an EZ-Pro type that comes with a 24.7 scale length. There is a dual-action truss rod as well along with the rosewood f-board.

The guitar also comes with a preamp with a tuner and a coated fingerboard. It is all supported with speed nut and jumbo frets.

Pros:

Cons:

#2,Cordoba Mini II Small Body Spruce Ebony Acoustic-Electric Guitar

It is a very comfortable half-size guitar that comes with a standard type of tuning. The manufacturer has offered this 6-string with a solid spruce top which is backed with the desirable striped ebony sides and the back. NuBone type of nut is there which has a width of 1.875 inches. The Mahogany neck of the guitar is of C-profile type. On top of that, it has a satin polyurethane finish for both its neck and body. Overall, this guitar in the range would provide you with the best value for your money.

Pros:

Cons:

#3,Traveler Guitar Ultralight Acoustic Electric

This is one of its kind of an acoustic-electric guitar which is suitable for easy carrying for travelers. This mini-size guitar sounds as good as a regular guitar. It offers users the 24 ¾ inches full-scale option.

If you are a traveler by air then this would fit in easily in the overhead cabin of the plane. The total weight of this instrument is just two pounds and the length is 28 inches only.

You will be pleased to learn that it comes with an attractive gig bag as well so it further makes it easy to carry while traveling.

If you are considering its neck and body then it is a single piece Eastern American type with a hard maple neck through the body. It also comes with a piezo pickup for travelers with ¼ inches output.

Pros:

Cons:

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#4,Fender CD-60SCE Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Fender offered this guitar specifically for right-handers. This one is a dreadnought body style acoustic-electric guitar with a single-cutaway. The equipment is Fishman’s classic design preamp/ pickup. It is one of the most attractive and productive guitars to have in the range.

It comes in a striking black finish which makes it stand out among its competitive products. The back and sides of this guitar are of mahogany type. You will find this equipment quite easy to play especially with its neck and the rolled fingerboard edges.

Pros:

The guitar comes with a solid spruce-type top.
The scalloped X-bracing provides an excellent support system.
The mahogany sides and back further add quality to this acoustic-electric guitar.
The neck style and shape is quite easy for right-handers to play it to its maximum potential.

Cons:

#5,C. B. Gitty 3string Acoustic-Electric Guitar

The children who are into the early days of guitar playing will find this as a very suitable option. This acoustic-electric guitar with 3-string only will provide them with the opportunity to learn the dynamics of the guitar with ease.

This USA handmade instrument comes with a lucrative patriotic design with a USA flag. The construction using hardwood is quite sturdy. Playing this guitar is extremely easy and it offers some excellent sounding tones. You will get this one with a built-in pickup which you could plug right into the Amp.

Pros:

The construction of this small 3-string guitar is quite solid.
It is a handmade guitar in the USA which makes it so special for its design and attention to detail.
This guitar is ideal for preteen guitar enthusiasts for easy playing and learning.
There is a useful built-in pickup that you can directly plug into the amplifier.

Cons:

#6,Other Acoustic-Electric Blueberry Burst Guitar

The slim and narrow neck of this acoustic-electric guitar is its unique selling point. This is highly suitable for those who have small hands.
This is especially the case with girls and they would find this one extremely easy to play. It comes with a productive custom piezo pickup/ preamp system.

It is backed with built-in electronics which further adds great value to the overall system. The guitar sound exceptionally well too and this is something that the beginner-level guitarist would love to have.

Pros:

This is a lightweight and strongly built guitar.
The guitar buffs with small hands, especially girls would find it very easy to play.
It arrives incomplete setup form. You don’t need to do anything out of the box to make it play.
You will get this one with a limited lifetime warranty.

Cons:

#7,Glen Burton GA204BCO – BK Acoustic-Electric Guitar

This one is a very affordable complete set of acoustic-electric guitars for beginner-level players. You will get an excellent flame top guitar here which comes with the basswood back and sides. The neck and bridge of this equipment are of Catalpa type which is quite desirable.

It also has a rosewood fingerboard. The strings are of steel and the gear turners are fully sealed as well. Apart from this, you will get a guitar stand that comes with adjustable settings of the frame.

Pros:

This guitar comes with excellent construction of wood that promotes a nice sound.
The package comes with a useful guitar stand which you could adjust as per your needs.
You will get this one along with a useful carry bag.
It is a piece of lightweight equipment that beginners would find quite comfortable to use.

Cons:

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#8,Luna Henna Oasis Acoustic-Electric Guitar

This is a great acoustic-electric guitar for those beginners who are on a budget. It promises to transport its users and those around to a magical world of auditory and visual delights.

This one is manufactured by the author over a grand concert body that comes with an attractive Henna design that is laser-etched.
The body type of this one is a bit smaller but you could still expect this one to offer you good reliable sound. It comes with a mahogany body along with the select spruce top which is responsible here for creating the rich tonal definitions.

Pros:

The guitar offers a good range of character when the rhythmic chords are played.
The design and the overall look of this guitar are excellent and it promotes easy playing.
The preamp comes with a built-in tuner that recreates the amplified sound beautifully.
The guitar for its size is quite light in weight.

Cons:

#9,Ibanez PF15ECENT Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar

This is the cutaway dreadnought body style acoustic electric which is quite popular among upcoming guitarists. It offers a spruce top that endorses excellent built quality and sturdiness. The back, sides, and the neck of this guitar are mahogany type.

You will find this one with a 634mm/ 25 inches scale which is quite good for beginners to learn the skill. As per the user’s views, this acoustic-electric guitar with its sounds is quite useful. This is one of the best guitars that you could have for your limited budget.

Pros:

The guitar bridge system is adjustable as per your requirements.
The action on this guitar is easy as the strings are quite close to its fretboard.
This comes ready to be played out of the box with a pickup installed already.
The design is good and the user can hold it close in a hugging style to play it easily.

Cons:

#10,Isarn Acoustic-Electric Phin 3-string

This is another special 33-string guitar that will be extremely feasible for new learners into the guitar world, including children as well. The 3-strings are so easy to play and to learn the basics of guitar. It is specially imported from Thailand and such styles are quite popular in their local folk music tradition.

It is a handmade guitar that endorses quality from the renowned Tamegems Staff. It has a pear-shaped body that is easy to hold and play with. The frets are provided over the neck and right above the two metal strings run which could be played with the right-hand pick.

Pros:

This 3-string guitar is easy for learners.
The equipment is lightweight which makes it easy to carry and play for longer sessions.
The guitar is a handmade one and comes with a good-looking pear-shaped body.
The manufacturer has provided good care to the tonal quality of this equipment.

Cons:

Frequently Asked Questions about Acoustic Electric Guitars under $300

Which resonates better, laminated or the solid top?

The solid top is known to resonate quite efficiently as compared to the laminated one. As a result, you get loud and better sound out of the instrument.

What is the key thing to look for in the fretboard area?

You need to check the distance between the fretboards and strings. If the strings and fretboard are too close then you will be hearing a buzzing sound that you don’t want.

Is it possible to play the acoustic-electric guitar unplugged?

Yes, you may play such guitars unplugged as well and it may still sound like a regular acoustic-electric guitar.

What makes the acoustic-electric guitar good for beginners?

It is the simplicity of the guitar more than any other type especially with its sounds and playing that makes it ideal for beginners.

What to Look for When Buying an Acoustic Electric Guitar?

Buying an electric acoustic guitar is a complicated process, especially if you’re a beginner. You should start by knowing what makes a guitar a guitar, and what parts make up a guitar. In order to buy a reliable and high quality acoustic electric guitar, you should consider things such as the construction material, the tone wood, the string gauge, the strings, the neck design, the body shape, the bridge type, the pickups, the electronics, and the finish. We hope that our guide will help you choose the right acoustic electric guitar for your needs.

What Budget Acoustic Electric Guitars Can You Get?

These guitars are great because they’re affordable and reliable. Their quality and tone make them worth every penny.

Can Cheap Acoustic Electric Guitars Still Sound Good?

Of course! Every leading brand has budget guitars that can be accessible by everybody. They are the perfect choice for beginners who want to learn how much they like the guitar playing world. As long as you try out the product or have a local staff member of Guitar Center play it, you should get over your doubts.

What Are the Cheapest Acoustic Electric Guitar Brands?

Both Yamaha and Epiphone make a wide range of inexpensive acoustic guitars that can be purchased by any passionate musician. These guitars have an array of colors, woods, bodies, and bundles.

What to Consider When Buying an Acoustic-Electric Guitar Under $300?

Acoustic-electric guitars are very popular instruments because they are easy to play and affordable. But there were many different types of them on the market. So I had to narrow down my choices by the following criteria:

1) Only include models that cost less than $300.

What is fender play we hear you ask?

Fenders are guitars made by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. They are used by musicians to make music. Tonewoods include maple, rosewood, and ebony. Spruces are made from spruce trees. Mahogany is made from mahogany trees. This guitar is made from mahogony and spruce.

Do I need special cables for plugging in an acoustic-electric guitar?

Acoustic-electric guitars are similar to electric guitars in that they both require a pickup to amplify the sound. Electric guitars also need a battery pack to power the amplifier. However, electric guitars have a volume control while acoustic-electric guitars do not.

You do not need to spend more money than necessary on a cable. Cheap cables may be less durable. Quality cables will last longer and provide better sound.

Features to Consider when Buying Acoustic Electric Guitar under $300

If you are new to guitars with not much information about their dynamics then you need to learn a few things about such products.
There are some technical specifications attributed with the guitars and your best product will be the one that offers a good balance among all such features. Let us find in detail the core features of the acoustic-electric guitar to make a quick, smart decision for yourself.

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Body Styles of Guitar

The following are the major types of body styles of acoustic-electric guitars available:

Dreadnought – This is the most common type of guitar body style available in the market. It is preferred by guitarists due to its full pear shape. It doesn’t have any cutaways anywhere on its body. This is loved by beginners and professional guitarists alike due to its versatility in sound. Any genre of music could be played on this type.

Jumbo – This is the go-to style for those who are into live performances. It is a popular style among musicians for its excellent projection potential. Just as the name of this style suggests, it is considerably bigger than the other styles. The big size allows it to have a brash, bold, and quite a loud sound which comes due to the extra wood available.

Parlor – It is a guitar with a small shape body. This type of guitar for its very small size is preferred by indie and folk musicians who also require low-key tones. This type usually comes with a maximum to have 12 frets.

Auditorium – This style is a combo of both the parlor and the dreadnought styles. The classic pear shape enables this instrument to sit easily on your knee. It is the ideal size for average players. It is most popular among folk and indie musicians and also for those who prefer to fingerpick.

Type of Wood

The type of wood selection is critical and it influences the weight and the type of sound I produce. Let us have a look below at the different available wood types:

Spruce, is the most common type of wood available for guitars. It is not just a durable option but it is quite light in weight as well.

Even if it comes with a thinner neck, you wouldn’t fear this one to break easily. This type of wood produces elegant sound and guitarists appreciate it for its resonance as well. It project clearer sound no matter how hard you are with its hitting or plucking, while not losing the responsiveness at all.

Rosewood

The rosewood type is quite a popular wood too for guitars. It is quite common to as you might find either the body or sometimes the neck only made of rosewood. At times, both these parts are made of rosewood. Such wood type allows the players to achieve warm, deep, and rich sounds. It is also liked for its distinct and attractive dark-color wood.

Mahogany

This type has its special demand among a certain class of guitarists. It is the one that emphasizes more on the bass and also the mid-range frequencies. Generally, you will be able to get quite a dark tone with this type of wood. Another commonly found tonewood is named Koa, which is quite close to what mahogany is.

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Cedar

This is a darker type of wood usually as compared to all other types. Sometimes, you could also find a deep red variant of this wood in guitars. It is an ideal choice for those guitarists who prefer playing tenderly and lightly. It is because the solid top of such wood responds desirably to the light fingerpicking.

The guitarists looking to play aggressively on this one should be cautious as it could compress the sound. On top of that, the solid cedar top tends to lose a certain part of its originality when it is plucked a bit hard.

Acoustic Pickups Selection

One key thing to note here is that none of the pickup types is inferior to the other. It is just that each type has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. Quality and price are highly influenced by the selection you make. The following are the three different types of acoustic pickups:

Piezo

The inclusion of the piezoelectric crystals refers to the Piezo type. It is known for converting the vibrations directly into the electric current. Such types of pickups are quite economical to produce. This makes them the most common type of pickups in the acoustic-electric guitars.

The guitars with piezo pickups usually have a very bright tone along with a solid mid-range response as well. They have preamps which enable them to produce a sound that is much closer to what you know from an unplugged acoustic guitar.

Transducer

It is the best available option especially when you prefer to have an authentic acoustic sound. The tone is quite complex and rich which also retains the regular known flavor of the voice of the guitar.

One issue with this type is that it produces definite feedback which is higher than what you could experience with the magnetic or the piezo pickups.

Magnetic

The magnetic is employed on both the electric and the acoustic guitars. It is usually part of the soundhole of the instrument. It means that such types do not require any sort of drilling per modification. The sound through this pickup is more of a metallic type.

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Conclusion

If you are a beginner-level guitar enthusiast and looking for an acoustic-electric guitar then this is the smartest choice that you have made. This is a versatile instrument that could be used for live performances and also for practice sessions with the best desirable performance.

The budget of $300 is good enough to have a cracker of a guitar within the range which could serve you well for the years to come. However, all manufacturers and all products of the type are not equal.

You need to get your best product by evaluating a range of features that we have discussed above in the guide.

It is also important to keep a check on your needs and your comfort level with particular guitar types. The list of the best guitars shared above could help you to pick your top choice rather instantly and you will surely not be disappointed.