Choose THE PERFECT First Acoustic Guitar

My Favorite Guitar + Filming Gear at Sweetwater

Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. The link above is an affiliate link, that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission on.

[zackv]

Hey Marty. You probably might not see this. But because of you, I pulled my acoustic out of my basement that I got years ago and blew the dust off it. I fell into a super deep depression over the past year and because of your videos, I'm now climbing out of it and have rebuilt confidence in myself because now I have something.. guitar. Not trying to be to sappy. But I've been learning guitar at a fast rate over the last couple months because of your passion and excellent lessons. I used to think guitar was impossible and too hard. But now as I progress and learn more chords, the veil is lifted. Thank you so much for what you do.

[kdrake]

Taylor Academy hands down is the best beginner guitar.

[sweetwater]

The perfect video for choosing the perfect first acoustic... Nice work, Marty and Brian! 😎👍

[denniswynn]

I know this is a little older vid, but super helpful. Ordered my first guitar, D 'Angelico Bowery. I really appreciate you taking the time to do this vid for those of us just getting started.

[layoung.]

The accompany duet together is very nice. My very first acoustic guitar came from GC Murphy’s in McConnellsburg, Pa. I was ten. A dime store. . Took me a year to learn how to tune it. My mother said she would buy me a nicer one as soon as I learned my first song. So I wrote a song. Then she bought me a knock off humming bird. I think from Penny’s or Sears .

[julienlepage]

Thanks for the video! I'm currently looking to get my first acoustic guitar. These models are really nice.

Outside of this list, my interest is on the Gretsch Gin Rickey. The sound of this little bad boy is really nice for old school blues/ folk vibe!

[girishp]

Hey Marty, its so nice to see you, I have been following and learning music since 2012 from you. Thank you so much for being around ever since!

[markmm]

I picked up a Seagull Mini Jumbo several years back at GC. I think I paid $270 (no case). It's one of the best acoustics I've ever played, and anyone who picks it up seems to agree with me.

[rajeshgumber]

These guitars sounds really good. Thanks guys!

[theclassicrock]

Really liked your videos.especially the guiter, which sounds very beautiful.

[stephenlandry]

My first Guitar was a flea market classical guitar. I thought I have found something special. It was crap. I would play smoke on the water on the E string for hours. That was 45 years ago. Its still hilarious when I think about it. Great video thanks for the memories 😀!

[joshuamarsh]

It's incredible what you can get for your money in todays music scene, spoilt for choice and even in my time playing guitar I have noticed the changes in price and quality. Loved the D'Angelico with its unique headstock and finish. The Epiphone was also really nice....so many gear acquisition syndrome is being overfed and my poor wallet is coughing up dust at this point! :')

[wildbillnj]

I borrowed an Ibanez acoustic when I first started, and it was fine, but then I borrowed a Fender Stratacoustic and decided I liked the narrower body (but not the plastic shell). So when I decided to stick with it, I shopped for a narrow body with electronics and cutout.
Settled on a Yamaha APX-600 for $300 and I've been really happy with it. It has plenty of low end despite the smaller volume, and the controls are pretty good for an entry level model.

[Thirsty_Fox]

For the $500 range, I'd go Seagull all the way (or one of their sister companies under the Godin family, like Simon & Patrick). They play and sound way above their price, and are made in Canada. The S6 range is probably the most well-known and yet still seems like a bit of a hidden gem.

[TheTeddydog]

Well done, guys. Shows how far "beginner" instruments have come and how good they sound. Keeping my Fender dg60, but have eyes on that Takamine! Shoutout to Sweetwater as well. Just started using them, and well pleased. Cheers.

[bruceweigman]

I already own the Hummingbird Pro and the Takamine. I got them both from Sweetwater and they are awesome. Love me some Marty AND Sweetwater!

[williamkirchoff]

My first was an iibenez and I love it bought 4 more since love them al.

[kitcobain]

What a great video!! I was literally just asking someone what a good affordable acoustic guitar would be! My only needs are: a smaller size, and *gulp* a lefty! I own a lefty Yamaha Pacifica electric guitar, and I feel ready to "move on to an acoustic", as I agree 100% what you fine gentlemen spoke of regarding lower action, and wanting to learn rock songs [it's Nirvana for me, lol]...I live about 4hrs from Fort Wayne, and was even planning to *move* there which makes this video even more special to me! Now that I know Sweetwater Guitar is there, I feel the urge to move even more! [Currently in Hammond, on the outskirts of the far south side of Chicago.]Thanks for sharing and have a great week!

[jackholmstedt]

I looked at a lot of “affordable Acoustics”. In the end, I went up and down a step. I went up in price and went down in size. I bought a Taylor Mini GS Plus. The smaller body size makes its easier to play. The sound is awesome. The playability is fantastic.

[stevehanson]

Great video. Thanks Marty and Brian. My girlfriend bought me an acoustic for my 30th birthday. Life got in the way and I didn't start learning it until 17 years later. Marty's lessons got me progressing quickly and it was a great comfort during lockdown in the UK last year. I'm now the proud owner of a Takamine GD51CE-bsb and a Taylor 114CE-bsb. Guitars are still an important part of my life but the girlfriend is long gone🤣🤣