How bad are cheap guitars? // I tested 4 affordable models

We're testing 4 budget & affordable acoustic guitars. How is the tone, how do they play? Does having a solid top matter? How good are budget guitars in 2020?

▶GUITARS◀
Fender CD-60 V3
Yamaha F310NT
Harley Benton HB Custom Line CLD-10S NS
Orangewood Rey

0:00 - A quick comparison
1:53 - The 4 contenders & sounds
4:19 - Thoughts on cheaper guitars
4:39 - Playability
5:27 - Setup
7:06 - Tone Test
7:53 - Workmanship, hardware & woods
9:30 - Looks & bling
10:57 - Opinion on tone & conclusion
14:17 - Giving away the guitars

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Hi, my name is Paul Davids! I am a guitar player, teacher, producer, and overall music enthusiast from the Netherlands! I try to inspire people from all over the world with my videos, here on YouTube.

Thank you for watching!
Paul

Below is the gear I use to make these videos. They redirect to Amazon and provide me with a small kickback should purchase any of these things.

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[PaulDavids]

Which one is your favorite? Also, feel free to drop any recommendations in the comments!

[legobrick]

My father brought me the Yamaha 310 as a birthday present a little while before he past away. So this is clearly my favourite! (Thanks dad x)

[liamvr]

Remember kids: a good guitar player with a cheap guitar sounds better than a bad player with an expensive guitar

[stflaw]

Every guitar sounds like an expensive guitar in this guy's hands.

[festushaggen]

None of these sounded “bad” or “cheap”. They are what they should be for a beginner guitar. I have a Yamaha FG model a couple of steps up in price and quality from the one here and it has an impressive bright, full and detailed sound. It looks great too. I was so taken with how well it competed with other brands above its price range that I bought it as my first serious acoustic when I had no intention of getting a Yamaha. They make quality instruments for all skill levels.

[HofTheStage]

You know what, I'm gonna like this video straight from the start because of the great editing. Just epic guitar changes

[grease]

The first guitar I got was a $89 Epiphone classical guitar from Sam Ash. No matter how cheap it is I'll keep it as long as I survive cause my mom bought it for me.

[EVRNDR]

I've played the same entry-level Fender acoustic since 2007 -- over half my life. It's traveled around the world with me; three countries, five states, and countless random basements in high school. I just bought a Yamaha A series, and though I'm sad to retire the only possession I still have from my childhood, it's going to be a much needed step up. That "cheap" guitar from the 2000s ended up giving me so much over the years.

[MattSwain]

Beginner guitars definitely have to be playable out of the box. You can’t assume they’ll have an experienced player on standby to adjust this and that to make them play well. My first guitar was a strat-copy around 20 years ago and it was terrible. I thought it was purely down to my lack of skill but then I played an Epiphone that maybe cost twice as much and those chords that I struggled with immediately sounded clean. There’s comments saying about how a good guitar player can make them sound good, but that’s not who is buying cheap guitars so the comments are misguided. Learning guitar is hard enough and I’ll bet that bad guitars have been the reason for many beginners giving up learning to play. Playability is definitely more important than nuances of tone in a beginner guitar. It’s good to see that things have improved a lot

[DjVortex-w]

If it stays in-tune and doesn't rattle, it's good enough.

[akshatjain]

When Paul plays them they don't sound cheap at all

[albertoanedda]

The Fender CD-60 was my first guitar, pretty decent for its price. I still play it today and I'm not disappointed at all by its playability and sound.

[Anonymous]

I started playing guitar 56 years ago when I was 8 and my first acoustic guitar was a made in Japan Yamaha FG-180. A few years ago I developed Arthritis and Trigger Finger in my left hand and had to quit playing. I sold all of my guitars.Later, my Physical Therapist encouraged me to start playing again to exercise my hand. Not wanting to spend too much money on something that I’d never be able to play in public, I bought an Orangewood Rey Mahogany like the one in the video. It’s the perfect guitar for a beginner which is what my ailing hand has turned me into.

[maverickdallas]

Yamaha has always been my first choice in a budget-priced guitar that I would not be afraid to play on stage and gig with. It is a brand that is known and respected everywhere, and for the price it really delivers.

[squidsleap]

When I was young my parents wouldn’t buy me a guitar, they said I’d give up on it. I ended up getting an old Samick classical acoustic for 25 bucks that was laying in the back of my friends sisters closest. I played it daily for 2 yrs before getting a Mexican strat and small 15 watt practice amp. I honestly think the only thing that kept me playing that pos closet find was the need to prove my parents wrong. That was 26yrs ago. I have a replaced shoulder now from 10 yrs ago and may never play like I could before but after the surgery I decided to actually learn how to play instead of being totally self taught. My only regret was waiting so long to learn the theory. I was one of those kids that thought theory would take away “my sound” but now that I’m in my 40s I know how wrong I was. Keep the great videos coming!

[nashfunk]

As a novice guitarist, who just spent £15 on his first 2nd hand Martin Smith acoustic, I have to say I really love the look and sound of that Orangewood.

[TEKTONIX]

End of the day it’s the player. I’ve seen seasoned players absolutely shred a hello kitty guitar.

[SlayCC]

How are these "Cheap" Guitars. My first guitar is literally like 40$

[melodystrong]

I just purchased an Orangewood, Oliver M (Mahogany). Solid Mahogany top, layered Mahogany sides and back. Set up perfectly, right out of the box. Full, well balanced tone, and pretty loud for being a Concert size. I have yet, to be disappointed, no matter what genre I am playing. Playability is excellent. Price point, is hard to beat, considering the workmanship, and quality.

[raduolteanu]

I have the Harley Benton and after 5 years it got better. The sound matured and can rival sound of guitars 3 times it's price. Only for the playability could be space for improvement.