Whenever it comes to guitar reviews, there are different views from which we speak, what you’re looking out for in your eventual acoustic guitar will never be the same as what you’ll need in an electric guitar. Although the traditional sound is what everyone wants, there are many things to investigate before arriving at a suitable tone. Here comes a tricky topic to consider.

When you think of an electro-acoustic guitar, you think of several elements that have been combined to form a unique fusion of both the acoustic and electric parts of the guitar. There’s more to it because you can’t judge one of these acoustic-electric guitars from afar. If you’re a producer or sound engineer who knows how to judge the quality of sounds through amplification,  you may not be concerned about what the acoustic part of the guitar has to offer, but these two go hand in hand.

If you’re wondering what best electro-acoustic guitar suits you as a professional, with a budget at heart, this is the time to get close and choose from a pool of available options that are nothing less than the right quality. You’re not going to find any of these guitars to be advantageous on either the electric or acoustic side alone. Every part of the guitar you find on our list of the best professional acoustic-electric guitar has been thoughtfully considered okay for use.

There is always the option of getting either an acoustic or an electric guitar. Check out the best acoustic guitars, and the best electric guitars of 2022. 

The Best Acoustic-Electric Guitars Under $1000 [Guide – Reviews]

1. Yamaha L-Series LL16 Acoustic-Electric Guitar

You need not be told that this professional acoustic-electric guitar is one of the best you can put your money on; the Yamaha LL16 is not quality shy. Starting with its acoustic sound that needs no editing. Thanks to the parent brand that has been one of the best producers of audible gears. You’re surely getting more than what your price can cover on this electro-acoustic guitar.  

As a professional sound engineer, you should be conversant with what a guitar made of the spruce top can do. Complimenting the back and sides is the east Indian rosewood while the neck is made of mahogany with two Paduk inserts. With the combination of solid woods to make a single guitar, you’re going to enjoy the sounds and the solid functional body. Additionally,  you can play the LL16 to any genre of music and still get the best out of it.  

The pickup and pre-amp system brings out the electric definition in your sounds when amplified, and the guitar needs no extra tuning to serve its purpose. Overall, it is one fantastic instrument for modern-day professionals as there’s no downtime in the course of its production.  

2. PRS Paul Reed Smith SE Angelus A50E Acoustic/Electric Guitar

One of the few guitars you get maximum comfort of playing from. The AE50 was primarily built for acoustic purposes,  that’s why you get one of the best acoustic sounds from this gear. The tone gives your music a rhythmical meaning if found in the right hands. It is solely am edition for pro guitarist and vested sound engineers that need a sound companion in a recording studio. The same result you get while rehearsing or in the studio session is the same output it gives while rocking a live stage.

Fortunately, the body of this beast is gotten from solid spruce and maple. You can expect whatever sound you need it to produce while maintaining the quality gradient. That attached hybrid X bracing allows the projection and vibration of the top. The resonance of this acoustic-electric guitar is something to elaborate on as well.  This feature is one major selling point that this guitar has.

There are more sounds in this guitar, but very easy to that it is not an acoustic guitar alone.  All the EQ balance will have to be carried out on the amp as there are no onboard controls. The Fishman pre-amp system and the under saddle pick-up make for the absence of built-in controls.

3. Yamaha 6 String Series A3M Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar

You ever wondered why a Yamaha product is ever-present in every review you come across, that’s because they have at least a model of an instrument for every level and purpose. The A3M is of Yamaha’s high-end acoustics. It was first premiered in 2017 but has made it top because of the comfort,  power, and reliability you get off it. It is also rugged for massive duty purposes, in case you’re finding a guitar for roadshows.

The guitar is a dreadnought size and is nothing to write home about if you’re considering designs and styles, but can stand in a series of elegant collection. The hardware is a combination of Stika spruce and mahogany, to deliver a balanced tone and clarity in the sound. The resonance of this acoustic-electric guitar is also excellent. It features a pro sound through the built-in  SRT system and promises to deliver a warm tone even without amplification. This does not speak less of the electrical output.

4. D’Angelico Premier Madison Acoustic-Electric Guitar

The introduction of the new  Premier Series guitars has improved the brand in terms of some enhancement, and well, they are not too expensive. There’s more to the style and elegance of this series when compared to their predecessors. 

The guitar body is of spruce, and it is a typical hollowed guitar, with appreciable features that are values with the cost of the guitar. While it is meant for professionals, it is a simple guitar for intermediate players to use. Either you’re perfecting your lessons, or you’re preparing for a big show,  this premier edition is available for you. The neck has a slim c shape fashion that allows a player to run the fretboard efficiently without developing wrist aches.  

You just got a new acoustic companion in through premier series. There’s no limit to what you can do with the electric projection of sounds, so natural and warm. You don’t want to blame the spruce wood for that. This edition comes with the brand’s specially designed humbuckers, having their EQ balance on the beautiful interface.

5. Ortega Guitars FEEL SERIES 6 String Acoustic-Electric Guitar RCE138-T4STR

 

One amazing thing you’ll fall in love with this electro-acoustic guitar is the style and design it is blessed with.  This is common to almost all Ortega guitars. This FEEL SERIES guitar has a thin line body with a curved dartboard to compliment the red gloss finish.

The hardware is of solid spruce,  originally from Canada, and paired with African mahogany for the back and sides. The sounds that come from it are vibrant and bright. You can tell from its resonance and projection. The neck comes in either a slim or medium neck option, to give the player a firm grip and ability to run all the frets with ease.

The electric system of the feel series allows all the strings to be heard with clarity. Research has shown that some of the 6 strings electro-acoustic guitars make an irritable noise when connected to an amplifier, thus,  becoming very hard to rune to a clear sound. This is not the case with these FEEL SERIES. It comes with custom Ortega pre-amp and pickup system with a built-in tuner. The sounds of this acoustic-electric guitar are compatible with classical, rock, and folk music.

6. Takamine GJ72CE-12NAT Jumbo Cutaway 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar

An acoustic electric guitar rush an extended number of strings that allow you to produce subtle sounds without stress. This Takamine guitar is one with vibrancy and projection. It comes in a jumbo body stage and an elegant edition, no doubt, it dishes out robust sounds when you strum any of the 12 strings. While you’re wondering how special this guitar comes with multiple strings, they do not affect each other, and this is one of the few guitars with multiple strings to makes less noise.

The guitar top is spruce and the back and sides are made of maple. The neck is built with solid mahogany and features a slim design, and the fingerboard is lined with rosewood, the best wood for the job. All of these are for comfort and ease of strumming the strings. It also features the necessary EQ onboard controls without you relying on an amplifier before tuning the sounds.  

One amazing thing about this big boy is beautiful. From the size to the number of strings, down to the gloss finish, they all add at least a touch of design to the guitar. The die-cast tuners are a dozen and are made of gold. You’re buying yourself a treasure. It is suitable for various kinds of music production and live performances.

7. Martin Road Series DRS1 Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar

The experience they say is the best teacher. Until you lay your hands on one of these guitars before you admit that it has passed the necessary test in a bit of spin. Here’s an electro-acoustic guitar on this list that sells cheap without compromising a bit of quality. The Martin DRS1 is rich in tone and gives a kind of modified bass. It has been in existence for close to 2 decades and was exclusively made for performers and travelers.  

The body is made of Sapele, including the back and sides. The neck is of an oval select hardwood, and it carries a fingerboard that houses 20 frets. If you want a full-body electro-acoustic guitar, this type is for you. There’s never a time to stop play as the guitar is rugged and sturdy in seasons. The sound is the same when plugged in or not. Thanks to the efficient pre-amp and pickup systems that give you a natural electro-acoustic sound. The neck also allows you to run a chord in pace.

While you’re gushing over the sounds, it is super responsive and noise-free.

Acoustic-Electric Guitars For Beginners Under $500

Are you recording a track? Trying to figure out some notes? Or you’re disturbed with little or no power supply in your studio. Well, it’s time to revisit the market for an acoustic-electric guitar or an electro-acoustic guitar. It can be called either name. For almost a century now, inventors and guitarists have tried away or having an electric and acoustic guitar that can be played with or without electricity. This feat has been achieved, and obviously, there has been room for improvement over the years.

As a beginner or enthusiast alike, nothing is stopping you from owning one of these wonderful instruments. If you’re pitching a career with the strings of a guitar,  you should consider an acoustic-electric option. These guitars cost less than $500. Yes, you heard, right. Intermediate producers or studio engineers can seize this opportunity to make good music and rehearse steadily with it.  

In your home recording studio, you can easily plug in the acoustic-electric guitar to your audio interface, and record everything in your preferred DAW. If you are not familiar with these tools, check the best audio interface under $200 and the best music production software. 

On this list of best acoustic electric guitar for beginners, we’ll take you through the improved brands, despite the price tags, every product on this list have been confirmed will last you.

1. Epiphone HUMMINGBIRD PRO Solid Top Acoustic-Electric Guitar

One of the best handlers of modern days electric guitars is the Gibson brand. This acoustic-electric guitar is a beginner’s choice that is regarded as iconic, with a considerable price tag. This model is called the Hummingbird Pro. It is well known as a Gibson subsidiary.

Hummingbird Pro has the efficiency of its parent brand and can be made a top choice for professionals ego have to cut short their budget. It merely takes after the resemblance of the classic 1960 model,  characterized by the large dreadnought body and square shoulders. The pickguard is likewise elaborate and decorated in a tortoiseshell.

The Hummingbird Pro body is made of variants of wood on different body parts. The top is spruce with the back and sides made of laminated mahogany. For this cause, there’s an additional tone this guitar offers. The sound is complemented with additional tonewoods and an excellent pre-amp system. The spruce, as mentioned earlier, gives it resonance to a reasonable extent. You can feel it yourself when you lay your hands on it.  

The output volume of the sound is warm and of a rich tone. It is always balanced too. There’s no built-in tuner for this instrument which is not much of a concern to some users. Moving away from these cons, controls like the mute button, bass and treble equalizers, master volume knob, and a control slider are well present to make up for the missing tuner.

2.  Yamaha FSX800C Small Body Solid Top Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar

One of the models from the Yamaha FS800 popular series, beginners and intermediate users who opt for this electro-acoustic guitar should worry less about its sound and body quality.  Yamaha is everyone’s favorite in all musical instruments production. They have been the pacesetter from way back and won’t fail you on this special edition. An acoustic electric guitar of this kind is exclusively made for smaller guitarists and beginners.

To start with, the top of this guitar is made of solid spruce, while the back and sides are made of nato/okume. This fashion does not come as a surprise. Yamaha is a brand that has a unique way of making its gears. It comes with a cutaway body too, and there’s no excuse for not rocking all the frets. To cap it all, the body of this acoustic-electric guitar is slimmer than you could expect. While this does not affect the volume or bass output, you will be able to hold it firmly.

3. Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Fender Hellcat is one suitable electro-acoustic guitar that’s ideal for punk rock. It was one of Tim   Armstrong’s tools for good music. Every beginner producer can be a pro like his with the same attitude and the right instrument. The Fender Hellcat is one great guitar for those that love a smaller concert body guitar too. There’s a comfort that’s always derived when playing on this kind, which is not the same with a dreadnought.

The essence of this body size is to sail smoothly on the instrument, especially with beginners.  Every part of this model’s body is made of mahogany with the back and sides laminated. There’s a designed binding on top of the guitar for protection. Mahogany is arguably the best wood to give a warm tone alongside a clear bass. There are several controls that you can tweak sounds with. The price of this guitar cannot be compared to its functions.  

When you think about the Fender classic guitar models, you’ll never doubt the unrivaled sounds from this sing electric and acoustic guitars in one gear.

4. Ovation Applause 6 String Acoustic-Electric Guitar

If you have never heard of Applause electro-acoustic guitars, here’s the time for you to pay attention to the small but mighty gear. The Ovation brand makes guitars with amazing features too,  but Applause has guitars that are cheap for music production, beginners, and casual players. You’re not going to invest much before you get the best acoustic-electric guitar with Applause. It is one of the guitars on this list with great comfort and the required resonance.

Applause 6 String Acoustic-Electric Guitar is an elite model electro-acoustic guitar with traditional sounds. It is coming with six strings and a suitable CE304T pre-amp to upgrade your sound with clarity and tonal balance. The guitar itself is made of spruce top and blessed wish laser cut multi spud holes to air your playing expressions. Luckily, it is not a full-body model. The frets can be easily assessed.  The headstock design brings a sleek aesthetics, with the bridge and fretboard complimenting a compact guitar shape.

This Applause model is one instrument you’ll feel with or without amplification. You’re not going to bother about the changes in the sound. If it needs tuning, the slimline pickups will produce a sound to notify a change when amplified.

5. Traveler Guitar 6 String AG-450EQ Acoustic-Electric

This is one guitar you don’t want to gamble on. If you’re considering a guitar with a clear sound and solid body features, without compromising the judging the quality with its price tag, you should try this. The AG450EQ can be termed best all-round from its series. There’s a fullness in its volume that you can’t get from any of its members. It is one tough gear to make good sounds. You can quickly improve with pace if you’re dwelling on this kind of guitar.

Every time you play an electro-acoustic guitar,  either with amplification or not, you should be comfortable with the volume and warm tone that oozes out of the hollow. There’s nothing else to be felt if these two key features are absent.  This model is one with a Nanoflex pickup with its customized pre-amp. The acoustic sound output is always impressive. You have all available knobs on the interface of this guitar. From the volume and bass, treble. It also has a phase switch. You will need to take it gently with this gear. While it shouldn’t be considered a weak instrument,  it should be well kept when there’s high humidity.

6. Ibanez AEG10NII Nylon String Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar

One of the best guitar-making brands in Asia. Ibanez electro-acoustic guitars are known for a bit of clarity, and the sounds from these AEG series are clear enough to a satisfactory level.  It is an entry-level guitar but will do wonders in the hands of an intermediate user. It is built with a beginner acoustic facility and won’t develop issues quickly.

The top of the AEG10NII is made of spruce with the sides and back made of genuine mahogany. You’re getting this classic model in two variant colors,  either you’re in love with the natural tangerine shade or the jet black gloss.  These colors are a selling point for some Ibanez electro-acoustic guitars. You should expect good tonewoods from this beginner’s model.  The neck of this beast is made of mahogany, and the fretboard consists of 21 frets. The body of this acoustic-electric guitar is lighter, and the cutaway figure enables you to run the frets without stress.  From the pickups, bridge, solid body to the elegant colors, everything you’ll find in this guitar is blessed with standard quality. The output sound will not disappoint, as well.  

7. Epiphone EJ-200SCE Solid Top Cutaway Acoustic /Electric Guitar

The 20 fret guitar is blessed with a size that dazzles and an unbeatable shape. Many users have an eye for the finished designs that come with some of these guitars.  As a music producer or sound engineer, the only thing that will catch your attention in this acoustic-electric guitar is the sound it dishes out, but not without the body and powerful pre-amp and pickups that help promote an acoustic sound in electric voice.

The EJ20SCE is one model that is regarded as a mid-level electro-acoustic guitar that’s suitable for beginners, and the price is a bit reasonable for a beginner’s budget. The body top is made of solid spruce while other parts of the body are laid with laminated sheets of maple wood. In the sound department,  apart from the friendly feel you derive from playing the EJ200SCE without amplification, the pickups are made of Nanoflex for the piezo and NanoMag for the dartboard. The least you should expect is a warm tone and an excellent sound. With an onboard tuner and a few EQ controls,  you’re rocking a guitar with one of the best value for its money. Thanks to the cutaway body, you can play every single fret with ease.

Buyers Guide:

As a guitarist or a studio junkie, the sounds of any guitar shouldn’t be strange to you, because you are not a newbie. However, you need to be extra careful, so you don’t land yourself a wacky instrument. Nobody is an island of knowledge, and there are few things to take note of before making a final decision on an acoustic-electric guitar.

Usually, when you’re shopping for an acoustic or electric guitar, you’ll need to note different factors because one can give resonance while the other one cannot unless plugged into an amplifier, here you have a combined technology in one piece of instrument. As an amateur or an intermediate user wanting to own a new gear like this,  and with the price in question, you’ll be tempted to test anything you pick at home. You’re doing the wrong thing.  

To start with, the fact that you can play this instrument with or without electricity and amplification is a great advantage over its counterpart, but you could fall, victim of a substandard, if you’re not looking out for the quality of its acoustics as well as the electronics. You can always determine what side of both features will favor you.

While you’re watching your spending with the guitar, the most important thing to take note of is the sound. You’ll need to check the sound quality with and without amplification before concluding on other features. When you’re checking the sounds through an amplifier, you should first note the acoustic sound. You’ll not detect an audible pitch in a substandard acoustic-electric guitar, regardless of the special effects you apply.

Another thing to take note of is the tuner of your new guitar; if you can’t make quick tuning changes to an electro-acoustic guitar,  then you’re not using an electro-acoustic guitar. What if you need to have a recording session, and it needs tuning. You will have to settle for less.

Apart from these most important features,  other considerable things are the shape of your guitar and the kind pickups that are attached to the guitar.  There are two distinct body types of an electro-acoustic guitar, either you’re opting for a full body that gives the instrument a louder volume, or you’re going with the cutaway shape that enables you to play all the frets without stress.  

On the other hand, an active pickup is a better choice than a passive pickup.  With the active pickups in your guitar, the output volume through the amp will come out louder. An acoustic-electric guitar with pre-amp will have an enhanced sound. There’s no need the be told that the type of wood used in making a guitar will affect the sound it produces. Mahogany,  poplar, cedar, agathis, and spruce are better woods to make a guitar.

What is an Acoustic-Electric Guitar?

An electro-acoustic guitar is simply a fusion of both the acoustic and electric guitar in one wooden body. In other means, it can be defined as an acoustic instrument with a pickup and pre-amp for plugging purposes into an amplifier.  The sound can be more audible when plugged into a speaker for a live band performance or clarity of production in a studio session. The electro-acoustic guitar should not be likened to a semi acoustic-electric guitars.

Semi acoustic-electric guitars have a hollow but cannot be played without amplification. The two guitars work separately Also. The only inclusion that gives an electro-acoustic guitar its name is the presence of the pre-amp and the pickup, and they both define the type of sound that comes out through the amplifier because it can be tuned to get your desired tone just like the electric guitar. Some electro-acoustic guitars also come with adjustment knobs on the wooden surface for a user to adjust volumes and some preset features.

Considerable factors to take note of before buying an Acoustic-Electric Guitar:

• Style

There’s no guitarist without a unique style of playing the instrument unless you’re just getting to master the strings in different ways. These guitars also know different kinds. When you get to a guitar store, there are various types you’ll seem like the large or slimmer body type, full-body, or cutaway shape. There are different kinds of strings attached to these guitars too. While you’re comfortable with the nylon strings type, others may prefer the steel-string type. Know what style and kind of guitar fit you and don’t make a conclusion based on a colorful brand.

A branded electro-acoustic guitar is a good option but can be very expensive if you’re not planning to spend much on one. Have it in mind that other guitars can be cheap and durable.

• Pick a Guitar you Love Most

While you’re wondering what kind of suggestion this is, but you’ll understand better if you lay your hands on more than one guitar in the store, there’s always a satisfying feeling you get when you play some guitars.  These guitars are considered as what you’ll most definitely want to play all the time. If a guitar you love is too expensive for you to afford,  pick up another one try it out.  There’s no limit to the number of guitars you can play in the store.  

• Play the Guitars as you own them

Whenever you need to select the best electro-acoustic guitar that fits you well,  take your time to play the song you love most on it, be careful to note the sound changes in each guitar you lay hands on before concluding.  You should have a shortlist out of all the guitars you try out.

• Check for Presence of Adjustment Knobs

As earlier mentioned, there are a series of guitars that lacks the necessary knobs like the bass, treble and volume preset, and other control knobs. One typical feature of most acoustic, electrical guitars is that they give you a choice to determine what kind of tone you want to hear. Even when connected to an amplifier, you can dictate tonal changes from your instrument.

• Run a Sound Check

All of the factors above are not as important as this. The primary reason why you’re buying a guitar is to make good sounds, take your time to go through the combining elements the make up the sound compartment. Don’t be shy to try your best chords on the fretboard. It helps to determine the responsive rate of the fretboard.

As a professional, you should be able to note the extra noise when you strum a guitar hard. Check if the distance between the fretboard and strings is not too far or close. There should be a unique response the guitar gives you when plugged or not.

Conclusion

While you’re still here in search of a compatible electro-acoustic guitar, there’s no limit to what you can get as a professional, even if your budget is low.  We have helped you scaled through the stress of finding a guitar with overall balance, and it’s been fun all the way.

With this composition, you need no other further instructions before walking into a guitar store to pick what’s best for you. As you have noticed that we took time out to express every basic feature, you’re to look out for before making a final choice. With this review, there’s an acoustic guitar for every producer,  sound engineer, and professional guitarist.

This review is up to date and will go a long way to help you express yourself at the store. As time goes on,  you’ll need to make a necessary advance while progressing in your career. Don’t panic; we’re still here for the sake of continuity. Good luck.

Feel free to drop your comment below and let us know what do you think of the above.