| Feature Article 10 Beginner Acoustic Guitars Buying a guitar can be an intimidating process, especially if you've never purchased one before. There are so many factors to consider, and so many guitars available, novices will surely feel overwhelmed. Fear not - help is available. The following five lower priced acoustic guitars all offer great value for their respective price tags. 1. Seagull S6 These Canadian-made instruments are terrific guitars - very highly regarded, both for their beautiful sound, and their excellent value. The S6 features a solid cedar top, and mahogany back and sides. Although the price may be slightly above what some might be willing to pay for a first guitar, it should be considered an investment. 2. Yamaha F310 Perhaps not in the same league as the Seagull, the F310 is still a solid beginner instrument, and for the price (significantly cheaper than the S6), it's a good value. Guitar features a spruce top, with mahogany back and sides. 3. Takamine G-240 This beginner model Takamine guitar features a laminated spruce top, with nato back and sides. Although it clearly isn't on par with some of the higher end Takamine guitars, the general consensus is the G-240 offers a pretty good bang for the buck. 4. Fender DG-7 This lower cost Fender acoustic features a spruce top, meranti back and sides, and a nato neck. Cheaper Fender products tend to be occasionally guilty of lackluster workmanship, but for the price, this guitar could be attractive to newbies. 5. Epiphone DR-100 The DR-100 features a spruce top, with mahogany back and sides. This guitar can usually be found at a rather cheap price, which makes it attractive to beginners. Most consider this a strictly beginner instrument, however, so it may not be long before you'll want to trade up. 6. Washburn D10S This low-priced acoustic guitar is one of the best selling guitars in the world. Acoustic Guitar magazine even went so far as to name this their top guitar under $500. I can't fully agree, but the D10S certainly is a bargain! 7. Blueridge BR-40 This is a low-priced acoustic guitar with a focus on fine craftsmanship. The top of the guitar is solid spruce, with mahogany back and sides. The BR-40 even includes mother-of-pearl inlay. A particularly impressively constructed guitar for an instrument in this price range. 8. Ibanez AC100NT The Ibanez AC100NT is another well-constructed instrument with solid spruce top, and walnut back and sides. This combination creates a warm, bottom-end tone with bright highs. 9. Taylor Baby Taylor This is a 3/4 size dreadnought guitar, making it a good choice for younger guitarists with smaller hands. Taylor has a reputation for being one of America's greatest guitar makers, and although they've cut a few corners here to meet a low-price point, this is still a solid instrument. 10. Martin LXI One of the most highly esteemed guitar makers has provided this 3/4 size guitar, designed for guitarists with small hands and small pocketbooks. The LXI features a solid maple top, back and sides.
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