Best Acoustic Guitars Under $3000 in 2024

Here you'll find the best acoustic guitars under $3000. Here you'll find the best acoustic guitars under $3000.

After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.

There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.

1. Gibson J-45 Standard

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Gibson J-45 Standard
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Playability 78
Sound 88
Build quality 90
Value for money 75
Overall Score 85

What our users think

  • Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (3 votes)
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  • From Gibson's 2022 Modern Acoustic series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Mahogany back
  • Solid Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
  • Reverse Belly, Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Slim Taper Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Grover Rotomatic tuners
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  • From Gibson's 2022 Modern Acoustic series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Mahogany back
  • Solid Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
  • Reverse Belly, Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Slim Taper Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Grover Rotomatic tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson J-45 Standard
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Ivory Tusq Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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2. Cort The Black Tree

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Cort The Black Tree
FIND IT ON:
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Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 87
Value for money 78
Overall Score 83
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  • From Cort's 2020 Limited series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Flame Maple top
  • Solid Flamed Blackwood (Master Grade) top
  • Solid Flamed Blackwood (Master Grade) back
  • Solid Flamed Blackwood (Master Grade) sides
  • Walnut Reinforced Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: L.R.Baggs Anthem (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony w/ Ebony Pins bridge
  • Acoustic Ergo-A Asymmetric Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh SGL510Z Gold tuners
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  • From Cort's 2020 Limited series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Flame Maple top
  • Solid Flamed Blackwood (Master Grade) top
  • Solid Flamed Blackwood (Master Grade) back
  • Solid Flamed Blackwood (Master Grade) sides
  • Walnut Reinforced Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: L.R.Baggs Anthem (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony w/ Ebony Pins bridge
  • Acoustic Ergo-A Asymmetric Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh SGL510Z Gold tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Cort The Black Tree
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Black Tusq XL Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

3. Ibanez AE440

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Ibanez AE440
FIND IT ON:
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Playability 77
Sound 89
Build quality 84
Value for money 78
Overall Score 83
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  • From Ibanez's 2021 AE series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid African Mahogany top
  • Solid African Mahogany back
  • Solid African Mahogany sides
  • African Mahogany/Pau Ferro neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Ibanez AP11 Magnetic, T-bar Undersaddle & Contact (Preamp/Active)
  • Macassar Ebony scalloped bridge
  • Acoustic Advanced Comfort Grip Set neck
  • 20 Jumbo frets
  • Ibanez tuners
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  • From Ibanez's 2021 AE series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid African Mahogany top
  • Solid African Mahogany back
  • Solid African Mahogany sides
  • African Mahogany/Pau Ferro neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Ibanez AP11 Magnetic, T-bar Undersaddle & Contact (Preamp/Active)
  • Macassar Ebony scalloped bridge
  • Acoustic Advanced Comfort Grip Set neck
  • 20 Jumbo frets
  • Ibanez tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez AE440
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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4. Takamine EF341DX

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Takamine EF341DX
FIND IT ON:
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Playability 77
Sound 85
Build quality 87
Value for money 73
Overall Score 83

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (2 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • From Takamine's 2020 Legacy series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Cedar top
  • Maple back
  • Maple sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh tuners
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  • From Takamine's 2020 Legacy series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Cedar top
  • Maple back
  • Maple sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine EF341DX
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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5. Epiphone Texan USA Collection

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Epiphone Texan USA Collection
FIND IT ON:
Musician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 90
Value for money 74
Overall Score 84

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Normal (1 vote)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
  • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
  • Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: C (1 vote)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (3 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Musician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
  • From Epiphone's 2021 Made in USA series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Mahogany back
  • Solid Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
  • Indian Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Round D Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Grover Cream Button tuners
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  • From Epiphone's 2021 Made in USA series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Mahogany back
  • Solid Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
  • Indian Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Round D Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Grover Cream Button tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Epiphone Texan USA Collection
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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6. Martin Grand J-16E 12 String

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Martin Grand J-16E 12 String
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoSweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 88
Build quality 86
Value for money 74
Overall Score 84
FIND IT ON:
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  • From Martin's 2021 16-17 series
  • Made in United States
  • 12 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT2 (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic 12 String Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Enclosed Gear tuners
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  • From Martin's 2021 16-17 series
  • Made in United States
  • 12 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT2 (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic 12 String Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Enclosed Gear tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin Grand J-16E 12 String
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Ivory Tusq Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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7. Guild F-40E Antique Burst

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Guild F-40E Antique Burst
FIND IT ON:
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Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 87
Value for money 73
Overall Score 83
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  • From Guild's 2014 Guild Usa series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.625"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid African Mahogany back
  • Solid African Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs Element with Volume and Tone Control (Preamp/Active)
  • Indian Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Guild Usa Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Guild Deluxe Vintage Open Gear with Cream Oval Buttons tuners
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  • From Guild's 2014 Guild Usa series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.625"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid African Mahogany back
  • Solid African Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs Element with Volume and Tone Control (Preamp/Active)
  • Indian Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Guild Usa Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Guild Deluxe Vintage Open Gear with Cream Oval Buttons tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Guild F-40E Antique Burst
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

8. Alvarez WY1TS

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Alvarez WY1TS
FIND IT ON:
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Playability 77
Sound 84
Build quality 87
Value for money 73
Overall Score 83
FIND IT ON:
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  • From Alvarez's 2021 Yairi series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AA Western Red Cedar top
  • East Indian Rosewood back
  • East Indian Rosewood sides
  • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
  • Rosewood with 12th Abalone Fret Inlay fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
  • Rosewood Direct Coupled bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh Gold tuners
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  • From Alvarez's 2021 Yairi series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AA Western Red Cedar top
  • East Indian Rosewood back
  • East Indian Rosewood sides
  • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
  • Rosewood with 12th Abalone Fret Inlay fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
  • Rosewood Direct Coupled bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh Gold tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Alvarez WY1TS
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

9. Taylor 412ce-R

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Taylor 412ce-R
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoSweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 86
Build quality 84
Value for money 72
Overall Score 82

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Normal (1 vote)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
  • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
  • Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: D (7 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (7 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (6 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
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  • From Taylor's 2018 400 series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid Indian Rosewood sides
  • Tropical Mahogany neck
  • West African Crelicam Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
  • West African Crelicam Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Taylor Nickel tuners
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  • From Taylor's 2018 400 series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid Indian Rosewood sides
  • Tropical Mahogany neck
  • West African Crelicam Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
  • West African Crelicam Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Taylor Nickel tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Taylor 412ce-R
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Electronics
  • Synthetic Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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10. Gibson 50s J-45 Original

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Gibson 50s J-45 Original
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 78
Sound 88
Build quality 90
Value for money 75
Overall Score 85

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (2 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Slightly chunky (1 vote)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (3 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
  • From Gibson's 2020 Original Acoustic series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Mahogany back
  • Solid Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
  • Traditional belly up bridge
  • Acoustic Rounded Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Grover Strap Cream Button tuners
  • Compare Specs >
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  • From Gibson's 2020 Original Acoustic series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Mahogany back
  • Solid Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
  • Traditional belly up bridge
  • Acoustic Rounded Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Grover Strap Cream Button tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson 50s J-45 Original
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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