AudioFu

Best Folk Acoustic Guitars for Intermediate 2026

Perfect folk acoustic guitars for intermediate - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Folk For Fingerpicking For Singer-Songwriter For Classical Crossover For Indie For Acoustic Pop
BRANDS: Harley Benton Martin Guitar Baton Rouge Fender Sheeran by Lowden Gibson Taylor Furch Gretsch Journey Instruments Applause Ibanez Yamaha
Martin Guitar 11SP0010E Road Series Special - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Martin Guitar 11SP0010E Road Series Special

by Martin Guitar
Folk Indie Fingerpicking
Key Feature:
• Great for fingerpicking
✓ PROS
  • • Easy to handle and transport
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
✗ CONS
  • • Less bass response than dreadnought
  • • Lower volume projection

Martin Guitar 11SP0010E Road Series SpecialSteel-String Guitar with PickupType: Grand ConcertTop: Solid spruceBack and...

⭐ 4.4/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 599432
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Journey Instruments OF422C - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Journey Instruments OF422C

by Journey Instruments
Singer-Songwriter Folk Indie
Key Feature:
• Comfortable smaller body size
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
  • • Great for fingerpicking
✗ CONS
  • • Lower volume projection
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Journey Instruments OF422CAcoustic Travel Guitar with PickupType: 00 with neck scoop-away for easy access to the upper...

⭐ 4.9/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 619197
$912
Buy at Thomann View Details
Lakewood A-52 Premium - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Lakewood A-52 Premium

by Lakewood
Classical Crossover Folk Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• Comfortable smaller body size
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
✗ CONS
  • • Less bass response than dreadnought
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming

Lakewood A-52 PremiumSteel-String GuitarTop: AAAA Sitka spruceBack and sides: MyrtleBody edges: MahoganyBody purflings:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 592649
$3,629
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar GPC-10E Roadseries Special - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Martin Guitar GPC-10E Roadseries Special

by Martin Guitar
Classical Crossover Indie Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• Great for fingerpicking
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Not ideal for band situations
  • • Lower volume projection

Martin Guitar GPC-10E Roadseries SpecialAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: Grand Performance Fret with cutawayTop: solid...

⭐ 4.7/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 587616
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sheeran by Lowden Tour Edition Lefthand - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Sheeran by Lowden Tour Edition Lefthand

by Sheeran by Lowden
Fingerpicking Singer-Songwriter Indie
Key Feature:
• Balanced tone across frequencies
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fingerpicking
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • Lower volume projection
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming

Sheeran by Lowden Tour Edition LefthandAcoustic Guitar with PickupLeft-handed modelSpecial model for Ed Sheeran's...

⭐ 4.5/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 584577
$945
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson L-00 Special Wine Red - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Gibson L-00 Special Wine Red

by Gibson
Fingerpicking Classical Crossover Acoustic Pop
Key Feature:
• Great for fingerpicking
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming
  • • Lower volume projection

Gibson L-00 Special Wine RedSteel-String GuitarType: 00Top: Sitka spruceBack and Sides: MahoganyNeck:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 608727
$2,199
Buy at Thomann View Details
Baton Rouge X35S/FCE - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Baton Rouge X35S/FCE

by Baton Rouge
Classical Crossover Folk Fingerpicking
Key Feature:
• Great for fingerpicking
✓ PROS
  • • Clear note separation
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming
  • • Lower volume projection

Baton Rouge X35S/FCEAcoustic Guitar with PickupFolk body shape with CutawayTop: Solid spruceBack and sides: Black...

⭐ 4.9/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 614889
$549
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sheeran by Lowden Stadium Edition - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Sheeran by Lowden Stadium Edition

by Sheeran by Lowden
Indie Singer-Songwriter Acoustic Pop
Key Feature:
• Clear note separation
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fingerpicking
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Not ideal for band situations
  • • Less bass response than dreadnought

Sheeran by Lowden Stadium EditionAcoustic Guitar with PickupDesign: WL (Wee Lowden) with custom thin bodyExact...

⭐ 4.8/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 586852
$4,399
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton CLP-15ME SolidWood w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Harley Benton CLP-15ME SolidWood w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Indie Fingerpicking Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• Balanced tone across frequencies
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Harley Benton CLP-15ME SolidWood w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton CLP-15ME SolidWood*Acoustic Guitar with...

⭐ 4.7/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 599743
$373
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar SPOMC10E Road Series Special - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Martin Guitar SPOMC10E Road Series Special

by Martin Guitar
Singer-Songwriter Classical Crossover Folk
Key Feature:
• Great for fingerpicking
✓ PROS
  • • Easy to handle and transport
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
✗ CONS
  • • Lower volume projection
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Martin Guitar SPOMC10E Road Series SpecialSteel-String Guitar with PickupStyle: Auditorium with cutawayTop: Solid...

⭐ 4.9/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 599417
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson Les Paul Parlor Acoustic VS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Gibson Les Paul Parlor Acoustic VS

by Gibson
Folk Acoustic Pop Classical Crossover
Key Feature:
• Balanced tone across frequencies
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
  • • Clear note separation
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming

Gibson Les Paul Parlor Acoustic VSSteel-String Guitar with PickupType: Parlor with cutawayBack and sides: Solid...

⭐ 4.7/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 617720
$4,069
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson L-00 Special Vintage Sunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Gibson L-00 Special Vintage Sunburst

by Gibson
Classical Crossover Singer-Songwriter Acoustic Pop
Key Feature:
• Comfortable smaller body size
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • Less bass response than dreadnought
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming

Gibson L-00 Special Vintage SunburstSteel-String Guitar with PickupType: 00Top: Sitka spruceBack and Sides:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 608726
$1,979
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar SC-10E Spruce - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Martin Guitar SC-10E Spruce

by Martin Guitar
Singer-Songwriter Acoustic Pop Indie
Key Feature:
• Easy to handle and transport
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
  • • Clear note separation
✗ CONS
  • • Lower volume projection
  • • Limited low-end presence

Martin Guitar SC-10E SpruceSteel-String Guitar with PickupType: SC with cutawayTop: SpruceBack and sideS: Solid...

⭐ 4.6/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 617577
$1,649
Buy at Thomann View Details
Baton Rouge X11LS/FCE-W-AB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Baton Rouge X11LS/FCE-W-AB

by Baton Rouge
Fingerpicking Classical Crossover Indie
Key Feature:
• Clear note separation
✓ PROS
  • • Clear note separation
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming
  • • Lower volume projection

Baton Rouge X11LS/FCE-W-ABAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: Folk with cutawayTop: SpruceBack and sides: MahoganyNeck:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 619296
$329
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson Les Paul Parlor Acoustic VCS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Gibson Les Paul Parlor Acoustic VCS

by Gibson
Acoustic Pop Singer-Songwriter Folk
Key Feature:
• Comfortable smaller body size
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fingerpicking
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Less bass response than dreadnought
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming

Gibson Les Paul Parlor Acoustic VCSSteel-String Guitar with PickupType: Parlor with cutawayTop: Solid AAA flamed...

⭐ 4.8/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 617718
$4,069
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Folk Acoustic Guitars

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced folk acoustic guitars typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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