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Best Folk Acoustic Guitars Under $2,000 2025

Affordable folk acoustic guitars under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: October 15, 2025 • Next update: October 22, 2025

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 Journey Instruments Gretsch Furch Yamaha Ibanez Applause
Journey Instruments Cedar Zircot Parlor Travel LTD - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Journey Instruments Cedar Zircot Parlor Travel LTD

by Journey Instruments
Classical Crossover Singer-Songwriter Indie
Key Feature:
• Easy to handle and transport
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming

Journey Instruments Cedar Zircot Parlor Travel LTDTravel Acoustic Guitar with PickupLimited modelStyle:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 573584
$1,286
Buy at Thomann View Details
Journey Instruments OF660 BK M - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Journey Instruments OF660 BK M

by Journey Instruments
Acoustic Pop Indie Fingerpicking
Key Feature:
• Easy to handle and transport
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
  • • Clear note separation
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Journey Instruments OF660 BK MTravel Western GuitarStylized 00 body shape with cutawayPatenteddetachable neck system...

⭐ 5.0/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 460892
$1,484
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sheeran by Lowden Tour Edition Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Sheeran by Lowden Tour Edition Bundle

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

Sheeran by Lowden Tour Edition Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Sheeran by Lowden Tour Edition*Acoustic Guitar with...

⭐ 4.7/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 603430
$1,256
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar GP-X2E Ziricote Special - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Martin Guitar GP-X2E Ziricote Special

by Martin Guitar
Acoustic Pop Singer-Songwriter Folk
Key Feature:
• Balanced tone across frequencies
✓ PROS
  • • Easy to handle and transport
  • • Great for fingerpicking
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • Less bass response than dreadnought

Martin Guitar GP-X2E Ziricote SpecialSttel-String Guitar with PickupStyle: Grand PerformanceTop: solid sapeleBack and...

⭐ 4.4/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 617506
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar SC-10E-02 Sapele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Martin Guitar SC-10E-02 Sapele

by Martin Guitar
Singer-Songwriter Fingerpicking Indie
Key Feature:
• Comfortable smaller body size
✓ PROS
  • • Clear note separation
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • Less bass response than dreadnought
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Martin Guitar SC-10E-02 SapeleAcoustic Guitar with PickupType: S-13 fret with cutawayTop: solid sapeleBack and sides:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 571336
$1,374
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar GP-X2E Ziricote Special LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Martin Guitar GP-X2E Ziricote Special LH

by Martin Guitar
Acoustic Pop Classical Crossover Indie
Key Feature:
• Easy to handle and transport
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
  • • Great for fingerpicking
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Martin Guitar GP-X2E Ziricote Special LHSteel-String Guitar with PickupLeft-handed modelType: Grand Performance...

⭐ 4.9/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 617519
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar 11SP0010E Road Series Special - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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
Martin Guitar SC-10E Spruce - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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
Furch Pioneer-ER a - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Furch Pioneer-ER a

by Furch
Indie Folk Classical Crossover
Key Feature:
• Clear note separation
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
  • • Great for fingerpicking
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Furch Pioneer-ERAcoustic GuitarTravel body sizeWith cutawayTop: Solid Engelmann spruceBooster Soundport at the top of...

⭐ 5.0/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 602101
$1,075
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson L-00 Special Vintage Sunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

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
Maton Mini EM6 w/ Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Maton Mini EM6 w/ Case

by Maton
Folk Acoustic Pop Classical Crossover
Key Feature:
• Comfortable smaller body size
✓ PROS
  • • Clear note separation
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • Not ideal for band situations
  • • Limited low-end presence

Maton Mini EM6 w/ CaseAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: small bodyBack and sides: solid Queensland mapleTop: solid...

⭐ 5.0/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 278857
$1,649
Buy at Thomann View Details
Furch LJ 10-CM EAS-VTC - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Furch LJ 10-CM EAS-VTC

by Furch
Fingerpicking Classical Crossover Acoustic Pop
Key Feature:
• Easy to handle and transport
✓ PROS
  • • Easy to handle and transport
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
✗ CONS
  • • Not ideal for band situations
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming

Furch LJ 10-CM EAS-VTCTravel Guitar with PickupLittle Jane modelTop: solid cedarBack and sides: solid mahoganyNeck:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 486375
$1,649
Buy at Thomann View Details
Guild M-20 VSB USA - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Guild M-20 VSB USA

by Guild
Acoustic Pop Fingerpicking Classical Crossover
Key Feature:
• Clear note separation
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fingerpicking
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming
  • • Limited low-end presence

Guild M-20 VSB USAAcoustic GuitarBody shape: ConcertBody: MahoganysolidNeck: MahoganyFretboard: Rosewood20 FretsScale:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 379078
$1,869
Buy at Thomann View Details
Journey Instruments OF660 BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Journey Instruments OF660 BK

by Journey Instruments
Classical Crossover Indie Folk
Key Feature:
• Balanced tone across frequencies
✓ PROS
  • • Clear note separation
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • Lower volume projection

Journey Instruments OF660 BKTravel Western GuitarStylized 00 body shape with cutawayPatenteddetachable neck system that...

⭐ 4.9/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 460890
$1,539
Buy at Thomann View Details
Godin Mahog. Parlor Black Burst A/E - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Godin Mahog. Parlor Black Burst A/E

by Godin
Singer-Songwriter Indie Fingerpicking
Key Feature:
• Comfortable smaller body size
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
  • • Clear note separation
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Godin Mahog. Parlor Black Burst A/EAcoustic Guitar with PickupSmoothbalanced sound with great projection and compact...

⭐ 5.0/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 581264
$1,099
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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