Best Folk Acoustic Guitars Under $5,000 2025

Affordable folk acoustic guitars under $5,000 - great value without compromising quality

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

Gibson L-00 Original Vintage Sunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Gibson L-00 Original Vintage Sunburst

Acoustic Pop Singer-Songwriter Fingerpicking
Key Feature:
• Balanced tone across frequencies
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Lower volume projection
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming

Gibson L-00 Original Vintage SunburstSteel String GuitarBody shape: 00Top: Solid Sitka spruceBack and sides: Solid...

4.9/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Gibson Les Paul Parlor Acoustic VCS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Gibson Les Paul Parlor Acoustic VCS

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
Martin Guitar SC-13E Special Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Martin Guitar SC-13E Special Burst

Classical Crossover Singer-Songwriter Folk
Key Feature:
• Great for fingerpicking
✓ PROS
  • • Clear note separation
  • • Great for fingerpicking
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Martin Guitar SC-13E Special BurstSteel-String Guitar with PickupShape: S-13 Fret with cutawayTop: SpruceBack and...

4.8/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Gibson L-00 Original Ebony - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Gibson L-00 Original Ebony

Singer-Songwriter Folk Fingerpicking
Key Feature:
• Comfortable smaller body size
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
  • • Great for fingerpicking
✗ CONS
  • • Less bass response than dreadnought
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Gibson L-00 Original EbonySteel-String GuitarBody shape: 00Top: Solid sitka spruceBack and sides: Solid mahoganyNeck:...

4.6/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Lakewood A-52 Premium - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Lakewood A-52 Premium

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
Gibson Nathaniel Rateliff LG-2 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Gibson Nathaniel Rateliff LG-2

Classical Crossover Indie Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• Great for fingerpicking
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • Lower volume projection

Gibson Nathaniel Rateliff LG-2, Steel-String Guitar with PickupNathaniel Rateliff's music, both solo and with the...

4.4/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Lakewood C-31 CP 2024 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Lakewood C-31 CP 2024

Classical Crossover Indie Folk
Key Feature:
• Great for fingerpicking
✓ PROS
  • • Easy to handle and transport
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
✗ CONS
  • • Less bass response than dreadnought
  • • Limited low-end presence

Lakewood C-31 CP 2024Steel-String Guitar with PickupStyle: Concert with cutawayBack and sides: Solid East Indian...

4.6/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Martin Guitar GPC-13E Burst Ziricote LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Martin Guitar GPC-13E Burst Ziricote LH

Singer-Songwriter Acoustic Pop Classical Crossover
Key Feature:
• Clear note separation
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fingerpicking
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
✗ CONS
  • • Not ideal for band situations
  • • Lower volume projection

Martin Guitar GPC-13E Burst Ziricote LHAcoustic Guitar with PickupLefthand / left-handed modelStyle: Grand Performance...

4.9/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Martin Guitar SC-13E Koa - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Martin Guitar SC-13E Koa

Folk Fingerpicking Acoustic Pop
Key Feature:
• Balanced tone across frequencies
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
  • • Clear note separation
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Martin Guitar SC-13E KoaAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: S-13 Fret with cutawayTop: SpruceBack and sides: KoaX-Brace...

4.9/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sheeran by Lowden Stadium Edition - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Sheeran by Lowden Stadium Edition

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
Martin Guitar SC-13E Special - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Martin Guitar SC-13E Special

Fingerpicking Classical Crossover Folk
Key Feature:
• Clear note separation
✓ PROS
  • • Easy to handle and transport
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • Less bass response than dreadnought

Martin Guitar SC-13E SpecialSteel-String Guitar with PickupType: S-13 Fret with cutawayTop: SpruceBack and sides:...

4.8/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Martin Guitar GPC-13E Burst Ziricote - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Martin Guitar GPC-13E Burst Ziricote

Classical Crossover Singer-Songwriter Acoustic Pop
Key Feature:
• Clear note separation
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fingerpicking
  • • Clear note separation
✗ CONS
  • • Lower volume projection
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming

Martin Guitar GPC-13E Burst ZiricoteAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: Grand Performance - 14 FretTop: SpruceBack and...

4.7/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Maton EMBW6 Mini - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Maton EMBW6 Mini

Classical Crossover Acoustic Pop Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• Comfortable smaller body size
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Lower volume projection
  • • Limited low-end presence

Maton EMBW6 MiniSteel-string guitarBody design: miniTop: "A" blackwoodBack and sides: "A"...

5.0/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Gibson Les Paul Parlor Acoustic VS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Gibson Les Paul Parlor Acoustic VS

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
Gibson Parlor Rosewood EC RB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Gibson Parlor Rosewood EC RB

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

Gibson Parlor Rosewood EC RBAcoustic Guitar with PickupType: Parlor with cutawayBack and sides: Solid rosewoodTop:...

4.8/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10

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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