AudioFu

Best Roundback Acoustic Guitars Under $800 2026

Affordable roundback acoustic guitars under $800 - great value without compromising quality

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

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 Under $500 Under $800 Under $2,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For World Music For Folk For Unique Sound For Cultural Music For Traditional Styles For Distinctive Tone
BRANDS: Ovation Harley Benton
Ovation CelebrityElitePlusCE44P-FKOA-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Ovation CelebrityElitePlusCE44P-FKOA-G

by Ovation
Unique Sound Distinctive Tone Folk
Key Feature:
• Cultural authenticity
✓ PROS
  • • Unique round back construction
  • • Comfortable playing position
✗ CONS
  • • Very specialized sound
  • • Limited to specific musical styles

Ovation Celebrity Elite Plus CE44P-FKOA-GSteel String GuitarDesign: Celebrity Elite Plus with cutawayTop: Figured koa...

⭐ 4.6/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 332695
$659
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Celebrity Elite CE44-RBB-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Ovation Celebrity Elite CE44-RBB-G

by Ovation
Cultural Music Unique Sound Folk
Key Feature:
• Great for world music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive tonal character
  • • Cultural authenticity
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability and options
  • • May not suit all players

Ovation Celebrity CE44-RBB-GSteel-String GuitarCelebrity EliteBody style: OvationMid-depth cutaway Lyrachord bodySolid...

⭐ 5.0/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 442241
$549
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Celebrity CE44P Elite Plus FES - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Ovation Celebrity CE44P Elite Plus FES

by Ovation
Cultural Music Unique Sound World Music
Key Feature:
• Distinctive tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable playing position
  • • Cultural authenticity
✗ CONS
  • • Very specialized sound
  • • Limited to specific musical styles

Ovation Celebrity CE44P Elite Plus FESSteel-String Guitar with PickupLimited editionWith mid cutawayBody: Mid-Depth...

⭐ 4.6/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 611153
$714
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Celebrity Deluxe CDX40-1-G VSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Ovation Celebrity Deluxe CDX40-1-G VSB

by Ovation
World Music Traditional Styles Cultural Music
Key Feature:
• Distinctive tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Great for world music styles
  • • Cultural authenticity
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all players
  • • Very specialized sound

Ovation Celebrity Deluxe CDX40-1-G VSBString-String Guitar with PickupTop: Solid spruceNew Quintad Elite bracing...

⭐ 4.9/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 596961
$549
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Ultra 1516PBM-G Pitch Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Ovation Ultra 1516PBM-G Pitch Black

by Ovation
World Music Cultural Music Traditional Styles
Key Feature:
• Unique round back construction
✓ PROS
  • • Unique round back construction
  • • Great for world music styles
✗ CONS
  • • Can be difficult to hold securely
  • • Limited to specific musical styles

Ovation Ultra 1516PBM-G Pitch BlackAcoustic Guitar with PickupPro Series Ultra Mid-Depth Non-CutawayMid-Depth body:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 559078
$681
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Celebrity Trad.Plus CS24X-7C-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Ovation Celebrity Trad.Plus CS24X-7C-G

by Ovation
Distinctive Tone World Music Folk
Key Feature:
• Distinctive tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Cultural authenticity
  • • Comfortable playing position
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability and options
  • • May not suit all players

Ovation Celebrity Trad.Plus CS24X-7C-GSteel-string guitar with pickupBody: Mid-Depth LyrachordWith cutawaySelected...

⭐ 4.4/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 525206
$505
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Celebrity Traditional CS24-1-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Ovation Celebrity Traditional CS24-1-G

by Ovation
Traditional Styles Distinctive Tone Cultural Music
Key Feature:
• Comfortable playing position
✓ PROS
  • • Unique round back construction
  • • Cultural authenticity
✗ CONS
  • • Very specialized sound
  • • May not suit all players

Ovation Celebrity Traditional CS24-1-GSteel-string guitar with pickupBody: Mid-Depth LyrachordWith cutawayOptimised...

⭐ 4.8/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 525186
$505
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Ultra 1516DTD-G Dusk till dawn - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Ovation Ultra 1516DTD-G Dusk till dawn

by Ovation
Unique Sound Distinctive Tone Folk
Key Feature:
• Distinctive tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Unique round back construction
  • • Distinctive tonal character
✗ CONS
  • • Can be difficult to hold securely
  • • Very specialized sound

Ovation Ultra 1516DTD-G Dusk till dawnAcoustic Guitar with PickupPro Series Ultra Mid-Depth Non-CutawayMid-Depth Body:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 559076
$714
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Celebrity Tradition CS-24-4-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Ovation Celebrity Tradition CS-24-4-G

by Ovation
Folk Distinctive Tone Traditional Styles
Key Feature:
• Distinctive tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable playing position
  • • Cultural authenticity
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability and options
  • • Can be difficult to hold securely

Ovation Celebrity Traditional CS-24-4-GSteel-String GuitarTop: Flamed mapleBody design: Mid-Depth CutawayBody:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 332549
$501
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Celebrity Tradition CS-24P-NBM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Ovation Celebrity Tradition CS-24P-NBM

by Ovation
Distinctive Tone Traditional Styles Unique Sound
Key Feature:
• Comfortable playing position
✓ PROS
  • • Unique round back construction
  • • Cultural authenticity
✗ CONS
  • • Very specialized sound
  • • May not suit all players

Ovation Celebrity Traditional Plus CS-24P-NBMSteel-String GuitarTop: Maple burlMid-depth cutaway Lyrachord bodyPearloid...

⭐ 4.9/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 332553
$516
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Ultra 1516YS-G Yukon Spray - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Ovation Ultra 1516YS-G Yukon Spray

by Ovation
Cultural Music World Music Folk
Key Feature:
• Comfortable playing position
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable playing position
  • • Great for world music styles
✗ CONS
  • • Limited to specific musical styles
  • • Can be difficult to hold securely

Ovation Ultra 1516YS-G Yukon SprayAcoustic Guitar with PickupPro Series Ultra Mid-Depth Non-CutawayMid-Depth Body:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 559084
$692
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Pro Series Elite 1778TX-5-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Ovation Pro Series Elite 1778TX-5-G

by Ovation
World Music Traditional Styles Cultural Music
Key Feature:
• Distinctive tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Great for world music styles
  • • Unique round back construction
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability and options
  • • May not suit all players

Ovation Pro Series Elite 1778TX-5-GAcoustic Guitar with PickupCutawayBody: Mid-Depth BowlTop: Solid spruceNeck:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 519237
$769
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Celebrity Tradition CS-24P-KOA - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Ovation Celebrity Tradition CS-24P-KOA

by Ovation
Distinctive Tone Traditional Styles World Music
Key Feature:
• Cultural authenticity
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive tonal character
  • • Unique round back construction
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability and options
  • • Can be difficult to hold securely

Ovation Celebrity Tradition CS-24P-KOASteel-String GuitarTop: Flamed koaMid-depth cutaway Lyrachord bodyRosette:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 332551
$582
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Celebrity Elite CE44-5-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Ovation Celebrity Elite CE44-5-G

by Ovation
Unique Sound World Music Traditional Styles
Key Feature:
• Unique round back construction
✓ PROS
  • • Unique round back construction
  • • Comfortable playing position
✗ CONS
  • • Can be difficult to hold securely
  • • Very specialized sound

Ovation Celebrity CE44-5-GSteel-String GuitarCelebrity EliteWith cutawayTop: Solid spruceSoundholes: Multi-wood...

⭐ 4.8/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 332704
$538
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Celebrity Elite CE44-RRB-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Ovation Celebrity Elite CE44-RRB-G

by Ovation
World Music Unique Sound Cultural Music
Key Feature:
• Unique round back construction
✓ PROS
  • • Unique round back construction
  • • Cultural authenticity
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all players
  • • Very specialized sound

Ovation Celebrity Elite CE44-RRB-GSteel-string guitarCelebrity EliteBody style: OvationMid-depth cutaway Lyrachord...

⭐ 4.9/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 442236
$549
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Roundback 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 roundback 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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