AudioFu

Best Roundback Acoustic Guitars Under $800 2026

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

Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 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 Celebrity Tradition CS-24P-NBM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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 Celebrity Elite CE44-5-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

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 CelebrityElitePlusCE48P-KOAB-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Ovation CelebrityElitePlusCE48P-KOAB-G

by Ovation
Cultural Music Folk Unique Sound
Key Feature:
• Comfortable playing position
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive tonal character
  • • Comfortable playing position
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all players
  • • Limited to specific musical styles

Ovation CelebrityCE48P-KOAB Elite PlusSteel-String GuitarBody: Super shallow lyrachordWith cutawayTop: KoaMulti...

⭐ 4.9/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 380655
$593
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 Celebrity Elite CE44-RR-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Ovation Celebrity Elite CE44-RR-G

by Ovation
Unique Sound Folk Traditional Styles
Key Feature:
• Unique round back construction
✓ PROS
  • • Cultural authenticity
  • • Great for world music styles
✗ CONS
  • • Limited to specific musical styles
  • • Limited availability and options

Ovation Celebrity CE44-RRSteel String GuitarCelebrity EliteWith cutawaySolid spruce topMulti-wood epaulette sound...

⭐ 4.6/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 332703
$549
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Ultra 1516DTD-G Dusk till dawn - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

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 Trad.Plus CS24X-7C-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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 Ultra 1516YS-G Yukon Spray - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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 Celebrity Deluxe CDX40-5-G BLS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Ovation Celebrity Deluxe CDX40-5-G BLS

by Ovation
Unique Sound Cultural Music Traditional Styles
Key Feature:
• Comfortable playing position
✓ PROS
  • • Unique round back construction
  • • Distinctive tonal character
✗ CONS
  • • Can be difficult to hold securely
  • • May not suit all players

Ovation Celebrity Deluxe CDX40-5-G BLSSteel-String Guitar with PickupTop: Solid spruceNew Quintad Elite bracing similar...

⭐ 4.5/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 596940
$604
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Celebrity Elite CE44-RRB-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

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
Ovation Celebrity Traditional CS24-1-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

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 Celebrity Tradition CS28P-RG-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Ovation Celebrity Tradition CS28P-RG-G

by Ovation
Folk Traditional Styles World Music
Key Feature:
• Cultural authenticity
✓ PROS
  • • Great for world music styles
  • • Unique round back construction
✗ CONS
  • • Very specialized sound
  • • May not suit all players

Ovation Celebrity Traditional Plus CS28P-RG-GRoundback Western GuitarSuper Shallow Lyrachord body with cutawayTop:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 470500
$538
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Celebrity ElitePlusCE44P-8TQ-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Ovation Celebrity ElitePlusCE44P-8TQ-G

by Ovation
Folk Cultural Music Distinctive Tone
Key Feature:
• Distinctive tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable playing position
  • • Cultural authenticity
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all players
  • • Limited to specific musical styles

Ovation Celebrity Elite Plus CE44P-8TQ-GSteel-string GuitarBody design: Celebrity Elite Plus with cutawayBody:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 425046
$600
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Celebrity Elite CE48-RR-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Ovation Celebrity Elite CE48-RR-G

by Ovation
Traditional Styles Unique Sound Folk
Key Feature:
• Great for world music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Unique round back construction
  • • Comfortable playing position
✗ CONS
  • • Limited to specific musical styles
  • • Can be difficult to hold securely

Ovation Celebrity Elite CE48-RR-GSteel-String Guitar with PickupWith cutawayTop: Solid spruceBody: Lyrachord Super...

⭐ 4.5/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 516189
$565
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Celebrity Tradition CS-24P-TBB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Ovation Celebrity Tradition CS-24P-TBB

by Ovation
World Music Traditional Styles Unique Sound
Key Feature:
• Cultural authenticity
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive tonal character
  • • Great for world music styles
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability and options
  • • Limited to specific musical styles

Ovation Celebrity CS24Standard Plus TBSteel-String GuitarTop: Flamed mapleBody design: Mid-Depth CutawayBody:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 332554
$505
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.

Related Best Lists

POPULAR

Best ST Style Guitars

TOP

Best Humbucker Pickups

POPULAR

Best Distortion Pedals

POPULAR

Best Single Cut Guitars

RELATED

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

TOP

Best 4/4 Size Classical Guitars

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more