AudioFu

Best Semiacoustic Guitars Under $2,000 2026

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

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

PRICE RANGES: 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 Jazz For Blues For Rockabilly For Country For Clean Tones For Vintage Style
BRANDS: Gretsch Gibson DAngelico Epiphone Ibanez Harley Benton Duesenberg Guild Larry Carlton PRS Taylor Maybach Stanford
DAngelico Excel DC Trans Cherry - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

DAngelico Excel DC Trans Cherry

by DAngelico
Jazz Rockabilly Vintage Style
Key Feature:
• Great for clean and lightly overdriven sounds
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable playing feel
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit heavy rock styles
  • • Limited high-gain capabilities

DAngelico Excel DC Trans CherryElectric GuitarDesign: Semi-hollow with double cutaway and centre blockTop: Laminated...

⭐ 4.9/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 552177
$1,814
Buy at Thomann View Details
DAngelico Excel SS Trans Cherry - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

DAngelico Excel SS Trans Cherry

by DAngelico
Rockabilly Blues Clean Tones
Key Feature:
• Great for clean and lightly overdriven sounds
✓ PROS
  • • Great for clean and lightly overdriven sounds
  • • Comfortable playing feel
✗ CONS
  • • Requires careful stage positioning
  • • Can be more expensive

DAngelico Excel SS Trans CherryElectric GuitarDesign: Semi-hollow with centre block and single cutawayBack and sides:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 551921
$1,704
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone 1959 ES-355 Cherry Red VOS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Epiphone 1959 ES-355 Cherry Red VOS

by Epiphone
Blues Vintage Style Clean Tones
Key Feature:
• Natural acoustic resonance
✓ PROS
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
  • • Comfortable playing feel
✗ CONS
  • • Can be more expensive
  • • Prone to feedback at high volumes

Epiphone 1959 ES-355 Cherry Red VOSElectric GuitarInspired by Gibson Custom CollectionBody: Hollow bodyBody: MapleTop:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 587984
$1,429
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone Shinichi Ubukata ES-355 Cherry - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Epiphone Shinichi Ubukata ES-355 Cherry

by Epiphone
Country Jazz Blues
Key Feature:
• Comfortable playing feel
✓ PROS
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
  • • Warm, resonant hollow body tone
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit heavy rock styles
  • • Limited high-gain capabilities

Epiphone Shinichi Ubukata ES-335 CherryElectric GuitarStyle: Semi-HollowBody: MapleTop: MapleSet-in neck:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 576899
$1,429
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone 1959 ES-355 Classic White VOS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Epiphone 1959 ES-355 Classic White VOS

by Epiphone
Vintage Style Blues Clean Tones
Key Feature:
• Warm, resonant hollow body tone
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, resonant hollow body tone
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
✗ CONS
  • • Can be more expensive
  • • Limited high-gain capabilities

Epiphone 1959 ES-355 Classic White VOSElectric GuitarInspired by Gibson Custom Shop / Modern CollectionStyle:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 588023
$1,374
Buy at Thomann View Details
Stanford CR Thinline 30 VB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Stanford CR Thinline 30 VB

by Stanford
Rockabilly Vintage Style Jazz
Key Feature:
• Warm, resonant hollow body tone
✓ PROS
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
  • • Comfortable playing feel
✗ CONS
  • • Can be more expensive
  • • Limited high-gain capabilities

Stanford CR Thinline 30 Vintage BlondeThinline Semi-Acoustic GuitarPickups: 2 P90 single coilCrossroads SeriesBack...

⭐ 4.8/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 485101
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Stanford CR Thinline 30 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Stanford CR Thinline 30

by Stanford
Vintage Style Rockabilly Jazz
Key Feature:
• Comfortable playing feel
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable playing feel
  • • Great for clean and lightly overdriven sounds
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit heavy rock styles
  • • Limited high-gain capabilities

Stanford Thinline 30Semi-Acoustic Guitar with PickupsBuild: Semi-HollowbodyCrossroads SeriesBack and sides: Maple...

⭐ 4.8/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 445446
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
DAngelico Excel Mini DC Viola - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

DAngelico Excel Mini DC Viola

by DAngelico
Country Clean Tones Vintage Style
Key Feature:
• Natural acoustic resonance
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, resonant hollow body tone
  • • Comfortable playing feel
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit heavy rock styles
  • • Limited high-gain capabilities

DAngelico Excel Mini DC ViolaElectric GuitarStyle: Semi-hollow body with centre blockback and sides made of laminated...

⭐ 4.5/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 515160
$1,648
Buy at Thomann View Details
DAngelico Excel DC Vintage Natural - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

DAngelico Excel DC Vintage Natural

by DAngelico
Vintage Style Jazz Rockabilly
Key Feature:
• Great for clean and lightly overdriven sounds
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable playing feel
  • • Warm, resonant hollow body tone
✗ CONS
  • • Can be more expensive
  • • Prone to feedback at high volumes

DAngelico Excel DC Vintage NaturalElectric GuitarConstruction: Semi-Hollowbody with centre blockLaminated maple topback...

⭐ 4.4/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 515002
$1,594
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone Shinichi Ubukata ES-355 Ebony - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Epiphone Shinichi Ubukata ES-355 Ebony

by Epiphone
Rockabilly Vintage Style Blues
Key Feature:
• Great for clean and lightly overdriven sounds
✓ PROS
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
  • • Classic vintage aesthetics
✗ CONS
  • • Can be more expensive
  • • Requires careful stage positioning

Epiphone Shinichi Ubukata ES-335 EbonyElectric GuitarStyle: Semi-HollowBody: MapleTop: MapleGlued-in neck:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 576895
$1,429
Buy at Thomann View Details
Stanford CR Thinline 35 VB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Stanford CR Thinline 35 VB

by Stanford
Blues Jazz Country
Key Feature:
• Great for clean and lightly overdriven sounds
✓ PROS
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
  • • Comfortable playing feel
✗ CONS
  • • Limited high-gain capabilities
  • • Requires careful stage positioning

Stanford CR Thinline 35 VBElectric GuitarCrossroads SeriesThinline bodyTop: Maple veneerBack and sides: Maple...

⭐ 4.9/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 485096
$1,374
Buy at Thomann View Details
DAngelico Excel 59 Viola - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

DAngelico Excel 59 Viola

by DAngelico
Blues Clean Tones Vintage Style
Key Feature:
• Classic vintage aesthetics
✓ PROS
  • • Great for clean and lightly overdriven sounds
  • • Comfortable playing feel
✗ CONS
  • • Prone to feedback at high volumes
  • • May not suit heavy rock styles

DAngelico Excel 59 ViolaElectric GuitarStyle: Semi hollow with centre blockTop: Spruce laminatedBack and sides: Maple...

⭐ 4.9/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 516013
$1,319
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez JSM20-BKL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Ibanez JSM20-BKL

by Ibanez
Vintage Style Blues Jazz
Key Feature:
• Classic vintage aesthetics
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, resonant hollow body tone
  • • Comfortable playing feel
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit heavy rock styles
  • • Can be more expensive

Ibanez JSM20-BKLElectric GuitarJohn Scofield Signature modelBody: Maple3-Piece neck: Maple / Nyatoh (Palaquium...

⭐ 4.4/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 429045
$1,222
Buy at Thomann View Details
DAngelico Premier EXL1 Brown Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

DAngelico Premier EXL1 Brown Burst

by DAngelico
Blues Rockabilly Country
Key Feature:
• Great for clean and lightly overdriven sounds
✓ PROS
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
  • • Warm, resonant hollow body tone
✗ CONS
  • • Limited high-gain capabilities
  • • May not suit heavy rock styles

DAngelico Premier EXL1 Brown BurstElectric GuitarType: Hollow body with single cutTop: Laminated spruceBack and sides:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 607536
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
DAngelico Excel SS Vintage Natural - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

DAngelico Excel SS Vintage Natural

by DAngelico
Rockabilly Jazz Blues
Key Feature:
• Great for clean and lightly overdriven sounds
✓ PROS
  • • Great for clean and lightly overdriven sounds
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
✗ CONS
  • • Can be more expensive
  • • Limited high-gain capabilities

DAngelico Excel SS Vintage NaturalElectric GuitarConstruction: Semi hollowbody with centre blockLaminated spruce...

⭐ 4.8/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 515067
$1,704
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Semiacoustic 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 semiacoustic 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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