Best Semiacoustic Guitars Under $500 2025

Affordable semiacoustic guitars under $500 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

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 Ibanez Epiphone Harley Benton Duesenberg Taylor PRS Larry Carlton Guild Stanford Maybach

Harley Benton HB-35 CH Vintage Series Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton HB-35 CH Vintage Series Bundle

by Harley Benton

Country Rockabilly Blues

Key Feature:

• Great for clean and lightly overdriven sounds

✓ PROS

• Warm, resonant hollow body tone
• Natural acoustic resonance

✗ CONS

• Requires careful stage positioning
• Can be more expensive

Harley Benton HB-35 CH Vintage Series Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton HB-35 CH Vintage Series*Electric...

⭐ 4.5/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 371744

$417

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton Aeolus Frost Flame w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton Aeolus Frost Flame w/Bag

by Harley Benton

Rockabilly Country Clean Tones

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage aesthetics

✓ PROS

• Great for clean and lightly overdriven sounds
• Comfortable playing feel

✗ CONS

• Prone to feedback at high volumes
• Can be more expensive

Harley Benton Aeolus Frost Flame w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Aeolus Frost Flame*Electric Guitar*Pro...

⭐ 4.5/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 558174

$460

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton CST-24HB Tortoise Flame w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton CST-24HB Tortoise Flame w/Case

by Harley Benton

Jazz Country Rockabilly

Key Feature:

• Warm, resonant hollow body tone

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage aesthetics
• Great for clean and lightly overdriven sounds

✗ CONS

• Requires careful stage positioning
• Can be more expensive

Harley Benton CST-24HB Tortoise Flame w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton CST-24HB Tortoise Flame*Electric...

⭐ 4.6/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 541233

$389

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton CST-24HB Tortoise Flame w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton CST-24HB Tortoise Flame w/Bag

by Harley Benton

Clean Tones Jazz Blues

Key Feature:

• Warm, resonant hollow body tone

✓ PROS

• Great for clean and lightly overdriven sounds
• Natural acoustic resonance

✗ CONS

• Requires careful stage positioning
• Can be more expensive

Harley Benton CST-24HB Tortoise Flame w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton CST-24HB Tortoise Flame*Electric...

⭐ 4.5/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 541229

$341

Buy at Thomann View Details

⭐ 4.4/5 (56 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton HB-35 CH Vintage Series Bundle

by Harley Benton

Country Jazz Vintage Style

Key Feature:

• Comfortable playing feel

✓ PROS

• Natural acoustic resonance
• Comfortable playing feel

✗ CONS

• Can be more expensive
• Limited high-gain capabilities

Harley Benton HB-35 CH Vintage Series Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton HB-35 CH Vintage Series*Electric...

⭐ 4.4/5 (56 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 371742

$373

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton Aeolus Frost Flame - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (17 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Harley Benton Aeolus Frost Flame

by Harley Benton

Blues Jazz Clean Tones

Key Feature:

• Comfortable playing feel

✓ PROS

• Comfortable playing feel
• Great for clean and lightly overdriven sounds

✗ CONS

• May not suit heavy rock styles
• Can be more expensive

Harley Benton Aeolus Frost FlameElectric GuitarPro SeriesStyle: Semi-HollowBody: MahoganyTop: AAA flamed maple...

⭐ 4.4/5 (17 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 496344

$439

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton HB-35 VB Vintage Series Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (3 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton HB-35 VB Vintage Series Bundle

by Harley Benton

Jazz Vintage Style Country

Key Feature:

• Warm, resonant hollow body tone

✓ PROS

• Natural acoustic resonance
• Comfortable playing feel

✗ CONS

• Can be more expensive
• Prone to feedback at high volumes

Harley Benton HB-35 VB Vintage Series Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton HB-35 VB Vintage Series*Electric...

⭐ 4.8/5 (3 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 371740

$428

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez AS53-TKF Artcore - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (38 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Ibanez AS53-TKF Artcore

by Ibanez

Clean Tones Vintage Style Blues

Key Feature:

• Great for clean and lightly overdriven sounds

✓ PROS

• Warm, resonant hollow body tone
• Natural acoustic resonance

✗ CONS

• Can be more expensive
• Requires careful stage positioning

Ibanez AS53-TKF ArtcoreElectric GuitarHollow bodyBody: SapeleSet-in Artcore neck: NyatohFretboard: LaurelFretboard...

⭐ 4.9/5 (38 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 264615

$395

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez AM53 Tobacco Flat - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (49 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Ibanez AM53 Tobacco Flat

by Ibanez

Rockabilly Country Blues

Key Feature:

• Warm, resonant hollow body tone

✓ PROS

• Comfortable playing feel
• Warm, resonant hollow body tone

✗ CONS

• Prone to feedback at high volumes
• Limited high-gain capabilities

Ibanez AM53 Tobacco FlatElectric GuitarStyle: HollowbodyBody: BasswoodTop: BasswoodNeck: NyatohFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (49 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 578754

$384

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton CST-24HB TOL Tobacco Flame - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.7/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton CST-24HB TOL Tobacco Flame

by Harley Benton

Blues Vintage Style Rockabilly

Key Feature:

• Great for clean and lightly overdriven sounds

✓ PROS

• Comfortable playing feel
• Classic vintage aesthetics

✗ CONS

• Limited high-gain capabilities
• Can be more expensive

Harley Benton CST-24HB TOL Tobacco FlameElectric GuitarChambered body: MerantiArchedflamed maple topGlued-in neck:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 339364

$340

Buy at Thomann View Details

Squier Affinity Starcaster DLX SSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.4/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Squier Affinity Starcaster DLX SSB

by Squier

Country Clean Tones Rockabilly

Key Feature:

• Comfortable playing feel

✓ PROS

• Comfortable playing feel
• Natural acoustic resonance

✗ CONS

• May not suit heavy rock styles
• Can be more expensive

Squier Affinity Starcaster DLX SSBElectric GuitarType: Semi hollowbody with centre blockBody: laminated mapleBolt-on...

⭐ 4.4/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 594255

$320

Buy at Thomann View Details

Squier Affinity Starcaster DLX OWT - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.9/5 (52 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Squier Affinity Starcaster DLX OWT

by Squier

Rockabilly Vintage Style Country

Key Feature:

• Natural acoustic resonance

✓ PROS

• Great for clean and lightly overdriven sounds
• Comfortable playing feel

✗ CONS

• Limited high-gain capabilities
• Prone to feedback at high volumes

Squier Affinity Starcaster DLX OWTElectric GuitarType: Semi hollowbody with centre blockBody: Laminated mapleBolt-on...

⭐ 4.9/5 (52 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 594248

$318

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez AS53-TF - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 5.0/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Ibanez AS53-TF

by Ibanez

Clean Tones Country Rockabilly

Key Feature:

• Comfortable playing feel

✓ PROS

• Natural acoustic resonance
• Classic vintage aesthetics

✗ CONS

• May not suit heavy rock styles
• Limited high-gain capabilities

Ibanez AS53-TFElectric GuitarHollowbodyBody: BasswoodWhite bindingSet-in Artcore neck: NyatohLaurel fretboardFretboard...

⭐ 5.0/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 331815

$380

Buy at Thomann View Details

#14

⭐ 4.5/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton HB-35 VB Vintage Series Bundle

by Harley Benton

Vintage Style Clean Tones Rockabilly

Key Feature:

• Warm, resonant hollow body tone

✓ PROS

• Natural acoustic resonance
• Warm, resonant hollow body tone

✗ CONS

• Can be more expensive
• Prone to feedback at high volumes

Harley Benton HB-35 VB Vintage Series Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton HB-35 VB Vintage Series*Electric...

⭐ 4.5/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 371738

$373

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton CST-24HB Tortoise Flame - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.5/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton CST-24HB Tortoise Flame

by Harley Benton

Jazz Vintage Style Blues

Key Feature:

• Great for clean and lightly overdriven sounds

✓ PROS

• Great for clean and lightly overdriven sounds
• Warm, resonant hollow body tone

✗ CONS

• May not suit heavy rock styles
• Limited high-gain capabilities

Harley Benton CST-24HB Tortoise FlameElectric GuitarStyle: Semi hollowbody with f-holesMeranti bodyTop: AAA flamed...

⭐ 4.5/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 358494

$318

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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Best Semiacoustic Guitars Under $500 2025

Harley Benton HB-35 CH Vintage Series Bundle

Harley Benton Aeolus Frost Flame w/Bag

Harley Benton CST-24HB Tortoise Flame w/Case

Harley Benton CST-24HB Tortoise Flame w/Bag

Harley Benton HB-35 CH Vintage Series Bundle

Harley Benton Aeolus Frost Flame

Harley Benton HB-35 VB Vintage Series Bundle

Ibanez AS53-TKF Artcore

Ibanez AM53 Tobacco Flat

Harley Benton CST-24HB TOL Tobacco Flame

Squier Affinity Starcaster DLX SSB

Squier Affinity Starcaster DLX OWT

Ibanez AS53-TF

Harley Benton HB-35 VB Vintage Series Bundle

Harley Benton CST-24HB Tortoise Flame

How to Choose the Best Semiacoustic Guitars

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying semiacoustic guitars?

How much should I spend on semiacoustic guitars?

Are expensive semiacoustic guitars worth the investment?

What are the best brands for semiacoustic guitars?

Should I buy semiacoustic guitars online or in-store?

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