Last updated: June 2026
Starting guitar is one of those decisions you either stick with or quietly abandon to a dusty corner. The instrument you start on has more influence over which of those outcomes you end up with than most beginners realise. A guitar that's painful to play, won't stay in tune, or sounds like a cardboard box will kill your motivation faster than any level of busy schedule.
The good news: beginner acoustic guitars are better than they've ever been. The sub-$500 market in particular has been transformed by improved manufacturing in Asia, and you can now get a genuinely playable, good-sounding instrument for well under $300 if you know where to look.
Here's what to actually buy in Australia in 2026.
What Beginners Actually Need in a Guitar
Before we get to specific models, a quick word on what matters — and what doesn't — when you're starting out.
Action (string height): This is the single most important playability factor. High action makes the strings difficult to press, causes hand fatigue, and is painful for new players. Low action means easy fretting. Most factory setups in the beginner segment are fine, but getting a $40 setup from a local guitar tech after purchase makes a measurable difference.
Tuning stability: A guitar that won't stay in tune is frustrating and actively harmful to ear training. Look for sealed machine heads, which are standard on all the guitars below.
Body size: Dreadnought bodies are the classic full-size acoustic shape — loud, full-bodied, good for strumming. Concert/Orchestra (OM) bodies are smaller and more comfortable for smaller players. For most beginners, either works; if you're petite or buying for a child, consider a 3/4 size.
Tonewood: Spruce tops are bright and punchy. Cedar tops are warm and respond easily to light touch. For a beginner, the wood type matters less than the build quality. Don't overthink it.
Comparison Table
| Guitar | Price (AUD) | Body Style | Top Wood | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha FG800 | $350–$420 | Dreadnought | Solid Sitka Spruce | Overall best buy |
| Fender CD-60S | $320–$400 | Dreadnought | Solid Sitka Spruce | Warm tone, comfortable |
| Takamine GD20 | $450–$600 | Dreadnought | Solid Cedar | Best step-up choice |
| Yamaha F310 | $200–$280 | Dreadnought | Spruce (laminate) | Best-selling AU beginner |
Yamaha FG800 — The One We Recommend to Almost Everyone
🎵 Yamaha FG800
The Yamaha FG800 has been in some form since the 1960s, and it's been the defining beginner acoustic for decades for a simple reason: it's hard to beat at the price. The FG800 features a solid Sitka spruce top — not a laminate — which is genuinely unusual at this price point and means the guitar will open up and sound better as it's played in over time.
The scalloped bracing pattern Yamaha uses gives the top more flexibility, producing a sound that punches well above the price. It's loud, balanced, and holds tune reliably. The neck profile is comfortable without being so slim it feels like a toy.
- Body: Dreadnought
- Top: Solid Sitka spruce
- Back & sides: Nato (a mahogany-type wood)
- Nut width: 43mm
- Scale length: 634mm
- Price range: $350–$420 AUD
The FG800 is available in natural, tobacco sunburst, and black. The natural finish is the default choice for good reason.
Find the Yamaha FG800 on Amazon AU →
Fender CD-60S — Warm Tone, Great Playability
🎸 Fender CD-60S
Fender isn't just about electric guitars. The CD-60S is one of their better beginner acoustics, and it shares the solid spruce top that makes the Yamaha FG800 worth recommending. Where the FG800 is bright and punchy, the CD-60S has a slightly warmer, rounder tone — partly due to the mahogany back and sides, and partly due to the scalloped X-bracing Fender uses.
The CD-60S also benefits from a rolled fretboard edge — a small detail that makes a noticeable difference to comfort during longer practice sessions.
- Body: Dreadnought
- Top: Solid Sitka spruce
- Back & sides: Mahogany
- Nut width: 43mm
- Scale length: 648mm (slightly longer than the FG800)
- Price range: $320–$400 AUD
Find the Fender CD-60S on Amazon AU →
Takamine GD20 — The Best Step-Up Choice
🎸 Takamine GD20
If your budget stretches to $450–$600, the Takamine GD20 is a clear step up from the beginner tier. It features a solid cedar top paired with rosewood back and sides — a combination that delivers a warm, rich tone that laminate-top guitars simply can't match.
Takamine's build quality at this price point is excellent. The GD20's neck joint is stable, the intonation is accurate out of the box, and the natural satin finish gives it a premium feel without the clinical gloss of cheaper instruments. Cedar responds particularly well to fingerpicking — light touch produces a full, resonant sound immediately, which makes it rewarding for intermediate players developing technique.
- Body: Dreadnought
- Top: Solid cedar
- Back & sides: Rosewood
- Nut width: 43mm
- Scale length: 634mm
- Price range: $450–$600 AUD
Find the Takamine GD20 on Amazon AU →
Yamaha F310 — Australia's Best-Selling Beginner Acoustic
💰 Yamaha F310
The Yamaha F310 is Australia's best-selling beginner acoustic guitar for good reason: it delivers genuine Yamaha quality and reliability at a price point ($200–$280) that makes it accessible to almost anyone who wants to learn. While the spruce top is laminate rather than solid, Yamaha's manufacturing standards ensure it sounds and plays consistently better than other guitars in its price range.
The F310 holds its tuning well, the action is typically comfortable straight from the factory, and the neck profile suits players of all hand sizes. It's the answer to "I'm not sure I'll stick with it — what's the safest entry-level buy?" Yamaha's quality control at this tier is reliably better than the competition.
- Body: Dreadnought
- Top: Spruce (laminate)
- Back & sides: Meranti
- Nut width: 43mm
- Scale length: 634mm
- Price range: $200–$280 AUD
Find the Yamaha F310 on Amazon AU →
What to Buy Alongside Your Guitar
🎼 Tuner
A clip-on chromatic tuner is about $15 and essential. Alternatively, use a free app like GuitarTuna.
Shop Tuners →🎵 Capo & Picks
A capo ($20–$30) opens up a huge range of songs. Buy a variety pack of picks and figure out what thickness you prefer.
Shop Accessories →🎻 Guitar Stand
A basic A-frame stand is ~$20. Keeping the guitar out and visible massively increases how often you'll practice.
Shop Stands →Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy an acoustic or electric guitar to start?
Both are fine. Acoustic guitars are often recommended for beginners because they're easier to pick up and play without any additional equipment (amp, cable, etc.). Electric guitars actually have lower string action and are physically easier on the fingers, but require more gear. If you want to play rock/metal, start electric. If you want to play folk, country, pop, or "campfire songs," start acoustic.
Do I need to buy an expensive guitar to sound good?
Not at all. The guitars on this list, particularly the Yamaha FG800 and Fender CD-60S, sound genuinely good and are a pleasure to play. Spending more money doesn't help much until you're beyond the beginner stage.
Should I get a guitar setup before I start playing?
If the guitar arrives with high action (strings feel stiff and hard to press), take it to a local guitar tech for a setup. It usually costs $40–$70 and makes a dramatic difference in playability. Many guitars come with acceptable action from the factory, but it's worth checking.
What size acoustic guitar should I buy?
Most adults should start with a full-size dreadnought. If you're buying for someone under 12, consider a 3/4 size. If you're an adult with a smaller frame or short arms, a concert (OM) body might be more comfortable.
What's the best way to learn guitar as a beginner?
Structured online learning has gotten very good. JustinGuitar (free, YouTube and app) is genuinely excellent and used by millions of beginners. For more structured paid options, Yousician and Fender Play are worth trying.
This article contains Amazon Associates affiliate links (tag: zmanclawamazo-22). When you buy through these links, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. All recommendations are based on genuine assessment of the instruments.