Choosing the best acoustic electric guitar is really two decisions in one: how the guitar sounds and feels unplugged, and how good its pickup and preamp are once you plug into a PA, amp or audio interface. A great acoustic with weak electronics will sound quacky through a sound system, and a great pickup cannot rescue a dull, stiff guitar. This roundup covers eight acoustic-electrics from reputable makers, from value dreadnoughts to stage and travel instruments, and explains who each one suits and where it falls short.
Quick picks
- Best overall value: Yamaha FGX800C
- Best budget acoustic-electric: Fender CD-60SCE
- Best vintage-style option: Epiphone J-45 Studio
- Best for the stage: Ibanez AEWC400
- Best splurge: Taylor 114ce
The 8 best acoustic-electric guitars
Yamaha FGX800C
The FGX800C takes Yamaha’s well-loved solid-top dreadnought formula and adds a cutaway and System 66 electronics. That system pairs an under-saddle piezo pickup with a 3-band EQ, an adjustable mid-frequency control and a built-in chromatic tuner. The solid Sitka spruce top opens up with playing, and Yamaha’s factory setups are consistently good.
Best for: anyone who wants one dependable guitar for practice, open mics and home recording.
- Pro: solid spruce top and a sweepable mid control
- Pro: onboard tuner and reliable Yamaha quality control
- Con: piezo tone is functional rather than lush
Fender CD-60SCE
Fender’s CD-60SCE is a cutaway dreadnought with a solid top and Fishman pickup and preamp, sold in natural and all-mahogany versions. The all-mahogany model leans warm and woody, which suits strummed singer-songwriter parts. Rolled fingerboard edges make it comfortable for new players.
Best for: beginners and casual gigging players on a tight budget.
- Pro: Fishman electronics at an entry-level price
- Pro: comfortable neck for newer hands
- Con: setup varies, so budget for a professional setup
Epiphone J-45 Studio
The J-45 Studio brings the round-shoulder look of Gibson’s classic workhorse to a much friendlier budget. It uses layered mahogany, a glued-in dovetail neck joint with a Rounded C profile, and Fishman electronics: an S-Core under-saddle pickup with a Presys VT preamp hidden in the soundhole for a clean look.
Best for: folk and roots players who want vintage vibe and a warm, dry voice.
- Pro: classic round-shoulder sound and looks
- Pro: discreet soundhole controls, gig bag included
- Con: layered top, so it will not develop like a solid-top guitar
Epiphone J-45 Studio on Amazon
Takamine GD30CE
Takamine built its reputation on stage-ready acoustic-electrics, and the GD30CE is a sensible way in. It combines a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides, a slim mahogany neck, and the TP-4TD preamp with a tuner, 3-band EQ and gain control. The pin-less bridge makes string changes quick.
Best for: players who gig regularly and want a plug-and-play workhorse.
- Pro: proven stage electronics and easy string changes
- Pro: slim, fast neck
- Con: unplugged tone is bright rather than deep
Yamaha A1M
The A1M steps up from the FGX line with Yamaha’s SRT piezo pickup, a solid Sitka spruce top with scalloped bracing, and a satin mahogany neck with a slim taper. The SRT system is a noticeable upgrade in plugged-in realism over typical budget piezos, which makes it a favourite for players who perform more than they practise.
Best for: intermediate players moving into regular live work.
- Pro: more natural amplified tone than entry-level piezos
- Pro: comfortable satin neck
- Con: costs noticeably more than the FGX800C for a similar acoustic voice
Ibanez AEWC400
The AEWC400 is a slim-bodied acoustic-electric with a maple top and Fishman electronics, built for amplified use first. The shallower body resists feedback at stage volume and feels closer to an electric guitar under the arm, which suits electric players who double on acoustic in a band.
Best for: band players who need feedback resistance at loud volumes.
- Pro: slimmer body helps tame feedback on loud stages
- Pro: striking high-gloss finishes
- Con: thin unplugged; not a couch or campfire guitar
Taylor GS Mini-e Koa
The GS Mini-e is a scaled-down Grand Symphony with a solid koa top, ebony fretboard and tropical mahogany neck. It sounds far bigger than its size suggests and plugs in with Taylor’s onboard electronics, so it doubles as a travel guitar and a small-venue performer.
Best for: travellers, smaller players and songwriters who want a premium compact guitar.
- Pro: big voice from a small body
- Pro: solid koa top that sweetens with age
- Con: shorter scale feels different for heavy strummers
Taylor GS Mini-e Koa on Amazon
Taylor 114ce
The 114ce is the splurge pick: a Grand Auditorium cutaway with a solid spruce top, sapele back and sides, ebony fretboard and Taylor’s ES2 electronics. The Grand Auditorium shape is balanced enough for fingerpicking and strumming, and Taylor necks are famously easy to play.
Best for: serious players who want a guitar they will keep for years.
- Pro: excellent playability and balanced tone
- Pro: natural-sounding ES2 pickup
- Con: well above the other picks in cost
Comparison table
| Product | Best for | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Yamaha FGX800C | All-round value | System 66 with tuner and mid sweep |
| Fender CD-60SCE | Tight budgets | Fishman pickup and preamp |
| Epiphone J-45 Studio | Vintage folk tone | Fishman Presys VT in the soundhole |
| Takamine GD30CE | Regular gigging | TP-4TD preamp, pin-less bridge |
| Yamaha A1M | Stepping up to live work | SRT piezo pickup |
| Ibanez AEWC400 | Loud band stages | Slim, feedback-resistant body |
| Taylor GS Mini-e Koa | Travel and small venues | Solid koa top, compact body |
| Taylor 114ce | Long-term keeper | Grand Auditorium with ES2 |
How to choose the best acoustic electric guitar
Judge it unplugged first. Electronics amplify the guitar you already have. A solid top usually gives more volume, complexity and sustain than a laminate one, and it tends to sound better with age. If you mostly play at home, the acoustic voice matters more than the preamp; our list of the best acoustic guitars under $500 focuses on that side.
Understand the pickup type. Most guitars here use under-saddle piezo pickups, which resist feedback but can sound bright or quacky. Higher-end systems like Yamaha’s SRT and Taylor’s ES2 aim for a more natural sound. If you already own a great acoustic, you can retrofit electronics instead; see our guide to the best acoustic guitar pickups.
Check the controls you will use. An onboard tuner is a gift on dark stages, and a mid-frequency control helps you notch out boom or honk in different rooms. A notch or phase control is a bonus for loud stages.
Body shape and cutaway. Dreadnoughts are loud and bass-heavy for strumming. Grand Auditorium and concert shapes are more balanced for fingerstyle. A cutaway gives access to upper frets, which matters for lead lines but trims a little volume.
Recording is a different job. For studio tracks, a microphone almost always beats the pickup. Many players blend both: the DI for definition and the mic for air. Our guide on recording acoustic guitar with one mic covers placement. Whatever you buy, keep it in tune with our free online guitar tuner and fresh strings.
FAQ
Is an acoustic-electric guitar good for beginners?
Yes. It plays exactly like a regular acoustic, and the pickup simply adds the option to plug in later. Many have a built-in tuner, which is handy for new players. Just make sure it has a good setup with low action.
Do I need an amp for an acoustic-electric guitar?
No. It is fully playable unplugged. To amplify it, use an acoustic amp, a PA system or an audio interface. A regular electric guitar amp works in a pinch but colours the sound.
Does the pickup change how the guitar sounds unplugged?
Not noticeably. The preamp housing removes a little wood from the side, but the difference in acoustic tone is minimal compared with the effect of the top wood, body shape and strings.
