Looking for the best acoustic electric guitar under 300 dollars?
This guide is for you.
Look:
Electric acoustic guitars have been used by famous guitarists in the past.
And, they are still in the market today for music adherents on budget.
From Yamaha to Fender to Ibanez, almost every brand with a big name in the premium music market has an option that won’t break the bank.
Although acoustic electric guitars below $300 lack some features only found in high-end models, they are still good enough for beginners, players with small hands and short fingers, and equally experienced guitarists who can’t pay the earth.
The value is still there anyway, regardless of the intent of a buyer or on context thereof.
The goal of this guide is to help you choose an acoustic electric guitar under $300 right off the bat.
In this list, you will find options that will give you the best value without exceeding the price point even one bit.
Whether you want to enjoy the sound and vibe of your skills alongside amplified instruments or you just want to be heard by a mammoth of music fans, this article is for you.
| Editor’s Choice | 2nd Choice | 3rd Choice | 4th Choice |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Yamaha FGX800C | Fender T-Bucket 300CE | Ibanez AW54CE | Ephiphone PR4E |
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Table of Contents Best Acoustic Electric Guitar Under 300 in 20201. Yamaha FGX800CProsCons2. Fender T-Bucket 300CEProsCons3. Ibanez AW54CEProsCons4. Epiphone PR4EProsCons5. Yamaha APX500IIIProsConsHow to Choose an Acoustic Electric Guitar Under 3001. Budget2. Skill-level3. Purpose4. Guitar Size
Best Acoustic Electric Guitar Under 300 in 2020
1. Yamaha FGX800C
Whether you are starting to learn guitar or you have a good ear like Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton, you will notice that Yamaha FGX800C is worth playing.
This ‘old kid’ is equipped with top of the line features to bring out your best performance.
What you get is a well-built dreadnought body, stylish single cutaway and glossy body finish.
The solid spruce makes the top wood as the nato holds the back and sides. The scalloped X bracing results in a nice sound delivery.
The nato wood neck feels comfortable on the hand while boasting a matte finish, as the rosewood fret board stretches to it holding 20 frets.
As you traverse this epic guitar from the back to the front, you will meet a rosewood bridge supporting the six strings of joy, which are held by Urea nuts and saddle.
The strings travel over the fret board to connect to the angled, rosewood headstock crowned by six tuning pegs, 3 on each side to ensure the pitch of Yamaha FGX800C is pleasing to the ear.
When it comes to sound, Yamaha FGX800C’s tone is sweet and round.
With the 3-band equalizer in place, the mid-ranges tend to balance out well, while the highs and lows remain within range.
The output is a well, tuned sound performance also supported by the dreadnought body.
Pros
- Impressive hardware
- Affordable
- Ease of use
Cons
- The action may sound a bit low
2. Fender T-Bucket 300CE
Think Fender, think greatness in performance, quality and design.
This 300CE is no exception from the rest of the Fender gang.
With improved aesthetics and upgraded electronics, the Fender T-Bucket 300ce will ensure your audience remembers your tunes after the concert ends.
The T-Bucket 300CE comes with a dreadnought body shape with beautiful curves. For the top, you get various options.
From the flame maple with transparent black and sunburst color, the quilt maple with transparent blue and amber, or the quilt ash with Transparent violet, or transparent dark brown.
The multiple body binding complements the laminated mahogany on the back and sides. And the C-Shape neck feels comfortable to hold
Fender paid good attention to the hardware of the T-Bucket 33CE.
The rosewood bridge together with a GraphtechNubone Compensated saddle holds the six strings that run over the rosewood fingerboard, holding 20 frets to the angled headstock.
For the controls, you get a built-in Chromatic tuner with on/off switch, volume, bass, mid and treble.
The Fishman Isys III system with Active Onboard Preamp and tuner are the special electronics on this top-rated music gadget.
T-Bucket 300CE sounds better than most of the high-end guitars.
The mid-ranges on the tone are spectacular so are the top-ends. There is clarity in the string vibrations with a proper punch when playing the bass.
With the dreadnought body, the sound is full and effectively loud.
Pros
- Affordable
- Quality sound
- High playability
Cons
- Blemish control issues
3. Ibanez AW54CE
From a distance, it may look like Ibanez AW54CE is the dull kid at the playground that hates everyone.
However, this beautiful dark AW54CE is the kid that plays with even the pros in the game.
The Ibanez acoustic electric guitar below 300 dollars is a marvelous piece hailing from the land of the rising sun to warm your heart and ease your mind with its sweet tone.
The AW54CE comes with a dreadnought body that features mahogany top, back and sides all bound in black. The classic single cutaway can never miss your eye.
The mahogany neck with a satin back finish is covered by a rosewood fret board, which is decorated with dot inlays, and holds twenty frets.
This solid mahogany build is surprisingly light and handles easily thanks to the satin neck finish.
The AW54CE features impressive hardware and electronics to complement the excellent performance.
The Fishman Sonicore pickup coupled with the Ibanez AEQ-SP2 preamp and the on-board tuner allows you to fine tune the volume, bass and treble.
The rosewood bridge sits pretty with Ibanez Advantage pins holding down the D’Addario EXP strings that run to the headstock.
Six Chrome Die-cast tuning machines, three on each side of the headstock allow you to make changes on the strings.
There is no mistaking the rich tone when playing the acoustics. This is due to the dreadnought mahogany body. The natural projection of the tone is well rounded and warm.
Plug it in and through the amp, the guitar sounds just as good as you would expect. The clarity and crispness on the bass and treble is impressive.
Pros
- Good tune
- Well-priced
- Good looking
Cons
- EQ is a bit weak
4. Epiphone PR4E
We are all cautious about the price tag on the guitars we buy.
However, with the pocket friendly price tag on the Epiphone PR4E, your only concern will be pleasuring yourself as you play this six-string work of art.
This guitar was designed to help you start your journey to fame and fortune as a guitarist.
The PR4E features an elegant, almost all-mahogany build from the body to the neck, which is surprisingly good quality for such an affordable guitar with a spruce top.
The strong neck enjoys the comfort of a classic rosewood fret board holding 20 frets and decorated with beautiful white dot inlays. The overall design translates into a light guitar.
The PR4E is fitted with piezo pickups for handling the sound shifts when plugged or unplugged.
The traditional rosewood bridge holds the D’Addario strings ending at the headstock that is crowned with six tuners for maintaining the tune.
Epiphone Studio Acoustic-15C amp works with the on-board controls volume and an EQ to offer you clean sound with decent tone variations.
Whether plugged or unplugged, this guitar delivers quality sound. The midrange packs a good punch and so does the bass.
The treble is rings beautifully with impressive brightness.
Through the amp, the delivery from this guitar sounds peaceful when the EQ is properly balanced.
Pros
- Affordable
- Good quality build
- Excellent for beginners
Cons
- No strap in package
5. Yamaha APX500III
For those who think the motorcycle giant, Yamaha, has no taste in music, you are wrong.
The Yamaha APX500III acoustic electric guitar for less than 300 is one of the quality products from the company.
Designed for learners, this guitar delivers with utmost comfort and professionalism and the ease of use is exemplary.
With an assortment of colors, the Yamaha APX500III offers you the classic dreadnought body with an elegant single cutaway, spruce top and nato back and sides.
The glossy finish on the body gives it a pleasing appearance. The nato neck supports the rosewood fret board with 22 frets.
With a satin finish on the neck, this guitar is easy to play as move your fingers up and down the fret.
When in acoustic mode, this guitar is moderately loud and thanks to the dreadnought body, the bass is powerful enough to command presence.
The natural voice of this guitar works from the well-balanced strings resulting in a mellow, bright sound. Plug it in and it comes alive with electrifying dynamism in the frequency.
Next to the sound hole is a rosewood bridge. The saddle and nuts release six strings that run to the headstock.
Six die-cast chrome tuners rest majestically on the headstock allowing you to control string tension for ultimate performance.
With an under-saddle piezo pickup, three-band EQ preamp and easy-to-use controls, this guitar delivers excellently to your audience.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Good quality sound
- Color assortment
Cons
- Saddle and nuts are plastic
How to Choose an Acoustic Electric Guitar Under 300
Buying an acoustic electric guitar and owning one is one of the best experiences in life.
Whether you are taking your first class or preparing to perform at a concert, you need the best guitar for you.
So, consider the following when buying an acoustic-electric guitar.
1. Budget
Before you buy a guitar because it has a well-known and reputable brand name, consider how much you are willing to spend on it.
If it is too expensive at that time, you won’t be able to pay for it if you are on a budget. Consider low-end guitars, which go for less than $300.
2. Skill-level
An acoustic electric guitar brings out your skill as guitarist. If you are a beginner, get yourself a guitar designed for beginners.
Get a guitar with a Satin neck finish, which makes it easier to move your hand up and down the neck.
3. Purpose
An acoustic electric guitar brings with it the best of both worlds. For a small crowd, the acoustic mode will work well.
For a large crowd at a concert, the electric mode would be appropriate.
4. Guitar Size
The size of the guitar matters a lot. For a beginner, a small-bodied guitar would be suitable but then large guitars produce full, rounded sound.
Small-bodied guitars employ the use of amplifiers. Make your choice and compromises.