As an intermediate guitar player, you may be wondering what the best intermediate acoustic guitar. There are many different acoustic guitars that you can buy and there are several different models which are recommended for those that have gone past the intermediate player and are ready to advance on the guitar.
As a guitar player myself, I have played many different acoustic guitars over the years and know how hard it can be to decide about what to buy. This list looks at several different acoustic guitars that are suitable for intermediate players. You will find intermediate guitars in every price range and for every need.
This list should help you find that right guitar so you can make progress on the acoustic guitar as you continue to enjoy music and work to become a more well-rounded musician. Let’s have a look at our list.
Top 10 Best Acoustic Guitar for Intermediate Players
Blueridge BR-163CE Historic Series Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Blueridge produces very nice acoustic guitars and they have many models that are well suited for intermediate players that are looking for more than the standard acoustic guitar. This model features a deep cutaway so it’s easy to hit the higher frets on the instrument. The top is made with Sitka spruce and the scalloped braces add to the crisp and articulate tone of this acoustic guitar. The back and sides of the instrument are made with Indian rosewood for strong note clarity. The neck is made of mahogany and easy on your fingers. You get a tortoise pickguard, herringbone marquetry and other added design touches which highlight this guitar. There is a Fishman Presys Blend pickup system for those that want to pug the guitar into an acoustic amplifier.
Pros
- Looks great
- Very good tone
Cons
- Equalizer and pickup system may be confusing for some
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for a solid acoustic that exceeds your expectations, you can’t go wrong with Blueridge. This is an exceptional acoustic guitar that gives you everything you need to make great music. It also comes with a built-in tuner so you can tune your guitar with ease at any time. I love the nice and smooth neck on this guitar which is very responsive and the added design touches make this guitar a real standout for any intermediate guitar player.
Taylor Guitars Big Baby Taylor
Taylor makes a wide range of solid acoustic guitars and they have many nice models for the intermediate player such as the Big Baby. The guitar offers you a lot of value for your money. This guitar is smaller than a regular acoustic dreadnaught and bit bigger than the Baby Taylor the cousin to the Big Baby Taylor. The size is 15/16 and it’s made with Sitka spruce with Sapele back and sides. This instrument sounds great and has a reasonable price tag. You also get a gig bag to help protect your investment.
Pros
- Great intermediate guitar for younger players
- Sounds great
Cons
- Might be a bit small for some players
Final Verdict
The smaller size of this guitar makes it perfect for many intermediate players that don’t want a cumbersome full-sized dreadnaught. The guitar has good tuners which help keep the instrument in tune for longer and the neck is smooth and responsive for rhythm as well as lead guitar playing. This is the ideal instrument for that intermediate player looking for that next step up in acoustic guitars since it’s so easy to play.
Dean Performer Plus Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Dean is well-known for their electric guitars, but they have some solid acoustic guitars for intermediate players. This acoustic guitar features a deep cutaway so you can easily hit the higher frets on the instrument. You get 21 frets on a rosewood fingerboard and the neck is easy to play. The top of the guitar is solid spruce and the body is made out of mahogany. You can plug this guitar right away into an acoustic amplifier as it has a Dean E304T preamp with a 3-band EQ.
Pros
- Professional look
- Greta sound
Cons
- Pickups system and EQ may confuse some
Final Verdict
For any intermediate payer that is on a budget, but still wants a high-quality acoustic guitar that you can plug into an amplifier without a lot of hassle, this Dean Performer is just the ticket for you. The guitar has a very good neck and it sounds great through the pickup system. I like the added touches such as a decorative sound hole and the guitar has good tuners which keep it in tune longer than other guitars in its price range. Overall, this is a good lower-cost choice for an intermediate guitar player.
Fender CD-60S Acoustic Guitar
Fender makes a wide range of excellent electric and acoustic guitars and they are a very well known guitar company. They have great intermediate acoustic guitars at a reasonable price such as the Fender CD-605 which has plenty of good features. This guitar is a dreadnaught style shape and it’s very comfortable to hold as well as play. You get 20 frets on a rosewood fingerboard. There is a spruce top with mahogany back and sides. The guitar sounds great and it’s a good bargain for you as the player.
Pros
- Sounds very good
- Easy to play
Cons
- Black color shows scratches easily
Final Verdict
This guitar is the perfect choice for any intermediate player. You get a lot of accessories with your guitar such as picks, guitar strap, more strings, hardshell case, tuner, and other accessories. This instrument has a nice rosewood bridge and the tuners are stable sot he guitar stays in tuner for longer than similar guitars in this price range. You will get a full and rich tone out of this instrument.
Alvarez Artist Series AJ80CE Jumbo Acoustic - Electric Guitar
Alvarez makes a wide range of high-quality acoustic guitars. One of their models that is perfect for the intermediate player is the Alvarez Artist Series AJ80CE Jumbo Acoustic. This guitar has a solid Sitka spruce top and it has scalloped bracing which keeps the guitar stable. The sides and the back are made out of maple. You get a solid tone out of this instrument and it’s easy to play. There is a deep cutaway so you can hit the higher notes on the guitar. The electronics include an SYS550 pro level EQ with a pickup under the saddle. The bridge on the guitar is solid rosewood and helps with the tuning of the instrument.
Pros
- Very good sound
- Looks amazing
Cons
- Jumbo size may be cumbersome for some to hold
Final Verdict
This Alvarez has an amazing sound and it’s an easy to play instrument. You’ll be able to play rock, blues, jazz, folk and many other guitar styles on this guitar. The tuners are stable and help keep the guitar in tune. There are nice added touches such as a design on the headstock which adds to the nice look of this instrument. You also get a built-in tuner which makes it easy to tune your guitar wherever you are. For guitar player that want a high-quality acoustic guitar at a lower price point. This Alvarez makes for a solid choice for any intermediate player.
Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Fender creates amazing electric and acoustic instruments. They have several great signature acoustic guitars such as the Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat which has a lot going for it. This instrument has a solid mahogany top along with laminated mahogany sides and back. To keep the guitars stable it has X-bracing and you can use it with an acoustic amplifier as it has a Fishman® Isys III System. The guitar has a compensated saddle and a rosewood bridge.
Pros
- Sounds amazing
- Looks great
Cons
- May be a bit small for some players
Final Verdict
This guitar has a lot of added features such as logos on the headstock from Tim Armstrong’s band Rancid. The instrument sounds great and it gives you a rich and vibrant tone. The tuning pegs are stable which helps to keep this acoustic guitar in tune for longer. The headstock features a signature as well as another logo which further adds to the extras on this guitar. For nay intermediate player looking for a solid acoustic guitar with a good price, this is the one to get.
Voyage-Air Songwriter Series VAD-04 Folding Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
Voyage-Air makes some very unique acoustic guitars which are perfect for the intermediate player. There’s Songwriter Series VAD-04 is just like a regular acoustic guitar expect the neck on the guitar folds up so you can take the instrument with you wherever you go. It features a dreadnaught style shape with a solid spruce top and has scalloped bracing for stability. The guitar has mahogany back and sides with a rosewood fretboard. The neck is a Patented Folding Neck-Hinge System so the neck will fold up for easy guitar transport.
Pros
- Unique design
- Plays great
Cons
- Folding design may confuse some players
- Could use a pickup
Final Verdict
This guitar is one of the most unique instruments you’ll find. The folding design lets you take the guitar with you and I like this aspect of the guitar. I thought the guitar played quite well for it’s price and that it had a nice smooth fretboard which is comfortable for your fingers. Other extras include strap buttons and a black pickguard to protect the body. This is a moderately priced acoustic guitar that has a lot going for it and it’s the ideal choice for any intermediate guitar player.
Blueridge BR-70CE Contemporary Series Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar
This guitar has a Sitka spruce top as well as scalloped braces which improves the tone and articulation of the strings. The guitar has rosewood back and sides which also further enhances the projection and sound of the instrument. The Mahogany neck is smooth and easy to play and well suited for many acoustic guitar styles. For those that want to plug into an amplifier, there is a Fishman Presys Plus pickup system. The cutaway makes it easy to hit the higher notes on the instrument.
Pros
- Solid tone
- Greta look
Cons
- EQ system may confuse some
Final Verdict
The Blueridge BR-70CE is an excellent Cutaway acoustic that gives you everything you need. It has a wonderful design with plenty of added features such as abalone trim around the sound hole, nice decorative fretboard makers, and a good design on the headstock. The guitar has a robust and full tone, solid bridge, and the tuners are stable which enhances the tuning of the guitar. This is a great choice for an intermediate player that wants a professional looking and sounding acoustic guitar.
Martin X Series GPCX2AE Macassar Grand Performance Acoustic-Electric Guitar Natural
Martin produces some of the better acoustic guitars that you'll find on the market. they have guitars at all price ranges and many of them are well suited for intermediate guitar players. The Grand Auditorium Cutaway features Sapele back and sides and has a Madagascar HPL bracing pattern which adds stability to this instrument. This guitar is a cutaway so you can access the higher Frets on the acoustic guitar with relative ease. This instrument features 20 frets and it fingerboard is made from Richlite. this instrument can be plugged into an acoustic amplifier as it features the Fishman Sonitone electronics so it's perfect for both the Stage, Studio, and home playing. if you're looking for a solid acoustic guitar that will do a lot for you this is the one to get.
Pros
- Great tone
- Looks great
Cons
- No case included
Final Verdict
If you're looking for a reasonably priced intermediate acoustic guitar, you can't go wrong with Martin. This guitar is very easy to play as it has a nice smooth neck that is responsive to your fingers. You won't have any problems getting all sorts of tones out of this instrument and it also sounds very nice through an acoustic amplifier. The Cutaway feature makes it very easy to hit all of those high notes. It also features solid tuners which helped keep the instrument in tune and it has a very stable bridge which further enhances the tuning of this guitar. If you need a dependable and reliable intermediate acoustic guitar, this is one of the better ones on the market.
Taylor Swift Signature Baby Taylor Acoustic-Electric Guitar
If you're looking for a reasonably priced intermediate acoustic guitar, you can't go wrong with Martin. This guitar is very easy to play as it has a nice smooth neck that is responsive to your fingers. You won't have any problems getting all sorts of tones out of this instrument and it also sounds very nice through an acoustic amplifier. The Cutaway feature makes it very easy to hit all of those high notes. It also features solid tuners which helped keep the instrument in tune and it has a very stable bridge which further enhances the tuning of this guitar. If you need a dependable and reliable intermediate acoustic guitar, this is one of the better ones on the market.
Taylor Swift is well known for her music and you can now get her signature acoustic guitar from the Taylor Guitar Company. this instrument is well suited for intermediate players because it has many features that you're going to love. The bottom of this guitar is a Dreadnought style. You also get X bracing on this instrument so it stays stable. The finish on this guitar is a matte finish. The fingerboard of the instrument is African ebony and the neck would itself is Sapele. this instrument is well suited for intermediate players and especially younger girls because of the smaller size of the instrument as it's a 3/4 scale guitar. this instrument also has plenty of added features such as Taylor Swift signature as well as a nice design around the sound hole.
Pros
- Nice sound
- Easy to play
Cons
- May be too small for some players
Final verdict
If you're looking for a solid intermediate acoustic guitar that has everything you need to play right away, this Taylor Swift signature model is the right one for you. It has very stable tuners, a nice solid Bridge, and the neck is smooth and responsive to your fingers. You'll be able to play all of her songs as well as anyone else's song on this excellent intermediate guitar. This instrument also comes with a guitar case so you'll be able to protect your investment from damage.
Things to consider when choosing acoustic guitar for intermediate player
There are several things to consider before you buy your intermediate acoustic guitar. There are several different types of acoustic guitars and you need to know about the various types before you decide to buy. Here are several things you need to consider before you buy that next intermediate acoustic guitar.
Dreadnaught Style
The dreadnought style acoustic guitar is a full-size instrument. This is one of the most common types of acoustic guitars and they are very popular with musicians. The main reason the Dreadnought is so popular is that it has a full and a rich sound. if you're looking for an acoustic guitar that has great sound then the dreadnought is the guitar you want to buy. The downside to the dreadnought style acoustic is that it is quite large and for some players, they may find it a bit uncomfortable to play.
Acoustic/Electric
The acoustic-electric style of acoustic Is simply an acoustic guitar that has a pickup installed as well as an equalizer and other electronics. These guitars have pickups underneath the saddle of the instrument and they usually have an EQ with volume, tone, and other controls either on the side of the body or on the top by the guitar neck. These instruments are still considered an acoustic guitar it's just that you can plug them in right away and use them with an acoustic amplifier. These instruments are also very common in the market.
Cutaway
The cutaway acoustic guitar is an acoustic guitar usually in a Dreadnought style shape but it has a large curve on one side of the body. This curve is there to allow you full access to the higher Frets on the acoustic guitar. The cutaway style is perfect for players that are more instrumental in nature and play more at lead acoustic guitar than they do rhythm. The cutaway just makes it easier for players to hit higher notes which can be very difficult to hit on a full dreadnought style guitar as the neck area is more blocked off. you will find that many cutaway acoustic guitars are also acoustic electric and have pickups as well as equalizers.
Classical
Another type of acoustic guitar is the classical acoustic guitar. This guitar doesn't use steel strings it uses nylon strings. These nylon strings are easier to press down and are more suited for beginners or those that want to play a more classical type of music. Classical guitars are also very common with beginners because they nylon strings aren't as harsh on their fingers.
Student Size
There's another type of acoustic guitar which we refer to as the student size acoustic guitar. This is usually an acoustic guitar that is ¾ in size when compared to a regular acoustic guitar. This type of acoustic is great for players that have smaller hands because they are easier on the fingers and a smaller size of the guitar makes it comfortable for the player to hold. You will also find other guitars that have different shapes and smaller bodies which are also suited to students and other players that want a smaller size guitar when compared to the fuller dreadnought style.
Guitar Setup
Whenever you buy an intermediate acoustic guitar there are several things that you need to do to ensure that the guitar is set up properly. Many guitars will come set up right out of the box, but there are still some tweaks that can be done to the instrument to make it play better. Here are several setup suggestions that can help your acoustic guitar play better.
Neck Adjustment
The neck of an acoustic guitar sometimes has to be adjusted because it's made out of wood and this wood can expand and contract depending upon the temperature. If you live in an area where the temperature wildly fluctuates, you may need to do more and neck adjustments to your acoustic guitar. Whenever you make a neck adjustment you should only make a small turn with your Allen wrench and let the next settle before you try to adjust it again. If you don't know what you're doing in terms of a neck adjustment, take the guitar to a trained technician who can adjust it for you. The main reason to adjust a guitar neck is to straighten it out if it has a bit of bow in it or to get the neck more in alignment with the strings to reduce the action of the strings against the fretboard.
String Action
Another adjustment that sometimes has to be done with an acoustic guitar is to adjust the string action. This is how close or far away the strings are to the fretboard. Most guitars that shipped from the factory will have decent action, but if you want to change this action then there are several things that you need to do. These adjustments should be done by a guitar technician because you may ruin your acoustic guitar if you try to do this adjustment on your own and don't know what you're doing. 1 string action adjustment is done by removing a small portion of the bone part of the saddle so that the strings are closer to the fretboard. This in essence, lowers the action of the acoustic guitar. This adjustment can also sometimes be done by adjusting the neck of the acoustic guitar. To raise the action on an acoustic guitar a small shim is usually placed underneath the bone saddle to raise it up which in turn raises the strings of the acoustic guitar. another adjustment that can usually be done by a trained guitar technician is to adjust the intonation of the instrument if it is required.
Now that I have the best acoustic guitar for intermediate, Now What?
Once you have your acoustic guitar home, there are a few other things you need to take into consideration.
Strings
One of the primary things that is going to affect the tone and playability of your acoustic guitar is a type of strings that you use. Acoustic guitars usually use phosphor bronze strings or just plain bronze strings. Acoustic guitar strings should be changed at least once a month depending upon how much you play. If you play your guitar often, you may find you need to change the strings at least once every two weeks to ensure that you have a proper tone with your acoustic guitar. these strings tend to wear out quite quickly and need to be replaced to keep the guitar sounding great. For most intermediate players you’re going to want to go with light, extra light, or perhaps medium guitar strings if you've been playing for a while and you already have well-developed calluses on your fingers. For intermediate players, I would suggest a light gauge set of acoustic guitar strings because these are just easier to play. if you want a fuller tone and are comfortable with medium strings then you can try those.
It's also important to understand the distinction between steel strings and a nylon string. If you have a regular acoustic guitar you must never put nylon strings on it because this just does not work. The nylon strings cannot be attached to an acoustic guitar or tuned properly. You must never ever put acoustic strings on a nylon string instrument as this might destroy the bridge of that guitar because it cannot take the pressure that regular steel string acoustic strings will place on the bridge. Always use the appropriate string type for the instrument that you have to ensure that nothing happens to your instrument. As you play your guitar you will probably find a string gauge and string manufacturer that you like the best. it's important to experiment with different string manufacturers to find the string type that you like because the strings are so different from one another.
One other type of string you might want to consider for your acoustic guitar is to go with strings that are coated. these strings have a special coating which allows them to last longer. While they do cost more than regular guitar strings, you can get several months of use out of them before they have to be replaced. If you're looking to save money on guitar strings, consider getting some coated guitar strings as they are a good investment for any intermediate guitar player.
Amplifiers
An intermediate guitar player should start looking for a solid amplifier for their acoustic guitar especially if they have an acoustic guitar with a pick up in it. While there are many low-cost acoustic amplifiers, if you're going to advance on an acoustic guitar you want to start spending a little bit more money on a proper acoustic amplifier. Just remember that most acoustic guitars will sound terrible through a regular electric guitar amplifier and you may even damage the speaker of the electric guitar amplifier if you try to put your Acoustics through it. There are several different types of acoustic guitar amplifiers such as tube amplifiers, solid-state amplifiers, and amp modelers. The most common type of amplifier for your acoustic guitar is the regular solid-state amplifier. Solid-state amplifiers have come a long way in recent years and they sound great for most applications. The tube amplifier tends to have a more classical sound and some players prefer tube amplifiers. The downside to a tube amplifier is that it cost a lot more than a solid-state amplifier but you do tend to get a little bit better sound through the tube amplifier. The amp modeler is a type of amplifier which recreates the sounds of various classic amplifiers from the past such as those created by Marshall, fender, and other similar amplifier manufacturers. The amp modeler can be a good choice because you'll be able to get a lot of different tones out of your amplifier without spending a whole lot of money. A decent tube or solid-state amplifier it may cost you thousands of dollars whereas an amp modeler may only cost you a few hundred and allow you to recreate the sounds that you want without spending too much money.
Effects
Just like regular electric guitars, you can use effects pedals with an acoustic guitar. These pedals need to be specifically designed for an acoustic guitar so they can be used with your acoustic guitar. You'll find various effects such as preamps, chorus, volume, and other similar effects. It's important to note that many effects pedals are not suited to acoustic guitar. In general, you don't want to go too heavy with effects with acoustic guitars because they're just not suited for a huge range of effects. common effects such as distortion, overdrive, and similar electric guitar effects simply will not work with an acoustic guitar because they are not designed for that type of effect.
One of the best effects you can get for your acoustic guitar is to get a guitar tuner pedal. This pedal can be used to quickly change the tuning of your acoustic guitar. You will also find a many acoustic guitars that now have a pedal within the equalizer if you happen to buy an acoustic electric guitar. another effect that is quite popular is the preamp as this can help you round out your tone as it goes into your acoustic amplifier.
Conclusion
You should have everything you need to find a great intermediate acoustic guitar. There are many different models on the market and it can be confusing but there are great ones out there that will help you advance as a player.
As an intermediate player, it's important that you keep taking lessons and keep learning on the instrument. As an intermediate player, this is a very experimental time and you can start to develop and round out your sound. Don't be afraid to try new things such as new tunings, new songs, or explore new forms of music. Have fun with your new acoustic guitar and never stop jamming