What are The Best Acoustic Electric Guitars in 2024

Finding the best acoustic electric guitar is more challenging than you might think.

There are lots of different guitars, and each has its unique sound. Some are meant for beginners, while others are more suited for professional musicians.

In this article, we'll go over our picks for the best acoustic electric guitars on the market today. We'll also give tips on choosing one that suits your needs perfectly!

• Best Overall: Fender CD-60SCE Acoustic-Electric Guitar

• Best Budget: Glen Burton GA204BCO-BK Acoustic Electric Cutaway Guitar

• Best Right-Hand: Gretsch 6 String Acoustic-Electric Guitar

• Best 12 String: Ibanez AEG 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar

• Best Lightweight: Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Acoustic Acoustic-Electric Guitar

1. Best Overall: Fender CD-60SCE Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Specification

• Brand: Fender

• Color: Black

• Body Material: Mahogany

• Neck Material Type: Mahogany

• Fretboard Material Type: Walnut Wood

• Guitar Pickup Configuration: Piezo

• String Material Type: Phosphor Bronze

• Hand Orientation: Right

Product's Summary

The CD-60sce acoustic-electric guitar is a classic single-cutaway dreadnought body style with a 24.75" scale length and a solid spruce top with scalloped "X"-bracing, along with mahogany back and sides to provide excellent sound projection. 

Easy-to-play neck with rolled fingerboard edges features a smooth satin finish and standard 1 11/16" nut width, allowing for more comfortable chord playing. Fishman Classic Design pickup/preamp provides superb amplified tone; electronics are under saddle transducer on the end of the 4th fret, allowing for seamless acoustic tone and plug-in-play.

Pros

• Sturdy.

• Easy to upgrade later 

• Easy to make the same spec as $500 to $1000 guitars

• It comes with "90 days of free online lessons" from Fender (called Fender Play).

Cons

• Thin vinyl case.

2. Best Budget: Glen Burton GA204BCO-BK Acoustic Electric Cutaway Guitar

Specification

• Brand: Glen Burton

• Color: Black

• Top Material Type: Bass Wood

• Body Material: Maple

• Back Material Type: Basswood

• Neck Material Type: Maple

• Fretboard Material Type: Rosewood

• Guitar Pickup Configuration: 4 Band EQ

• String Material Type: Steel

• Hand Orientation: Right

Product's Summary

an authentic acoustic/electric guitar that doesn’t break the bank, the Glen Burton GA204BCO-BK features a solid spruce top with scalloped X bracing and mahogany back and sides. The solid top provides an excellent tone; this guitar will withstand much use. The built-in chromatic tuner is always handy to ensure your guitar is ideally in tune with itself or other instruments.

Pros

• Easier to focus on learning chords/method with beginners.

• The small amp is excellent for house or garage playing.

• Great intonation and holds tune.

• Affordable.

Cons

• Needs a 9-volt battery for guitar and tuner but not included..

3. Best Lightweight: Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Acoustic Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Specification

• Brand: Traveler Guitar

• Color: Antique Brown

• Top Material Type: Maple

• Body Material: Maple

• Back Material Type: Maple

• Neck Material Type: Maple

• Fretboard Material Type: Walnut Wood

• Guitar Pickup Configuration: Piezo

• String Material Type: Phosphor Bronze

• Hand Orientation: Right

Product's Summary

Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Acoustic Acoustic-Electric Guitar is one of the most lightweight instruments available. It’s compact, lightweight and affordable, but don’t let those features mislead you. This guitar features a full 24.75" scale body with a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. 

The piezo pickup with standard ¼" output allows easy amplification without an amp. Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Acoustic Acoustic-Electric Guitar includes a gig bag, detachable lap rest, and cables to plug into a PA system or external amplifier when performing on stage.

Pros

• Super light and compact for traveling.

• Nice for practicing at home without bothering people.

• Sturdy.

• The bag included comes with a cross-shoulder strap.

Cons

• Does not work with headphone amplifiers

4. Best 12 String: Ibanez AEG 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Specification

• Brand: Ibanez

• Color: Dark Violin Sunburst High

• Top Material Type: Spruce Wood

• Body Material: Spruce

• Back Material Type: Sapele, Spruce Wood

• Neck Material Type: Sapele Wood

• Guitar Pickup Configuration: Piezo

• Hand Orientation: Right

• Scale Length : 634 Millimeters

• Number of Strings: 12

Product's Summary

The Ibanez AEG 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar is designed for those who love playing the 12-string guitar but need professional performance. It features a small and simple preamp with only two control knobs, volume, and shape, enabling the player to go from low, fat, and powerful tones to a high clear pitch. 

Its easy-to-read onboard tuner with LCD (liquid crystal display) for clear readability will make tuning up a piece of cake. Additionally, it produces a rich mid-range with a crisp high-end that will satisfy your musical hunger.

Pros

• Easy to play even on the higher frets.

• Awesome easy built-in tuner.

• A nice thin neck with great action.

• The polishing of the back of the neck.

• Thinner and lighter than most 12-string acoustics.

Cons

• Low E is a little buzzy.

1. Do I need to buy a separate amplifier?

No, most guitars have built-in amplifiers and effects pedals that allow you to control your sound without needing separate equipment. However, depending on your needs, you may want to purchase additional amplifiers or effects pedals.

2. What is the best kind of wood for acoustic guitars?

The type of wood used in an acoustic guitar can make a big difference in how it sounds. Solid spruce tops are often used in high-end guitars because they produce excellent sound quality and are relatively lightweight. Mahogany sides and backs tend to be less expensive but produce similarly good results.

3. What's the best way to clean my guitar?

Guitars should be cleaned regularly so that they continue to sound their best. You should use a dry cloth to wipe down any dirt or oil from your instrument, but don't use any solvents or chemical cleaners on it—this could damage the finish or electronics inside your guitar!

So there you have it: our top picks for best acoustic-electric guitars. We hope this hepful guide support your quest to find the perfect instrument for you and your musical needs. Whether you're an old hand at guitar playing or just starting out, the tips and advice we've given should help you decide what kind of guitar will suit your needs best.

If you're still looking for more information, check out our other guides that cover everything from acoustic guitars to electric guitars and everything in between!

See more:

• Best Bass Guitars

• Best 12 String Guitar