Learning guitar lives or dies on the first instrument you own. A guitar that fights your fingers makes practice feel like a chore, while a comfortable one keeps you coming back after a long day. Every pick below is a Fender dreadnought or acoustic-electric built for new players, and most arrive as complete bundles so you can tune up and start strumming the same afternoon.
The Shortlist At A Glance
Fender FA-125CE Dreadnought Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar – Natural Bundle
Fender FA-125CE Dreadnought Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar – Sunburst Bundle
Fender CD-60S Solid Top Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar – Black Bundle
Fender CD-60S Solid Top Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar – All Mahogany Bundle
Fender CD-60S Solid Top Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar – Natural Bundle
Fender FA-115 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar – Natural Bundle
Fender CD-60 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar – Sunburst Bundle
Fender FA-25 Dreadnought, Walnut Fingerboard, Black Pickguard, Black
Fender FA-25 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar, Beginner Guitar, Sunburst
Fender Redondo CE Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar – Natural Bundle
More Details On Our Top Picks
The cutaway body is the detail worth noticing here: that scooped shoulder near the neck lets your fretting hand reach the upper frets without wrestling the body. For a learner working through barre chords and lead lines, that access matters more than you’d expect in month three.
The onboard electronics mean this guitar grows with you. Practice unplugged in the living room now, then plug into an amp for open mics later without buying a second instrument.
Strong Points
- Laminate spruce top over basswood back and sides delivers a full, even voice across strumming styles
- Nato neck with a C-shaped profile suits smaller hands still building grip strength
- Bundle covers the basics: gig bag, tuner, strap, strings, picks, and an instructional DVD
- Cutaway design opens up soloing territory most starter guitars lock away
Things To Consider
- A laminate top won’t open up tonally over the years the way solid wood does
- You’ll eventually want a padded case upgrade if you travel often; the included gig bag is basic
Who It Suits Best
New players who already suspect they’ll want to plug in at some point, whether for band practice or small performances.
Where A Sibling Pick Shines
Purely acoustic learners get better long-term tone value from the Fender CD-60S Solid Top in natural finish, which trades electronics for a solid spruce top.
Same guitar as our top pick, different personality. The sunburst finish fades from amber to dark edges, and honestly, an instrument you enjoy looking at gets played more. That’s not a trivial point when motivation is the real enemy of week one through week twelve.
Underneath the finish it’s identical: laminate spruce top, basswood back and sides, cutaway body, and pickup-ready electronics. The warm, balanced tone suits folk, pop, and light rock equally well.
What We Like
- Acoustic-electric design lets you practice quietly at home and amplify later
- C-shaped nato neck stays comfortable during long beginner practice sessions
- Full accessory bundle means no separate shopping trip before your first lesson
Worth Noting
- Sunburst finishes show fingerprints and dust more readily than natural gloss, so keep a cloth nearby
- Identical hardware to the natural version, so choose purely on looks
At A Glance
Made For
Beginners who want plug-in flexibility wrapped in a finish that feels like a keeper rather than a placeholder.
Consider Something Else When
Tone-first shoppers who never plan to amplify should look at the Fender CD-60S All Mahogany instead, where the money goes into solid wood instead of electronics.
Solid tops are the quiet dividing line between starter guitars and instruments worth keeping. Here, a single piece of spruce forms the soundboard, and unlike laminate, it responds to playing over time, opening up slightly as the wood settles. Owners commonly report these tops gaining warmth after a year of regular sessions.
The black finish gives it a understated, almost electric-guitar attitude, and the included hard case is the standout bundle item. A rigid shell protects the guitar through car trips, closet storage, and the occasional knock off a stand.
Highlights
- Solid spruce top offers brightness and dynamic range that rewards growing technique
- Hard case included, a genuine step up from soft gig bags for transport safety
- Steel-string dreadnought format handles both gentle fingerpicking and firm strumming
- Bundle adds tuner, strap, spare strings, picks, and a DVD for guided early lessons
Minor Gripes
- No electronics, so amplifying later requires an aftermarket pickup or microphone
- Solid wood prefers stable humidity; a room humidifier helps in dry climates
Right Fit For
Students and commuters who’ll carry their guitar regularly and want serious protection plus tone that improves with age.
Not Your Match When
Players set on plugging in should reach for the Fender FA-125CE Sunburst instead, which bakes amplification into the same price bracket.
Where the black CD-60S leans bright, this all-mahogany sibling goes warm and woody. Mahogany across the top, back, and sides produces a midrange-forward voice that flatters fingerstyle playing and vocals accompaniment, since it doesn’t compete with a singer the way a shimmering spruce top sometimes can.
The solid mahogany top also ages gracefully, deepening in character with regular play. In our view, this is the most distinctive-sounding guitar on the list for anyone drawn to folk, blues, or singer-songwriter material.
Upsides
- All-mahogany construction yields a warm, focused tone ideal for fingerpicking practice
- Solid top will mature sonically over years of ownership
- Complete bundle: gig bag, clip-on tuner, strap, extra strings, picks, and instructional DVD
- Midrange emphasis sits nicely under vocals for sing-along sessions
Softer Spots
- Less sparkle on aggressive strumming than the spruce-top versions deliver
- Gig bag only, so frequent travelers may want to add a hard case separately
Who Will Love This
Fingerstyle learners and vocal accompanists who prioritize warmth and intimacy over loud projection.
Look Elsewhere When
Loud campfire strummers get more cut and volume from the Fender CD-60S Black with its brighter spruce top and hard case.
This is the classic version of the CD-60S family: solid spruce top, natural gloss, and the traditional dreadnought silhouette most people picture when they think “acoustic guitar.” Compared to the all-mahogany variant reviewed above, expect more brightness and snap, which suits chord-heavy strumming and pop arrangements.
The bundle mirrors its siblings too, with a gig bag, tuner, strap, spare strings, picks, and the Austin Bazaar DVD walking you through first chords. Nothing flashy, just a dependable setup that removes every excuse not to practice tonight.
Bright Spots
- Solid spruce top provides strong dynamics, responding clearly between soft and hard attack
- Timeless natural finish fits any room without dating itself
- Everything needed for day-one playing arrives in one box
Small Caveats
- Soft gig bag offers lighter protection than the hard case bundled with the black CD-60S
- Gloss backs can show swirl marks over time; a microfiber cloth after sessions keeps them tidy
Quick Facts
Best Suited To
Home players who want one versatile acoustic covering strumming, flatpicking, and light fingerstyle without niche compromises.
Swap It Out When
Shoppers prioritizing transport protection should pick the Fender CD-60S Black bundle, which swaps the gig bag for a hard shell case.
The FA-115 exists for one job: getting a complete beginner playing without overthinking the purchase. Its spruce top uses scalloped X-bracing, an internal strut pattern that lets the soundboard vibrate more freely, boosting resonance and projection beyond what the price suggests.
Against the CD-60S models earlier in this list, you give up the solid top but keep the full accessory loadout. For a first guitar that might face dorm rooms, garage bands, and uncertain commitment, that trade makes sense.
Reasons To Buy
- Scalloped X-bracing enhances volume and sustain for confident group playing
- Rich, full-bodied dreadnought voice well matched to strumming-driven genres
- Everything-included bundle eliminates separate accessory purchases entirely
Points To Note
- Laminate construction won’t develop the tonal depth a solid top gains over time
- Owners commonly report factory strings dull quickly; plan a replacement set within a few months
Feature Snapshot
Who Should Grab It
First-time players testing the waters who want a legitimate Fender name and full kit at an entry-level outlay.
Another Choice May Suit
Committed learners planning years of study will extract more value from the Fender CD-60S Natural and its solid spruce top.
The original CD-60 pairs a laminated spruce top with mahogany back and sides, a combination that keeps tone consistent regardless of weather. That stability is quietly valuable: laminate bodies shrug off the humidity swings that make solid-wood guitars fussy in seasonal climates.
Scalloped X-bracing inside supports clear response, and the C-shaped mahogany neck follows the same comfortable template as the rest of this list. The sunburst finish and included hard case round out a package aimed at students who’ll haul their guitar to lessons and back.
Plus Points
- Laminate body resists cracking and warping in fluctuating indoor conditions
- Hard case included for safe storage and transport from day one
- Mahogany back and sides anchor a consistent, balanced tonal response
- Classic sunburst styling that photographs well and never looks cheap
Honest Caveats
- Laminated top caps the ceiling on tonal refinement compared to the CD-60S line
- Bundle omits spare strings, unlike several other kits here
Built With In Mind
Lesson-going students and shared households where the guitar faces bumps, temperature shifts, and less-than-careful handling.
Reach For A Different Pick When
Tone-focused buyers ready to invest slightly more belong with the Fender CD-60S All Mahogany and its solid top.
This is the bare-bones entry point of the list, sold as the guitar alone. The FA-25 comes from Fender’s Alternative series, built around a durable all-laminate body and an easy-playing C-shape neck topped with a smooth walnut fingerboard. No bundle extras, no electronics, just the instrument.
That simplicity cuts both ways. You’ll need to source a tuner, strap, and picks separately, though those add-ups are modest. What you get in return is a genuinely playable Fender at the lowest commitment level here, sensible for a curious teenager or an adult unsure the hobby will stick.
Positives
- All-laminate body stands up to rough handling and skips climate fussiness
- Walnut fingerboard feels smooth under fingers still forming calluses
- Black pickguard shields the top from pick scratches during enthusiastic strumming
Trade Offs
- No accessories included, so budget for a tuner and strap on top
- Laminate top limits long-term tonal growth versus solid-wood rivals
The Right Fit
Casual first-timers and gift-givers who want a trusted brand name without paying for extras they may never use.
Skip It When
Anyone wanting a turnkey setup is better served by the Fender FA-115 bundle, which throws in every accessory plus a DVD.
The sunburst FA-25 takes the same Alternative-series platform as the black model above and aims it squarely at self-taught players. Included lessons are the hook here: structured guidance matters enormously in the first months, when most people quit not from lack of talent but lack of direction.
Hardware matches its sibling too, with the all-laminate dreadnought body and walnut-fingerboard C-neck doing the daily work. Depending on how you learn, pairing a physical guitar with guided video-style lessons can beat hunting random tutorials alone.
Standout Traits
- Structured lessons included, giving total beginners a clear starting path
- Player-friendly C-shape neck reduces hand fatigue during early practice
- Sunburst finish brings vintage character to an entry-level price point
Areas To Watch
- All-laminate build keeps costs down but flattens dynamic nuance
- No case or bag included, so plan separate protection for transport
Core Details
Whose Shelf It Belongs On
Self-directed learners following online courses who want guided lessons bundled with a trustworthy first instrument.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
Players wanting accessories in the box should compare the Fender FA-115 Natural bundle, which adds bag, tuner, strap, and picks.
The Redondo CE closes the list as the statement piece. Its offset dreadnought shape borrows attitude from Fender’s electric heritage, and the spruce-top, sapele-backed laminate construction delivers a balanced voice that works acoustically or plugged in. Sapele, a mahogany relative, adds warmth without muddiness.
The 25.5-inch scale neck with a slim C profile is the player-friendly headline: a slightly longer string span for articulate notes, paired with a thin neck that beginners find forgiving. Compared to the FA-125CE at the top, this one trades a little traditionalism for personality.
Best Bits
- Acoustic-electric design ready for amps, interfaces, and coffeehouse sets
- Slim C-shaped neck on a 25.5-inch scale suits fast chord transitions
- Spruce and sapele laminate blend brightness with midrange warmth
- Offset body styling stands apart from every generic dreadnought on stage
Room For Improvement
- Laminate build again means less tonal evolution than solid-wood alternatives
- The bold shape divides opinion; traditionalists may prefer the CD-60S silhouette
Spec Overview
Perfect Match For
Style-aware beginners and returning players who want an instrument that performs at open mics as confidently as it looks in the corner of a living room.
Where Another Pick Suits Better
Budget-first shoppers get nearly the same plug-in ability for less from the Fender FA-125CE Natural bundle.
What Matters Most Before Choosing Acoustic Guitars To Learn
Body Size And Comfort Come First
A dreadnought is the standard full-size acoustic shape, loved for volume but sizable for smaller frames. Sit with the dimensions in mind: a guitar that forces an awkward reaching angle will sabotage practice posture within weeks. Players under about five-foot-four often benefit from trying a smaller body shape in person before committing.
Solid Top Versus Laminate
The top wood drives most of an acoustic’s voice. A solid spruce or mahogany top vibrates as one piece and typically improves with age, while laminate layers cost less and tolerate humidity swings better. Beginners in dry or humid climates sometimes do better with laminate; committed players usually prefer solid.
Do You Actually Need Electronics?
Acoustic-electric models include a pickup for amplification, useful for performing or recording. They add cost, and plenty of learners never plug in. Decide based on realistic plans, not aspiration.
Bundles Save Real Money
Tuner, strap, spare strings, picks, and a case bought separately add up quickly. Most bundles above cover all five, which is why they dominate this category for first purchases.
Key Considerations Across These Picks
Traps First Timers Fall Into
The most common mistake is buying on looks alone and ignoring neck comfort, then blaming yourself when practice hurts. Another frequent slip is skipping the tuner; an out-of-tune guitar teaches your ear wrong. Finally, don’t overlook what’s missing from a bundle, since a guitar-only deal often costs more once accessories are added.
The Case For Spending Up
Higher-tier picks here buy solid tops, hard cases, and cutaway access. Those upgrades matter most past the six-month mark, when your ear sharpens and transport becomes routine. Casual dabblers lose nothing staying entry-level; committed students rarely regret the step up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dreadnoughts good guitars for beginners?
Yes, their full-size body projects well and suits most popular music. Just confirm the body feels comfortable seated before committing.
What’s the difference between acoustic and acoustic-electric?
An acoustic-electric includes built-in electronics for amplification. Purely acoustic models rely on the body’s natural volume alone.
Do I need a solid top as a beginner?
Not strictly, though solid tops offer better tone that improves over time. Laminate tops are more affordable and humidity-resistant.
How important are bundle accessories?
Very, since a tuner and strap are essential from day one. Bundles typically cost less than buying each item separately.
How often should a new guitar be restrung?
Plan on every two to three months with regular play. Fresh strings stay brighter and are easier on beginner fingertips.
Bottom Line
Every guitar here can carry you from first chords to confident playing; the differences come down to electronics, wood, and included gear. Match the instrument to your honest plans, plug in only if you’ll perform, and favor solid tops if you’re in this for years. Whichever you choose, the best guitar remains the one sitting out where you’ll actually pick it up.