135 - 5 Best Bluegrass Guitars Under $300

★ All show notes and links: https://acousticlife.tv/at135

★ Get the show: https://tonypolecastro.com/get-acoustic-tuesday

We're on a guitar budget this week. That's why I'm picking 5 of the BEST bluegrass guitars that are under $300. No matter what you're experience level is, you're going to be shocked by how good these guitars sound, so stay tuned for some fun surprises!

Before we go any further, I just want to say how grateful I am for this community — for those of you who watch Acoustic Tuesday every week, the ones who celebrate their guitar geekiness, the ones who play their guitars no matter the circumstances.

I am so grateful to be a part of this community. Seeing everyone come together over their mutual love and camaraderie towards the guitar is inspiring, motivating, and uplifting. So, thank you for being here and I hope to see you again soon!

/////

Now, for the 5 guitars for under $300...

5) Yamaha FG-800
What used to be the Yamaha FG-700S, the FG-800 is a bargain of a guitar. After some improvements in both bracing and top wood, this guitar for under $300 is a showstopper. This solid top dreadnought comes in at $199 and is powerful and phenomenal. It's durable, reliable, and is a great guitar to have around. When I worked in sales, I'd recommend this guitar to players of all experience levels just because it was such a good bargain.

4) Fender CD60S
A guitar similar to the Yamaha FG-800, the Fender CD60S is a great deal. I especially like this guitar because it comes with so many essential guitar "gadgets" like a strap, capo, case, and tuner. Besides that, the guitar has a solid top and plays smoothly. The standout note on the Fender CD60S is that it offers a slimmer neck profile, which works perfectly for folks with smaller hands. If you want to flex your style muscles, this guitar also comes in black.

3) Bristol BD-16
I was confused by this guitar at first. The Bristol BD-16 is an all-laminate guitar, and it's more expensive than the solid top Fender and Yamaha — coming in at around $250. How could that be? Fortunately, when I started listening to this guitar I understood its slightly higher price. The Bristol BD-16 is also incredibly durable. If you're not a fan of maintenance, humidity tracking, or want to play in the outdoors, this is a great guitar for that.

2) Alvarez AD-60S
This guitar is the real deal. It's got the aesthetics, a solid top, forward-shifted scalloped bracing, binding around the top, and an abalone rosette. I really love this guitar as an entry point into getting something that will last years and still sound great. Coming in at just under $300, I've had great experiences with this guitar and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a guitar on a budget.

1) Takamine GD20-NS
Why did I make the Takamine GD20-NS my #1 pick? It offers a completely different tone from all of the other guitars. That's because the Takamine GD20-NS is made with a solid cedar top. This allows the guitar to have a warm, woody, and delicate tone. For those of you who have a lighter touch, this guitar is for you. It's got volume, punch, and a delicate tone. Coming in at $299, I highly recommend this guitar if you like a lighter-sounding guitar.

Now, there are many more guitars that are under $300, so be sure to leave a comment if you know of any more bluegrass guitars for under $300.

★ Request your invite to Tony's Acoustic Challenge today: https://tonypolecastro.com/al-request-invite/?ref=INVITE&src=AL

★ All show notes and links: https://acousticlife.tv/at135

★ Get the show: https://tonypolecastro.com/get-acoustic-tuesday