7 Best Left Handed Acoustic Guitars (Beginner & Intermediate)

As a new player, choosing the best left-handed acoustic guitar for your budget, tastes, and ability is crucial to ensure that your practice sessions are both enjoyable and productive. But with so many great beginner left handed acoustic guitars available these days, the choice can be overwhelming!

In this article, we’ll look at my 7 top picks, from ultra-affordable all-in-one kits to the heavy hitters from well-known brands that could potentially last you for life. I was careful to stick with 7 solid guitars so as not to paralyze you with too many options. 

Read through the full list, and I am confident that you will easily be able to pick out the perfect guitar for you, depending on your budget and personal tastes.

After that, I’ll answer a ton of important questions that you should absolutely know the answers to before pulling the trigger on your new axe. These questions include:

• What body size is best for you?
• Which tonewoods are best suited to your tastes?
• Should you consider an electro-acoustic guitar?
• Why opt for a solid wood top over laminate?
• Should you start with a steel or nylon string guitar?

Shorter people or those with smaller hands may also like to check out my guide to the best ¾ sized left handed guitars.

What Is The Best Left Handed Acoustic Guitar?

Here are my 7 top picks for the best left handed acoustic guitars for beginners and intermediate players this year. The guitars are arranged from the cheapest to the most expensive, and I am confident that there is a solid option available for all budgets and musical tastes.

Disclosure: If you decide to purchase a guitar using the links in this article, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

1. Donner DAG-1CL

Best Left Handed Acoustic Guitar Package

In my opinion, the full-sized Donner DAG-1CL dreadnought kit is undoubtedly the best choice for new players on a tighter budget. It is even better when you consider that it comes bundled as a package, featuring everything you will need to get started with the guitar!

The guitar itself is a beautiful full-sized dreadnought shape. For most beginners, this versatile guitar size is the one to go for.

It is assembled from the common mahogany and spruce wood combination. This tried and tested tonewood construction gives a very balanced sound that will be suitable for any style of music.

Other standout features include a cutaway for improved upper fret access, scalloped inner bracing for better bass response, and matte black tuners that add to the luxurious aesthetic.

In terms of the bundled accessories, Donner has included pretty much everything you will need to get started right away. You’ll get a quality padded gig bag, digital tuner, comfortable strap, spare strings, picks, and more! See below for the full list.

The guitar ships without a scratchplate for a clean aesthetic. However, as you might notice in the photo above, I’ve added one! This is easy as Donner has included one in the package, so you can decide which look you’d like to go for – a nice touch!

Psst… Not sure what a scratchplate is? Check out my guide to the different parts of the guitar.

A slight downside for some is that the guitar is not an electro-acoustic model, i.e., it does not include electronics. So keep in mind that you won’t be able to hook it up to an amp or computer for recording. Not exactly a deal breaker for new players, plus it helps to keep costs down as well. Why pay for features you are unlikely to use as a fledgling guitarist?

Donner App

It’s worth mentioning that Donner has also created their own iOS and Android app that you can download and use for free. This includes a ton of free beginner lessons, many of which are taught by professors from the esteemed Berklee College of Music!

Key Features:

• Body: African Mahogany w/ Sitka Spruce Top
• Neck: Mahogany w/ 22 Fret Purpleheart Fingerboard
• Electronics: None
• Gig Bag: Yes
• Accessories: Strap, Clip-On Tuner, Capo, Picks, Spare Strings, Cleaning Cloth, Allen Key, Lessons (via mobile app).

What I Like/Dislike About The Donner DAG-1CL

Like:

• Includes everything you’ll need to get started with guitar.
• Low price without sacrificing quality and features.
• 2-year warranty
• Classic mahogany and Sitka spruce dreadnought body will give a balanced tone suitable for any style of music.
• Has the look of a guitar that is much more expensive than it is.

Dislike:

• Dreadnought body size may be a little large for young players
• No ability to connect to an amp or computer.
• Brand snobs may not approve.

Our friend Shane from InTheBlues has an excellent review video for the Donner DAG-1CL, which you can check out below. If you’re still not quite convinced, you can also check out my full review of the Donner DAG-1CL.

Overall, I recommend the Donner DAG-1CL as my pick for the best left-handed acoustic guitar package. For the money, it really can’t be beat and should give you a perfect introduction to the world of guitar.

Check it out at the link above!

2. Vangoa VGE-1

Best Left Handed Acoustic Electric Guitar Package

The Donner above is a great option for sure, but what if you need a cheap left handed acoustic electric guitar package? Those after the additional versatility offered by electronics should check out the excellent Vangoa VGE-1.

This full-sized dreadnought is a real eye-catcher thanks to its classy black satin finish, and comes with a 4-band equalizer so that you can plug in to record or play live through an amp or speakers.

Critically, for beginner players, it is bundled with everything you will need to get started with the guitar. Aside from lessons, that is! Check out my lessons section for some great beginner tips.

I really liked the little visual touches, such as the angular fretboard end, wooden ‘reveal’ binding, and additional purfling on the fretboard. It’s a classy-looking guitar that at least appears as if it should cost way more than its modest price tag.

The satin finish extends to the neck to give an ultra-smooth playability. Be warned, however, as the black finish is a total fingerprint magnet. Good thing it comes with a cleaning cloth, then!

Please read my in-depth Vangoa VGE-1 Review if you would like to find out more about this brilliant beginner kit.

Key Features:

• Body: Sapele w/ Spruce Top
• Neck: Okoume w/ 20 Fret Walnut Fingerboard
• Electronics: EQ-7545R 4-Band (Bass, Middle, Treble, Presence Sliders)
• Gig Bag: Yes
• Accessories: Clip-On Tuner, Capo, Spare Strings, Cable, Cleaning Cloth, Strap, Picks, Adhesive Scratchplate.

What I Like/Dislike About The Vangoa VGE-1 Acoustic

Like:

• Includes everything you’ll need to get started with guitar.
• Low price without sacrificing quality and features.
• Classic sapele and Sitka spruce dreadnought body will give a versatile tone suited to any genre of music.
• Has the look of a guitar that is much more expensive than it is.

Dislike:

• Dreadnought body size may be a little large for smaller players
• Brand snobs may not approve.
• Satin finish is a fingerprint magnet.

You can also watch the video below to get an idea of how the Vangoa sounds.

I’d think you would have a very hard time finding a better electro-acoustic for this sort of money. The Vangoa looks great, has a fantastic sound, and is buttery smooth to play.

As a beginner on a budget, it’s definitely a tough choice between this and the Donner above. As they’re roughly the same price, the decision will likely be based on whether or not you require electronics. Or, it could simply come down to which guitar you like the looks of the most.

It’s worth noting that the Vangoa is also available without electronics for a little less. Check it out on Amazon.

3. Fender CD-60S

Best Cheap Left Handed Acoustic Guitar

I bet you weren’t aware that you could get a real Fender for around $200, right? Well, you can! The Fender CD-60S was launched in 2017 and instantly became my top pick for those with a budget of around $200.

This guitar from Fender’s Classic Design series represents exceptional value for money, with features usually reserved for much more expensive instruments.

For example, it features a solid wood top for improved sound quality (scroll to the end of this page for info), smooth rolled fret edges, scalloped internal x-bracing for increased bass response, and a beginner-friendly slim neck shape.

One of these little gems is the obvious choice in this price bracket (unless you require electronics!), and because it has a solid wood top, it’ll only sound better with age!

Fender really hit a home run with these.

The CD-60S features a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a mahogany neck with a walnut fretboard. This tonewood combination will offer up a very balanced sound for a bit of a jack-of-all-trades kind of vibe – it’ll be happy playing any genre of music.

Plus, you’ve got that famous name on the headstock, ensuring that the guitar will hold its value over time.

The only downside of the Fender, when compared to the cheaper Donner above, is the lack of any additional accessories. So you will at minimum require to source a tuner and potentially some picks yourself. Again, not a huge issue as you can pick up both of those items for less than $10 in the accessories section of this guide series!

It is also slightly disappointing that a protective gig bag is not included.

The video below will offer you an excellent overview of the various sounds that the dreadnought-sized CD-60S is capable of. It is definitely worth a watch if you are considering opting for this excellent instrument.

Key Features:

• Body: Mahogany w/ Solid Spruce Top
• Neck: Mahogany w/ 20 Fret Walnut Fingerboard
• Electronics: None
• Gig Bag: Not Included
• Accessories: Not included

What I Like/Dislike About The Fender CD-60S

Like:

• The solid wood top offers a more dynamic quality of sound than cheaper laminated guitars, plus the tone will improve further as it ages.
• Fender quality at a very affordable price point.
• 2-year warranty.
• Classic mahogany and Sitka spruce body will offer a balanced tone suitable for any style of music.
• Beginner-friendly slim neck with comfortable rolled fretboard edges.

Dislike:

• No gig bag, accessories, or lessons are included.
• Lack of electronics.

I would say that these are definitely the most popular left handed acoustic guitars that we sell. Check one out at the links below.

4. Ibanez AW54L

All-Mahogany Left Handed Acoustic Guitar

What should you do if the Fender above ticks all of your boxes, but you yearn for the look and/or sound of an all-mahogany guitar? You, my friend, should probably look into the Ibanez AW54L.

This well-reviewed dreadnought beauty offers up pretty much all of the same features as the Fender CD-60S, and for similar money, but has a gorgeous all-mahogany construction.

Aside from offering a different aesthetic, mahogany guitars will tend to sound smoother and warmer, without becoming too muddy. This is because the wood produces more bass and mid-range emphasis. Again, as a beginner, you will be unlikely to notice a huge difference in tone, so your choice could simply come down to visual appeal.

It’s also worth pointing out that technically, the AW54L is not constructed from mahogany. Okoume is an excellent mahogany alternative used by many manufacturers and offers the same tonal characteristics and warm, earthy looks.

The Ibanez AW54L features an Okoume back and sides with a solid Okoume top, a Nyatoh neck, and a 20-fret ovangkol fingerboard. All of the hardware is made in-house by Ibanez to help keep costs down, and it also comes equipped with quality D’Addario strings.

Watch the video below for a great demonstration of the sounds that the Ibanez can muster up.

A slight disadvantage of this guitar is that it does not come supplied with a gig bag, or indeed, any additional accessories. So you will need to source your own if you require them – but that’s all part of the fun, right? Head to the accessories section of this guide to see my recommendations.

Key Features:

• Body: Okoume w/ Solid Okoume Top
• Neck: Nyatoh w/ 20 Fret Ovangkol Fingerboard
• Electronics: None
• Gig Bag: Not Included
• Accessories: Not included

What I Like/Dislike About The Ibanez AW54L

Like:

• The solid wood top offers a more dynamic quality of sound compared to cheaper laminated guitars, plus the tone will become richer as it ages.
• Lifetime warranty.
• Rustic visual appearance.

Dislike:

• No gig bag, accessories, or lessons are included.
• Dreadnought body might be a little large for smaller players

Overall, the AW54L is an excellent alternative to the Fender CD-60S above if you prefer the looks that an all-mahogany construction provides.

5. Ibanez AW54LCE

All-Mahogany Left Handed Electro-Acoustic Guitar

The Ibanez AW54LCE is an excellent all-mahogany electro-acoustic. It is essentially a cutaway version of the Ibanez AW54 above, with added electronics.

As I’ve already touched on with the Ibanez AW54 above, using mahogany as a tonewood will tend to warm up the guitar’s tone by offering emphasized low-end and mid-range sounds.

It’s also worth pointing out that, technically, the AW54LCE is not constructed from mahogany. However, Okoume is an excellent mahogany alternative used by many manufacturers and offers the same tonal characteristics and warm looks.

Main features include a laminated Okoume back and sides, a solid Okoume top, a Nyatoh neck with an ovangkol fretboard, and an Ibanez preamp with a convenient built-in tuner.

The cutaway will give great access to the higher frets, and the under-saddle pickup offers natural-sounding amplification if you decide to plug it into an amp or computer.

Unfortunately, there is no gig bag included with the AW54LCE, which is a little disappointing at this price point.

Check out the video below to hear what the Ibanez sounds like.

Key Features:

• Body: Okoume w/ Solid Okoume Top
• Neck: Nyatoh w/ 20 Fret Ovangkol Fingerboard
• Electronics: Yes – Preamp & Tuner
• Gig Bag: Not Included
• Accessories: Not included

What I Like/Dislike About The Ibanez AW54LCE

Like:

• The solid wood top offers a more dynamic quality of sound than cheaper laminated guitars, plus the tone will improve further as it ages.
• Ibanez preamp, plus a handy built-in tuner.
• Excellent upper fret access.
• Lifetime warranty.

Dislike:

• No gig bag, accessories, or lessons are included.
• Dreadnought body might be a little large for younger players

Overall, the Ibanez AW54LCE is a fantastic choice for players looking for an all-mahogany, affordable left-handed electro-acoustic guitar.

6. Ibanez AEG70L

Best Small-Bodied Left Handed Electro-Acoustic Guitar

Stepping up the price ladder a little bit is the eye-catching Ibanez AEG70L from the Japanese brand’s AEG range. This electro-acoustic features a smaller and thinner (concert) body, making it an ideal choice for players after a more comfortable and lightweight guitar.

Featuring a striking flamed maple top, this instrument delivers crisp articulation and a bright, resonant tone that stands out whether you’re strumming or fingerpicking. Its high-quality Ibanez AEQ-TTS preamp with built-in tuner provides intuitive control and dependable amplified sound, perfect for gigging or studio use.

Again, the only real downside here is the lack of a gig bag or other included accessories. In my opinion, we’re really into the territory where every guitar should at least have a gig bag supplied with it. A minor quibble!

Check out the detailed video below for an overview of why this little beauty is one of the best left handed acoustic guitars currently available on a budget. Note that the left-handed model is not available in the violin finish shown.

Key Features:

• Body: Sapele w/ Flame Maple Top
• Neck: Nyatoh w/ 20 Fret Rosewood Fingerboard
• Electronics: Ibanez AEQ-TTS preamp w/Onboard tuner
• Gig Bag: Not Included
• Accessories: Not included

What I Like/Dislike About The Ibanez AEG70L

Like:

• Premium looks at an affordable price
• Comfortable, smaller body size.
• Lifetime warranty.

Dislike:

• No gig bag, accessories, or lessons are included.

If your budget stretches this far, then the smaller-bodied Ibanez AEG70L is an absolutely superb beginner left handed acoustic guitar that could potentially last you for life.

7. Yamaha FG820L

Most Popular Left Handed Acoustic Guitar

Almost every guitar thus far has been a Fender or Ibanez, so let’s give another brand a shout-out! The Yamaha FG820L dreadnought has long been thought of as one of the best budget-friendly lefty acoustics available. The FG series is the best-selling acoustic guitar range in the world, and for good reason!

Yamaha, in particular, is a brand that is known for punching well above its weight, and the FG820L is no exception. It is a lot of guitar for not a lot of money. 

The main features include a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, a nato neck with a 20-fret rosewood fingerboard, and a classy, fully bound body and fretboard. It certainly looks like a guitar that should cost far more than it does.

Purchasing a Yamaha guitar will also give you access to their Play Port iOS and Android application. This app is a great tool for new players, providing tips, lessons, and videos aimed at beginners. It even includes an in-built tuner so that you can tune your new FG820L via your phone’s microphone.

Unfortunately, we still don’t get a gig bag bundled here, so make sure to check out the accessories section (link below) of this series of guides for some top suggestions.

Check out the excellent overview and demonstration video below to hear the Yamaha in action.

Key Features:

• Body: Mahogany w/ Solid Spruce Top
• Neck: Nato w/ 20 Fret Rosewood Fingerboard
• Electronics: None
• Gig Bag: Not Included
• Accessories: Not included

What I Like/Dislike About The Yamaha FG820L

Like:

• The solid wood top offers a more dynamic quality of sound than cheaper laminated guitars, plus the tone will improve further as it ages.
• Punches well above its price-point.
• 2-year warranty.
• Classic mahogany and Sitka spruce body will offer a balanced tone suitable for any style of music.

Dislike:

• No gig bag or accessories are included.
• Lack of electronics

Beginners will love it, but the best-selling Yamaha FG820L is also a solid choice for any level of player looking for a great all-around instrument or backup guitar.

Acoustic Guitar Buying Advice

Should I Get An Acoustic or Electro-Acoustic?

The main difference between the two is that you can plug your electro-acoustic directly into an amp or computer for additional volume or for recording. Whereas with a traditional acoustic, you will need to use a microphone to amplify the sound when playing live or recording.

A great advantage to starting out with an electro-acoustic guitar is that many will come with a built-in tuner, saving having to carry around an additional accessory.  

If your guitar doesn’t come with a tuner, I highly recommend a clip-on headstock tuner such as a Snark – find out more about these in Part 8 of this Newbie Series – links below!

After reading this, you may be thinking of just buying an electro-acoustic. Hell, it’s the same as a standard acoustic with a few extra bells and whistles, right? 

This is true, but these extra gadgets obviously come at a price.

Think carefully about what you need. If you don’t see yourself playing through an amp or recording directly to your computer, then you might want to save some money and opt for a regular acoustic with no electronics.

What Size Acoustic Guitar Should A Beginner Get?

This really depends on your musical tastes, as well as your size and physical capabilities.

The most common acoustic guitar size is the Dreadnought, which is a larger style that produces a louder, fuller sound with a strong bass response. You can easily spot it by its classic squared-off shoulders and bottom.

Compared to smaller-bodied guitars, the dreadnought’s volume tends to lend itself better to a playstyle that involves mainly strumming. Their boomy nature also helps them to cut through the mix in a band situation.

It is a great option for most players to start out with, but smaller people may find the larger body a bit of a handful.

Another common acoustic guitar size that is a great choice for new players is the Concert shape. This is a smaller body size which, as you would expect, equates to slightly less volume and bass. 

These qualities make concert acoustics perfect for solo fingerstyle playing, where the articulation of each individual note is important. In addition, their smaller stature makes them ideal for smaller-framed players.

However, as a new player, you are unlikely to notice a massive difference in sound between the two sizes. For that reason, I would suggest that, for now, you pick the style that is most suited to your body size.

What Is The Best Acoustic Guitar Wood?

Spruce is a very light-colored wood, contrasting nicely with the darker timbers usually used for the guitar’s back and sides. It is a great all-around wood that resonates well and has a wide dynamic range with enhanced highs and lows. It has become the most popular acoustic guitar top wood thanks to its excellent tonal versatility.

Mahogany is a much darker, rich brown/red wood that gives the guitar a more rustic, earthy appearance. While spruce has emphasized highs and lows, mahogany tends to enhance the midrange tones for a warmer, woodier sound.

However, as a new player, you are unlikely to be able to discern a massive difference between the two. For this reason, I would probably suggest picking the one you prefer the looks of, unless you really know the type of sound you are after.

Solid Top vs. Laminate – Which Is Best?

Broken down into its component parts, an acoustic guitar body is made up of a top, sides, and a back section.

As a general rule of thumb, more expensive guitars will be constructed entirely of solid wood, whereas cheaper guitars might be composed of laminate wood sections or a mix of both solid and laminate parts.

Due to the lower prices of most of the guitars I’ve recommended above, the majority are going to be either full laminate, or laminate back and sides with a solid top.

Solid wood is exactly as it sounds – one solid piece of wood. In contrast, laminate is constructed of several thin layers of wood, usually a more expensive/decorative piece on top, and cheaper layers underneath.

As I’ve already mentioned above, as a beginner, you really aren’t going to notice too much of a difference, but it’s generally accepted that solid wood sounds better than laminate. Why? Laminate doesn’t resonate as well, giving a slightly thinner sound. Plus, you can think of solid wood as being like a fine wine – the sound will improve as the wood ages.

However, the big advantage to a laminate guitar is the much lower cost, as well as the fact that they are more durable, and will be much more resistant to changes in humidity.

Find out more about how humidity can damage your guitar.

Try to opt for an acoustic guitar with a solid top if your budget permits.

Should I Get A Guitar With Nylon Or Steel Strings?

There is a common misconception that new players should start out on a nylon string guitar due to the strings being much easier on the fingers.

My advice is to start out on the instrument that best reflects your musical tastes. Likewise, if you ultimately prefer electric guitar, there’s no need to start out on an acoustic.

For some reason, many people feel like an acoustic is a stepping stone on the way to playing electric guitar. If you are unsure, just take a look at what your favorite artists use and go down that route.

Steel-string guitars are best for rock, pop, country, and to be honest, most other styles, apart from maybe classical.

If you want to play classical, folk, or flamenco/Latin style guitar, then you will need a Nylon String Classical model. While steel-string acoustics have a crisp and bright tone, classical guitars tend to sound a lot more mellow. 

If you decide that you need a classical guitar, check out Part 5 of the Guide (links below) to check out the best nylon-string options!

How Much Should A Beginner Spend On A Guitar?

It is my opinion that with acoustic, more so than any other guitar, you should try to spend as much as your budget permits. You can somewhat fix the poor sound of a cheap electric guitar using effects, but acoustic guitars are kind of a ‘you get what you pay for’ kinda deal.

As awesome as it would be, I’m not saying that you should go out and buy a $4,000 Martin as your first guitar! At the very least, avoid anything below $100 as these are likely to be essentially toys. 

Any of the guitars I’ve listed above will be a solid choice, but if you are back and forth about buying the slightly more expensive guitar, I’d say go for it!

Consider Paying For A Setup

Most acoustic guitars will come from the factory with a higher action than you might like. That is, the distance between the strings and the fretboard might make fretting notes tougher, as you will need to press the strings down further.

This is because it is easier to lower the strings on an acoustic guitar than to raise them. So, most manufacturers will ship the instruments with the easier-to-correct option.

To make sure you get the best possible start, it may be worth paying the store to also give your guitar what is known as a ‘setup’. Essentially, the technician will adjust your new guitar so that it is optimally set up for easy playing.

You can find out more about this in my guide to guitar setups. There you will see what is involved in the process, plus the costs to get your axe in tip-top condition.

Next up? You’ll probably want to check out Part Eight below to get the low-down on a few accessories that you might also like to pick up with your new acoustic.

• Part One : Tips Before You Buy
• Part Two : Beginner Left Handed Electric Guitars
• Part Three : Beginner Left Handed Acoustic Guitars
• Part Four : Beginner Left Handed Bass Guitars
• Part Five : Beginner Left Handed Classical Guitars
• Part Six : Beginner Guitar Amps
• Part Seven : Effects
• Part Eight : Accessories
• Part Nine : Lessons