Best Parlor Acoustic Guitars Under $500 for 2024

Parlor acoustic guitars have made a significant comeback in recent years. Known for their smaller bodies, distinctive sound, and comfortable playability, these guitars are perfect for fingerpicking, blues, and folk music. If you’re looking for a high-quality parlor acoustic guitar under $500, you’re in the right place. After thorough research, analyzing product descriptions, and scanning customer reviews on Amazon, I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the best parlor acoustic guitars under $500 for 2024. Each review highlights key features, pros, and cons based on real user experiences to help you make an informed decision.

1. Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy Flat Top

The Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy Flat Top is a standout choice for its vintage vibe, affordability, and impressive sound.

Key Features:

• Top: Agathis
• Back & Sides: Agathis
• Neck: Nato with a walnut fingerboard
• Scale Length: 610mm (24 inches)
• Nut Width: 42.86mm (1.6875 inches)
• Finish: Semi-gloss Vintage Sunburst

My Pros and Cons About the Model:

Pros:

• Vintage Aesthetics: The Jim Dandy’s vintage design and semi-gloss finish give it a classic look that stands out.
• Affordable Price: It’s one of the most budget-friendly options available, making it accessible for beginners and casual players.
• Comfortable Playability: The short scale length and compact body make it comfortable to play, especially for those with smaller hands.
• Good Sound: Despite its small size, the agathis body produces a surprisingly full and resonant sound.

Cons:

• Basic Materials: The use of agathis and nato is typical for budget guitars, but these woods may not provide the same tonal quality as higher-end options.
• Limited Projection: Due to its small size, it may not project as loudly as larger-bodied guitars, making it less suitable for live performances without amplification.

2. Fender CP-100 Parlor Acoustic Guitar

The Fender CP-100 Parlor Acoustic Guitar combines Fender’s quality craftsmanship with an affordable price point, making it an excellent choice for various playing styles.

Key Features:

• Top: Laminated spruce
• Back & Sides: Laminated mahogany
• Neck: Nato with a rosewood fingerboard
• Scale Length: 628mm (24.75 inches)
• Nut Width: 42.86mm (1.6875 inches)
• Finish: Gloss

My Pros and Cons About the Model:

Pros:

• Balanced Tone: The laminated spruce top and mahogany body provide a balanced tone suitable for different genres.
• Comfortable Neck: The nato neck and rosewood fingerboard offer a smooth playing experience.
• Classic Design: The traditional parlor body shape and gloss finish give it a timeless look.
• Durable Build: The laminated woods ensure durability and resistance to changes in humidity and temperature.

Cons:

• Laminated Construction: The laminated top and body may not provide the same resonance and richness as solid wood options.
• Basic Hardware: Some of the hardware components, like tuners, might not be as high-quality as those on more expensive models.

3. Ibanez PN15 Parlor Acoustic Guitar

The Ibanez PN15 is a versatile and affordable parlor guitar that offers great sound and playability for various musical styles.

Key Features:

• Top: Laminated spruce
• Back & Sides: Sapele
• Neck: Nyatoh with a nandu fingerboard
• Scale Length: 607mm (23.9 inches)
• Nut Width: 42mm (1.65 inches)
• Finish: Gloss Natural

My Pros and Cons About the Model:

Pros:

• Affordable Price: Offers great value for its features and performance.
• Versatile Sound: The laminated spruce top and sapele body provide a versatile sound that works well for various genres.
• Comfortable Playability: The short scale length and compact body make it easy to play, even for beginners.
• Durable Build: The laminated woods ensure durability and resistance to changes in humidity and temperature.

Cons:

• Laminated Construction: The laminated top and body may not provide the same richness and resonance as solid wood options.
• Basic Tonewoods: The use of sapele and nyatoh is typical for budget guitars but may not provide the same tonal quality as higher-end options.

4. Yamaha CSF1M Parlor Acoustic Guitar

The Yamaha CSF1M stands out for its solid wood construction and exceptional sound quality, making it a great choice for serious players on a budget.

Key Features:

• Top: Solid Sitka spruce
• Back & Sides: Mahogany
• Neck: Nato with a rosewood fingerboard
• Scale Length: 600mm (23.6 inches)
• Nut Width: 43mm (1.69 inches)
• Finish: Natural Satin

My Pros and Cons About the Model:

Pros:

• Solid Wood Top: The solid Sitka spruce top provides excellent resonance and projection.
• Rich Tone: The mahogany back and sides contribute to a warm, rich tone that improves with age.
• Comfortable Playability: The short scale length and compact body make it comfortable to play.
• High-Quality Construction: Yamaha’s reputation for quality ensures that this guitar is well-built and reliable.

Cons:

• Higher Price: Slightly higher in price compared to other options on this list, but still under $500.
• Satin Finish: While attractive, the satin finish may show wear more easily than gloss finishes.

5. Epiphone EL-00 PRO

The Epiphone EL-00 PRO offers a blend of vintage aesthetics and modern features, making it a versatile and stylish parlor guitar.

Key Features:

• Top: Solid spruce
• Back & Sides: Mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany with a rosewood fingerboard
• Electronics: Fishman Sonitone pickup system
• Scale Length: 628mm (24.75 inches)
• Nut Width: 43mm (1.69 inches)
• Finish: Vintage Sunburst Gloss

My Pros and Cons About the Model:

Pros:

• Solid Wood Top: The solid spruce top enhances the guitar’s resonance and projection.
• Reliable Electronics: The Fishman Sonitone pickup system offers good sound quality when amplified.
• Vintage Aesthetics: The vintage sunburst gloss finish and classic design give it a timeless look.
• Comfortable Playability: The neck profile and action are well-suited for comfortable playing.

Cons:

• Higher Price: Slightly higher in price compared to other options on this list, but still under $500.
• Heavy: The guitar is slightly heavier than some other models, which might be an issue for some players.

6. Gretsch G9511 Style 1 Single-0 Parlor Acoustic Guitar

The Gretsch G9511 Style 1 Single-0 offers a unique vintage look and exceptional sound quality, making it a standout choice for parlor guitar enthusiasts.

Key Features:

• Top: Solid spruce
• Back & Sides: Laminated mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany with a rosewood fingerboard
• Scale Length: 610mm (24 inches)
• Nut Width: 42.86mm (1.6875 inches)
• Finish: Appalachia Cloudburst

My Pros and Cons About the Model:

Pros:

• Solid Wood Top: The solid spruce top provides excellent resonance and projection.
• Unique Design: The Appalachia Cloudburst finish and vintage styling make it visually striking.
• Comfortable Playability: The short scale length and compact body make it comfortable to play.
• Good Sound Quality: Despite the laminated back and sides, it offers a rich, full sound.

Cons:

• Laminated Back and Sides: The use of laminated mahogany for the back and sides may not provide the same richness and resonance as all-solid wood options.
• No Electronics: This model does not come with built-in electronics for amplification.

7. Recording King Dirty 30s Series 9 Parlor Guitar

The Recording King Dirty 30s Series 9 Parlor Guitar offers a vintage look and sound, making it a great choice for blues and folk musicians.

Key Features:

• Top: Solid Sitka spruce
• Back & Sides: Whitewood
• Neck: Nato with a rosewood fingerboard
• Scale Length: 628mm (24.75 inches)
• Nut Width: 43mm (1.69 inches)
• Finish: Satin Tobacco Sunburst

My Pros and Cons About the Model:

Pros:

• Solid Wood Top: The solid Sitka spruce top provides excellent resonance and projection.
• Vintage Aesthetics: The satin tobacco sunburst finish and aged detailing give it a classic look.
• Comfortable Playability: The neck profile and action are well-suited for comfortable playing.
• Affordable Price: Offers great value for its features and performance.

Cons:

• Whitewood Back and Sides: The use of whitewood may not provide the same tonal quality as higher-end tonewoods.
• No Electronics: This model does not come with built-in electronics for amplification.

8. Alvarez AP66SHB Artist Series Parlor Guitar

The Alvarez AP66SHB is a high-quality parlor guitar with an all-mahogany body, offering a warm, rich tone and exceptional build quality.

Key Features:

• Top: Solid mahogany
• Back & Sides: Mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany with a rosewood fingerboard
• Scale Length: 610mm (24 inches)
• Nut Width: 44.45mm (1.75 inches)
• Finish: Shadowburst Gloss

My Pros and Cons About the Model:

Pros:

• All-Mahogany Body: The all-mahogany construction provides a warm, rich tone that improves with age.
• Solid Wood Top: The solid mahogany top enhances the guitar’s resonance and projection.
• High-Quality Construction: Alvarez is known for their excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail.
• Beautiful Finish: The shadowburst gloss finish is visually striking and elegant.

Cons:

• Higher Price: Slightly higher in price compared to other options on this list, but still under $500.
• Heavier: The guitar is slightly heavier than some other models, which might be an issue for some players.

9. Ibanez PN12E Mahogany Parlor Acoustic-Electric Guitar

The Ibanez PN12E offers the versatility of an acoustic-electric guitar with a compact parlor body, making it a great choice for both unplugged and amplified performances.

Key Features:

• Top: Laminated mahogany
• Back & Sides: Laminated mahogany
• Neck: Nyatoh with a nandu fingerboard
• Electronics: Ibanez AEQ-2T preamp with tuner
• Scale Length: 607mm (23.9 inches)
• Nut Width: 42mm (1.65 inches)
• Finish: Open Pore Natural

My Pros and Cons About the Model:

Pros:

• Affordable Price: Offers great value for its features and performance.
• Reliable Electronics: The AEQ-2T preamp with onboard tuner is easy to use and reliable.
• Compact Size: The parlor body and short scale length make it comfortable to play, especially for smaller hands.
• Warm Tone: The all-mahogany construction provides a warm, rich tone.

Cons:

• Laminated Construction: The laminated top and body may not provide the same richness and resonance as solid wood options.
• Basic Tonewoods: The use of nyatoh and nandu is typical for budget guitars but may not provide the same tonal quality as higher-end options.

10. Blueridge BR-341 Historic Series Parlor Guitar

The Blueridge BR-341 offers a vintage look and exceptional sound quality, making it a standout choice for serious musicians.

Key Features:

• Top: Solid Sitka spruce
• Back & Sides: Solid mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany with an ebony fingerboard
• Scale Length: 635mm (25 inches)
• Nut Width: 44.45mm (1.75 inches)
• Finish: Natural High-Gloss

My Pros and Cons About the Model:

Pros:

• All-Solid Wood Construction: The solid Sitka spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides provide excellent resonance and projection.
• Rich Tone: The combination of Sitka spruce and mahogany offers a rich, balanced tone that improves with age.
• High-Quality Construction: Blueridge is known for their meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail.
• Vintage Aesthetics: The high-gloss finish and vintage styling make it visually stunning.

Cons:

• Higher Price: Slightly higher in price compared to other options on this list, but still under $500.
• No Electronics: This model does not come with built-in electronics for amplification.

Choosing the right parlor acoustic guitar under $500 depends on your specific needs, playing style, and preferences. The models reviewed here offer a range of options, from beginner-friendly guitars to more advanced setups. Each guitar has been carefully evaluated based on product descriptions and real customer feedback to provide a well-rounded assessment. Whether you prioritize tone quality, playability, or included accessories, there’s a parlor guitar on this list that can meet your requirements without exceeding your budget.