The Seagull S6 is another beginner option that pushes the limits of $500 new but can be found used for a steal.
If you're not sure whether to start with an acoustic or electric, be sure to check out the Reverb guide to buying your first guitar for some guidance there. We've created a list of a few stellar steel-string dreadnought options and even threw in a travel-sized model to give you plenty of options to choose from when shopping for your first acoustic guitar.
That being said, a classic steel-string dreadnought acoustic is the most popular choice, being the image that most people conjure up when they think of an acoustic guitar. steel-string debate to throw a wrench in your planning. After all, there are body shapes to consider, tonewoods to take into account, and even the nylon vs. With prices ranging from under $100 to up in the thousands, the world of acoustics and what dictates their price may seem more than a little foreign.
Your first acoustic guitar can be a big purchase.