All Best Acoustic Guitars 2024: (ULTIMATE Reviews & Guide)

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BEST ACOUSTIC GUITARS

After extensive hours of research, we found out that Taylor 816ce Builder’s Edition is the overall best acoustic guitar for 2024, on top of other guitar brands on this list.

Coming from a brand that produce only the best guitars, Taylor really has really perfected the art of guitar-making over the years.

And the Taylor 816 is a testament to that.

So, what brand? What model? What color? What build? What material?

These are only some of the questions that we should ask ourselves when looking for the a guitar.

There are plenty of guitars sold here and there—everywhere, but only some of them are of quality and worthy as investments.

A long-lasting guitar will give money more value than cheap guitars that needs to be fixed every once in a while.

Whether you a beginner, a budget-seeker, someone who has a budget for a decent guitar, or someone who’s giving your kid or someone’s kid a guitar, this guide is for you.

This article will show you the best guitars that are suited for all players regardless of age, playing style, genre, and budget. Let’s get started.

Contents

The Best Acoustic Guitars for 2024

Taylor Builder’s Edition 816ce

We Recommend
Taylor Guitars 816ce Builder's Edition
5.0
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This particular model exude the excellent build quality that made the said guitar known for its beautifully crisp and deep, singing sound – making the price tag reasonable.

From the garage to concert halls, one can be a notch better when using the 816ce, and it definitely deserves to be on the top of this list. 

 

Martin Style 28 Acoustic Guitar

Also Great
Martin Special 28 Style Acoustic Guitar
4.5


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With Martin Style 28, one thing is for sure- it definitely belongs on this top 10 tier lis.. Crafted from selected materials, Martin has really set the bar high for Martin Style 28 acoustic guitar. What makes it separate from all other guitars on this list? Well, as per Martin’s, it’s the “tone.”

 

Taylor 214ce Acoustic Guitar

Runner-Up
Taylor 214ce Deluxe
4.8
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Want to own an authentic Taylor guitar with all its exquisiteness, good electronics, and flawless aesthetics without breaking the bank? The Taylor 214ce is perfect for you.

Taylor has been known to create some of the best guitars that have reached every corner of the world used in performances by great musicians, aspiring and professionals alike. With this certain model, you get the same build quality and exquisiteness without burning hole in your pocket.

 

Yamaha LL26

Yamaha LL26
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Boasting a classic shape and exquisite mother-of-pearl inlays, The Yamaha LL16 has the unique combination of well-rounded tone; superb playability and excellent dynamic range exemplified by the L Series topped buy its gorgeous aesthetic and world class material.

If one is a stage performer, the high-quality pickups capture every nuance of your playing, giving you the perfect vehicle to harness your inspiration and let your creativity flow making you the best musician you can be.

 

Yamaha FG-TA

Yamaha FG-TA Transacoustic Guitar
4.5


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With its built-in reverb and chorus at your fingertips, the Yamaha FG-TA the most inspiring, engaging acoustic guitar you’ll ever play and its play time anytime, anywhere, and it’s the 5th spot on this list. No need to buy those fancy amplifiers. All you need is you, your passion, your music, this dream guitar and you are good to go!

 

Seagull Artist Mosaic Acoustic Guitar

Seagull Artist Mosaic
4.0


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If you’re looking to buy a new acoustic guitar that’s beautifully made paired with a rich sound and build quality, consider Seagul Guitars. And if you are on a budget but still wants to get every ounce of quality your penny can give you, then consider getting the Seagull Artist Mosaic.

A guitar with a Solid sitka spruce wood and compact body build; for its price, it can’t be beat if you are looking for a guitar with a cedar-material top. If you are into finger picking and finger style guitar, this one is a better but can also handle light to moderate strumming.

 

Blueridge BR-183

Blueridge BR-183A Historic Craftsman Series 000 Guitar
4.5


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Classic vintage style beauties with the modern improvements in playability and construction of these acoustic guitars that make up the Historic Series have all the traditional features usually found on pricey vintage guitars.

However, the Blueridge BR-183 costs significantly less making it suitable for those old souls who still wants to rock an aesthetically pleasing piece of art.

 

Martin Road Series DRS1 Acoustic Guitar

Martin Road Series DRS1 Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar
4.3


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The Martin DRS1 Road series has a top, back and sides crafted of solid Sapele and braced for resonance and projection. This acoustic guitar also comes with a built-in volume control making life easier for on-the-go players. With the design originally designed for traveling, the Martin DRS1 is not only made for mobility but also budget-friendly.

 

Blueridge BR-160

Last on this list is the Blueridge BR-160. This pre-war fashioned Herringbone dreadnaught has the looks of class but the sound of modern technology. The prewar forward-X pattern is highlighted by the sturdy top material as well as the intricately hand-carved parabolic top braces.

To make this great guitar even more amazing, Indian rosewood are used for the guitar’s back and sides to give that strong bass. The best sounding acoustic guitar is pretty much useless if it is very hard or uncomfortable to play so, slim mahogany is used for the neck to ensure optimal comfort.

 

For Beginners

Yamaha FG800 Acoustic Guitar

Sweetwater – Yamaha FG800 Dreadnought – Natural
4.7


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While the Yamaha FG800 is great for beginners who are looking for their first acoustic guitar, it’s also an affordable guitar for professionals looking for a spare one.

It features a solid sitka spruce wood top with scalloped bracing, Nato/Okume back and sides, chrome tuners, a rosewood fretboard and a tortoise shell pickguard which not only makes it look good, but also has a louder sound compared to most budget guitars, at a very affordable price making it a good choice for beginners.

 

Seagull S6 Original Acoustic Guitar

Seagull S6 Original Acoustic Guitar
4.7
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An exquisite domestic wild cherry back and sides provide a unique balanced tone on Seagull S6 Original acoustic guitar, putting it together with the warmth of solid mahogany plus the crisp definition of maple.

In addition, the silver leaf maple neck on a shorter 24.84 inches scale with a rosewood fretboard is easy on the fingers while specially aligned machine heads make for quick, stable tuning that makes it perfect not only for professional and expert players, but also to those aspiring beginners.

 

Fender CD-60S Acoustic Guitar

Fender CD-60S Solid Top Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
4.5


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The mahogany Fender CD-60s acoustic guitar is a masterpiece well-crafted and well suited for beginner to intermediate players who want to have a versatile, high-quality dreadnought at an affordable price. And this dreadnought guitar body shape and scalloped “X”-bracing provides extra resonance and projection when you play giving a clear tone off the box.

As good as it sounds; it also looks very pleasing to the eyes, featuring a Natural finish, black and white neck and the guitar’s body binding, chrome tuning pegs, and a “mother of pearl” style acrylic design around the sound box.

 

Under 1000 Dollars

Taylor 214ce-K Acoustic Guitar

Taylor 214ce Deluxe
4.8
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The Taylor 214ce certainly exudes the excellent quality that Taylor have always been known for. For an acoustic guitar that costs under a thousand dollars, it is quite surprising how it even surpasses the more costly ones in several aspects.

With the exquisiteness of its craftsmanship and the precision of its sound, you do not only get the value for your money but way more than what you pay for.

 

Martin DRS2 Acoustic Guitar

Martin DRS2 Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar
4.0


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Giving you a bang for your buck, the Martin Road Series DRS2 gives players an affordable performance-ready dreadnought acoustic-electric that does not compromise that legendary and all too familiar Martin tone, quality, and playability.

The most affordable solid wood sapele/spruce model available from Martin Guitars does is packed with all the essentials such as the 14-fret dreadnought guitar body made from solid wood sapele back sides with a solid sitka spruce top for amazing balance, tone, and projection.

Ready to take on any performance, this acoustic guitar comes equipped with Fishman Sonitone electronics to offer great plugged-in performance and sound making it not only purchase for value but a play anywhere kind of guitar.

 

Blueridge BR-160

A pre-war inspired “Herringbone” dreadnought, the Blueridge BR-160 is definitely one of the best in its price range. Just take a look at its specs: Solid sitka spruce Top, Solid Santos rosewood back and sides, choice Santos fingerboard, and other spectacular features that makes it worth for its price.

 

Under 500 Dollars

Taylor Big Baby Acoustic Guitar

Taylor Guitar Big Baby Taylor
4.0
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Taylor, best known for blending an innovative use of modern technology with a master craftsman’s attention to detail, they have some of the best sounding acoustic guitars in the world and this baby is no exception to it.

With solid spruce top and a high pressure laminate body, the Taylor Big Baby boasts a surprisingly full voice, comes with a lightweight gig bag for easy portability, and makes a trusty companion wherever you go — even if it’s just to the couch. A baby for beginners and professionals alike.

 

Yamaha FG840 Acoustic Guitar

Yamaha FG840 Solid Top Acoustic Guitar
4.5


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The Yamaha FG840 acoustic guitar has louder and stronger sound in the low to mid range, thanks to cutting-edge acoustic analysis with the development of the new scalloped bracing patterns. It features a flamed solid sitka spruce top, and maple back and sides that provides distinctive, exotic and high-end appearance even for its price.

The sound is transparent and each individual note in a chord is clear. Every aspect of the FG840 model is crafted to make a better acoustic guitar. From painstakingly cured and quality woods to beautiful hand-sprayed finishes and detailed quality control checks each and every FG is made to be a lifelong partner.

 

Epiphone HUMMINGBIRD PRO Acoustic Guitar

Epiphone Hummingbird PRO Acoustic/Electric Guitar
4.6


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Unlike most low cost acoustic guitars, this slim beauty also looks good and sounds great, if not better. The Epiphone HUMMINGBIRD PRO is obviously well set-up right out of the box once you use it with the action nice and low with no noticeable rattles.

Bar chords and open voicing are easy to finger and play clearly well up the neck making it easy to play. At 10% of the price of other guitars, this is a killer bargain.

 

Under 300 Dollars

Yamaha FG830 Acoustic Guitar

Also Great
Yamaha FG830 Solid Acoustic Guitar
4.8
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This Yamaha FG830 acoustic guitar has an even louder and stronger sound compared to low- to mid-ranges guitar, brought by the cutting-edge acoustic analysis with the development of the new scalloped bracing patterns.

Thanks to the solid mahogany back and sides, it has a warmer and stronger sound and is topped with the body binding and fretboard binding being cream plastic, for a nice upgraded look.

And finally, the small and thin guitar body is perfect not only for small or young players but for intermediate to upper level finger-picking style players like Bob Dylan. From painstakingly cured and dried woods to beautiful hand-sprayed finishes and detailed build quality control checks, this guitar will surely see your journey from beginner to master.

 

Epiphone AJ-220S Acoustic Guitar

Epiphone AJ-220S Solid Top Acoustic Guitar
4.2


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An Epiphone AJ-220S is an acoustic guitar that will surely make you be heard. With a unique Advanced Jumbo design, plus real solid spruce top and mahogany tone woods, this guitar produces a robust voice with rich bass notes and a shimmering, detailed presence.

It’s a perfect instrument for playing in acoustic ensembles, ensuring you’ll be distinctly heard even with many other instruments to compete with. The tone will enhance as the wood matures thanks to the solid spruce top and solid wood mahogany for the back and sides.

The real tone woods are not something you can have in most cheap and affordable acoustic guitars, but then again this guitar, although affordable, is not cheap at all.

 

Bristol BD-16 Acoustic Guitar

Bristol BD-16 Dreadnaught Acoustic Guitar
4.7


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The Bristol BD-16 was created to bring the traditional sound of the mountains and quality guitar construction to even the most budget-conscious player at any level. Why burn holes in your pocket when you can have quality for less?

Using the finest sitka spruce top and mahogany sides, this guitar is handcrafted by skilled artisans with years of experience. The vintage designed forward-x top bracing is lightweight but strong enough to ensure great carrying power and resonance.

Added by the slim solid mahogany neck features a fully adjustable truss rod to guarantee perfect alignment at all times and voila! – A light and sturdy guitar that will not break a bank.

 

Under 200 Dollars

Fender FA-115

Fender FA-115 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
4.5


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The Fender FA-115 acoustic guitar offers the perfect sound quality and tremendous value to everyone.

This rich-sounding dreadnought acoustic guitar with a solid spruce top with X bracing for full and resonant sound, the guitar’s body binding, exclusive Fender headstock shape, Fender pick guard, smooth-playing 20-fret hardwood fingerboard, rosewood bridge with compensated saddle, forward strap button with internal block reinforcement, and chrome hardware.

 

Epiphone DR-100 Acoustic Guitar

Do not let the affordable price of this acoustic guitar fool you into thinking that this is of low quality. Boasting a fingerboard made from rosewood, a select spruce top, a 14-degree headstock that gives you more pressure at the nut, and finishes available in ebony, natural and vintage sunburst, the Epiphone DR-100 is surely more than what you are paying for.

 

Jasmine S35 Acoustic Guitar

Jasmine S35 Acoustic Guitar, Natural
4.5


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This great-looking dreadnought acoustic guitar with a big, bold sound and excellent features that represent exceptional value are really a must-have. Perfect for any player seeking a well-built and easy-playing guitar, this model features a select spruce top with Jasmine’s Advanced “X” Bracing, and agathis back and sides making it light but sturdy.

The slim neck and full 25 1/2″ scale length provide a comfortable feel and excellent playability, and the smooth satin finish maximizes resonance for optimal sound quality making it good to the feel and luxurious to the touch. Other great features include a rosewood fingerboard and bridge, full body binding and chrome tuners as well.

 

For Kids

Yamaha JR1

Editor's Pick
Yamaha JR1 FG Junior
4.5
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This JR1 from Yamaha is fully equipped with the legendary quality and playability the FG Series, designed for the younger player, frequent traveler, or anyone who is more comfortable with a smaller-bodied acoustic. Meticulous selection of woods goes into the building of every single Yamaha guitars and this one is of no exception.

Features include a spruce top, nato neck, rosewood fingerboard and chrome hardware. This compact guitar delivers authentic acoustic sound anytime.

 

Fender MA-1

Fender MA-1 Acoustic Guitar
4.7


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If you are looking for the perfect first-timer guitar for children, the Fender MA-1 is the one for you.

The shorter string scale length and smaller sized body and its smooth satin finish serves to benefit beginner guitar players for an easier and more comfortable playing experience that will ensure that they stick with the instrument through whatever stage of guitar lessons.

The full tone you will get from this guitar totally contrasts the smallness of its size, you could not ask for a more perfect children’s beginner guitar.

 

Gibson Maestro

Maestro by Gibson Parlor Size Acoustic Guitar Starter Pack, Black
4.0


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This smaller package that does not in any way compromise the sound quality that this Gibson acoustic is also known for. This guitar comes together with a beginner’s kit that proves to be beneficial to anyone interested in learning the ropes of playing the guitar.

Having a Maestro as a starter guitar will set you off for a promising and fulfilling learning experience in guitar playing. With its smaller size is the perfect gift for a child who has just discovered an interest in playing musical instruments.

It is the complete package which you can avail of at a cheaper prize. Cost-friendly, child-friendly, and beginner friendly, the Maestro guitar is all these things.

 

For Travelling

Washburn RO10 Travel Acoustic Guitar

Washburn RO10 Rover Steel String Travel Acoustic Guitar
4.2
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The Washburn RO10 Steel String Travel Acoustic Guitar is the ultimate travel buddy guitar! Play any time or any place with ease. Bring this guitar with you when you’re on a plane, a boat, a car, the beach, camping, and hiking–anywhere.

It already comes complete with case, instructional CD, strap and picks. Fits in an airplane overhead and is the perfect guitar travel companion.

 

KLOS Travel Guitar

KLOS Black Carbon Fiber Guitar
4.8


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The first and the only hybrid carbon fiber and wooden acoustic travel guitar ever built.

The Klos Carbon Fiber Travel Guitar features a high quality mahogany and blackwood neck, a carbon fiber foam core sandwich soundboard, a carbon fiber body, blackwood bridge, D’Addario 11 gauge steel strings and an ABS nut, saddle, and bridge pins.

No wonder it is the best companion for traveller-musicians, both beginner and expert alike.

 

Martin Backpacker

Martin Steel String Backpacker Travel Guitar
4.7


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There’s so much good to this Martin Backpacker guitar. At only two pounds plus some change, this little guy is super light and easy to carry. Once tuned up, and with a little stretching, it kept its tune within a few hours. Despite being a bit odd-looking, this baby is easy to adapt to. A small compact but sturdy thing built as a travel companion.

 

Acoustic-Electric Guitars

Yamaha FSX830C

Yamaha FSX830C Acoustic-Electric Guitar
4.5


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The FSX830C has a cutaway body and the electronic system Yamaha is known for. Yamaha’s proprietary under-saddle piezo pickup and System66 analog preamp ensure the solid plugged-in performance.

The small and thin body is perfect not only for female/young players but for intermediate to upper level finger-picking style players making it a versatile instrument.

In addition, the smaller dimensions and lower propensity to feedback make FS guitars ideal for stage use. The system is powered by easy to obtain AA-size batteries that provide a stable power supply for improved sound quality making it easier to handle and maintain.

 

Fender CD-140SCE

Fender CD-140SCE
4.5


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With upgraded Fishman Presys electronics, all-mahogany construction and the addition of a hard shell case, this Fender CD-140SCE electric acoustic guitar is surely an upgrade from its siblings.

The single-cutaway dreadnought body and solid wood mahogany top provide robust tone, and the easy-to-play neck is comfortable for all playing styles. Topped off with a tortoiseshell pick guard and mahogany head cap, this baby is ready for whatever you throw at it, at home or on the stage.

 

Epiphone EJ-200SCE

Epiphone EJ-200SCE Guitar
4.0


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Right out of the box, the Epiphone EJ-200SCE has a perfect set up, low action, no fret buzz, and sounds great. The built in tuner is very handy making it very easy to use.

It sounds really good through an amp, as the dual pickups and blend function create a very versatile low to mid range of tones one can achieve quickly, or unplugged making it a great go to guitar. One can never go wrong with this one.

 

How to Choose the Best Acoustic Guitar?

One day you woke up and you realized your true calling is to be a musician—you need a guitar.

But then it hit you, what guitar should you buy? In this article, not only that we teach you on how to choose and buy the best acoustic guitar, we also aim to educate you on the basics of guitar and to help you in making your first purchase wisely.

We will try to answer the basic questions to guide you in your purchasing journey.

Purpose

Like everything else, you must first ask yourself, why do I need an acoustic guitar? What will I use it for? And finally, how much can I spend for it? Once you have this figured out, everything else will follow.

Top Acoustic Guitars – Know Each Type

If you plan on playing at gigs, you are good to buy an electric type of acoustic guitar so that you can plug it in an amp and rock the world of your audience, or if you only want a musical companion, an acoustic guitar is perfect for you.

However, if you plan on travelling with your guitar, it is best that you opt to buy the small ones for easier transport and try going for the carbon fiber guitars which is not susceptible to being affected by the temperature as oppose to wooden guitars that expands or shrink depending on the humidity of the place.

 

acoustic guitar types

Genres and Strings

If you plan to play Folk or Classical Music, nylon string guitars, which mostly have light string tension, are the best choice for these kinds of genre while Steel String Guitars are best suited for Rock, Country and Most Other Styles.

One must take note that strings of each kind are not interchangeable between Nylon String Guitars and Steel String Acoustic Guitars, so you better make up your mind before purchasing.

And unlike Steel Strings, Nylon Strings may need to be tuned more frequently as they are more susceptible to involuntary adjustments. The string tension between each kind of string is different.

Finally, with either type of guitar strings, fingers will become a little tender and sore at the beginning, especially to those who are not used to playing the guitar.

Type of Wood

types of acoustic guitar woodimage from kingmerecrafts.com

solid wood vs high pressure laminate acoustic guitarimage from leftyfretz.com

Should you choose to go for wooden acoustic guitars, it pays to know your wood so that you know how your guitar will sound, different woods different tones, and more importantly, you’ll know how to better take care of your instrument—research is the key.

Size Matters

acoustic guitar sizesimage from zagerguitar.com

Buying a guitar is pretty much like buying a shirt—you have to know what fits you. Now that you have a budget and a preference, you should know next which acoustic guitars fit you physically.

How does the body of the guitar feel in your arm? Does your chord hand feel comfortable around the neck? Do not mind the brand or price when doing this as this is only to allow you to know what body type you are most comfortable in playing.

Brand

 

acoustic guitar brands

Now that you know what you want and what fits you, you don’t have to go out and about every store out there to look for the perfect guitar. Boot up your computer and let it do its magic. There are a lot of best acoustic guitar brands out there, but some of them are Fender, Taylor, Gibson, Epiphone, and Martin. Search in for the guitar that fits your budget and preference and then compare. Don’t rush and take your time, all good things come to those who wait.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Acoustic Guitar Size is Best for Me?

Acoustic guitars can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Knowing what size acoustic guitar to purchase is an important decision that can depend on your budget, personal preference, and playing style.

The most common acoustic guitar sizes are the following

Parlor

Parlor guitars are typically the smallest of the three types. These guitars usually have a thin body and are well-suited to fingerpicking styles.

Despite its small size, this type of guitar usually has a relatively loud sound due to its tight-fitting components.

Generally speaking, parlor guitars have shorter necks that facilitate playing chords closer to the body of the instrument instead of around the area where the sound hole is located.

Parlor guitars are ideal for beginners who are trying to learn how to play chords and melodies at an early stage.

Smaller-bodied acoustic guitars are usually less durable than their larger counterparts; however, good-quality parlors can last for 20+ years if they are properly taken care of with the right humidity and temperature conditions.

Concert

These guitars typically have a wide bottom bout, with narrow waists giving them a somewhat elongated appearance.

The larger size also lends itself to being played with a pick or strummed more aggressively. This guitar size is a solid choice for any playing style.

Full-Size

The most common acoustic guitar size, these guitars produce a deep sound that’s well suited to singing along or accompanying oneself with lead lines during vocal breaks in songs.

For players who want an all-purpose instrument that can do it all from bluegrass flatpicking solos to singer/songwriter ballads, the full-size acoustic guitar is a solid choice.

Grand Concert

The smallest of the three main shapes, this guitar bridges the gap between the smaller parlor and full-sized acoustic guitars, giving a player access to a wide range of playing styles without having to purchase multiple instruments for different purposes.

The grand concert guitar size usually features a slightly narrower waist than that of other modern acoustics, which can make it easier for petite players with smaller hands to navigate around the fretboard.

However, some players find this body shape uncomfortable due to its reduced upper bout width (and consequently increased lower bout width), which can cause arms/wrists/shoulders fatigue more quickly than with other modern acoustics.

This type of guitar is also sometimes referred to as a “grand auditorium” or simply a “G.A.”

Grand Auditorium

The grand auditorium is often thought of as a cross between the dreadnought and the smaller grand concert body shape.

While it’s slightly narrower than most conventional guitars at about 18″ wide, it has a balanced sound that can be used for virtually any playing style.

Many guitarists consider this to be one of the best instrument shapes because it has all the tonal characteristics and volume of a full-sized acoustic while being more comfortable on the lap or in tight spaces where larger instruments are unwieldy.

This type of guitar is considered an all-purpose shape that can be used for any style of playing.

Jumbo

Similar to the dreadnought, but with a slightly wider lower bout (on average around 19″ wide), this body shape is great for bluegrass players who are looking for more volume and projection out of their instruments.

The jumbo model has also found favor with rock guitarists since late blues-rocker Eric Clapton started using one in the mid-1970s. Other notable users include Keith Richards, Slash, and Mark Knopfler.

Like other styles derived from Martin guitars model, these usually have fan bracing inside for increased volume and bass response.

What is the Best Wood for an Acoustic Guitar?

Maple, mahogany, and rosewood are the most popular quality woods used by acoustic guitar manufacturers. It should be noted that these aren’t three separate types of wood but rather names for different tonewood categories under which several various specific species may fall.

For example, a manufacturer could use one type of wood for tops and another type for backs and sides to achieve a particular tone.

There’s no right or wrong choice when it comes to tonewoods – it all comes down to personal preference and what kind of sound you’re looking for.

Maple is great if you want your guitar to have plenty of clarity, which lends itself well to picking styles as well as strumming patterns.

Mahogany provides a rich, warm sound with plenty of mid range sounds, which is great for fingerstyle playing. Rosewood is well known as an excellent choice for classical guitars thanks to its crisp, rounded tone.

How Much Do I need to Spend on an Acoustic Guitar?

That’s up to you! An acoustic guitar is often seen as a musical investment, which is both true and false.

While it is likely that you will get more bang for your buck when buying high end guitars, this won’t always be the case in every situation.

That being said, many of the most iconic guitars in history were made by companies like Gibson, Fender, Martin, Rickenbacker, and Ibanez.

These are brands that have been around since the days of old-school acoustic guitars and they know how to build them well.

You don’t need to spend $3000 or $4000 on a guitar just because it has “Marty” written on the headstock – there are perfectly good budget models out there that can do the job.

Are Steel String Acoustic Guitars Better Than Nylon?

Nylon strings are generally associated with classical guitars, while steel is more common for acoustic steel string models.

There’s no right or wrong answer here – it comes down to personal preference. Steel strings provide a warmer, stronger tone that works great for any style of playing.

Some players feel that nylon gives their guitar a slightly mellower sound and softer tone quality.

Many guitarists never get used to the feeling of steel strings (or they “get” them after playing on them for about two years) and thus prefer nylon because it feels more comfortable in the fingers and on the fretboard.

It’s also worth mentioning that nylon can be easier on beginner guitarists’ fingertips until they build up calluses from regular practice.

However, steel strings are more durable and they don’t go out of tune as easily.

Steel strings are also more versatile in amplified situations, which is why most acoustic guitarists stick to them even when using an amp.

What is the Difference Between an Electric and Acoustic Guitar?

First, let’s talk about how they’re similar. Both guitars contain six strings and a neck that joins the body at the 12th fret (usually).

They both employ pickups to convert string vibrations into electrical signals, which are then sent through an amplifier to be heard by your ears and hopefully your audience!

The difference lies in what’s used to capture those string vibrations: An acoustic guitar will use a soundhole near the soundboard of its top side, while an electric uses magnetic pickups made of either ceramic bars or alnico magnets wrapped in copper wire.

The latter also needs preamps which give it more tones than just “acoustic” or “electric.” Acoustic guitars don’t need this because they already have their volume control on the soundboard.

Also View: Our Review on the Best Electric Guitars

Are There Differences in How Electric and Acoustic Guitars are Made?

The body type of an acoustic guitar depends on significantly amount guitar manufacturers.

Sitka spruce is by far the most popular because of its strength (it will prevent warping), quality (it’s aesthetically pleasing) and price (for most people).

Some manufacturers like Taylor use Adirondack red spruce, which is known for having a sweeter tone. Maple is another great choice for an acoustic guitar neck; it produces warmer tones than mahogany or swamp ash.

The latter two materials are extremely common when building guitars – with maple necks lending themselves well to punk music while mahogany works great for fusion and classic rock.

Soft maple is a better choice for necks that will be glued to a body, as it’s more flexible – meaning you’ll have fewer problems with dead notes or buzzing on the higher frets.

Harder wood can give your guitar a brighter tone and more attack, though some people prefer the mellower sound of softer maple because it sounds more natural thanks to its rounded highs and warm mids.

What is a Semi-Hollow Body Acoustic Guitar?

In short, these guitars are made from thin sheets of wood cut from staves (like those used in making wine bottles) but they’re not strong enough to build a completely hollow guitar, which would cause feedback issues at high volumes.

What is the Best Guitar Brand?

Regardless of whether you’re a beginner or a gigging pro, there’s no denying that the guitar industry is full of manufacturers large and small who all claim to make “the best acoustic guitars.”

However, the reality is that “best acoustic guitar” is purely subjective and often has more to do with a guitarist’s budget and needs.

The fact of the matter is amazing guitars are coming out of all types of brands – from boutique companies to big manufacturers like Martin, Taylor, Yamaha, Fender, and Gibson.

The trick is knowing where to start! For example, if you’re willing to spend $500 on a guitar (and let’s be honest, it takes a lot for most people to do that), then there are dozens of great options available.

 

Final Thoughts

We Recommend
Taylor Guitars 816ce Builder's Edition
5.0
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Always select the guitar that reflects your interest so that you won’t waste money for buying something that does not fit your lifestyle. Do not rush it and always think it through, do you research and know more about what you are buying because the more you know, the more you can gauge what will be perfect for you.

With all the best acoustic guitars available in the market, the Taylor 816 Builder’s edition acoustic guitar tops this list. If you think this is not for you, you can surely find something that will best suit your taste. You just need to know your playing style, your body preference, your guitar type preference and choosing your guitar will soon be a breeze.

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