Buying an acoustic guitar is always accompanied by that nagging thought: “Am I making the right decision?”
We get it! Most of us at Sweetwater have been through the process numerous times. And let us tell you: it never gets any easier.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of what we feel are the best acoustic guitars of 2023. Are they the best guitars for every player, for every circumstance? Of course not. But we feel they do a great job of representing a wide range of player tastes, needs, and budgets.
Not only are the following guitars an informed starting point for new players in the market for their first acoustic guitar, but they’re also a fun way for seasoned players to stay fresh on the latest acoustic guitar offerings.
Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, strap in, tune up, and turn on as Sweetwater takes you through the best acoustic guitars of 2023!
How We Determined the Best Acoustic Guitars of 2023
Wondering how we assembled our 2023 acoustic-guitars dream team? We took sales data, customer ratings, and personal experience; threw them in a blender; set it to “Pulverize,” and the list you see here is the result.
We’ve grouped our best acoustic guitars into four price categories and sorted them by price, so you’re free to infinite-scroll until you find a favorite that meets your means. Rest assured, whatever your budget, this list has a great acoustic guitar for you.
And remember: If a guitar you see on this list is 90% perfect but missing a feature or two, then call or text your Sweetwater Sales Engineer for a personalized acoustic-guitar recommendation. If it doesn’t exist, then there’s a good chance we can make it happen.
- Best Acoustic Guitars Under $500
- Best Acoustic Guitars Under $1,000
- Best Acoustic Guitars Under $2,000
- Best Acoustic Guitars Above $2,000
Want to learn how to buy the best acoustic guitar for you? Check out our buying guide below.
Best Acoustic Guitars Under $500
Yamaha FS800 Concert Acoustic
A First Guitar That’ll Grow with You
You’ll find Yamaha’s 800-series acoustics at the top of countless intro and beginner guitar lists, and for good reason. These guitars manage to be consistently well built, well voiced, and well set up at a shockingly good value.
We chose the pinched-waist FS800 over its boomier cousin, the FG800 dreadnought, on account of its slinkier 25-inch scale length and wraparound concert body shape. These qualities give this the edge for any acoustic student or electric convert who wants something they can get into easily.
An entry-level price doesn’t mean the FS800 suffers when it comes to tone or feel. Fingerpicking and controlled strumming feel great on this guitar. Adding value is the free Player Port app for iOS and Android, which gives just-starting players the tools they need (tuner, how-to videos, etc.) to start on solid footing.
| Product: | Yamaha FS800 |
| Body Shape: | Concert |
| Body Woods: | Solid spruce top; nato/okoume back and sides |
| Neck: | Nato, Standard profile |
| Fingerboard: | Walnut, 15.75-inch radius |
| Electronics: | N/A |
| Sounds Like: | Acoustic balladeering |
| Pros: | • A first acoustic with big-time staying power • Classic cream binding and tortoiseshell pickguard • Free Player Port app provides tips, tools, and tuner |
| Cons: | • Concert body lacks the pronounced bass of its dreadnought cousin, the FG800 |
Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy Parlor Acoustic
Cozy Tones to Go from This Rootsy Relic
The G9500 Jim Dandy looks back to a time when acoustic players relied on small, portable guitars that traveled easily yet were capable of producing big sound to cut through a bandstand.
Its comfortable parlor body means the Jim Dandy is always down for a campfire chorus or sofa singalong. Meanwhile, its easy-playing 12-fret design — that is, the neck joins the body at the 12th rather than the 14th fret — positions the bridge and soundhole where they can deliver maximum fullness despite a cozy play.
Gretsch has proven itself a key player in the parlor guitar revolution with the G9500. We dig the Jim Dandy as much for its beginner-friendly size as for its eye-catching ’30s look and tone. A must-have for any vacation spot or empty spot on your studio walls.
| Product: | Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy |
| Body Shape: | Parlor |
| Body Woods: | Basswood top, back, and sides |
| Neck: | Nato, “C” profile |
| Fingerboard: | Walnut, 12-inch radius |
| Electronics: | N/A |
| Sounds Like: | Back-porch Blues |
| Pros: | • Conjures the sound and spirit of the ’30s and ’40s • Comfortable parlor-size body • Easy-playing 12-fret design |
| Cons: | • Punchy tone may lack the fullness of Gretsch’s Rancher or Rancher Jumbo styles for solo acoustic work |
Epiphone Hummingbird Studio Dreadnought Acoustic-electric
Everything You Want in an Affordable Hummingbird
The Gibson Hummingbird has helped propel the sound of pop, rock, and folk music in bold new directions since its creation. The iconic square-shouldered flat top has been seen in the arms of Keith Richards and Bob Dylan in the ’60s and Taylor Swift and Dave Grohl in the modern era.
The Epiphone Hummingbird Studio (here in Sweetwater’s exclusive Trans Ebony finish) is everything you want in an affordable Hummingbird: it’s bold when picked, sweet when strummed, and it succeeds in delivering “Golden Era” acoustic tone onstage or in your living room. Pro tonewoods and a play-for-hours neck make this Hummingbird a born performer. You also get a Fishman Sonitone pickup system with soundhole-mounted controls for gigging made easy.
| Product: | Epiphone Hummingbird Studio |
| Body Shape: | Dreadnought |
| Body Woods: | Solid spruce top; mahogany back and sides |
| Neck: | Mahogany, SlimTaper “D” profile |
| Fingerboard: | Pau ferro, 12-inch radius |
| Electronics: | Fishman Sonitone |
| Sounds Like: | Bozeman Bluegrass, Acoustic Pop |
| Pros: | • Classic Hummingbird style and substance • Everything you want in an affordable Hummingbird • Sweetwater-exclusive finish is a bold new take on the original |
| Cons: | • Sticklers may feel the need to step up to the higher-quality materials and hand-craftsmanship of the Gibson |
Fender FA-345CE Auditorium Acoustic-electric
Built for the Stage, Priced for the Player
There are guitars that are built for the bedroom, and then there are guitars that are built for the spotlight. The Fender FA-345CE is a born performer. This show stopper owes its downstage looks to some tasty appointments (check out that Viking bridge!) and a rippled flamed top that dances under stage lights with every turn. Midcentury tortoiseshell binding completes the package.
What’s more, the FA-345CE isn’t style over substance. One of the things that impressed us most about this guitar is how true the intonation is up and down the neck. From cowboy chords to open voicings, this is one acoustic that delivers the goods.
When it comes to playing out, the FA-345CE is the full package. It boasts a Fishman CD-1 pickup system with onboard tuner and 2-band EQ to help you sound your best in any performance environment.
| Product: | Fender FA-345CE Auditorium |
| Body Shape: | Auditorium Cutaway |
| Body Woods: | Laminated flamed maple top; laminated lacewood back and sides |
| Neck: | Nato, “C” profile |
| Fingerboard: | Indian laurel, 11.81-inch radius |
| Electronics: | Fishman CD-1 |
| Sounds Like: | Neo Mellow |
| Pros: | • Price-surpassing action and intonation • Laminated maple and lacewood are brimming with visual character • Comfortable cutaway affords effortless high-fret access |
| Cons: | • More experienced players may want to reach for something with a solid-wood top and body, like the Fender Newporter Classic |
PRS SE P20E Parlor Acoustic-electric
A Class Act from Head to Toe
If it’s rare to see a pink guitar done right, then it’s rarer still to see a pink acoustic done right. The PRS SE P20E is the exception. This comfortable parlor acoustic is a blast to jam on and has a sort of come-hither look we can’t resist.
The P20E pairs its painted top and cowpoke purfling with a decadent mahogany back and a host of graceful appointments: front and back crème binding, button tuners, a red tortoise teardrop pickguard, and those iconic PRS bird inlays ascending the entire fingerboard.
Under the hood, this parlor is equally impressive. A hybrid “X”/classical bracing gives the solid ‘hog top a crystal-clear tone and plenty of projection despite its diminutive stature. Practice guitar, you say? Not a chance. Fishman GT1 electronics make this parlor the centerpiece of your next performance.
| Product: | PRS SE P20E |
| Body Shape: | Parlor |
| Body Woods: | Solid mahogany top; mahogany back and sides |
| Neck: | Mahogany, Wide Fat profile |
| Fingerboard: | Ebony, 11.81-inch radius |
| Electronics: | Fishman GT1 |
| Sounds Like: | Plunky Americana |
| Pros: | • Crystal-clear tone and projection despite its parlor size • A+ visual accents in the form of front and back crème binding, button tuners, and bird inlays • Genuine bone nut and saddle enhance sustain |
| Cons: | • Visual style might not appeal to every player; for something more traditional, check out the Vintage Mahogany P20E |
Best Acoustic Guitars Under $1,000
Seagull Guitars S6 Original Dreadnought Acoustic
A Spacious Dreadnought with Some Tonewood Plot Twists
Handcrafted Canadian goodness comes in many forms when it comes to Seagull Guitars. For our money, it’s hard to top the S6 Original. It’s a classic dreadnought that packs several twists.
For starters, Seagull shakes up the time-honored dreadnought recipe by giving the S6 Original a solid cedar top on furniture-grade laminated wild cherry mated to a neck of silver leaf maple. This construction supplies a warm and lively t one that’s flattering on fingerpicking and full-on strumming.
Next, the extra-wide 1.8-inch nut width makes navigating the S6 Original’s spacious rosewood fingerboard a walk in the park, especially for nylon guitar converts and players with big hands. It all works so well together that this acoustic may end up replacing some mainstays in your performance space.
| Product: | S6 Original |
| Body Shape: | Dreadnought |
| Body Woods: | Solid cedar top; laminated cherry back and sides |
| Neck: | Silver leaf maple, Shallow “C” profile |
| Fingerboard: | Rosewood, 16-inch radius |
| Electronics: | N/A |
| Sounds Like: | Pacific Coast Stomp & Holler |
| Pros: | • A unique twist on the timeless dreadnought • Handcrafted in Canada with select tonewoods • Wide 1.8-inch nut width creates a spacious fret-hand experience |
| Cons: | • Fret spacing and lack of electronics may be deal breakers for some players; to these, we recommend the Coastline Momentum |
Recording King RD-328 Tonewood Reserve Dreadnought Acoustic
All the Makings of an Heirloom Classic — on a Budget
The competition for great-sounding acoustic guitars runs pretty stiff around Sweetwater HQ. So, the fact the RD-328 can compete with one of the reigning kings of the flat-top hall of fame for a fifth of the price? Well, color us flabbergasted.
The RD-328 belongs to Recording King’s Tonewood Reserve collection. It’s built from hand-selected solid woods using familiar overseas production techniques to produce an acoustic that plays, records, and appreciates over time like an heirloom classic. The forward-shifted bracing, the dovetail neck joint — it’s all represented here in the ‘328.
Even the ‘328’s appointments (herringbone purfling, checkered back strip) bear a striking resemblance to the genuine article. In fact, from the neck down, it’s pretty hard to tell these two apart. The giveaways are the Recording King’s Thin “V” neck profile and vibrant tone, which do position this guitar squarely in its own class.
| Product: | Recording King RD-328 |
| Body Shape: | Dreadnought |
| Body Woods: | Solid Adirondack spruce top; solid East Indian rosewood back and sides |
| Neck: | Mahogany, Thin “V” profile |
| Fingerboard: | Rosewood, 16-inch radius |
| Electronics: | N/A |
| Sounds Like: | Crisp Country Bluegrass |
| Pros: | • Gives a king of flat tops a run for its money • Built from time-honored solid tonewoods using familiar overseas construction techniques • Appointments bear a striking resemblance to an American classic |
| Cons: | • Big tone may be hard to contain in a busy mix; for a more rarified sound, consider the triple-aught-sized Dirty ’30s |
Alvarez Masterworks MDR70ESB Dreadnought Acoustic-electric
A Big-sounding Dreadnought with Clarity to Spare
The MDR70ESB is a full and punchy dreadnought that manages to retain its note clarity at every point in a song — from wistful fingerpicked intros to banged-out aggressive outros.
The secret lies in a 12-fret design and forward-shifted FS6 “X” bracing. Together with its cured solid-woods construction, these enhancements give the MDR70ESB an ample, honest bass response and clean note separation. Factor in a real bone nut and saddle and a hand-holding neck carve, and this is one dreadnought that would make any demanding picker’s short list.
Acoustically, we feel this guitar holds up to the strictest studio scrutiny, from bluegrass music to pop. For live applications, onboard LR Baggs electronics succeed in delivering a realistic picture of your performance to a house PA without the telltale “quack” common to many undersaddle acoustic-pickup systems.
| Product: | Alvarez MDR70ESB Masterworks |
| Body Shape: | Dreadnought |
| Body Woods: | Solid Sitka spruce top; solid East Indian rosewood back and sides |
| Neck: | Mahogany, Soft “V”-to-“C” profile |
| Fingerboard: | Indian laurel, 14.96-inch radius |
| Electronics: | LR Baggs Element VTC |
| Sounds Like: | Oklahoma Country, Bluegrass Gospel |
| Pros: | • Big bass meets clean note separation • Fingerpicked patterns take on laser focus • Kicks like a cannon when strummed hard |
| Cons: | • Lead players may need the extra access of the 14-fret MD70EBG |
D’Angelico Excel Gramercy Grand Auditorium Acoustic-electric
Big-venue Sound from a Jazz-hall-styled Crooner
It’s been a thrill watching the rebirth of John D’Angelico’s New York guitar company unfold in real time. With that expansion comes a full fleet of value-packed acoustics and acoustic-electrics that are big on that NY jazz-hall style.
Even D’Angelico’s entry-level acoustics pack a surprising level of maturity. But, when it comes to bang for the buck, our money’s on the Excel Gramercy. The punchy warmth of its solid spruce-on-mahogany Grand Auditorium construction causes riffs and runs to practically jump off the fretboard. And, when it’s time to plug in and play out, onboard Fishman Sonitone electronics make this guitar a natural choice for coffee shops or concert halls.
Art deco appointments abound in the Excel Gramercy: gold “cuff link” Rotomatic tuners, mother-of-pearl diamond inlays, bound scroll headstock, and 3-ring ABS/abalone soundhole rosette.
| Product: | D’Angelico Excel Gramercy |
| Body Shape: | Grand Auditorium |
| Body Woods: | Solid Sitka spruce top; solid mahogany back and sides |
| Neck: | Mahogany, Slim “C” profile |
| Fingerboard: | Ebony, 16-inch radius |
| Electronics: | Fishman Sonitone |
| Sounds Like: | Acoustic Folk, Country Jazz |
| Pros: | • Solid spruce-on-mahogany construction yields big tone • Riffs and runs practically jump off the fingerboard • Bone nut and bound scroll headstock infuse old-school charm |
| Cons: | • Grand Auditorium body style may be too large for all tastes; for a slimmer player, check out the Premier-style Tammany. |
Best Acoustic Guitars Under $2,000
Fender Acoustasonic Player Telecaster Acoustic-electric
Rethinking the Acoustic-electric As We Know It
It’s the classic conundrum: Do you haul two guitars — an acoustic and an electric — to the wedding you’re playing next weekend? Or do you make one guitar work for most of the material?
The Acoustasonic Player Telecaster answers the call by giving guitarists an electric-style magnetic pickup and a powerful acoustic-style undersaddle system in an all-in-one Tele package. Now it’s possible to whip out everything from Texas blues to T. Swift with the flip of a switch.
Things get really interesting when the Acoustasonic’s acoustic tones are blended with the onboard electric pickup to unearth some utterly unique live textures.
What we like about the Acoustasonic Player Tele is that it brings the key appeal of the American Acoustasonic Tele to an affordable weekender price. One particularly welcome feature is the Player’s swappable 9V battery, which brings peace of mind when you’re onstage and lose juice.
| Product: | Fender Acoustasonic Player Telecaster |
| Body Shape: | Acoustasonic Telecaster |
| Body Woods: | Sitka spruce top; mahogany back and sides |
| Neck: | Mahogany, Modern Deep “C” profile |
| Fingerboard: | Rosewood, 12-inch radius |
| Electronics: | Fishman undersaddle + Fender N4 Noiseless magnetic |
| Sounds Like: | Cosmic Country |
| Pros: | • A streamlined version of Fender’s groundbreaking Acoustasonic Tele • Pairs an N4 magnetic bridge pickup with an undersaddle piezo for 6 blendable voicings • Comfortable Modern Deep “C” neck capped with smooth-as-glass rosewood |
| Cons: | • Some players may feel limited by the Acoustasonic Player Tele’s 6 onboard voicings; need more tones? Have a look at the 10-voiced American Acoustasonic Tele |
Yamaha FSX3 Red Label Concert Acoustic
A Pre-aged Concert That Would Make Granddad Smile
The FSX3 takes cues from a series of red-labeled acoustic guitars manufactured in Japan between 1967 and 1971 under the Yamaha/Nippon Gakki name. These “red label” acoustics are widely accepted to be the start of Yamaha’s iconic FG line (from which the FS series was later derived).
The Red Label FSX3 fuses modern innovations — a sleek Concert shape and cutting-edge Atmosfeel electronics — with old-world production techniques to create a best-of-both worlds hybrid. Yamaha’s Japanese Custom Shop utilizes an exclusive A.R.E. torrefaction process to effectively pressure-cook excess moisture out of the body and neck. This gives the FSX3 a look and tone reminiscent of a guitar that’s been lovingly played for decades. It packs a bountiful bloom and a dynamic touch that hark back to 1970s folk, all while retaining an elegant look modern conveniences.
A period-defining headstock, truss rod cover, tuner buttons, and pickguard round out this well-preserved modern relic.
| Product: | Yamaha FSX3N Red Label |
| Body Shape: | Concert |
| Body Woods: | Solid Sitka spruce top; solid mahogany back and sides |
| Neck: | African mahogany, Rounded “C” profile |
| Fingerboard: | Ebony, 15.75-inch radius |
| Electronics: | N/A |
| Sounds Like: | Laurel Canyon, Mellow Gold |
| Pros: | • Based on the classic Yamaha Red Label series • First-class fit and finish • Handcrafted in Yamaha’s Japanese Custom Shop |
| Cons: | • Concert body may not be every player’s preference; for a full dreadnought experience, check out the FGX5 |
Gibson Acoustic G-45 Generation Collection Dreadnought Acoustic
An American-made ’45 for a New Generation of Player
Gibson turned heads with the release of its Generation Collection of modern American-made acoustics. Most striking across the line is a Player Port “soundhole” installed in the shoulder of the guitar. This Player Port works almost like a personal monitor, directing sound to the player’s ear so they can hear the nuance of a performance similar to the way the audience hears it.
We like the J-45–inspired G-45 (“G” for Generation Collection) for its pure acoustic response and balance across the tonal spectrum. The slope-shoulder J-45 body balances well with a range of human voices and ensemble instrumentation. Its voicing is crisp but not biting, warm but not booming.
And did we mention that this G-45 is handcrafted in Bozeman, Montana, using solid tonewoods and time-honored construction techniques just like the giants of the Gibson Acoustic lineup? This makes the G-45 a solid acoustic-guitar investment for today, tomorrow, and 30 years down the road.
| Product: | Gibson Acoustic G-45 |
| Body Shape: | J-45 dreadnought (round shoulder) |
| Body Woods: | Sitka spruce top; walnut back and sides |
| Neck: | Utile wood, Advanced Response profile |
| Fingerboard: | Ebony, 16-inch radius |
| Electronics: | N/A |
| Sounds Like: | Sob Rock, Folk Pop, Easy Listening |
| Pros: | • Player Port directs sound up to the player’s ears • Comfortable Advanced Response neck with striped ebony fingerboard • Proudly handmade in the USA |
| Cons: | • Round-shoulder body style won’t scratch every player’s itch; for alternatives, consider the G-Writer dreadnought or G-200 jumbo |
Martin SC-10E Road Series Offset Acoustic-electric
Stellar Tone and Accessibility from This Asymmetric S-shape
“Sure, it plays great, but I can only reach half the frets!”
If this describes your experience with traditional acoustics, then you’re in luck. Martin’s Road Series SC guitars have found a way to provide high-fret access that’s nearly on par with modern electrics. The secret lies in a Miro-esque “S” body with a plunging upper-bout cutaway and a heelless sculpted neck joint. Together, these features allow lead pickers and alternate voicers to ascend to glorious new heights in their playing.
The Road Series SC-10 is a radical departure for a legacy brand like Martin, but it’s loaded with features that have us talking: the OM-45 neck with the slight helical twist that positions the hand ergonomically up and down the fingerboard; the Tone Tension bracing that provides uniform string balance and bass projection; and then there’s the onboard Fishman MX-T electronics that ready this road warrior for the stage.
| Product: | Martin SC-10E |
| Body Shape: | “S” style |
| Body Woods: | Sitka spruce top; koa veneer back and sides |
| Neck: | Select hardwood, Low Profile Velocity profile |
| Fingerboard: | Ebony, 16-inch radius |
| Electronics: | Fishman MX-T |
| Sounds Like: | New Acoustic, Midwest Emo |
| Pros: | • Offset “S” shape fits the player’s body like a glove • Provides unparalleled access to higher-octave frets • Sure Align neck guides the player’s fret hand up the fingerboard |
| Cons: | • Veteran Martin players may prefer the enhanced visuals of the step-up SC-13E |
Ibanez JGM5 Jon Gomm Signature Acoustic-electric
A Signature Jumbo That Can Really Take Its Lumps!
Jon Gomm has been a major player in the modern percussive fingerstyle movement since he broke out with 2012’s “Passionflower.” Jon’s blend of two-hand tapping, hand percussion, and piano bass form a loop-free foundation few other artists could achieve without a backing band.
Jon’s dynamic approach called for a guitar that could whisper, shout, and take a beating from a barrage of thumb slaps and heel strikes. Enter Jon’s signature guitar: the Ibanez JGM5.
This striking offset jumbo features an extended 25.75-inch scale length for powerful sub bass and stable down-tuning, along with tall stainless steel frets to producea loud, clear tapping. The Thermo Aged solid spruce top is X-M braced for a focused tone and superb projection.
Jon’s signature JGM5 comes locked and loaded for live performance, thanks to its hybrid Fishman PowerTap Earth Blend soundhole/contact pickup system with dual ¼-inch outputs. “It gives you every sound you could possibly need,” says Jon.
| Product: | Ibanez JGM5 Jon Gomm Signature |
| Body Shape: | Asymmetrical Jumbo |
| Body Woods: | Solid Sitka spruce top; pau ferro back and sides |
| Neck: | African mahogany and pau ferro, JGM profile |
| Fingerboard: | Macassar Ebony, 15.75-inch radius |
| Electronics: | Fishman PowerTap Earth Blend |
| Sounds Like: | Instrumental Acoustic Guitar, Percussive Fingerstyle |
| Pros: | • Builds on Ibanez Acoustic’s flagship AE900-NT • Reinforced to take thumb slaps and heel strikes • Dynamic hybrid pickup/mic system translates chords and percussion |
| Cons: | • Added reinforcements add a subtle amount of weight; not an acoustic percussionist? Have a look at the AE325 instead. |
Larrivée P-03R Recording Series Parlor Acoustic
You Won’t Believe the Power in this Parlor!
To say the Larrivée P-03R offers tone that’s out of this world wouldn’t be hyperbole; this is the guitar that astronaut Chris Hadfield took aboard the International Space Station when he recorded his 2013 cover of Bowie’s “Space Oddity.”
Even if you’re not suspended hundreds of miles above Earth’s orbit, the P-03R parlor is primed to give you big tone in small spaces. Its solid-woods construction, hand-fit dovetail neck joint, and Modern X bracing give this 12-fret powerhouse a strum that’s plenty loud to rise above a chorus of voices. Seriously — this one surprised us with its sheer volume.
The smooth-as-glass ebony fingerboard makes moving among the higher frets a walk on the moon. Classic appointments come in the form of maple body binding, a herringbone soundhole rosette, and a tortoise teardrop pickguard.
| Product: | Larrivée P-03R |
| Body Shape: | Parlor |
| Body Woods: | Solid Sitka spruce top; solid Indian rosewood back and sides |
| Neck: | Mahogany |
| Fingerboard: | Ebony |
| Electronics: | N/A |
| Sounds Like: | Acoustic Americana, Space Opera |
| Pros: | • Powerful tone in a compact parlor size • Smooth-as-glass ebony fingerboard • Handcrafted with care in Oxnard, CA, USA |
| Cons: | • Lack of electronics may mean leaving your P-03R behind when you play out; need something plug-in ready? See the LV-03E. |
Best Acoustic Guitars Above $2,000
Taylor 324ce Blacktop LTD Grand Auditorium Acoustic-electric
Mahogany Rocker in a Black Satin Tux
The 324ce Blacktop LTD is many things to many players. Whether it’s the deep, dark bloom of its artful mahogany construction or the “Urban Cowboy” aesthetic calling your name from the void, one thing’s for certain: this is one guitar that deserves its place on your bucket list.
Apart from its Sweetwater-exclusive squid-ink finish, the Blacktop is a standout within the Taylor lineup. For starters, its body and neck are solid mahogany from stem to stern. Second, its internals are supported by Taylor’s modern V-Class bracing. In tandem, these qualities give the Blacktop a majestically broken-in tone and the type of harmonic maturity you might expect to find in an instrument 50 years its senior.
Like other Taylors of this caliber, the 324ce Blacktop LTD comes with all the trim options: matching ebony bridge and fingerboard, Italian acrylic and faux pearl gemstone inlays, and black binding from head to toe. Onboard ES2 electronics add to the smorgasbord of great features to be found aboard this black beauty.
| Product: | Taylor 324ce Blacktop LTD |
| Body Shape: | Grand Auditorium |
| Body Woods: | Mahogany top, back, and sides |
| Neck: | Neo-tropical mahogany, Standard Carve profile |
| Fingerboard: | Crelicam ebony, 15-inch radius |
| Electronics: | Taylor ES2 |
| Sounds Like: | Nashville Soul, House of Worship |
| Pros: | • Cutaway Grand Auditorium body supplies room-filling sound • V-Class bracing orders harmonics and improves intonation • ES2 electronics provide superior plugged-in tone without the “quack” |
| Cons: | • All-mahogany construction may lack the telltale presence Taylor is best known for; need a brighter tone? Check out the 324ce Builder’s Edition |
Ovation Adamas I GT Non-cutaway Acoustic-electric
A Stage Guitar That’s Made for Cranking Up
Ovation produced some of the first “electric-acoustic” guitars to emerge in the burgeoning ’70s pop and folk acoustic scene. Unlike traditional acoustics, which tended to treat amplification as an afterthought, Ovations were built with amplification as a priority.
Though Ovation has made some incredible strides since Charles Kaman’s first guitars hit the scene, models like the Adamas 1687GT-2 continue to bear a striking resemblance to their forebears. The 1687GT-2’s deep Lyrachord (fiberglass composite) body contributes a bellowing bass and cutting midrange to patterns, pickings, and palm mutes. Suspended right on top is a hand-fitted, fan-braced carbon fiber soundboard that is crafted extra thin — much thinner than would be structurally sound for wood — to provide massive projection and sustain when at home or on the road.
An ornately carved exotic-wood bridge and shoulder epaulets make this Ovation one for the record books. You also get Op Pro Studio electronics with a feedback-fighting multi-soundhole design for great tone wherever you gig.
| Product: | Ovation Adamas 1687GT-2 |
| Body Shape: | Deep composite hybrid |
| Body Woods: | Carbon fiber top; Lyrachord back and sides |
| Neck: | Walnut, “C” profile |
| Fingerboard: | Walnut, 10-inch radius |
| Electronics: | Op Pro Studio + OCP1K undersaddle |
| Sounds Like: | Folk, Heartland Rock, Psychedelic Rock |
| Pros: | • Feedback-fighting design meets sophisticated stage electronics • Suspended carbon fiber soundboard is created thinner than traditional wood tops for greater sustain • Lyrachord fiberglass composite body contributes big bass and a cutting midrange |
| Cons: | • Deep body may be too deep for some players; for a shallower depth, consider the Adamas MD80 |
Breedlove “Myrzilian” Custom Concert Acoustic
A First-ever Pairing of Myrtlewood and Brazilian Rosewood
Breedlove partnered with Sweetwater to create a limited run of five exotic acoustics crafted with a never-before-seen tonewood combination.
The affectionately named “Myrzilian” Custom Concert fuses hand-selected Puerta de Iglesia Brazilian rosewood with an exquisitely figured myrtlewood top. These woods are painstakingly tuned and treated until just the right balance of clarity and power is achieved.
Does it live up to the hype? Let’s just say a prominent Sweetwater guitarist mentioned selling their vintage dreadnought within five minutes of playing the Myrzilian. Skies parted. Angels sang. It was a beautiful moment to behold.
Looking past its otherworldly sonics, this special Concert is decadently outfitted with the finest Breedlove appointments money can buy. Don’t miss your chance to own one of these rare collector’s items — call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer today!
| Product: | Breedlove “Myrzilian” Custom Concert |
| Body Shape: | Concert |
| Body Woods: | Solid myrtlewood top; solid Brazilian rosewood back and sides |
| Neck: | Maple, Slim profile |
| Fingerboard: | Ebony, 16-inch radius |
| Electronics: | N/A |
| Sounds Like: | Angel Choirs Singing |
| Pros: | • Crafted from a one-of-a-kind tonewood combination: Brazilian rosewood and exotic myrtlewood • Woods are painstakingly tuned to balance clarity and power • Exquisitely figured and appointed — a true collector’s item |
| Cons: | • When these five are gone, they’re gone; for something with staying power, consider the Legacy Concert CE. |
Hear All of the Guitars Back to Back
Best Acoustic Guitars Buying Advice
Short History of the Acoustic Guitar
The invention of the modern steel-string acoustic guitar dates back to the early 19th century when a German-born American luthier, Christian Frederick Martin, designed a unique X-style bracing system to provide the reinforcement necessary to handle the extra tension created by metal strings. Before that, acoustic guitars (also known as Spanish guitars) were strung with cat-gut strings and were the direct predecessors of contemporary classical and nylon-string guitars. The Spanish guitar design was pioneered by Antonio de Torres Jurado, a musician who gave the instrument its distinctive pinched waist and mechanical tuning pegs. Tracing the acoustic-guitar lineage back further gets tricky as the instrument shares some commonalities with numerous ancient and medieval instruments, including lutes, ouds, and chartars.
The modern acoustic guitar has been in popular music for nearly two centuries, defining the sound of numerous musical genres such as folk, bluegrass, country and western, acoustic blues, and many others. Several of rock and pop music’s most popular performers are also deeply associated with the acoustic guitar from Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and James Taylor to Ed Sheeran, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, and Damien Rice. The acoustic guitar is also a medium for highly technical and experimental musicians, including Leo Kottke, Michael Hedges, Jon Gomm, and Mike Dawes.
Choosing an Acoustic Guitar by Body Shape
Acoustic guitars come in numerous body shapes, ranging from small parlor-size guitars to larger dreadnoughts and jumbo-size guitars. The shape and size of an acoustic-guitar body significantly affect the tone and volume of an acoustic guitar. Acoustic guitars with smaller bodies have a midrange-forward sound, making them ideal for ensembles and recording applications. Large-bodied acoustic guitars are louder and deeper; because they fill so much sonic space, they are often the go-to for solo singer/songwriters.
The shape and size of an acoustic guitar are also vital in terms of comfort and playability. While the sound of an acoustic guitar is always important, how it feels in your hands is equally important. When selecting an acoustic guitar, we suggest starting with the body shape before considering other factors such as tonewoods. Sweetwater makes that easy by allowing you to sort by body shape on our site!
Selecting an Acoustic Guitar by Tonewood
“Tonewood” refers to any wood with pleasant tonal properties. For the most part, acoustic guitars are made from one or more of the many species of tonewoods available. Some of the most common tonewoods used for acoustic guitars are spruce, mahogany, cedar, maple, and rosewood. However, many acoustic-guitar manufacturers have turned to alternate tonewoods such as koa, ovangkol, bubinga, sapele, myrtlewood, and others. These alternate tonewoods add diversity to manufacturers’ lineups and can help prevent overharvesting of the most popular tonewoods.
In the electric-guitar world, there is a continual debate to what degree tonewoods impact the sound of a guitar. In the acoustic-guitar world, that debate is settled. Tonewoods have a definite influence on an acoustic guitar’s tone. For instance, acoustic guitars with spruce tops tend to be brighter in tone, and acoustic guitars made from mahogany are generally darker in tone. Check out the resources below to learn more about acoustic guitar tonewoods.
Acoustic vs. Acoustic-electric: Which One Should I Choose?
Another factor to consider when purchasing an acoustic guitar is whether you want it to have built-in electronics to amplify its sound. Acoustic-electric guitars have some clear advantages, especially for gigging musicians. With an acoustic-electric, you don’t have to worry about miking your guitar, which gives you the freedom to move around onstage. Plus, many acoustic-electric guitars have onboard EQs for tailoring your tone to fit a performance space.
The convenience of acoustic-electric guitars begs the question: Why would you buy an acoustic guitar without electronics? Well, depending on how you plan to use your acoustic guitar, you may not need them. For instance, if you’re using your acoustic guitar exclusively in the studio, then you’ll most likely be recording it with a microphone. Also, acoustic-electric guitars are more expensive, so you can get a little more for your money with a straight acoustic guitar if you don’t plan on performing live very often. If you go that route but play out occasionally, then you can purchase a removable acoustic-guitar soundhole pickup.
Shopping for Acoustic Guitars by Price
When browsing Sweetwater’s vast selection of acoustic guitars, you’ll see they range from under $200 to thousands of dollars for a single instrument. You may be wondering, “How much does price matter?”
That can be a challenging question to answer because it depends on how you intend to use your guitar. If you want an acoustic guitar for casual playing, then a more budget-friendly option is more than suitable — and today’s affordable acoustic guitars are better than ever. However, if you’re a discriminating hobbyist or a professional player, then you will likely have strong preferences that only higher-priced instruments can meet.
Are you interested in hearing for yourself the sonic differences between acoustic guitars at different price points? Check out the article “How Much Does Price Matter for Acoustic Guitars? – with Sound Samples” below.
Related Content: How Much Does Price Matter for Acoustic Guitars? – with Sound Samples
How to Care for Your Acoustic Guitar
Due to their delicate nature, acoustic guitars require attentive care and maintenance. Their wooden bodies and necks are susceptible to damage from humidity and temperature changes, including cracking, bowing, and warping. Fortunately, manufacturers such as D’Addario, Boveda, and MusicNomad offer humidity control packs and monitoring tools to ensure you store your guitar in optimal humidity conditions — no matter the weather!
Sweetwater also recommends investing in a high-quality case to store and transport your acoustic guitar. You can find the perfect case for any guitar with Sweetwater’s case finder web app.
Finally, you’ll want to clean your acoustic guitar regularly. Removing dirt and oils from your guitar’s finish will extend its life. And regularly cleaning your guitar’s frets — in addition to cleaning and oiling the fingerboard — can keep your guitar sounding and playing great for decades!
Essential Accessories for Acoustic Guitars
When you purchase an acoustic guitar (particularly if it’s your first guitar), there are some essential accessories you may want to add to your cart. First, pick up a guitar tuner; we recommend headstock tuners for acoustic guitars. They’re affordable and easy to use, and you can store them right in your acoustic guitar case. Second, unless you’re committed to playing fingerstyle exclusively, you’ll want to grab a selection of picks. Third, we suggest buying at least one set of strings right away. Your guitar will ship with a set of strings installed, but it’s nice to have a new set on hand when you need them. Finally, treat yourself to a stylish and comfortable guitar strap if you plan to stand while playing.
How to Shop for an Acoustic Guitar at Sweetwater
For players of all skill levels, Sweetwater offers one of the world’s largest selections of acoustic and acoustic-electric guitars. Additionally, we promise a superior buying experience from our simple-to-use website to the attentive support of our Sales Engineers.
You can browse our entire selection of acoustic guitars and organize them by price, type, and features if you prefer to order online. At the bottom of our product pages, we also display guitars that are comparable to one another. Additionally, we have a ton of information available to you in the form of articles on inSync and videos on our YouTube channel.
On the other hand, our trained Sweetwater Sales Engineers are here to assist you if you’d like a personal shopper to help you choose an acoustic guitar and any other gear. When you call us, we’ll match you with a Sales Engineer who will help you through every step of the process and recommend the best equipment for your needs!
What Are You Waiting for? Get Started with a New Acoustic Guitar Today!
So, what are you waiting for? There’s never been a better time to buy an acoustic guitar. In fact, there’s never a wrong time to buy an acoustic guitar! Shop acoustic guitars at Sweetwater or reach out to your Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700 to get started today!
