Finding the best acoustic guitar can be a difficult task, especially with how timeless this instrument is and how many gems there are in the world today. We remember the first time we picked up our dad’s acoustic guitar when we could barely talk; something about the feel of that wooden finish and brass strings being strummed still holds a strong emotional association in our lives to this day. This motivated us to compile a quick and easy guide to help your search in case you had a hard time sifting through the rubble. As we continue our search for the best instruments of all time, today we’re met with the top 10 best acoustic guitars to help you find the perfect model for your strumming needs.
The Top 10 Best Acoustic Guitars
Below is our finalized list of the top 10 best acoustic guitars in the market today. Let us know in the comments if you think we missed any crucial models you feel are worth looking (we see the article has created a buzz — keep the critiques coming and your own recommendations!).
Be sure to read our best electric guitars or even bass guitar guide if you’d like the other sides of the guitar story. We also have some other guides to accompany your new acoustic guitar, such as guitar amplifiers, guitar tuners and more.
Yamaha FG800
Starting off our list, this one is a six-string model that will perfectly suit the needs of a broad range of guitarists to cover many bases as the guide begins. The reviews out there are tremendous with this one, and the reputation it has helps back up our decision. It is quality built, made of Sitka spruce that creates smooth tones with a slightly slow reply. It feels great in the player’s hands thanks to its fine shape and light weight. The bridge, overlay headstock and fingerboard are made of solid rosewood with a glossy finish, while the body binding is designed in an interesting black and white combination. The tuners are chrome made, while the pick guard is tortoise. As far as sound goes, you’re getting the traditional acoustic feel with some warmth to it.
This solid acoustic guitar doesn’t have a cutaway and is designed for right-handed musicians and comes with 20 frets and a scalloped bracing pattern. Definitely one of the best acoustic guitar choices if you are looking for an affordable, lightweight acoustic guitar. Although it was more than difficult to choose the first acoustic guitar to list in our guide, we felt the Yamaha FG800 is one of the best acoustic guitars in the world today for quite a few reasons as you can see.
Fender FA-100
Up next, this was actually our top pick in our beginners acoustic guitar guide we just published. This guitar top is made of shiny Basswood — Fender uses high-quality materials, and this guitar comes with their brand bridge and headstock, as well as their classic pick guard form. The bracing is quartersawn X, which will contribute to the guitar’s stability and sound production. This thing will last you many, many years if you take proper care of it, so we’d consider it a very smart investment. Its strap button is forward mounted and it comes with an inner reinforced block, which is another Fender mark that will surely be popular with users who are into quality acoustic guitars that deliver smooth, well-balanced sound.
The neck truss rod is hex adjustable, and this is great opposition to the 12-52 gauge Duratone strings. An overall great feel and sound here for a price on the lower-end on top of it all. The Fender FA-100 is one of the most famous and best acoustic guitar options when it comes to overall popularity and proven reputation among pretty much any guitarist you ask. All Fender acoustic guitars need to be taken into consideration.
Seagull S6
Let’s get into guitars that step it up quite a bit if the previous two weren’t fitting your needs. It comes with a fine top made of quality cedar, a rosewood bridge and fingerboard, a maple neck as well as cherry wood sides and back. This combination of wood colors gives this guitar a beautiful appearance and rich, smooth sound. Slightly shorter than the usual scale (coming at 24.84 inches), this guitar comes with a fretboard made of solid rosewood and its machine head alignment enables swift tuning.
We know many who prefer a shorter fit, but it really depends on what you’re interested in. The Seagull S6 is definitely one of the best acoustic guitar options when it comes to getting lots of value for your money within the middle price-point of these timeless instruments. Here we have the beloved Seagull S6, an elegant, fine-looking USA-made acoustic guitar that is a solid option for different types of users (primarily for the semi-pro guitarists, but great for players will also find lots of likable qualities in it even if you’re just starting out).
Larrivee OM-40
We have the best high-end acoustic guitar right here. It comes with a retro design (square-shaped head stock and tuner with an open back) that is made with quality materials: top made of Sitka spruce, sides and back made of shiny mahogany. The bridge and fingerboard are made of cedar wood. The Larrivee OM-40’s combination of wood and classic OM body shape and V-shaped neck delivers smooth, vivid, already well-known Larrivee sound. Accustomed users will also appreciate the bracing that is parabolic scalloped, bone nut and saddle.
This guitar is a great example of how tradition and innovation combine well — and although quite a lot more expensive than others, it may appeal to less of the crowd, but those who can afford it won’t be disappointed whatsoever. It also ranked as the pick for Gear Patrol’s high-end model in their top acoustic guitars post for a reason. The Larrivee OM-40 is a very popular option when it comes to those who are serious about their guitars, and for a good reason – this is one of the best choices if you’re concerned with top-notch build and high-quality sound.
Jasmine S34C NEX
This one is easy to hold and play on this guitar even when you are just starting with your guitar-playing endeavors. The S34C NEX’s top is made of solid spruce with a satin finish, and it has sapele sides and back, which definitely gives it a sleek appearance and feel. Let’s not forget to mention the rosewood bridge and fingerboard, along with a durable synthetic saddle and bone nut. Their unique Jasmine X bracing makes for optimal sound response, while its slender neck and 25.5 inch long scale will enable you to comfortably play on it.
We’d say it’s the best budget-friendly and start acoustic guitar out there at the moment and to grab this one if you’re just beginning or looking for a cheaper solution than others in this category. The Jasmine S-34C is an elegant, lower-end (in terms of price-point) designed acoustic guitar that will deliver smooth sounds with balanced quality – certainly one of the best acoustic guitar options if you are looking for great value for your money.
Fender CD-60
As we see another appearance by one of our favorite brands of all time, the Fender CD-60 is a solid acoustic guitar with six strings that combines an elegant mahogany top, neck, sides and back with a shiny rosewood fingerboard for a stylish appearance and vibrant, full, smooth sound. The reputation of this one stands not only in the sound but overall wooden-build as well. The CD-60 is dreadnought shaped and a solid-sized acoustic guitar, which means solid sound quality while at the same time ensuring comfortable use. We love the darker brown finish of the available model (also pictured here). This is a guitar without cutaway and it is primarily designed for right-handed players.
The bracing is a scalloped X type, and the neck comes in a recognizable Fender C shape. The 25.3 inch long scale ensures deep, smooth sound. The nut is made of synthetic bone and is 1.69 inches wide, while its strings are made of coated 80/20 bronze. All in all, the Fender CD-60 is a classic and high-quality Fender acoustic guitar that is the best acoustic guitar choice for mostly beginner to medium-level users.
Taylor 714ce
Although they have quite a few dominant models in the category, we felt this Taylor guitar to be the best since it’s the highest rated and suits most users out there. This is one of the best acoustic guitar models when it comes to vibrant, warm tones, thanks to the usage of quality wood and solid Taylor manufacturing. The 714ce’s body is made of Lutz spruce and Indian rosewood – combined with attractive binding made of Hawaii koa, rosette of Douglas fir and aged-designed pick guard. It will enable rich and powerful sound in different music settings and playing choices. The Taylor 714ce comes with a unique NT neck and the Expression electronic system located behind the saddle.
These elements combined give this guitar very good, dynamic sound qualities. This guitar comes with Taylor nickel tuners and bronze coated strings and is an acoustic guitar with 20 frets (14 of them free) and 12 strings. The Taylor 714ce is quite famous among guitarists, and when we texted the three most knowledge guitar players we know, all recommended a Taylor acoustic in their lists — this one is timeless.
Gibson SJ-200
Now here’s a behemoth. The Gibson SJ-200 is a very fine example of what Gibson stands for, especially if you’re in need of one of the best high-end acoustic guitars we’ve ever seen. In terms of sound, there’s nothing quite like it, and although many may just consider it another high-priced Gibson sounding instrument, it isn’t for the average. For build, it uses wood that creates a very nice sound and has long-lasting quality: Sitka spruce for the body, sides and back made of high-quality maple wood, rosewood for the bridge, Adirondack spruce for the soundboard – all these elements contribute to a beautiful and timeless sound. It comes with twin pick guards, a dovetail shaped neck, very finely made fretwork, as well as saddle and nut.
All the details point to a passion for the finest manufacturing (we’d hope so for that price-tag). All in all, the materials used contribute to its lightweight and comfortable usage, which is yet another reason why we consider this to be one of the best acoustic guitar models. If you’re one of the few this may appeal to, be our guests!
Yamaha F335
As we continue our list, we have another relatively budget-friendly pick to keep all price-point options covered for our readers. It has a laminated spruce top with a gloss finish, meranti sides and back, rosewood fingerboard, and tortoise pick guard – these types of wood will give you solid, decently smooth sound and clear acoustics. Tuners that are gold-died will enable you accurate, swift and easy tuning and it comes with 20 frets (14 of which free). This guitar is interesting to play and has good consistency, so it will be an excellent choice for playing in small clubs where you don’t need over-the-top sound power or something to practice with in your room or studio.
The Yamaha F335 comes in the well-known (and loved) dreadnought shape, and it is definitely the best acoustic guitars if you want to get great value for your money (and don’t want to spend a lot of money because you’re a beginner).
Fender FA135CE
Up last and certainly not least (we still feel odd picking 10 models, considering Music Radar has a list of 36 best acoustic guitars in their guide), the Fender FA135CE is another famous acoustic guitar that has a cool and stylish design. Its top is made of laminated shiny spruce, with laminated basswood side and back and nato neck. It has an aged-designed fretboard and bindings on the body, with white rosette on the ring for an attractive contrasting appearance. This guitar comes with X-type bracing that will help deliver a sleek, vibrant tone, with memorable high and medium frequencies. The FA135CE is also known to be a lightweight guitar, so it is very comfortable for use. Its tuners are made of quality chrome that enables swift and accurate tuning.
The electronic system in the guitar includes an ION-t preamp and tuner that will provide swift and easy amplification and tuning. Just another reputable Fender option here, this time coming in as another lower price-point option for those it may appeal to.
