What are the Best Acoustic Guitar Brands?

This is a question that is often given subjective answers. Most respond by stating their favorite brands. While others base their recommendations on their limited experiences. These responses are acceptable, but they have a narrow range of perspectives.

Here at Gearank, we want a more objective response to this question, so we took a data-driven approach.

We used our extensive database of guitars to rank the brands based on real-world ratings. This way, our selection reflects the opinions of thousands of guitar owners, not just a few.

Note that we focused on guitars that more people can actually afford. So we decided to have a price ceiling of $2000.

This means that only brands with highly rated guitars priced below $2000 were eligible. This is why Collings, Maton, Gibson and other high-end brands did not make the list. For more information, please read the Methodology section at the bottom of this article.

Without further ado, here are the results of our research.

 

1. Martin

C.F. Martin & Company is one of the oldest and most well-reputed acoustic guitar brands in the US today.

It was established back in 1833 by Christian Frederick Martin and is credited as the creator of the first acoustic guitar in the USA.

It is rare for any brand or company, to stay in business this long. This longevity speaks volumes about the exceptional quality of Martin guitars.

The company started small in New York City but has grown to receive worldwide acclaim. Martin's main claim to fame is the iconic dreadnought shape, which the company developed.

Over their long history, Martin guitars have been played by artists as diverse as Mark Twain. David Crosby, Chris Cornell, John Mayer, Valerie June, and Ed Sheeran.

The Martin D-15M and the Martin 000-15M are Martin's best-rated acoustics in the sub $1,500 price range. Both models continue to gather almost perfect ratings across multiple review platforms.

Martin offers even better options for those who have more though, including a $119,999 guitar called the Martin D-200 Deluxe.

They also have great quality mid-tier guitars with small bodies. This includes the Martin D Jr. and the popular Martin LX series. The superb ratings of their guitars meant that Martin is deserving of the top spot in this guide. It is currently leading the pack as the best acoustic guitar brand to get in the sub $2000 price range.

Martin guitars rarely go beyond traditional designs. So don't expect unique and eclectic acoustic guitar designs from this acoustic guitar brand.

As a Martin guitar owner, I have to say that there's something special about their instruments. Their iconic logo never fails to catch the attention of musicians. They are quite pricey, but the benefits make them worth saving up to.

 

2. Guild

From its humble workshop beginnings, Guild Guitars quickly rose to fame in the '60s. At that time, it was competing toe to toe with top acoustic guitar brands like Martin.

Guild's acoustic designs did not veer from familiar territory. But they were known for being one of the good guitar brands when it comes to playability and tone.

They made a big impact in the acoustic guitar industry by being the first to mass produce a cut-away model. These days, cutaway models are industry standard, especially for acoustic-electric guitars.

However, their success in the '60s was short-lived. They ended up being sold to Fender and more recently to Cordoba.

But all is not lost. There have been big improvements in quality under Cordoba's ownership. And this sentiment is reflected in reviews across many retailers.

In particular, the Guild M-20 gets rave reviews for its build quality, playability, and warm guitar sounds. These high ratings helped Guild jump up to the 2nd spot. They outranked more famous guitar brands like Taylor and Fender.

Compared to other brands, Guild is a small manufacturer. This means delays in production and releases. But fans are hoping for Cordoba to ramp up production.

Many are waiting for modern reproductions of iconic Guild acoustics. Including the 12-string Guild guitar that SRV used in his MTV unplugged performance. With these releases on the way, I wouldn't be surprised to see Guild retaining its spot as one of the best guitar brands acoustic for a long time.

 

3. Seagull

Seagull may not be as popular as some of the acoustic guitar brands here, but they have an almost cult-like following. And these fans can give you a long list of why Seagull is the best brand of acoustic guitar for them.

At the top of this list are the solid tops that they use and the way they build their guitars by hand. This includes their budget models, all the way up to their top-of-the-line guitars. This is the reason why their guitars come with higher quality than similarly priced instruments.

Seagull's eco-friendly production is another reason why they are popular. This acoustic guitar brand uses sustainable materials and utilizes hydropower.

Seagull guitar hails from La Patrie, Quebec in Canada. It is a sub-brand of Godin Guitars, one of the more popular Canadian guitar brands.

Robert Godin started the company himself back in 1982. It is said that 200 out of the 750 population of La Patrie are involved in making guitars. This is why Godin used to have a LaPatrie brand for their nylon guitars. Note that Godin has dropped the LaPatrie brand. They now use their main brand, Godin for their nylon string guitar series.

The Seagull S6 Original is a great showcase of this acoustic guitar brand's quality. It has a solid cedar top, modified dreadnought shape, and narrow headstock. These qualities give it a unique appeal and tone.

 

4. Taylor

It may seem like Taylor has been around forever. But compared to most big-name brands of acoustic guitars, Taylor is a relative newcomer.

It was founded by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug in 1974. It started as an acoustic instruments company and remained this way to this day. Now they are one of the most famous guitar brands, able to go head to head with other good guitar brands.

This guitar company introduced innovations like precision manufacturing of guitars using computer mills. This build quality consistency helped build their reputation as one of the best brands of guitars. They've also transitioned to a more employee-friendly business model. The company is now 100% employee-owned.

They still make their high-end guitars in California. But they produce some of their more affordable lines in Mexico. This allowed them to expand into mid to low-tier markets.

The Taylor Academy 10 is a good example of their successful foray into beginner-tier guitars. It impresses even experienced musicians with its specs and build quality. And it does so while retaining a relatively accessible price tag. This student-friendly guitar comes with a beveled armrest that makes it more comfortable for your right arm.

Taylor vs Martin

Taylor vs Martin is an interesting rivalry. And as a buyer, it's easy to get confused by this. This rivalry is often brought up in response to questions like "what brand of acoustic guitar is best"?

This rivalry benefits Taylor more because it pits them against a true heavy weight of the acoustic guitar industry. And it is a testament to how Taylor has made it big in a relatively short amount of time.

There is no one way to conclude this battle, but here are some things to expect.

• Taylor guitars have more high-end zing, while Martin has more mid-range punch.
• Taylor guitars have more mid and treble clarity, while Martin offers more low-end depth
• Taylor guitars generally have modern neck specs that are easier to play.
• Martin guitars have a more traditional setup and playing feel.
• Taylor doesn't emphasize low-end depth as a traditional hollow body guitar would.

Taylor vs Martin Verdict:

If you prefer modern playability, high-end clarity, and crisp tones, you'd love Taylor guitars. But if you want a fuller sound and traditional vibe, then you're better off with a Martin.

In my opinion, PRS guitars is a better rival for Taylor, since they also make modern acoustic guitar types and designs. While Martin is better matched with Gibson guitars.

Artists that play Taylor guitars include Jon Foreman, Jason Mraz, Israel Houghton, Taylor Swift, Zac Brown, and more.

 

5. Yamaha

For a long time, Yamaha was regarded as one of the best producers of student guitars. Unfortunately, their reputation as an acoustic guitar brand didn't go far beyond that.

Over the last decade or so, Yamaha has expanded into more kinds of guitars. But they are still known for the quality of their student-friendly nylon and steel string acoustics. Based on ratings, the FS800 (pictured) is currently the best Yamaha acoustic guitar for serious students who want to learn on steel strings.

While Yamaha is mostly known for student guitars, some pros play their acoustics. This includes Chad Kroeger from Nickelback, Ed Roland from Collective Soul, and Joe Bonamassa.

Are Yamaha guitars good? Yes, they make excellent guitars, especially for beginners. Many of my students are satisfied with their Yamaha acoustics.

I also enjoyed learning to play on the popular student nylon string C40 guitar. This led me to recommend learning to play on a good nylon string guitar.

 

6. Fender

Fender is an interesting entry because this company is more known for electric guitars. It is the company behind the popular Telecaster (then named Broadcaster).

It wasn't until 1964 that Fender began to produce acoustic guitars. This was just one year before Leo Fender, suffering from health problems, sold the company to CBS. So if you ever find a 'Pre CBS' Fender acoustic in the attic you'll have one of the rarest modern acoustic guitars in existence.

These days, Fender is well respected for entry to mid-tier level acoustics. What sets Fender acoustics apart are their specs and value for money. They offer better specs than what you'd normally get for the price. And they do so while retaining the label of one of the best brands of guitars ever.

Interestingly, affordable Fender acoustic guitars have the main "Fender" branding. But affordable electric guitars are assigned to a sub-brand called Squier.

The Fender CC-60S is a prime example. For a sub $200 acoustic guitar, it comes with a solid spruce top. It is quite inviting when compared to what other big-brand guitars offer in the entry-level range. There are variations of this guitar model. You can get it in other popular guitar shapes while retaining a very accessible tag price.

Fender is competing with no-name acoustics using their main guitar brand label. And given the popularity of their acoustic guitars, their gamble has paid off.

One thing to watch out for with Fender is how often they change their acoustic lineup. There is a long list of discontinued Fender acoustic guitar models.

 

7. Gretsch

Gretsch Guitars gained popularity in the '50s for their Filter'tron pickups. Their guitars were popularized by virtuosos like Chet Atkins, Brian Setzer, Duane Eddy, and more.

But back in the '30s, they dabbled in acoustic guitar production with much success. These acoustic guitars were under the sub-brand "Rex". These old-school Rex guitars now serve as the inspiration for their current line of acoustics.

One of their highly-rated acoustic guitars is the Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy. It is an affordable parlor style acoustic reminiscent of old Rex models. It is well-received for its compact size, easy playability, and warm tone.

This acoustic guitar brand has distinguishable aesthetics. Some come with triangular-shaped sound holes. While others have pickguard shapes and hardware like their electric guitar designs. These quirks set them apart from other brands of acoustic guitars.

 

8. Jasmine

Jasmine started out as a Takamine brand. But it was later sold to KMC Music in 2005 who remain the owners today.

This acoustic guitar brand carries over much of the playability and design sensibilities of more expensive Takamine models. The main difference is the use of more affordable materials production. This results in a line of guitars that are accessibly priced.

Jasmine produces a range of acoustic guitars including steel-string dreadnoughts and orchestra models. They also offer nylon string guitars. But it is definitely their student models which garner the brand's highest ratings.

Jasmine's highest-rated model is the cutaway grand orchestra bodied S-34C.

You can find their budget-friendly guitars in major national stores. You can buy them through Guitar Center and online through sites like Musicians Friend and Amazon.

 

9. Ibanez

The Ibanez brand has a fascinating history beginning with Spanish luthier Salvador Ibáñez in the 1800's. Original Salvador Ibanez guitars are still in-demand today. They are revered by the likes of Eric Clapton and the select few who are either wealthy enough or lucky enough to own one.

But that's not the Ibanez we know today, although the two are related. Japanese company Hoshino Gakki began importing guitars made by Salvador Ibáñez's company to Japan in 1929. It was so successful that they started producing guitars manufactured in Japan under the same name in 1935.

They soon made modern guitars under the shortened Ibanez name in 1957. Ibanez began exporting these guitars to the USA in 1971. This is after the US Air Force destroyed their factory in 1945.

These days, Ibanez is easily one of the most famous brands of guitars, thanks to their impressive line up of virtuoso artists which include Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Tim Henson, and Jon Gomm.

Ibanez is also one of the most productive brands of acoustic guitars. They have a large range of acoustic guitars and are particularly strong in the entry-level market.

The highly rated Ibanez AW54 is one of their more traditional guitar offerings. But they have other acoustic guitar models with modern designs and unique shapes. If playability is important to you, then you should definitely consider looking at Ibanez acoustic guitar models.

 

10. Epiphone

Epiphone has been owned by Gibson since 1957. But their history runs deeper than that.

They began as an independent musical instrument company in 1873. They were making stringed instruments like lutes and fiddles in the Ottoman empire until they relocated to the US in 1903. in

The founder's eldest son, Epaminondas Stathopoulos took over the company. He later renamed the business to Epiphone Banjo Company in 1928.

This rebrand emphasized their transition to more popular stringed instruments. And this happened in the same year they first began making guitars.

The name comes from 'Epi' which was Epaminondas' nickname, and the Greek word 'phone' meaning sound.

Today Epiphone is one of the most widely available acoustic guitar brands. They make affordable versions of Gibson classics such as the Dove, Hummingbird, J-45, and more. They also put out their own designs, including the popular entry-level guitar the Epiphone DR-100. They also produced more eccentric acoustic designs including a Resonator Guitar model.

 

11. Blueridge

Blueridge is owned by Saga Music. This acoustic guitar brand specializes in producing excellent 'pre-war' style guitars. This means their designs are based on instruments made in the USA during the 1930's and earlier.

Pre-war guitars are sought after because they were built before war restrictions on materials were implemented.

Many guitar players favorably compare Blueridge with famous guitar brands like Martin and Gibson. They offer guitars of the same design and build materials, but at much lower price points.

Selling for under $1000 is one of their highly rated models, the Blueridge BR-70. For the price, it comes with a solid Sitka spruce top and premium aesthetics. It even has generous amounts of abalone and mother-of-pearl inlays.

It sports a design based on pre-war '30s era dreadnoughts but built using modern production methods to keep the price accessible.

Methodology

For a brand to be eligible, the guitars should be available from major American retailers. This includes Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Amazon, Sam Ash, B&H, etc.

We took the Gearank rating data that we have for individual qualifying guitars for each brand. Then we combined them using a weighted average to produce a rating for each brand. This ensured that our selection is more representative of overall market sentiments toward the brands.

Only ratings for guitars that met the following criteria were included in the data set:

• Steel string acoustic
• 6-strings
• No electronics (acoustic-electric models were excluded)
• Maximum street price of $1,999.99

Using these criteria meant that some well known brands have fewer guitar models for consideration, if not none at all. Examples include:

• Collings - aren't available from the major retailers - here is a list of their dealers.
• Maton - is an Australian brand (played by Tommy Emmanuel) only sold by smaller specialty guitar sellers in America at prices above $2000
• Gibson - Most of their acoustics sell for more than $2000.

Note: Gibson's G-Series acoustics (under $2000) are getting some market traction. But not good enough yet to make it to this guide. If they continue to rank well, Gibson will be in the running for the next update.

We ended up processing the ratings of more than 118 individual models from the following 28 brands: Alvarez, Antonio Giuliani, Blueridge, Breedlove, Bristol, Cigano, Dean, EKO, Epiphone, Fender, Gretsch, Guild, Ibanez, Jasmine, Journey Instruments, Larrivee, Luna Guitars, Martin, Paul Reed Smith, Recording King, Rogue, Seagull, Sigma, Takamine, Taylor, The Loar, Washburn, and Yamaha.

This gave us over 30,200 rating sources to process and you can see a list including the individual models in our Music Gear Database. For more information about how we calculate product ratings see How Gearank Works.

Another advantage of this approach is that it allows for a direct comparison of the market sentiment of brands regardless of the average price of their guitars. People generally don't rate a $100 guitar relative to a $2,000 guitar - instead they tend to rate it according to how good it is for the price they bought it.

What surprises you about the brands that other guitar players like and don't like as much? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.