Best Acoustic Guitar Brands Today – Not Just the Mainstream!

Taylor guitars are highly sought-after for their exceptional construction and top-notch sound. I mean, they’re the guitar of choice for players as diverse and successful as Ben Harper and Taylor Swift. Yes, the modern acoustic guitar sound is definitely Taylor’s.

But what are the characteristics of The Taylor Sound? How did Taylor carve a spot in acoustic guitar history competing against companies that are 100 years older or more? Well, Taylor guitars are recognizable by their bright, modern tone. They offer a very rich and detailed sound that isn’t easily matched.

The way I see it (or hear it) Taylor guitars are great for modern music because their natural EQ positions them away from the center of the frequency spectrum. Yes, modern music mixes, increasingly crowded with instruments and sounds, require not big but crystal-clear and bright-sounding acoustic sounds, and Taylor delivers those perfectly.

Perhaps, the best way to say it is that they gravitate toward the 2000Hz and above leaving more room for those bigger-than-life lows coming from the humongous beats of nowadays tracks.

But that’s not all, the company is also known for being very innovative when it comes to designing and building their guitars. Indeed, Taylor was the first acoustic guitar company to use computer mills. These are usually referred to as CNC machines and are cutting-edge technology used by all the biggest guitar makers in the market.

Moreover, CNC machines ensure consistency. So, every guitar is precision-made down to the finest detail.

Taylor also pioneered a new type of bracing, V-class bracing. This new type of bracing sounds very different from anything else, and allows the soundboard to vibrate more freely. Ultimately, this improves the sound of the guitar and gives it a better sustain.

Taylor guitars, especially in the highest tiers might be some of the most visually striking guitars in the world. The exotic woods for the tops and the gold hardware in some cases have elegance.

This quality does come at a price. Taylor guitars are some of the most expensive on the market, with a high-end acoustic easily selling for thousands of dollars. While some guitars like the Taylor PS14ce can exceed the 10K mark, the Taylor 912c Builder’s Edition is a great example of what you can expect to pay for a high-end Taylor.

I especially recommend you to check out their travel-sized Baby Taylors, the GS-mini, and the Big Baby. Those are terrific guitars that you come across professional gigs all the time. Personally, I own a Baby Taylor that’s been with me to 15 countries and counting and is one of my most dependable and best-sounding acoustics.

Also, the 210ce is an excellent intermediate acoustic. While the TSBTe Taylor Swift is a more budget-friendly offering.

Their 300 series is perhaps the best. They aren’t too expensive and feature both the V-class bracing and Taylor’s beautiful gemstone inlays.

But truthfully, you can pick up any Taylor guitar and know that it is going to play and sound amazing. They are truly great acoustic guitars.

What’s The Martin Sound anyway? Well, it is big, loud, and proud, and can take the entirety of the mix. It’s got this huge lower-midrange and a snap on top of the growl that’s just musical and refined. This is especially true for mahogany-spruce or rosewood-spruce combinations. You can think of John Mayer’s acoustic tones on records like Born and Raised (2012) and Paradise Valley (2013).

The traditional tone for singer-songwriters and simple, not-so-crowded (or organically crowded) tracks usually comes from a guitar that’s rich in those frequencies. That’s the tone Martin has been delivering consistently for decades. It’s embedded deep in our musical DNA. And, believe me, nobody does the Martin thing better than Martin.

What is more, without a guitar so big, loud, and powerful as the dreadnought, our instrument couldn’t have taken the spotlight worldwide. It would have been pianos, or even mandolins! Can you picture John Mayer playing “Something Like Olivia” ripping it on a mandolin? I know, we have to thank Martin for that.

Martin guitars are known for their full, rich, and warm tone. This makes them great for blues, bluegrass, and fingerstyle playing. Their tone is a very nice blend of vintage and modern. This balance of old and new makes them very appealing to most guitarists. Especially those with mahogany bodies, like the D-15M. The D-15M is also one of Martin’s best rated guitars.

I personally own one (my in-depth take on it here) and I just love the warmth of the mahogany and the sweetness of the rosewood matched by the snap of the Sitka spruce carved bracing.

When you use your fingers and play softly, it gives you back a soft murmur but it can also roar if you push it with the picking hand. I’m telling you, I’ve played solo shows with it and no PA and it feels like going fast in a big, heavy car racing down Tone Highway.

Speaking of which, the necks on most Martins are the perfect example of modern-meets classic. You’re driving a big Mustang with the ease of a Mini Cooper.

But just like Taylor guitars, Martins can come with a hefty price tag. The D-42 Modern Deluxe is one of their best, but sits at the high end of the price spectrum.

They do offer more affordable guitars, luckily. Their DX Johnny Cash is both affordable and a fantastic signature model. 

Martin also makes a few guitars with some unique finishes. Guitars like the D-17 Squadron and completely outrageous Martin D-300.

Well, contrary to what happens with Taylor and Martin, Gibson doesn’t make any “affordable” acoustic guitars for players. Each one is handmade, and all Gibson acoustics are made in their factory in Bozeman, Montana.

This means all of these guitars (the ones costing five figures included) enjoy the same quality assurance. That might be Gibson’s secret to make a line of acoustics that delivers top-notch instruments consistently to every corner of the globe.

I believe all of us saw that amazing SJ-200 in the hands of Noel Gallagher (and Elvis Presley), the J-45 driving The Beatles to stardom, and those heavily ornamented Dove and Hummingbird models making history.

Well, Gibson is truly a vintage guitar maker when it comes to acoustics and you can get all those models and sounds in their catalog.

I tried fingerpicking with the L-00 and it’s like putting on an old blues record. The same happened playing it with a slide tuned to open D or open G. The J-45 is the most chord-friendly of them.

If you have a bigger budget and need a bigger-sounding instrument, the Jumbo-sized SJ-200 and the dreadnought-sized Dove and Hummingbird are your best bets.

Yes, folks, that’s why “Wonderwall” needs nothing but a guitar and vocals; the guitar sounds huge, like a full orchestra.

Gibson Acoustics catalog starts at around $2,000; so there aren’t any affordable Gibson models. For those, we’ll look at Epiphone in a bit.

That said, their high end guitars can easily match both Taylor and Martin in terms of price. The beautiful 1960 Hummingbird Heavy Aged and 1957 SJ-200 both sell for thousands of dollars.

If you already play a Gibson electric, you will know what you are getting with one of their acoustics. Excellent build quality, and a sound unlike any other. If you don’t play Gibson electrics, just try an acoustic today and let the sound of countless records haunt you for good.

Be warned, though, they’re very easy to fall in love with.

Every Alvarez guitar offers one of the company’s three variants of bracing:

FST2 – Moving the X toward the soundhole, the soundboard of the guitar becomes bigger and vibrates more freely augmenting the low-end response.

MST1 – This bracing mixes pre-war and modern bracings to create a voice that sounds vintage but with a healthy dose of volume. Perfect for smaller bodies and fingerpicking.

FS6 – Alvarez’s latest invention, this bracing utilizes lightweight bars to allow the soundbox to sing more.

Yes, every acoustic guitar shape and series has a specifically designed bracing to make it sound better.

But that’s not all the good news, there’s more. The company offers a nice variety of price tags to choose from. You can buy their solid-top Alvarez AD30 at an entry-level price or their Alvarez AED66ce, a great-looking acoustic-electric from the company’s Artist Elite Series.

Now, for some truly piano-sounding masterpieces, the company’s all-solid Masterworks and Laureate Series are just perfect. Guitars like the MD70 and the LDR70e are great touring instruments that sound very balanced and powerful.

Finally, the top of the crop is the Alvarez Yairi line that’s just as good as Martins costing twice or thrice as much. The GYM72ce, DYM72, DYM60HD, and the FYM72 are true Japanese handmade masterpieces.

The number one thing to know about Larrivée Guitars is that they’re world-famous for being constructed with some of the best wood on the planet. Yes, the company, founded by Jane Larrivée in Canada in 1967, has always been after the best spruce for their tops.

But this is no coincidence, on the contrary, it’s the outcome of the company’s approach to guitar making. Yes, Larrivée started as Jean’s dream, and it’s still pushed forward by that same passion today. So, all the decisions they make go in the direction of giving better guitars to the public.

For example, the company’s Simple Series (like the Larrivee Simple-6 D) offers all-solid mahogany and spruce guitars with outstanding projection, a snappy ebony fingerboard, and absolutely no fancy appointments but with a price tag that beats most of the competition.

These guitars are closer to Taylor’s percussive midrange and musical high-end than to Martin’s boomy low-end and huge body.

Things get even more interesting down the price line with the Recording Series (like the OM-03), and the Legacy Series (like the D-44). For those with a bulkier budget, the absolutely astonishing D-10 Alpine Moon Spruce Deluxe Series and the C-10 Rosewood are the kind of instruments that can make any manufacturer a sought-after brand by some of the most discerning players in the world.

Oh, and they still cost less than an elite-level Taylor or Martin.

I know, just let that sink in for a minute.

Plus, they base their entire production line on organic, sustainable practices that utilize alternative woods in creative ways to make great instruments without damaging our ecosystem.

I’ve been in touch with Breedlove guitars for a while now. I’m a confessed Martin fan who also loves playing his Taylor, but Breedlove guitars don’t follow either of those tone structures, they have a sound of their own.

What is it? It’s moderate and it’s got perfect balance between strings. The ringing quality excels in the mid-high and high frequencies. These guitars deliver a nice tight bottom-end with sparkling, natural, musical overtones flooding the sound from every direction.

Also, among the innovations, their shapes are ultra comfortable, and their no-pin bridge, side-mounted soundhole, cascade bracing, and more-than-accessible cutaway make them as playable as they are modern.

I just love their definition and clarity; there’s no way you can make this guitar go into muddy territory. For example, their ECO Discovery S Concert is made of 3-piece laminated African mahogany and offers a solid mahogany top. It sounds and plays great and is far from being a bank-breaking instrument.

Likewise, the ECO Rainforest S Concert CE and ECO Pursuit Exotic S Concert CE made of Oregon’s own Myrtlewood offer outstanding sound at a moderate price.

Although these are great guitars, things get more interesting as you move toward the all-solid models. For example, the Organic Wildwood Pro Concert CE an Organic Performer Pro Concert CE are amazing guitars. And guess what? You’re not over the $1000 mark yet!

Finally, for those with the budget, you can indulge in that rich, lush mid-infused tone playing some of the best guitars by the brand like the made-in-USA Oregon Concert CE, Premier Dreadnought Concerto CE, and Legacy Concert CE with top-notch woods, elite-level electronics and state-of-the-art craftsmanship.

You’ll get all of that at the same price as a standard Gibson acoustic or a mid-priced Taylor or Martin.

What does Guild offer? Well, you can think of Guild as an affordable alternative to Martin. I mean, they do have their own thing and have been around since the early ‘50s, but they go down the same tone avenue.

Let me tell you this as a Martin lover, whenever I’m being heavy-handed with the picking hand on my D-15, I get that feeling that I’m driving a big muscle car at full speed on a deserted avenue. It’s this monster vibrating vessel with tight lows and a growling midrange ready to conquer the world.

Well, guitars like the Guild D-20 give me the same feeling, they’re huge dreadnought-sized tone machines.

That said, and although in the Made in USA lines prices do get close, Guild offers terrific beginner-oriented alternatives around the $300-$700 price range. Guitars like the solid-top OM-320, or the gorgeous F-2512E, a 12-string maple jumbo guitar with a solid Sitka top, are great instruments at a great price.

Likewise, their version of the Baby Taylor or Little Martin is the Guild Travel and it has nothing to envy the other brands costing less than half. Oh, and it comes with a gig bag.

But you might be wondering what happens if you have a big budget. Well, their USA collection is entirely made in California, and it has outstanding, all-solid, heavily ornamented guitars. The F-512E, for example, features a solid rosewood back and sides, a Sitka spruce top, an ebony fingerboard, a mahogany neck, 12 strings, and is jumbo-sized.

The 6-string D-55 is another great elite-level guitar.

So, if you’re in search of a great, classic, vintage acoustic guitar tone on a budget (or not), check Guild out. They’re made to last.

Likewise, Epiphone has versions of Gibson’s classics like the timeless J-45, Dove, and Hummingbird.

Don’t worry, these cost a fraction of the originals and deliver a nice, big, round, and balanced Gibson-like tone. The J-45 is especially good to go from finger to pick and back while the dreadnoughts are big, powerful, and ooze midrange.

Moreover, if you are looking for a more affordable guitar, the DR-100 is a great entry-level instrument.

But that’s not all, they also have guitar models that are uniquely theirs. For example, the USA Texan is a made-in-USA mid-level guitar, and the Frontier is their premium level instrument costing what a Standard Gibson would (and made in the Gibson factory too).

Epiphone might have been seen as just “cheap Gibsons” for a long time, and they might be in most models. That said, they have, in recent years, re-established themselves as a great brand in their own right.

Yamaha has built up a reputation for their acoustic guitars. And not just beginner acoustics, but some of the best, most affordable in the market today.

The first encounter I had with a Yamaha acoustic was their amazing APX600.

Speaking of which, the first time I played an F-Series Yamaha, I was blown away. A student brought one and I couldn’t believe it when he told me the price. No wonder they’re Yamaha’s best-selling acoustic line. The FG820, for example, offers a solid top and a laminated mahogany back and sides without leaving the $300-$400 range.

They are guitars made to make picking up a guitar for the first time as pleasant as possible. They are comfortable to play for new players, while still sounding fairly good.

The build quality is solid. You won’t really notice that these are mass-produced instruments. The cheaper hardware used is a bit noticeable compared to some other budget level guitars, though. Yes, Yamaha might have cut some corners in the hardware, but the overall craftsmanship is still flawless.

The tone of a Yamaha guitar isn’t going to be anywhere near that of a Taylor or Martin. In my opinion, Japanese guitar makers tend to gravitate toward a higher register. Yamahas excel at the upper mids but don’t have a big low end to offer. I mean, it might still be better than you would expect looking at the price tag.

That said, Yamahas are usually fairly balanced, with a nice mix of mids and highs.

While there are high end Yamaha acoustics, like their L Series, (LL16, LS26, and LS56 Custom), that isn’t really their speciality. Yamaha is much more focused on making quality beginner guitars.

For example, the FG800 and FG830 are two of their standout budget guitars along with the 820. The AC1M and AC1R are both great affordable midrange guitars. And for young players, Yamaha has ¾ scale guitars like the JR1 and APXT2.

Finally, a suggestion, if you have never played a Yamaha Silent, do yourself a favor and try one today. They might be the solution you were looking for.

As far as acoustic guitars for beginners go, Yamaha is hard to beat. The value on offer is quite remarkable.

That said, they also make guitars with a warmer tone, like the PD-220E. Furthermore, being a Martin lover, their all-mahogany version of the dreadnought, the very affordable CD-60S is a fantastic, inexpensive acoustic, ideal for beginners with a solid mahogany top priced below the $300 mark.

While working as a guitar salesman, I sold more CD-60s than I can count. I confidently opened box after box of them knowing the customer would love it and I would get my commission.

Also, their Newporter series offers some of the best budget acoustics. The Newporter Classic is great for intermediate and experienced players. The Newporter Player is a more affordable version that is great for beginners and intermediate players.

But as a natural-born innovator, Fender caused a seismic effect when they released their Acoustasonic line. While the USA-made, top-of-the-line guitars are space-age ready, the more affordable versions can also simplify your life as a performer drastically.

They offer players an easy-to-play hybrid guitar that can get the job done as an electric, acoustic, and even unplugged.

They come in three tiers, American, Player (MIM), and Standard (Asian-made). With varying specs and simpler electronics these guitars unlock a new era of acoustic guitar making.

Also, with the three versions, they accommodate most budgets out there. For example, the Tele version goes from affordable to intermediate to professional.

If you are looking for a unique acoustic experience, the Acoustasonic series is the way to go. They are some of the best acoustic guitars to come out in recent years.

Once you manage to get over one of the ugliest headstocks in the industry, Seagull guitars will blow your mind. They are affordable, sound great, and have a unique timbre thanks to an uncanny wood combination.

Seagulls are handmade using materials that are very abundant in the local area. Woods like wild cherry, cedar, and maple.

Cherry and maple are both fairly bright woods. That means fairly bright guitars, right? Well, since cedar is a warmer tonewood, it balances the tone.

Let me tell you that once you play a Seagull, you wonder why there aren't more builders using cedar to make guitars. These acoustics are the perfect singer-songwriter accompaniment.

The Seagull S6 is the company’s most popular guitar (read my full review). It represents the quality and tone on offer by Seagull.

At the higher end is their Maritime and Performer, while the Artist is their most expensive, yet still very affordable.

Seagull guitars show that high quality guitars don’t have to be expensive. And they show that there is a huge market for affordable acoustic guitars.

Takamine is known for their innovative spirit. They were one of the first companies to introduce electric-acoustic guitars. This made them extremely popular among musicians very quickly.

Takamine has continued to improve on the electric-acoustic design. With their Cool Tube preamp, found on guitars like the TSP138CTB, it helps to fatten up the sound of the guitar. This is especially handy when you’re running the piezo system straight to the PA. The Cool Tube adds that growling bottom-end you need. It works like an instant low-freq booster.

Takamine guitars are highly regarded as being some of the best acoustics for performers. They are rockstar-certified after having endured the hardships of the endless road rocking arenas in the hands of iconic players like Jon Bon Jovi.

They use what Takamine calls the NEX body design. The purpose is to make guitars feel closer to an electric than an acoustic.

As for tone, Takamines are quite balanced, leaning a bit more to the bright side. They also offer a moderate low-end that’s quite controlled and tight.

If you listen to country music, you might already know what they sound like. They are very popular among musicians like Blake Shelton, Kenney Chesney, and Garth Brooks.

Their guitars are aimed mostly at beginners. Many are under $500.

But don’t let the price tag confuse you, they are budget guitars, not cheap ones. That’s a different level. Put any other guitar manufacturer next to a Washburn, and the Washburn will always be a worthy contender for the price.

These are well-made guitars with flawless finish and great attention to detail. Yes, they have somewhat of an undefined bottom end and harsh high end most of the time. Yet, they feel solid and are extremely comfortable to play.

The best way to describe the tone of a Washburn guitar is “folky”. Think Simon & Garfunkel and you have a fairly good idea of what these guitars sound like. They have this very lovely airiness to them. It isn’t nasal, compressed, or huge. On the contrary, they offer a very articulate, balanced tone with a good balance and plenty of sustain given their laminated construction..

The Bella Tono Allure, for example, has this wonderful tropical beach themed inlay. The Comfort series has some very sleek, modern-looking guitars.

Even their budget guitars look great. The Deep Forest Burl has a lovely black fade finish.

Washburn guitars look, play, and sound like guitars that are twice the price. Even their more expensive offerings can easily go toe-to-toe with some of the best out there.

Ten years later, we found it in the same closet and it was still playable. If the end of the world comes it is going to be just Keith Richards, roaches, and Ovation guitars left.

This also gives them a unique sound.

The traditional soundhole guitars, like the Applause have quite a light, shiny tone. Well, a very ‘80s sound.

Their Timeless Elite is just one of the many guitars that features Ovation’s unique soundhole design. These are multiple, smaller soundholes close to the neck, on both sides of the strings.

These guitars have a much tighter, bassier, and jazzier tone. They sound a bit similar to nylon-string classical guitars.

Ovation guitars are truly unique. You won’t find any quite like them.

The incredible Al DeMiola plays Ovation guitars. What better endorsement is there?