Ernie Ball Strings

Top Acoustic Guitars

As previously mentioned on this website there is an ongoing debate as to whether it’s better to learn on an electric or acoustic guitar.  Now it’s time to put the case for the acoustic guitar.

So, top acoustic guitars are light which makes them easily transportable, they produce a resonant sound from the body, you can use steel or nylon strings, they perform well at parties and the beach and you don’t need electricity. Plus entry level models are cheaper than their electric cousins.  The best idea when learning is to buy a cheap acoustic guitar with a good tone, learn the basics and then go for a more expensive model or switch to the electric instrument.

When you go to a music shop to choose your first acoustic guitar you will find a large variety of brands and models at a range of prices. 

Following is a look at some of the top aciustic guitar brands in no particular order.  If you have come from the page on electric guitars you will find some familiar names here.

Yamaha – well known for providing top  acoustic guitars with a great sound and a very good price tag.

Epiphone – owned by Gibson these top acoustic guitars maintains the Gibson sound quality but at an economic price.

Squire – backed by Fender, again good quality guitars at low prices.

Ibanez – known for their electric instruments but they in no way fall behind with their acoustic guitars.  Their V series is well known as a great starter instrument for beginner players.

Gibson – one of the most reputable brands their top acoustic guitars have a great sound but come at a high price and are probably better suited for intermediate players and above.

Takamine – a Japanese company that produces top end acoustic guitars with a great sound.  Their best guitars are expensive but they do have affordable beginner models that come with a good sound.

Other brands that you will come across include Samick from Korea, Greg Bennett, Oscar Schmidt, Taylor and Seagull (this last is a little different as they produce hand crafted acoustic guitars mostly for professional musicians.)

One other tip: when buying your first acoustic guitar it’s a good idea to take along a proficient guitarist if you know one to help you choose a good guitar.

To finish off I have a list of exclusive, mostly handmade, top acoustic guitars that some have compared to works of art both for the beauty of the instrument and the enchantment of the music that is produced.  If you ever see one in a garage sale be sure to snap it up!

The Morgan CCK which is made from different varieties of wood which makes the tone highly versatile and unique.

The Schwartz Advanced Auditorium Acoustic Guitar contains a lot of ebony which produces an exceptional tone and the music seems to flow out from the instrument.

The Matsuda nylon string model acoustic guitar is one of the best examples of classical guitars that are being produced in the modern era.

The Alvarez MD 80 is a top acoustic guitar that some say is a masterpiece. It is made up of solid mahogany, spruce and rosewood and this combination of wood has given the guitar a superior and melodious tone.

The Gibson Epiphone AJ- 500R Masterbilt is made up of solid rose wood and has an exceptionally versatile yet beautiful tone and balance with a pure acoustic sound.

Other top acoustic guitars in this rarefied list are the Martin D-50 Kao Deluxe, the Ovation Folklore Contour, the Larrivee OM-O3R, the Yamaha LL-6 and the Fender GA43SCE.

Remember though that in the end the real beauty of a top acoustic guitar is not in its features or it construction or its price but in the music that comes out of it, produced by the passion of the musicians as they play upon the strings.