15 Of the Best Acoustic Guitar Brands Of All Time

Acoustic guitars aren’t very metal. That is, until you hear the intro of Metallica’s Fade to Black, or till Black Sabbath’s Planet Caravan sparks a compulsion to turn the overdrive down and jam the riff to some bongos.

From the most esteemed and expensive to the silent heroes of the guitar world, our list collects 15 of the world’s best acoustic guitar brands in no particular order, discovering what makes each name one of the “greats” of the acoustic scene, including insights into some best-selling acoustic models and who exactly might benefit the most from each particular guitar brand.

1. Fender

When it comes to electric guitars, Fender is likely far from most metalheads’ top choice of guitar brands. They’re jazzy, clean, and crunchy, and overdrive distortions don’t fare half as well next to brands like Ibanez, which are built for metal tones and techniques. 

But when it comes to acoustic guitars, Fender’s inherent “tinniness” can be counted on to produce the bright and balanced resonance many acoustic guitarists seek. Some famous Fender acoustic wielders include George Harrison, Ray Davies, Alex Gaskarth, Harrison Koisser, and Shawn Mendes.

2. Martin

While Fender is renowned for its electrics and makes acoustics on the side, Martin specializes in acoustic guitars. Founded on the highest quality materials, craftsmanship, and rich, deep tones, Martin has remained one of the world’s oldest and most prized guitar brands on the market since its launch in 1833.

An astounding legacy of star performers adopted Martin guitars into their sound, including Presley, Dylan, Lennon, and Joni Mitchell, establishing Martin as the brand for guitarists attuned to blues, country, and singer-songwriter material.

 Martin’s specialist acoustic sound comes at an equally specialist budget. The D-18, one of Martin’s most standard guitars, sells for upwards of $2500, a luxury choice for established guitarists and collectors. 

3. Tanglewood

Tanglewood guitars are a decent standard in the acoustic world. With bright tones as its backbone, this UK brand hardly compares to the plush, “fullness” of Martins. But with its price tag taken into consideration, Tanglewood guitars have become stunning substitutes for luxury guitars, ideal for intermediate players, hobbyists, and pros seeking a well-playing backup guitar. Tanglewood earns a place on our list for its dependable quality and great sound, all provided without the pressure of paying extra for a top-tier brand name. 

4. Taylor

Taylor guitars are an esteemed brand, promising performer-like quality across the board. Founded in 1974, Taylor quickly claimed a reputation amongst guitarists, their fine-tuned balance of sunny resonance, clean expression, playability, and versatility, making them a firm favorite for country and pop artists, including Alan Jackson, George Strait, and, ironically, Taylor Swift. Designed for players of all levels, Taylor guitars top their reputable quality with fantastic tones that age like fine wine, earning them a spot on our list. 

5. Gibson

Gibson hardly needs an introduction; it is one of the most distinguished electric guitar brands in the world. But their acoustic range, played by Bruce Springsteen, Noel Gallagher of Oasis, Neil Young, and BB King, to name a few, is a little rarer to hear about, paling beneath the ground-breaking influence of the brand’s iconic electric models, such as the Les Paul.

Guitarists can count on Gibson for pristine quality and extravagant expenses. The J-45 Standard is Gibson’s self-proclaimed best-selling acoustic (Billie Joe Armstrong even played one for Green Day’s set at the 2013 Reading Festival), and while buyers might be investing in the brand name, these guitars are guaranteed to last a lifetime, sounding even better with every passing year.

6. Epiphone

Epiphone has always been the affordable alternative to Gibson — this brand was actually bought out by the top dog of the guitar world back in 1957 after a longstanding rivalry. The Epiphone J-45 acoustic proves it. A highlight guitar from Epiphone’s acoustic range, the Epiphone J-45 neatly reproduces the classic tones, vintage appeal, and longevity of Gibson’s on-brand original, the J-45 Standard, for less than half of Gibson’s retail price.

Epiphone’s acoustic guitars obviously come with some setbacks compared to real Gibsons, their sound noted as “two-dimensional” and lacking the depths produced by the higher-quality materials of the Gibson J-45 Standard. But this critique hardly stopped the likes of Kurt Cobain, Paul McCartney and Richard Ashcroft for playing some of Epiphone’s top-tier acoustics; their appeal to rock legends earning Epiphone a spot on our list.

7. Ibanez

While Ibanez is renowned across the metal scene, its acoustic guitars hold up just as well as its iconic electric shapes. The Ibanez AW4CE, for instance, is particularly practical, offering the luxury of Ibanez’s signature thin neck as found on its electrics, a tone enriched with warm resonance, topped off by exceptional quality and craftsmanship.

Ibanez has also produced multi-scale acoustics featuring fanned frets, which are quite a rarity even in the electro-acoustic world. Despite being discontinued, the Ibanez AELFF10-NT remains a stunning second-hand choice for musicians seeking an innovative guitar that carves away at normality, both in exquisite aesthetics and easy playability.

8. Yamaha

Yamaha is the multi-instrumentalist on our list, designing all manner of instruments and motors. But spreading its expertise across so many areas comes at a cost to its quality.

Yamaha acoustic guitars, specifically the FG series, are great for beginners and hobbyists. That’s the reason why they’re on our list — Yamaha’s acoustics are dependable, durable, comfortable to play and capture the classic acoustic sound with ease. But their sound quality can lack the depth and pizazz most performing or recording musicians crave, establishing Yamaha as an affordable, trustworthy starter guitar brand or a safe option for pro guitarists seeking a back-up acoustic to take the strain off a prized brand model. 

9. Blueridge

Blueridge acoustic guitars are often compared to Martins, offering solid woods, clear tones, and a vintage edge. Blueridge guitars match the prime quality and integrity of high-end alternatives with ease whilst mimicking a rarely found pre-war guitar sound even in its mid-tier price range.

Blueridge acoustics are built to last and are known to survive the pressures of gigging without fault or flaw. These guitars have projected their sound beautifully across a spectrum of genres, from Chris Hillman’s country records to Brian McKenzie’s pop/rock tracks, and earn a place on our list for offering rare, majestic sounds at comparatively affordable prices.

10. PRS

PRS Acoustics has a signature sound based on the brand’s theory that “an acoustic guitar should act like a speaker cabinet.” Despite being relative newcomers to the non-electric scene, debuting their first acoustic guitar in 2009, PRS acoustics are recognized for their warm, even tones, exceptional construction, and enhanced sound projection.

Where Ibanez transfers the slim neck of its electric guitars over to its acoustic range, PRS acoustics feature a thicker neck, empowering their resonance and sustain for players of all genres, including Myles Kennedy, Jason Richardson, and Billie Joe Armstrong. Finished with PRS’ signature bird inlays to the fretboard, these acoustics are as unique in their image as their sound and are perfect for intermediate and advanced players.

11. Ashbury

Ashbury specializes in classical and folk instruments, including acoustic guitars, banjos, and mandolins. Crafted in Vietnam, Ashbury’s range is a go-to choice for guitarists seeking a pure, old-school acoustic at stunningly low prices for their quality. Great for both strummers and finger pickers, some Ashbury guitars feature a slimmer neck and body than most acoustic brands, a subtle design twist on the traditionalism Ashbury stands for.

Intended for classical guitarists, Ashbury guitars don’t cope too well with aggressive strumming or any punk rock playing techniques. But when it comes to calm and traditional folk techniques, Ashbury acoustics and electro-acoustics deliver an exceptional performance. 

12. Seagull

Handcrafted in Canada, Seagull guitars are praised for their rich and seamless tonal quality, their plump sound and easy playability. Like most brands on our list, Seagull produces models tailored to all types of players, from its top-tier Artist line for seasoned artists to its entry-level Entourage series for beginner guitarists. But unlike most brands, Seagull puts emphasis on the sustainable sourcing of its materials to combat deforestation.

With localized production, eco-awareness, and a flawless sound at their heart, Seagull guitars are great for their innovative, ethical, and heartfelt approach to craftsmanship, crowned by their unmissable sound. 

13. Luna

Luna claims a spot on our list for fine-tuning unique and daring aesthetics with astounding performance capabilities. This brand is a little more obscure than some others we’ve covered despite gaining some much-deserved traction over the past few years.

Founded by a stained-glass artist in 2005, Luna’s acoustic guitars are most noteworthy for their designs. From the unique allure of their natural wood grains to its Henna series and the tribal-inspired Vista series, Luna guitars are like artwork, flawless for beginners seeking a guitar that inspires them to learn the craft and stage-performers seeking a solid, unmissable sound. 

14. Vintage

With a tagline reading, “Guitars for the working musician,” Vintage cements itself as a trustworthy in-between brand for those seeking a consistent and inspiring guitar.

A sleek option for performing artists and session musicians who lug guitars about daily, Vintage’s low price bracket and high-quality craftsmanship ensure dependable backup guitars that can afford to get a little damaged without the guitarist completely losing their mind.

15. Takamine

Japanese guitar maker Takamine matches the durability of its guitars with an overwhelmingly great sound. While this brand is known among the pioneers of the electro-acoustic world, Takamine’s pure acoustic guitars stand strong as ever. Promising bright articulation, ease of playability and a show-stopping tones (just ask Jon Bon Jovi, one of Takamine’s featured artists), Takamine guitars are renowned for innovating within the realms of guitar tech, prized for their collectibility and beloved for their pristine approach to classic-meets-contemporary design.