Acoustic guitars come in many different variations outfitted for a wide variety of uses. Body construction, tonewood choice, and other varying factors play an even greater role in the acoustic realm due to their louder natural volume and prized resonance. And, depending on your needs as a guitarist, the quality and distinctive effects of these options can make or break the sound you’re going for. Nylon stringed, classical guitars, resonators, acoustic-electrics, concert models — with so many acoustics to choose from, finding the right fit can really be a head-scratcher! To ease the task of tracking down the guitar that’s just right for you, we’ve picked out 16 awesome acoustic guitars available right now at Sweetwater!
Taylor American Dream AD17
This is your opportunity to get in the American-made-Taylor game for a much lower price than usual! The Taylor American Dream AD17 offers a Grand Pacific dreadnought design reinforced by Taylor’s V-Class bracing for an incredibly pure tone with unrivaled sustain. This engineering channels the acoustics of the Laurel Canyon music scene of the ’60s and ’70s, producing a very full and balanced bass tone that pairs beautifully with vocals.
In terms of wood construction, you’ll note how the gorgeous ovangkol rosewood back and sides provide a punchy delivery with stellar midrange. The solid spruce top is a classic choice among acoustic guitars and captures a stunningly resonant tone that does as much for the AD17‘s sound as it does for its aesthetic. It isn’t hard to see why guitars of this design were such popular singer/songwriter choices back in the day — its familiar sound absolutely drives that creative spark! Throw in a great-playing mahogany neck and eucalyptus fingerboard combination to achieve that superior Taylor playability, and you’ve got yourself a beautiful acoustic guitar for a very reasonable price.
Fender Newporter Special Acoustic-electric
It’s all mahogany on this beautiful Fender Newporter Special acoustic-electric! From the top to the sides to the back and neck, you’ll find this beautiful dark tonewood to be a real head turner wherever you’re playing. That also means richness in tone and equal attention to the highs, mids, and lows of every song you perform. Pairing a pau ferro fingerboard and bridge with the natural bone nut keeps resonance a priority and irritating string buzz to a minimum. And, thanks to its grand auditorium body style, you won’t find unplugged volume and projection clarity to be an issue.
For those shows when a simple guitar mic isn’t going to cut it, trust in the Newporter Special’s Fishman-designed pickup and preamp system to deliver a quality plugged-in tone that lives up to its unplugged alter ego. And Fender made sure to keep you in the driver’s seat at every show, providing a built-in tuner, phase control, and 3-band equalizer to specifically bring out the best amplified tone that the Special has to offer.
Breedlove Organic Signature Concerto CE Acoustic-electric
Where else can you find quality construction, responsible sourcing, and fantastic value all factored into one acoustic? The Breedlove Organic Signature Concerto CE is the acoustic-electric guitar that’s built to do more than just sound good, starting with its Forest Stewardship Council–certified harvesting process. Solid-tonewood guitars are on the must-own bucket list for many acoustic guitarists, and knowing that each tree used in Breedlove’s Organic Collection was sourced free of clear-cutting makes ownership all the more prideful.
The highly sought-after sonic benefits of an all-solid-tonewood approach are an illustrious mixture of freely resonating tone, longer sustain, and intense harmonic clarity. This acoustic’s African mahogany construction and spruce top aid in its beautifully vivid sound and really bring out the middle and treble ranges of the instrument. And, with its top being torrefied, you can be sure that visual elegance and powerful articulation are major points of emphasis for the Organic Signature Concerto CE.
Guild D-140
Guild acoustic guitars are revered for their versatility when it comes to playing preferences, and the dreadnought Guild D-140 is no exception. A prime example of the quality craftsmanship arising from their popular Westerly series, this acoustic’s structural design and rosewood fingerboard cater equally well to the ears and playing styles of flat- and fingerpicking players alike — a characteristic that many Sweetwater guitarists can attest to.
Premium appointments such as a rosewood bridge and a real bone nut and saddle afford this acoustic tremendous intonation and quality of resonance. Scalloped spruce X-bracing not only focuses in on this more resonant tone but also strengthens the D-140’s structure for a more durable design that will hold true through the years. For guitar players wanting a little more expressive playing freedom than a standard acoustic, the D-140 from Guild is definitely the route to go!
Washburn Comfort G25SCE Acoustic-electric
When comfort and smooth playability are a priority, turn to the Washburn Comfort G25SCE — the truth is in the name! This acoustic features a grand auditorium body shape with Washburn’s unique mahogany elbow comfort binding on the lower bout for an effortless playing feel. A spruce top and pau ferro back and sides emphasize a well-balanced tone with a full presence, making it fit for virtually any occasion.
And there are features aplenty when it comes to the Comfort G25SCE‘s built-in electronics. Sporting a Fishman Presys+ pickup system, your amplified sound is not only full of stunning natural characteristics but can also be tone shaped however you see fit, courtesy of a 3-band EQ with individual notch, brilliance, and phase controls. With such tonal versatility, you’ll be able to blend your guitar’s sound perfectly into any mix, proving a must-have for live performances when adaptability is crucial.
Yamaha AC3M ARE Concert Cutaway
The Yamaha AC3M ARE Concert Cutaway embodies all the traits that a quality concert acoustic should. Its tone is warm and bright, thanks to its mahogany body and solid spruce top, exuding the charming sound quality that concert acoustics are known for. These fully resonant traits also benefit from a new scalloped top bracing with shorter back bracing, combining for a more natural resonance and volume in the low and midrange. An SRT2 system gives you a 2-band EQ with the freedom to blend between piezo and SRT2 preamp signals when you’re plugged in, providing easy bass and treble balancing for performing in any venue with the intimate sound quality of a well-mixed studio recording.
On top of possessing these helpful onstage adjustment controls, the AC3M ARE Concert Cutaway emits vintage charm throughout. Its A.R.E. torrefaction process pays tribute to the elegance of a bygone era, offering an aged hue that is perfectly complemented by the old-school tortoiseshell pickguard. You just can’t beat an acoustic that looks as good as it plays!
Ibanez PN12E
Parlor guitars are famous for their defined midrange and popularity in classic blues and folk music — and, now, owning one has never been so affordable! Enter the Ibanez PN12E, a small-bodied parlor guitar constructed of sapele and nyatoh that provides a warm and balanced tone that really shines in the studio, at home, or in small, “parlor-size” spaces. But there’s more to this acoustic than you might initially think!
How about an AEQ-2T preamp system with an onboard tuner, 2-band EQ, and master volume control? That’s right, this affordable parlor is capable of holding its own during amplified stage performances, allowing you to bring its old-school tones out into the spotlight. Additionally, it’s quite comfortable to play, boasting an easy-playing mahogany neck with a 9.8-inch radius. The PN12E from Ibanez punches your ticket to the world of parlor-style playing for a very budget-friendly price and delivers some fantastically versatile qualities along the way!
Cordoba C10 Crossover
If you’re interested in dabbling in the world of classical guitar, then we offer the Cordoba C10 Crossover, a classical guitar with the playability and feel of a standard steel-string acoustic. This is achieved by designing a guitar with the sonic construction and appearance of a classical guitar but with a slimmer neck and nut width as well as a radiused fingerboard. The result is the warm and clear classical tone of Indian spruce and rosewood with a comfortable and efficient standard-acoustic playability that suits players of all genres.
Besides the feel of the fingerboard, the C10 Crossover exudes classical qualities all over, most notably through its Spanish fan bracing, which provides all of the high-quality tonal balance and projection that you’d expect from a premium Cordoba guitar. Here at Sweetwater, it’s been a while since we’ve seen a hybrid design that does as much as the C10 Crossover!
PRS SE Parlor P20E Acoustic-electric
The PRS SE Parlor P20E is engineered with signature PRS appointments to deliver the highest quality and the most defined parlor-guitar sound on the market. It starts with its resonant all-mahogany construction backed by classic hybrid X-bracing and a bone nut and saddle that all combine for a vivid and professional sound — whether you’re plugged in or going full acoustic. Its tonal clarity makes it the parlor guitar you need to have in the studio!
Underneath its strikingly beautiful exterior, this PRS is a true workhorse outfitted with a premium Fishman GT1 under-saddle pickup system. The GT1 provides the SE Parlor P20E with a strong voice, naturally sensing vibrations below the saddle for a clear tone with exceptional feedback rejection. And guitarists at Sweetwater just can’t get enough of that wide and fat PRS neck shape topped with a bound ebony fingerboard that provides all of the smooth response and room for creative venturing that you could ask for.
Takamine P3FCN Nylon-string Acoustic-electric
This nylon-string guitar plays like a dream, allowing for efficient maneuverability along the entire length of its rosewood fingerboard, thanks to its single Venetian cutaway. Its cedar top is built for brilliant harmonics and kept in tune by courtesy of its rosewood bridge with split natural bone saddle and nut. The Takamine P3FCN is a gorgeously designed guitar no matter how you look at it, and it offers a buttery playability that’s second to none.
Plug it in and discover the power and richness of Takamine’s CT4B preamp. With a clear response and natural amplified tone, you’ll finally be able to experience the sound of an amplified nylon-string guitar! And, like any quality acoustic-electric, the P3FCN features a 3-band equalizer with a master volume control as well as a digital tuner to keep all of your performance-essential controls right at your fingertips.
D’Angelico Excel Tammany XT Orchestra Acoustic-electric
Take the D’Angelico Excel Tammany XT guitar onstage, and you’ll instantly notice a difference in terms of playing comfort. Its reduced waist and bouts work wonders to eliminate picking-arm fatigue, ensuring that you’ll feel and play your best throughout the duration of any show. Made from solid mahogany with a solid spruce top, it’s sure to deliver all of the quality shimmer and sustain you’re looking for with a crisp and defined attack.
And, when it comes time to plug in at your next gig, you can breathe easy knowing that your fantastic acoustic tone quality will sound great when amplified. Fishman INK-4 electronics have your back, making tuning up a breeze with an onboard tuner and providing a volume control with a 3-band EQ to keep your tone balanced exactly the way you want it. For those moments when you need a little more brightness from the Excel Tammany XT, a brilliance control will give you that shine to really captivate your audience. Easy to play and easy to listen to — that’s a match made at D’Angelico (and Sweetwater!).
Ovation Celebrity Elite Plus CE44P-8TQ Mid-depth Acoustic-electric
Ovations are a real standout when it comes to acoustic guitars, and the Ovation Celebrity Elite Plus CE44P-8TQ is a great example of why that is! Its innovative mid-depth Lyrachord body takes a rounded shape that not only provides tremendous durability but also adds greats projection when unplugged and phenomenal resonance when amplified. Take advantage of its angled fingerboard and single cutaway to keep you playing the entire length of the neck! Also unique to the Ovation lineup, its maple top includes an exotic soundhole arrangement with intricate wood patterning that both looks great and provides a more vivid and noticeable acoustic projection for the player.
Electronically speaking, you’ll find the OP-4BT preamp to be an extremely reliable onstage sidekick. You’ll receive the classic 3-band EQ and onboard tuner combination to streamline plugged-in performances. Ovation was the first to apply pickups and preamps to acoustics back in 1964, and their time-tested design has proven to be a favorite for a great number of guitarists — including many here at Sweetwater!
Gretsch G9230 Bobtail Square-neck Mahogany Body Resonator
Resonators were originally designed as an accompanying instrument for loud horn sections of the 1920s, and this Gretsch G9230 Bobtail Square-neck Mahogany Body Resonator is classically appointed to be true to the originals. Constructed completely of mahogany and crowned with Gretsch’s aluminum Ampli-Sonic diaphragm resonator spider cone, this songbird projects with ease, delivering all the bluesy and old-country midrange tones you could ask for. It’s even got a built-in Fishman Nashville pickup for those performances that require even more volume!
Gretsch has been around for a long time, and you might be surprised that a guitar as beautiful as the G9230 Resonator comes from a company that started out exclusively manufacturing drums. But the quality craftsmanship of this resonator is undeniable, sporting hand-spun aluminum from Eastern Europe and a 19-fret padauk fingerboard that suits bluesy seventh chords and expressive sliding alike. This guitar has soul no matter how you look at it.
Seagull Guitars Artist Mosaic EQ Acoustic-electric
Some acoustics are just built better, and the Seagull Guitars Artist Mosaic EQ is a prime example. It features a mahogany body and spruce top combo that we’ve mentioned before, but Seagull has a slightly different approach when it comes to maximizing projection. The pressure-treated solid spruce top is actually curved just above the soundhole, where the vibrational activity of the strings is most prominent. As a result, this acoustic establishes a grander presence and dynamic harmonic response wherever you play.
On the inside, the Artist Mosaic EQ is just as impressive, providing LR Baggs–patented TRU-MIC technology that essentially morphs their premium condenser microphone with their equally revered Element pickup. Link up to your acoustic amp of choice and bask in all of the warmth and natural acoustic tones that this guitar supplies.
Epiphone USA Frontier
Epiphone has brought back one of their most iconic guitar models for stateside production with the Epiphone USA Frontier. And with its glorious return comes some staggeringly upscale appointments that contribute to both this acoustic’s stunning aesthetic and its premium sound quality. A spruce top and maple body deliver fantastic treble and midrange, while a mahogany neck and Indian rosewood fingerboard make finger maneuverability a snap. With the rectangular mother-of-pearl inlays, gold-plated tuners, and intricately engraved tortoiseshell pickguard, Epiphone really knocked it out of the park with this gorgeous nod to the original Frontier.
An LR Baggs VTC acoustic pickup holds up the amplified end, providing a heartwarming robustness that doesn’t walk over the USA Frontier‘s delicate high end. It also features a removable volume control that’s mounted right inside the soundhole, helping to maintain the guitar’s classic aesthetic and unobtrusive playing feel. Say goodbye to compromises on tone and convenience with this Epiphone!
Martin D Jr-10E Acoustic-electric
Sometimes, you just don’t need the bulk of a full-size acoustic, in which case Martin offers a fantastic junior-size option with the Martin D Jr-10E. This short-scale acoustic features a smaller dreadnought body of spruce and sapele with a 20-fret Richlite fingerboard that’s perfect for beginners or for adult players looking for a more downsized feel. Despite its unassuming size, it sounds fantastic and makes for an amazing travel companion, as well.
What you get, above all else, with the Martin D Jr-10E is tremendous value. You’ll receive all the high-end Martin construction and sound quality that you’d expect just in a more condensed package — and all for an outstandingly affordable price. It even boasts Fishman Sonitone electronics to still give you the option to plug in whenever the moment calls, delivering an amplified tone that’s fit for any gig. Bigger isn’t always better, and there’s no finer example than this junior-size Martin!
In Conclusion
There are so many excellent guitars to choose from in today’s wonderful world of acoustic guitars, and these are just a few from the incredible selection we have to offer here at Sweetwater! Find the acoustic that fits your sound, playing style, and personality then venture into the depths of your own creativity with confidence. And, as always, if you have any questions or would like some assistance in choosing the acoustic that’s just right for you, then make sure to give your Sweetwater Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700 and let our experts help you find the perfect fit. Thanks for reading, and rock on!
