When you make a decision to learn the guitar, you want something that sounds amazing, looks great, and holds up over the years. But brand recognition is also important, whether you want the best of the best or want to know it’s going to be a high-quality purchase.
With so many brands on the market, it’s important to consider what works best for your individual style and needs. From quality, playability, tonality, and value, we’ve covered everything to drill down to the best brand and winner from our list. Let’s dive in to find the right acoustic guitar for you.
What Makes an Acoustic Guitar Brand Good?
Good acoustic guitar brands are known for their quality craftsmanship, customer service, and longevity. There are a few exceptions here. A new or emerging guitar brand can still be excellent but struggle to gain traction in the marketplace.
Other guitar brands can be around for decades and stumble through quality or production issues from time to time. It’s possible for any brand to experience its ups and downs, making transparency and customer care a priority.
There have also been times throughout history when guitars were slapped with fines relating to how they imported exotic wood for their instruments or approached sustainability. Or the company tried releasing an affordable line for budget-minded musicians, only to discover quality control issues in their overseas factory. But a guitar brand should ultimately be honest and transparent and work to resolve the issue.
Why Are Some Acoustic Guitar Brands So Expensive?
Some acoustic guitar brands are incredibly expensive based on their reputation. For example, CF Martin & Co. (or just Martin Guitars) is the oldest guitar brand in the world. Founded in 1833, they quickly set the standard for the shape, sound, and quality of the modern-day guitar. They’re also among the most expensive guitar brands in the world.
However, there’s a problem when you base a guitar brand’s worth on how long it’s been around or quality alone. You’ll find many brands compete with Martin and offer a broader range of options, and affordable price points. For example, you can compare a $1,500 Martin Guitar to a $1,500 Zager Guitar. They both feature high-quality construction and sound and look sleek and sophisticated.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=-jO6UtlsNSg%3Fembeds_referring_euri%3Dhttps%3A
What Are Some of the Best Guitar Brands?
There will always be overrated guitars and new brands that aren’t getting the recognition they deserve. What’s “best” and “good” is largely based on personal preference. But there’s no question about it–some globally renowned brands have earned their reputation as among the best of the best. Here’s a rundown of where to start your search for the best acoustic guitar brand.
Taylor Guitars
Founded in 1974, Taylor Guitars grew from a small guitar shop to an industry-leading manufacturer that’s 100% employee-owned. Taylor specializes in acoustics and semi-hollow electric models with an innovative approach and in-house, patented designs. The guitar brand is also known for its innovative manufacturing techniques, but not all of their instruments are made in the U.S., which may matter to some musicians looking for a local, made in the USA guitar brand.
Taylor Guitars combines a technique of blending solid and layered wood with a versatile sound for the stage or playing with friends. Overall, Taylor Guitars is known for its reasonable prices and good value, although you won’t find the same handcrafted, solid wood construction on all of their models.
Taylor Guitars is a good pick for someone who appreciates long-standing brand recognition, an employee-owned company, and handcrafted workmanship.Learn more about Taylor Guitars here.
Zager Guitars
Members of the popular 1960s band Zager and Evans founded Zager Guitars. Today, Denny Zager handcrafts his guitars and sells directly to customers with a free, two-way shipping policy. Although artists like Johnny Cash’s guitarist Dave Roe and Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen play Zager Guitars, they’re also beginner-friendly.
Zager Guitars is known for its meticulous attention to detail and exceptional playability. Zager Guitars are also comfortable to play, with a unique neck profile and carefully placed pillow-touch, carbon-coated strings. It’s an ideal brand whether you have small hands, arthritis pain, or just enjoy playing a comfortable guitar. The Zager EZ-Play Custom and Zager ZAD20 are popular models among beginners.
Zager Guitars makes good acoustic guitars for beginners, anyone with small hands or sensitive fingers, wants a handcrafted guitar that is comfortable to play. Learn more about Zager Guitars here.
Seagull Guitars
Robert Godin founded Seagull Guitars in 1982 in Quebec. The brand is known for handcraftsmanship and affordability, although there are limited series and models to choose from. Their guitars feature unique headstock shapes and eye-catching finishes for a commanding presence on stage.
Most Seagull Guitars are made from either cedar or spruce wood, which tends to sound better as they age because of their warm, rich tone. Discerning musicians may also notice Seagull’s book-matching technique. A single piece of wood is sliced and glued to the guitar, shaped like a book, for an even and smooth grain pattern.
Seagull Guitars are a good pick if you’re looking for affordable guitars with warm, rich tones. Learn more about Seagull Guitars here.
Martin Guitars
Founded in 1833, Martin Guitars is known as the oldest guitar brand in the world. They’re celebrated for high-quality craftsmanship and tone with the help of carefully selected quality tonewoods. They sound resonant and well-balanced and are comfortable to play. Martin Guitars are pricey, although the Martin 10E series and the Martin LX1E are more affordable and beginner-friendly.
Martin’s solid wood guitars include upscale touches like a mother-of-pearl pattern fingerboard and rosette inlays. The argument about this guitar brand isn’t whether or not they’re worth the price tag considering the artisanship they represent, but if they beat out comparable brands. Martin Guitars are excellent and sound incredible, as do other guitar brands on the market.
Martin Guitars are a good pick if you want brand recognition and artistry but don’t mind the price tag. Learn more about Martin Guitars here.
Fender Guitars
Anyone who has dabbled in guitar playing knows about Fender Guitars. Founded in 1946, the brand helped set the standard for guitar playing over the last 70 years and developed some of the first amplifiers on the market. They’re known for selecting sought-after solid-body, acoustic, electric, and bass guitars.
Fenders sound is iconic, but as a brand, they can still be hit or miss with beginners. For starters, they’re notoriously pricey, not always known for their comfortable playability. Depending on which musicians you talk to, they don’t always exceed expectations, especially when compared to similar brands in their class.
Fenders is a good choice for brand recognition and quality, though they’re not necessarily good for beginners as they’re not always comfortable or affordable to play. Learn more about Fender Guitars here.
Gibson Guitars
Gibson Guitars are celebrated for their electric guitars, but they also produce quality acoustic models. Orville Gibson started making instruments in 1894 before launching his namesake brand in 1902. Today, Gibson enjoys a strong brand reputation for elegant, warm, rich tones and quality construction, which are reflected in their price point.
Gibson is best known for its Hummingbird model, with a burst finish and a unique pickguard design with its iconic hummingbird. As one of the most popular dreadnought acoustic guitars, Gibson’s reputation is built on its longevity and quality as a brand. However, they have had some quality control issues in the past.
Gibson is a good pick if you’re looking for an iconic, great-sounding guitar and brand recognition. They may have some quality control issues, making it crucial to check out their guitar warranty. Learn more about Gibson Guitars here.
Epiphone
Epiphone Guitars took its roots in 1873, when Anastasios Stathopoulo first started building stringed instruments. The company eventually took shape in 1928 and now creates a mix of affordable and higher-end guitars, including several models with distinctive starling graphics.
Although Epiphone holds its own as a brand, it still requires scaling up to more expensive options to really hone your craft. It’s a good pick for beginners on a budget who are okay with some of its laminate construction to drive down the price.
Epiphone Guitars are a good choice for an aesthetically pleasing guitar at a reasonable price point. But you’ll need to replace it periodically as your skills scale up. Learn more about Epiphone Guitars here.
Schecter
Schecter Guitars got its start manufacturing replacement parts and various guitar pieces, from bridges to guitar necks, for other brands. In 1979, they introduced their first branded electric guitar before producing other options, including an acoustic.
Schecter Guitars are now known for their versatile instruments that are both durable and comfortable to play. They also feature a broad range of customization options, including finishes and inlays, to personalize your playing experience. Some known downsides to Schecter Guitars include their limited availability and some quality control issues.
Schecter Guitars is a good choice for their quality and customizations, but they may come with some quality control issues and limited availability. Learn more about Schecter Guitars here.
PRS
Paul Reed Smith founded PRS Guitars in 1985 after repairing and building guitars in his attic for a decade. Smith was revolutionary in building relationships with musicians and taking his guitars backstage at shows to see what the pros thought about his work. PRS uses mahogany, swamp ash, maple, and rosewood from the guitar body to the neck. They’re also highly durable and resistant to wearing down over time, making them a popular choice for working musicians.
PRS is known for its high-quality craftsmanship and care. You won’t hear rumblings about its quality control issues, and it’s rare to find anyone who’s had a technical problem with their guitars.
Like other renowned brands, you’re paying a premium for the name PRS. They hold up to their reputation, but the price tag for one of their higher-end models needs to be within reach for beginners. Learn more about PRS Guitars here.
Ibanez
Ibanez Guitars are good quality guitars with solid construction and build quality. Their overseas manufacturing in Indonesia helps pass on an affordable price tag to musicians with construction that holds up to industry standards. Learn more about Ibanez Guitars here.
Their acoustic guitars are known for having good sound and decent build quality, especially considering their low price point. However, they don’t scale well with an ambitious skill set or desire to cut through the noise onstage.
Which Acoustic Guitar Brand Should You Buy?
The type of acoustic guitar brand you buy depends on the quality and sound you’re looking for. You can pick up an Ibanez guitar to enjoy a cheap guitar that sounds decent for a beginner or hobby player. A PSR or top-of-the-line Martin is a good bet for the brand name alone.
We suggest choosing Zager Guitars for their blend of brand recognition, affordability, comfort, and quality all in one place. They sell directly to consumers with a free two-way shipping policy so that you can try it out. They’ll also guide you through the buying process and take feedback to consider new features and customizations on their guitars. However, you can’t find Zager Guitars in retail stores.
More Resources to Pick the Best Acoustic Guitar
Need more ideas on how to pick the best acoustic guitar for you? Here’s a roundup of our guides and resources to help you find the best guitar.
- Your Guide to Guitars Made in the USA (and How They Got Started)
- What to Look for When Buying an Acoustic Guitar
- Easiest Acoustic Guitars to Play
- Average Acoustic Guitar Prices
Remember, the concept of “best” is largely up to personal preference, but there are some clear winners if price, quality, or sound matter most. Ideally, you find a sweet spot for a guitar that blends all three scales with your musical ability.