The Best Acoustic Guitars These Days

[kristen]

Do you bend a lot of strings with blues licks , get the J45 , smaller scale length better for bending.

For fast scale runs and strumming for bluegrass, get a martin.

For more mid rangey singer- songwriter stuff (non blues), get a Taylor.

That should put you in the ballpark.

 

[rockinstephen]

I have a Martin HD28 made in 2010 that I bought new from a local dealer that was going out of business for their cost. Since it was from a dealer I have the lifetime warranty. It's a canon and sounds as good as a most of the vintage Martin's I have heard. I had a LR Baggs pickup system with the individual transducers for each string installed when I got it as well. They pick up the sounds of the wood so it sounds about as good plugged in as on a mic. If you are looking for a more budget friendly acoustic I don't think anyone as mentioned Blueridge guitars. They are very close to the sound of Martin's at a fraction of the price. I have owned a few of them but sold them off when I got the HD28. Blueridge actually took some Martin's apart so they could duplicate the bracing for their guitars.

Ah! Someone finally mentioned Blueridge. I have 2, a BR-180 and a BR-140-12 Yes, they are made in China but are of excellent quality and all solid woods. I call the 180 a "poor man's D-45" as it is highly ornamented, perhaps with a bit too much "bling" for some. The 140-12 (12 string) isn't as fancy but is still very nice. The last I knew, Blueridge offered a huge line of guitars at very competitive prices.

On a different note, I have an Ovation Custom Legend that I've had since about '89. Ovations aren't for everyone, but have always been a good road guitar.

 

[squirt]

My luthier says Martin is putting out some of the best guitars they have ever built.

My D28 needs a neck reset. He told me to sell it and get a new Martin because it would never be as good as what is out there now.

I was speechless.

The entire Martin Standard line got a re-vamp starting with the D18 in 2012 & 000-18 shortly after, and finally completing the D-28, D-35 and higher in the last few years. Unless your D-28 is pre-1969 (and Brazilian), these are better guitars. Amazingly better.

 

[Recce]

Wow, currently at sixteen pages. Unfortunately, there is no correct answer.

 

[John_B]

Taylor's are to bright and too balanced except for the 800 series. The 800 series are the best I have ever heard and played. What an instrument!

I would love to play a rose wood Larvee dred.

 

[bobio]

"Best" is a subjective term. Everyone has different needs and requirements for their instrument.

Considering my obsession with technology and my laziness when it comes to humidification, I am looking at Carbon Fiber guitars.
Humidification is too much like a job that comes with owning a nice acoustic and I just don't want to work that hard these days

I have been looking at the Emerald Guitars X7 or the X10.

Emerald Guitars - X7 - Parlor Guitar

Our parlour sized small bodied acoustic the X7 is great for home use or take it on the road as a travel guitar. Great performance acoustic guitar.

emeraldguitars.com

Emerald Guitars - X10 Combining both Acoustic & Electric

The ultimate performance acoustic the X10 is an acoustic guitar for the electric player.

emeraldguitars.com

 

[burtf51]

There are boocoodles of fine acoustics. I have a Martin DJr 10, 2 Eastmans E10 OM, E30 DT OM, recently bought a Martin custom shop 15 that I hated everything about it and returned it. Thinking about getting a Guild M-20. I'm no super-high$/vintage buyer, just a lil ole/old couch player nowadays

 

[Kevin Wolfe]

Taylor's are to bright and too balanced except for the 800 series. The 800 series are the best I have ever heard and played. What an instrument!

I would love to play a rose wood Larvee dred.

When I decided on my Larrivee L-05, with Mahogany back and sides, I actually had my heart set on a D-09, Rosewood. But while A/B comparing them there was an immediate bond with the L body and the 1 3/4” nut. Never looked back and now that it’s 22 yrs. old, it sounds even better. I’d still love to have a dread though.

 

[CCK1]

Nothing “barks” like a D-18, nothing plays like a Taylor, nothing “thumps” like a J-45. How’s that for decisiveness?

 

[mimmo]

My one and only acoustic.

 

[jageya]

i have played some mitchells that sounded pretty good

 

[IMMusicRulz]

I don't know. There are so many 12 string acoustic guitars to pick from these days, but I really like Guild F512 12 strings.

They are perfect for any guitar collector, especially those who are as obsessed with The Byrds as I am.

 

[budglo]

Love my 2013 Martin D18 , so I’ll go with that.

 

[CCK1]

For playability, I think Taylor is at the top of the heap. As for the sound, it's a matter of personal preference. Nothing "cuts" like a good D-18, and nothing "thumps" like a J-45.

 

[ndcaster]

the new needs friends

get on Daisy Tempest's list

 

[ping-ping-clicka]

Bottomless wallet?

Klein

https://www.premierguitar.com/artic...a-high-end-acoustic-builders-by-region?page=3

 

[ping-ping-clicka]

this instrument appears to be the stuff of dreams, very beautiful , amazing woodworking /lutery skills

 

[ping-ping-clicka]

Bottomless wallet?

Klein

https://www.premierguitar.com/artic...a-high-end-acoustic-builders-by-region?page=3

 

[Ian111]

I might own a 000-18, D28, J45 or even a boutique build one day but I imagine I’ll still play and really love playing my Martin DJR10 every day. Amazing how much I love this $500 guitar.

 

[Blackmore Fan]

I've been reading a lot about Larivees...I'm really considering buying one of these as my next acoustic purchase. I'm still open to a Martin D-18 or D-28, but the Larivees seem to be as good for a little less cash.