Who's making the best acoustic guitars these days?

[corbo]

Subjective stuff, to be sure -- but If money were no object for me, I'd go with a Collings, specifically the CJ-45. It's Colliungs' take on the slope-shouldered Gibson J-45. I've played a J45 for years, but if I had the bread I'd buy one of these and never look back. The finish, craftsmanship, and sound are (to me) top notch.

 

[Kandinskyesque]

As is so often the case... The best is always relative. But Andreas Cuntz, Germany, builds first-class instruments. The CUNTZ GUITARS Ebony Special "The Holy Grail" is definitely one of the best acoustic guitars around. And she's a beauty too. Who can't come to see Andreas in his workshop in Germany? Thomann has listed a few of his guitars.

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You beat me to it.
Back in 2019 I had a couple of days 'looking after' one for a friend, he 'looked after' my Godin Multiac in exchange.
It was (to my ears) the best sound I've ever heard and (to my hands) the best I've ever played.
My heart wants one but my wife and my brain are saying no/not yet respectively.

 

[Matt Sarad]

Kathy Wingert when you have lots of money.
Goodall at half the price.
Santa Cruz in the used market.

 

[JL_LI]

This thread is going on forever. There’s no such thing as “the best guitar”. No matter which one you think is the best, you’ll stumble across a better one one day. The best guitar is the one you bond with. Forget about brand name. You’ll know it when you play it. Don’t worry if you can’t afford it. Keep saving and keep playing. Sooner or later you’ll find one that you can love and afford. That’s the best one. For you. The best for me or anyone else is meaningless once you’ve found it.

Then start saving again. Guitars get lonely. Maybe you need a jumbo or maybe a parlor guitar for your front porch. And you find it. Now which one is the best? Now you get it. There’s no such thing as the best guitar.

 

[Matt Sarad]

When I was still teaching, I could afford a new guitar with 1-2 months salary. Now that I'm retired, the used market keeps me on my toes looking for under 3k.
Slim pickings to be sure.

 

[schmee]

I've played a ton of Taylors. I had one. Just cant bond. I dont know what it is. I wanted to bond. Playing them extensively at the store, I found I liked the Baby Taylor or 300 series best. Go figure.
Ditto for PRS electrics. It's weird. I should like them.
Buying an acoustic is difficult for sure. I bond best with USA Guilds or Gibsons. There are plenty of vintage ones around.

 

[Kevin Wolfe]

To me Taylor’s are heavy. Heavy acoustics are “thick” which kills some resonance. Maybe that’s why Taylor guitars are so pops with recording musicians. I wouldn’t trade my Larrivee for a pickups truck load of Taylo guitars.