AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best Baritone Acoustic Guitars for Advanced 2026
The top pick is Lakewood Natural Series M-31 CP ($3,226). Harley Benton Baritone CLG-414BCE NT gives you the most for the money at $334. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 10 models across 7 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 7, 2026
Top 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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Lakewood Natural Series M-31 CP
M-31 CP Baritone Natural · Lakewood
4 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Nut width46 mm (1.81")
- Scale680 mm (26.77")
- FingerboardEbony fingerboard
You get a solid spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides, plus a built-in L.R. Baggs Anthem pickup so you can plug in. The 680 mm scale is made for baritone tuning, so it suits you if you want a deeper acoustic guitar. It comes with a gig bag and is made in Germany.
Pros
- Solid AAA European spruce top
- Solid AAA Indian rosewood back and sides in Style 31 construction
- L.R. Baggs Anthem pickup system built in for plugging in
Cons
- 680 mm baritone scale length suits players who want deeper, lower-pitched tuning
58AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$3,226 now$3,226€2,889 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width44.5 mm (1.75")
- Scale685 mm (26.97")
This is a limited edition baritone, so you get a longer 27-inch scale that sits lower than a standard guitar. Solid mahogany on the top, back and sides, plus the built-in Taylor ES2 pickup, make it a good pick if you want a low-tuned acoustic you can plug in. It suits players who want something a little different from the usual guitar.
Pros
- Solid mahogany top, back and sides give it an all-mahogany build
- Taylor ES2 pickup system lets you plug it in and amplify it
- Crelicam ebony fingerboard and bridge with gemstone fingerboard inlays
Cons
- Baritone scale length of 685 mm (27") means it is tuned lower and sounds lower than standard guitars
40AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$2,734 now$2,734€2,449 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width45 mm (1.77")
- Scale710 mm (27.95")
You get a baritone steel-string guitar with a solid sitka spruce top and solid walnut back and sides. It comes with an L.R. Baggs pickup and an active Furch CNR neck system, so it is ready to plug in once you connect it to an amp. It suits you if you want a lower-tuned acoustic with a solid build and built-in electronics.
Pros
- Solid sitka spruce top for a strong, resonant foundation
- Solid walnut back and sides in a natural open-pored finish
- Active Furch CNR neck system built into the neck
Cons
- Long 710 mm scale length is a big stretch for smaller hands
43AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$2,009 now$2,009€1,799 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width45 mm (1.77")
- Scale710 mm (27.95")
This is a baritone acoustic guitar with a solid cedar top and solid mahogany back and sides. It has an L.R. Baggs EAS-VTC pickup, so you can plug it into an amp when you want more volume. It suits you if you want a deeper-tuned acoustic that you can play amplified, and it comes with a gig bag.
Pros
- Solid cedar top paired with solid mahogany back and sides
- Mahogany neck with an ebony fingerboard and ebony bridge
- Built-in L.R. Baggs EAS-VTC pickup system for amplified playing
43AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,875 now$1,875€1,679 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width44 mm (1.73")
- Scale685.7 mm (27")
- Frets20 frets
You get a baritone acoustic with a solid Sitka spruce top, a cutaway body, and a built-in Ibanez pickup with volume and tone controls. Its 685.70 mm scale and 20 Jumbo frets make it a good fit if you want a lower range than a standard guitar. The Comfort Grip neck and wooden vine inlays make it a practical choice if you plan to play with a pickup.
Pros
- Solid Sitka spruce top, a strong tonewood choice for an acoustic
- Ibanez AP11 magnetic pickup with Ibanez Custom Electronics for plugging in
- Comfort Grip neck with a rounded fretboard end for easier playing
Cons
- Longer 685.70 mm scale suits players who want the deeper baritone range
71AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$668 now$668€598 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Guild Westerly Collection BT-258E Deluxe Baritone
BT-258E Deluxe Baritone · Guild
6 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Nut width45 mm (1.77")
- Scale686 mm (27.01")
- Frets20 frets
- Strings8-string
This 8-string baritone has a solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides, and a built-in Fishman GT-1 pickup. It suits you if you want to play lower, deeper parts on a steel-string guitar and plug in when you play live. The pickup is ready to use, so you can connect it to an amp without adding a pickup of your own.
Pros
- Solid Sitka spruce top gives the guitar a solid wood soundboard
- Fishman GT-1 pickup system with volume and tone controls is built in
- Rosewood arched back and sides pair with a mahogany neck and Pau Ferro fretboard
Cons
- Electronics offer only one volume and one tone control
70AudioFu
Index↓ 0.9%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$780 · Aug 17$774 now$774€693 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Guild Westerly Collection BT-240E Baritone
BT-240E Baritone · Guild
7 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Nut width43 mm (1.69")
- Scale686 mm (27.01")
- Frets20 frets
This Guild baritone has a solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany back, sides, and neck, and a Fishman GT-1 pickup with volume and tone controls. Its 686 mm scale and B-E-A-D-F#-b tuning give you the lower range of a steel-string guitar. It suits you if you want a baritone that is ready to plug in and play live.
Pros
- Solid Sitka spruce top gives the body a solid, well-built tonewood foundation
- Fishman GT-1 system is built in, with volume and tone controls on hand
- Mahogany back, sides, and neck paired with a Pau Ferro fretboard and bridge
69AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$613 now$613€549 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width45 mm (1.77")
- Scale685.7 mm (27")
- Frets20 frets
- BodyWalnut body
- FingerboardPau ferro fingerboard
You get a baritone acoustic with a selected solid spruce top and walnut body. It has a Fishman Sonicore pickup and Presys-II preamp with a built-in tuner, so you can plug in when you need to. Its longer 685.70 mm scale and grand auditorium cutaway body suit you if you want to play in the lower register and reach the upper frets with ease.
Pros
- Selected solid spruce top gives this guitar a solid tonewood top
- Fishman Sonicore pickup paired with Fishman Presys-II preamp and built-in tuner
- Scalloped X-bracing inside the body adds internal support
64AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$334 now$334€299 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width45 mm (1.77")
- Scale704 mm (27.72")
- Frets20 frets
If you want a baritone guitar, this one is worth a look. It has a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a built-in rechargeable pickup, so you can plug it in and play through an amp. It suits players who want a lower-tuned acoustic with a pickup, and the long 704 mm scale takes a little getting used to.
Pros
- Solid spruce top, a solid tonewood base for the guitar
- Mahogany back and sides with an okoume neck and laurel fretboard
- MB-3 rechargeable pickup system built in for amplified playing
Cons
- At 704 mm, the scale length is long, so the neck stretches further than on most guitars
46AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$445 now$445€399 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width48 mm (1.89")
You get a jumbo steel-string baritone with a solid spruce top and mahogany back, sides, and neck. Its longer scale and fanned frets make it a fit if you want to play in a lower range than a standard guitar. It suits players who already know the basics and want something different from standard tuning.
Pros
- Solid spruce top for a sturdy, resonant soundboard
- Mahogany back, sides, and neck in one wood combination
- Fanned frets with a 643 mm to 700 mm scale for baritone range
Cons
- Its longer baritone scale calls for heavier strings than standard guitars
40AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Sep 24Sep 24$557 now$557€499 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
Baritone Acoustic Guitars by the numbers
Measured across all 12 models we track, not a sample.
Median $668 — half of all baritone acoustic guitars here cost less.
median of 12 models · 43 mm (1.69")–46 mm (1.81")
median of 11 models · 680 mm (26.77")–710 mm (27.95")
median of 7 models · 20–20
How to choose the best baritone acoustic guitars
Neck Profile & Scale Length
The longer scale (typically 27-30") is crucial for baritone string tension - a thick, unwieldy neck will be a nightmare. We're looking for profiles that offer comfortable access to those low notes without feeling like you're wrestling a redwood tree. A C or D profile is usually a safe bet, but it's all about personal preference.
Bracing Pattern & Tonewoods
Baritones need robust bracing to handle the increased string tension and prevent unwanted woofiness. X-bracing is standard, but the quality of the bracing and the choice of tonewoods (mahogany, rosewood, Adirondack spruce) drastically impact the low-end thump and overall articulation. You want that low-end presence without sacrificing clarity in the mids.
Action & Setup
A poorly set-up baritone is brutal. The higher string tension makes high action almost unplayable. Advanced players need a low-to-medium action that allows for comfortable chording and clean single-note lines, especially when bending those lower strings. Be prepared to have it professionally set up - it's almost a necessity.
Pickup System (if applicable)
Many advanced players record, and a good pickup system is vital. Cheap piezo pickups will sound brittle and lifeless; you want something that captures the guitar's natural resonance without adding harshness. Look for systems with preamp voicing controls to shape the tone and cut through a mix - a little warmth and a touch of midrange can make all the difference.
Sustain & Projection
Baritones can easily get lost in a band mix. Adequate sustain and projection are non-negotiable. A well-built baritone should have a clear, defined voice that can compete with drums, bass, and other instruments without getting muddy. This is where quality tonewoods and careful construction really shine.
Buying guide
So, you're looking to drop down to baritone acoustic territory. It's a fantastic choice - the low-end rumble adds a serious weight to your sound, but it's not a beginner's game. A baritone's nuances demand a player who understands voicing, dynamics, and how to really wield that extended range. Let's cut through the marketing and find you a baritone that'll actually inspire you to play and sound great, whether you're laying down tracks or gigging a smoky club.
Don't be fooled by flashy aesthetics. Baritone acoustics are a serious investment, and you're paying for scale length, bracing, and a generally sturdier build. Be wary of super-cheap models - they'll likely cut corners on bracing and tonewoods, resulting in a muddy, lifeless sound.
Spending a bit more for a reputable brand with a solid reputation for craftsmanship is a worthwhile investment; it'll save you headaches down the road. A professional setup is absolutely essential.
How the AudioFu Index works
Five measured signals and nothing else — no stars from strangers, no “tested by experts” we didn’t do. The weights are fixed and public. We don’t play these instruments; we measure the market around them.
This chart covers 12 baritone acoustic guitars from the Thomann catalogue. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
AudioFu earns a commission when you buy through our Thomann links. It never changes the order — the index does.
- Demand40%
How many of this exact model are for sale on Reverb right now — what musicians actually buy and resell.
- Lineup20%
How many finishes Thomann stocks — makers expand the models that sell.
- Price15%
Where the price has moved since we started tracking in August.
- Specs15%
How completely the maker documents it.
- Maker10%
How deep the brand’s range is in this category.
Questions
Are baritone acoustics hard to play?
They're not inherently 'harder,' but the increased string tension requires more finger strength and a more deliberate touch. It's a learning curve, especially if you're used to standard tuning.
Can I use standard tuning strings on a baritone?
Absolutely not. You'll need heavier gauge strings - typically 13-56 or even heavier - to maintain proper tension and intonation. Using lighter strings will result in a sloppy, out-of-tune mess.
What's the difference between a baritone acoustic and a cutaway acoustic?
A cutaway simply refers to the shape of the body, providing easier access to the higher frets. A baritone refers to the tuning - it's a standard acoustic with a longer scale length and lower tuning.
Do I need a different amp for a baritone acoustic?
Not necessarily, but a full-range amp with good low-end response will help you get the most out of the guitar's extended range. A cheap practice amp might struggle to reproduce those low frequencies accurately.
Can I tune a baritone acoustic down to lower tunings?
You can, but be mindful of string tension. Tuning significantly lower than baritone range can require even heavier gauge strings, potentially impacting playability and putting excessive stress on the neck.





