AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best Baritone Acoustic Guitars for Professional 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 ↗ -
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 ↗ -
- 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 ↗ -
- 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 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 ↗ -
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 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")
- 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 ↗ -
- 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 ↗
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
Bracing & Tonewoods
Forget the generic "spruce top" nonsense. We're looking for bracing patterns - scalloped, forward-shifted - that maximize vibration and resonance across those lower frequencies. Mahogany back and sides are your friend here for that warm, focused low-end thump, while rosewood adds complexity and a little more shimmer, though it can sometimes get muddy if the guitar isn't handled well.
Neck Profile & Playability
A thick, unwieldy neck is a nightmare on a baritone. You need a profile that allows for comfortable access to those lower registers without feeling like you're wrestling with a tree trunk. A comfortable C or D shape is generally preferred, with a well-executed compound radius if possible - easier to fret low notes, but still playable higher up.
String Spacing & Action
Baritone strings are wider, period. String spacing needs to accommodate that without feeling cramped, and the action needs to be set up properly to avoid buzzing and intonation issues. A sloppy setup on a baritone is painful.
Pickup Voicing (if applicable)
Many baritones now come with pickups, which is great for amplification. However, cheap pickups often sound brittle and lack low-end presence. We're prioritizing systems that accurately capture the guitar's natural tone and don't introduce unwanted harshness or fizz.
Overall Articulation & Dynamics
It's easy for a baritone to get muddy or indistinct. We're looking for guitars that retain clarity and articulation even when playing complex voicings or aggressive strumming patterns. The ability to control dynamics - going from a whisper to a roar - is crucial for professional versatility.
Buying guide
So, you're chasing that deep, resonant baritone vibe. It's not just about tuning down - a baritone acoustic guitar is a whole different beast, especially when you need it to cut through a band or record with serious headroom. Forget the novelty factor; we're talking about instruments built for players who demand clarity, projection, and a sustain that hangs in the air. Let's break down the best options for pros who actually need to work with these guitars.
Don't chase the cheapest option; baritone acoustics are inherently more complex to build well. Pay attention to the bracing - a poorly braced baritone will sound lifeless. A good setup from a qualified luthier is essential - don't skimp on this.
The neck profile is critical - try before you buy if possible, as a neck that feels wrong will kill your playing.
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 learn?
They require a slightly different approach to technique, mainly due to the longer scale length and lower tunings. Fingerpicking patterns need to be adjusted, and strumming dynamics require more control. It's not hard, just different.
Can I just tune a regular acoustic down to baritone?
Technically, yes, but you'll likely experience intonation problems and a floppy feel. The string tension will be way too low, and the guitar's bracing wasn't designed for it. It'll sound awful and won't stay in tune.
What kind of strings are best for a baritone acoustic?
Heavier gauge strings are a must - typically 13s or even 14s. Phosphor bronze is a good starting point for a balanced tone, but experiment with different alloys to find what suits your playing style and the guitar's characteristics.
Do I need a pickup for a baritone acoustic?
Not necessarily, but it's highly recommended for gigging. A decent pickup system will allow you to cut through a band mix or record without relying on a PA system. Just be wary of cheap pickups that muddy the low end.
What's the difference between a baritone acoustic and an acoustic bass guitar?
A baritone acoustic still retains the acoustic guitar's tonal character, even with the extended range. An acoustic bass guitar aims to replicate the sound of an electric bass - it's a fundamentally different instrument with a different construction and tonal profile.





