Best Folk Acoustic Guitars for Classical Crossover 2025

Perfect folk acoustic guitars for classical-crossover - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: October 15, 2025 • Next update: October 22, 2025

Sheeran by Lowden Tour Edition Lefthand - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sheeran by Lowden Tour Edition Lefthand

Fingerpicking Singer-Songwriter Indie
Key Feature:
• Balanced tone across frequencies
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fingerpicking
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • Lower volume projection
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming

Sheeran by Lowden Tour Edition LefthandAcoustic Guitar with PickupLeft-handed modelSpecial model for Ed Sheeran's...

4.5/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Martin Guitar 11SP0010E Road Series Special - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Martin Guitar 11SP0010E Road Series Special

Folk Indie Fingerpicking
Key Feature:
• Great for fingerpicking
✓ PROS
  • • Easy to handle and transport
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
✗ CONS
  • • Less bass response than dreadnought
  • • Lower volume projection

Martin Guitar 11SP0010E Road Series SpecialSteel-String Guitar with PickupType: Grand ConcertTop: Solid spruceBack and...

4.4/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sheeran by Lowden Stadium Edition - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Sheeran by Lowden Stadium Edition

Indie Singer-Songwriter Acoustic Pop
Key Feature:
• Clear note separation
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fingerpicking
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Not ideal for band situations
  • • Less bass response than dreadnought

Sheeran by Lowden Stadium EditionAcoustic Guitar with PickupDesign: WL (Wee Lowden) with custom thin bodyExact...

4.8/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Martin Guitar SC-10E Spruce - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Martin Guitar SC-10E Spruce

Singer-Songwriter Acoustic Pop Indie
Key Feature:
• Easy to handle and transport
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
  • • Clear note separation
✗ CONS
  • • Lower volume projection
  • • Limited low-end presence

Martin Guitar SC-10E SpruceSteel-String Guitar with PickupType: SC with cutawayTop: SpruceBack and sideS: Solid...

4.6/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Martin Guitar SPOMC10E Road Series Special - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Martin Guitar SPOMC10E Road Series Special

Singer-Songwriter Classical Crossover Folk
Key Feature:
• Great for fingerpicking
✓ PROS
  • • Easy to handle and transport
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
✗ CONS
  • • Lower volume projection
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Martin Guitar SPOMC10E Road Series SpecialSteel-String Guitar with PickupStyle: Auditorium with cutawayTop: Solid...

4.9/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Harley Benton CLP-15ME SolidWood w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Harley Benton CLP-15ME SolidWood w/Bag

Indie Fingerpicking Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• Balanced tone across frequencies
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Harley Benton CLP-15ME SolidWood w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton CLP-15ME SolidWood*Acoustic Guitar with...

4.7/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Breedlove Discovery S Parlor Concert RC - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Breedlove Discovery S Parlor Concert RC

Fingerpicking Classical Crossover Acoustic Pop
Key Feature:
• Easy to handle and transport
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fingerpicking
  • • Clear note separation
✗ CONS
  • • Not ideal for band situations
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming

Breedlove Discovery S Parlor Concert RCAcoustic GuitarStyle: Parlor ConcertinaTop: Solid European spruceCascade...

4.8/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Lakewood C-14 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Lakewood C-14

Indie Acoustic Pop Fingerpicking
Key Feature:
• Easy to handle and transport
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
  • • Great for fingerpicking
✗ CONS
  • • Not ideal for band situations
  • • Limited low-end presence

Lakewood C-14 2024Acoustic GuitarStyle: ConcertBack and sides: solid mahoganyTop: solid mahoganyHeadstock:...

4.9/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Gibson Les Paul Parlor Acoustic VS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Gibson Les Paul Parlor Acoustic VS

Folk Acoustic Pop Classical Crossover
Key Feature:
• Balanced tone across frequencies
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
  • • Clear note separation
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming

Gibson Les Paul Parlor Acoustic VSSteel-String Guitar with PickupType: Parlor with cutawayBack and sides: Solid...

4.7/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Furch Pioneer-ER a - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Furch Pioneer-ER a

Indie Folk Classical Crossover
Key Feature:
• Clear note separation
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
  • • Great for fingerpicking
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Furch Pioneer-ERAcoustic GuitarTravel body sizeWith cutawayTop: Solid Engelmann spruceBooster Soundport at the top of...

5.0/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Baton Rouge X11LS/FCE-W-AB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Baton Rouge X11LS/FCE-W-AB

Fingerpicking Classical Crossover Indie
Key Feature:
• Clear note separation
✓ PROS
  • • Clear note separation
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming
  • • Lower volume projection

Baton Rouge X11LS/FCE-W-ABAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: Folk with cutawayTop: SpruceBack and sides: MahoganyNeck:...

4.7/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Gibson L-00 Special Vintage Sunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Gibson L-00 Special Vintage Sunburst

Classical Crossover Singer-Songwriter Acoustic Pop
Key Feature:
• Comfortable smaller body size
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • Less bass response than dreadnought
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming

Gibson L-00 Special Vintage SunburstSteel-String Guitar with PickupType: 00Top: Sitka spruceBack and Sides:...

4.9/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Taylor GS Mini-e Rosewood SB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Taylor GS Mini-e Rosewood SB

Fingerpicking Acoustic Pop Folk
Key Feature:
• Balanced tone across frequencies
✓ PROS
  • • Easy to handle and transport
  • • Great for fingerpicking
✗ CONS
  • • Less bass response than dreadnought
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming

Taylor GS Mini-e Rosewood SBAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: Small BodyBack and sides: Rosewood laminatedX bracing...

4.5/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Gibson Parlor Rosewood EC RB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Gibson Parlor Rosewood EC RB

Fingerpicking Classical Crossover Indie
Key Feature:
• Easy to handle and transport
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fingerpicking
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
✗ CONS
  • • Lower volume projection
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming

Gibson Parlor Rosewood EC RBAcoustic Guitar with PickupType: Parlor with cutawayBack and sides: Solid rosewoodTop:...

4.8/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Journey Instruments OF422C - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Journey Instruments OF422C

Singer-Songwriter Folk Indie
Key Feature:
• Comfortable smaller body size
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
  • • Great for fingerpicking
✗ CONS
  • • Lower volume projection
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Journey Instruments OF422CAcoustic Travel Guitar with PickupType: 00 with neck scoop-away for easy access to the upper...

4.9/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10

How to Choose the Best Folk Acoustic Guitars

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced folk acoustic guitars typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more