Best Other Acoustic Guitars for Creative Expression 2026
Perfect other acoustic guitars for creative-expression - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.5/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Harley Benton CLG-70ASR CE SBK Solid w/Case
Custom Features
Experimental Music
Creative Expression
Key Feature:
• Alternative body shapes and sizes
✓ PROS
- • Unique design and construction features
- • Distinctive tonal characteristics
✗ CONS
- • Resale value uncertainty
- • Limited availability and selection
Harley Benton CLG-70ASR CE SBK Solid w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton CLG-70ASR CE SBK...
⭐
4.5/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 621541
$505
#2
⭐
4.6/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Harley Benton CLG-70ASR CE NAT Solid w/Bag
Alternative Styles
Experimental Music
Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Innovative materials and technology
✓ PROS
- • Unique design and construction features
- • Alternative body shapes and sizes
✗ CONS
- • Limited availability and selection
- • May have unusual playability characteristics
Harley Benton CLG-70ASR CE NAT Solid w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton CLG-70ASR CE NAT...
⭐
4.6/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 621537
$406
#3
⭐
4.5/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Harley Benton CLG-70ASR CE NAT Solid w/Case
Experimental Music
Specialty Applications
Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Unique design and construction features
✓ PROS
- • Innovative materials and technology
- • Unique design and construction features
✗ CONS
- • Less familiar to most players
- • May have unusual playability characteristics
Harley Benton CLG-70ASR CE NAT Solid w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton CLG-70ASR CE NAT...
⭐
4.5/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 621549
$483
#4
⭐
5.0/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Ibanez AAM370E-OAW
by
Ibanez
Alternative Styles
Experimental Music
Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Alternative body shapes and sizes
✓ PROS
- • Innovative materials and technology
- • Distinctive tonal characteristics
✗ CONS
- • Limited availability and selection
- • Resale value uncertainty
Ibanez AAM370E-OAWSteel-String Guitar with PickupStyle: Advanced AuditoriumTop: Solid Sitka spruceX-M bracingBack and...
⭐
5.0/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 622254
$769
#5
⭐
5.0/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
DAngelico Excel Gramercy NaturalMahogany
by
DAngelico
Unique Designs
Creative Expression
Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Stand-out visual appeal
✓ PROS
- • Alternative body shapes and sizes
- • Stand-out visual appeal
✗ CONS
- • Less familiar to most players
- • May have unusual playability characteristics
DAngelico Excel Gramercy NaturalMahoganyAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: Grand Auditorium with cutawayBody: Solid...
⭐
5.0/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 621792
$604
#6
⭐
4.5/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Applause Jump Dark Matter
by
Applause
Alternative Styles
Unique Designs
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Innovative materials and technology
✓ PROS
- • Stand-out visual appeal
- • Distinctive tonal characteristics
✗ CONS
- • Less familiar to most players
- • Limited availability and selection
Applause Jump Dark MatterAcoustic Guitar with PickupType: OM with cutawayTop: Solid European spruceBack and sides:...
⭐
4.5/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 622695
$362
#7
⭐
4.9/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Taylor 224ce Plus Special Edition TR
by
Taylor
Specialty Applications
Custom Features
Creative Expression
Key Feature:
• Unique design and construction features
✓ PROS
- • Stand-out visual appeal
- • Innovative materials and technology
✗ CONS
- • May have unusual playability characteristics
- • Specialized maintenance requirements
Taylor 224ce Plus Special Edition TRSteel-String Guitar with PickupType: Grand Auditorium with cutawayBack and sideS:...
⭐
4.9/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 617290
$1,759
#8
⭐
4.5/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
DAngelico Excel Gramercy Aged Sepia Burs
by
DAngelico
Custom Features
Alternative Styles
Creative Expression
Key Feature:
• Alternative body shapes and sizes
✓ PROS
- • Alternative body shapes and sizes
- • Stand-out visual appeal
✗ CONS
- • Less familiar to most players
- • Resale value uncertainty
DAngelico Excel Gramercy Aged Sepia BursSteel-String Guitar with PickupStyle: Grand Auditorium with cutawaySolid...
⭐
4.5/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 621791
$604
#9
⭐
4.6/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Taylor PS14ce Figured Urban Ironback
by
Taylor
Creative Expression
Specialty Applications
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Innovative materials and technology
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive tonal characteristics
- • Unique design and construction features
✗ CONS
- • May have unusual playability characteristics
- • Specialized maintenance requirements
Taylor PS14ce Figured Urban IronbackAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: Grand Auditorium cutawayBack and sides: Solid Red...
⭐
4.6/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 620480
$12,649
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Harley Benton CLG-70ASR CE SBK Solid w/Bag
Custom Features
Experimental Music
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Stand-out visual appeal
✓ PROS
- • Alternative body shapes and sizes
- • Stand-out visual appeal
✗ CONS
- • Specialized maintenance requirements
- • Less familiar to most players
Harley Benton CLG-70ASR CE SBK Solid w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton CLG-70ASR CE SBK...
⭐
4.5/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 621532
$428
#11
⭐
4.4/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Taylor 214ce Plus Special Edition TG
by
Taylor
Creative Expression
Experimental Music
Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Alternative body shapes and sizes
✓ PROS
- • Stand-out visual appeal
- • Innovative materials and technology
✗ CONS
- • Limited availability and selection
- • May have unusual playability characteristics
Taylor 214ce Plus Special Edition TGSteel-String Guitar with PickupType: Grand Auditorium with CutawayBack and sides:...
⭐
4.4/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 617270
$1,814
#12
⭐
4.7/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
DAngelico Excel Gramercy Mahogany Burst
by
DAngelico
Creative Expression
Unique Designs
Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Unique design and construction features
✓ PROS
- • Innovative materials and technology
- • Stand-out visual appeal
✗ CONS
- • Resale value uncertainty
- • May have unusual playability characteristics
DAngelico Excel Gramercy Mahogany BurstSteel-String Guitartype: Grand Auditorium with cutawayBody: Solid mahoganyNeck:...
⭐
4.7/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 621795
$604
#13
⭐
4.4/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Breedlove Oregon Dreadnought Concerto
by
Breedlove
Creative Expression
Custom Features
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Stand-out visual appeal
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive tonal characteristics
- • Innovative materials and technology
✗ CONS
- • May have unusual playability characteristics
- • Specialized maintenance requirements
Breedlove Oregon Dreadnought ConcertoAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: Dreadnought Concerto with cutawayBack and sides:...
⭐
4.4/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 618713
$4,399
#14
⭐
4.9/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Taylor 24ce
by
Taylor
Custom Features
Specialty Applications
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Alternative body shapes and sizes
✓ PROS
- • Unique design and construction features
- • Alternative body shapes and sizes
✗ CONS
- • Limited availability and selection
- • May have unusual playability characteristics
Taylor 24ceSteel-String Guitar with PickupStyle: Grand Auditorium with cutawayBack and sides: African mahogany...
⭐
4.9/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 621313
$659
#15
⭐
4.7/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Taylor GS Mini-e Special Ed Paisley
by
Taylor
Experimental Music
Specialty Applications
Creative Expression
Key Feature:
• Innovative materials and technology
✓ PROS
- • Stand-out visual appeal
- • Distinctive tonal characteristics
✗ CONS
- • Less familiar to most players
- • Specialized maintenance requirements
Taylor GS Mini-e Special Ed PaisleyAcoustic Guitar with PickupBack and sides: Sapele laminatedTop: Solid torrefied...
⭐
4.7/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 620442
$989
How to Choose the Best Other 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 other 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.
