Best Premium Acoustic Guitars for Intermediate 2026

Perfect premium acoustic guitars for intermediate - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: January 7, 2026 • Next update: January 14, 2026

Martin Guitar OM28E - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Martin Guitar OM28E

Collector Items Investment Serious Players
Key Feature:
• Investment-grade instruments
✓ PROS
  • • Exceptional playability
  • • Investment-grade instruments
✗ CONS
  • • May be overkill for beginners
  • • Insurance considerations

Martin Guitar OM28ESteel-String Guitar with Pickup2025 ModelType: OMTop: Solid spruceBack and sides: Solid...

4.7/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Breedlove Oregon Companion Old Fashioned - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Breedlove Oregon Companion Old Fashioned

Investment Collector Items Serious Players
Key Feature:
• Superior tone and projection
✓ PROS
  • • Highest quality materials and craftsmanship
  • • Professional appointments
✗ CONS
  • • Insurance considerations
  • • Can be intimidating to play

Breedlove Oregon Companion Old FashionedSteel-String Guitar with PickupStyle: Concert with cutawayTop: Solid MyrtheBack...

4.5/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Furch Rainbow Gc-KK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Furch Rainbow Gc-KK

Studio Work Serious Players Professional Recording
Key Feature:
• Professional appointments
✓ PROS
  • • Investment-grade instruments
  • • Superior tone and projection
✗ CONS
  • • Can be intimidating to play
  • • May be overkill for beginners

Furch Rainbow Gc-KKAcoustic GuitarType: Grand Auditorium with cutawaytop: KoaBack and sides: KoaCentral inlay in the...

4.5/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Taylor Builder’s Ed. 814ce Sinker - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Taylor Builder’s Ed. 814ce Sinker

Studio Work Professional Recording Live Performance
Key Feature:
• Highest quality materials and craftsmanship
✓ PROS
  • • Superior tone and projection
  • • Professional appointments
✗ CONS
  • • Requires careful maintenance
  • • Can be intimidating to play

Taylor Builder’s Ed. 814ce SinkerSteel-String GuitarType: Grand Auditorium with cutawayBody: Honduras rosewoodV-class...

4.6/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Taylor PS54ce - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Taylor PS54ce

Investment Collector Items Live Performance
Key Feature:
• Highest quality materials and craftsmanship
✓ PROS
  • • Investment-grade instruments
  • • Superior tone and projection
✗ CONS
  • • Insurance considerations
  • • Can be intimidating to play

Taylor PS54ce12-String Acoustic Guitar with PickupWith cutawayBody: Honduras rosewoodV-class bracingTop: Adirondack...

5.0/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Lakewood M-31-9 Custom - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Lakewood M-31-9 Custom

Investment Live Performance Studio Work
Key Feature:
• Professional appointments
✓ PROS
  • • Exceptional playability
  • • Investment-grade instruments
✗ CONS
  • • Insurance considerations
  • • Requires careful maintenance

Lakewood M-31-9 Custom9-String Acoustic Guitar with Pick UpStyle: Grand Auditorium with cutawayPerfect for fingerstyle...

4.4/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Taylor C24ce B5013 Custom #13 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Taylor C24ce B5013 Custom #13

Professional Recording Collector Items Live Performance
Key Feature:
• Highest quality materials and craftsmanship
✓ PROS
  • • Superior tone and projection
  • • Exceptional playability
✗ CONS
  • • Requires careful maintenance
  • • May be overkill for beginners

Taylor C24ce B5013 Custom #13Steel-String Guitar with PickupType: Grand Auditorium with cutawayBack and sides: Indian...

4.6/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Taylor Builder´s Ed. 814ce Adirondack - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Taylor Builder´s Ed. 814ce Adirondack

Serious Players Collector Items Studio Work
Key Feature:
• Superior tone and projection
✓ PROS
  • • Highest quality materials and craftsmanship
  • • Professional appointments
✗ CONS
  • • Very high price point
  • • Insurance considerations

Taylor Builder´s Ed. 814ce AdirondackSteel-String GuitarType: Grand Auditorium with cutawayBody: Honduras...

4.7/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Lakewood M 41 Custom Chakte Viga - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Lakewood M 41 Custom Chakte Viga

Studio Work Live Performance Collector Items
Key Feature:
• Professional appointments
✓ PROS
  • • Exceptional playability
  • • Investment-grade instruments
✗ CONS
  • • May be overkill for beginners
  • • Very high price point

Lakewood M 41 Custom Chakte VigaSteel-String Guitar with PickupType: Grand ConcertTop: Solid AAA European termal...

4.4/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Lakewood A-50 Custom Greenburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Lakewood A-50 Custom Greenburst

Collector Items Serious Players Live Performance
Key Feature:
• Investment-grade instruments
✓ PROS
  • • Exceptional playability
  • • Investment-grade instruments
✗ CONS
  • • Requires careful maintenance
  • • Insurance considerations

Lakewood A-50 Custom GreenburstSteel-String GuitarTop: AAAA Sitka spruceBack and sides: Flamed mapleBody sides:...

4.4/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Taylor 854ce - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Taylor 854ce

Live Performance Professional Recording Serious Players
Key Feature:
• Investment-grade instruments
✓ PROS
  • • Highest quality materials and craftsmanship
  • • Superior tone and projection
✗ CONS
  • • Requires careful maintenance
  • • May be overkill for beginners

Taylor 854ce12-String Acoustic Guitar with PickupWith cutawayBody: Indian rosewoodV-class bracingTop: Sitka...

4.9/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Martin Guitar OM28E LRB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Martin Guitar OM28E LRB

Serious Players Professional Recording Live Performance
Key Feature:
• Professional appointments
✓ PROS
  • • Professional appointments
  • • Investment-grade instruments
✗ CONS
  • • Very high price point
  • • Requires careful maintenance

Martin Guitar OM28E LRBSteel-String Guitar with Pickup2025 ModelStyle: OMTop: Spruce solidBack and sides: Solid...

4.4/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Martin Guitar D41 Sunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Martin Guitar D41 Sunburst

Investment Studio Work Serious Players
Key Feature:
• Investment-grade instruments
✓ PROS
  • • Professional appointments
  • • Superior tone and projection
✗ CONS
  • • Insurance considerations
  • • May be overkill for beginners

Martin Guitar D41 SunburstSteel-String Guitar2025 ModelTyoe: DreadnoughtTop: Solid spruceBack and sides: RosewoodNeck:...

4.8/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Taylor Custom #27: CT5z B5027 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Taylor Custom #27: CT5z B5027

Serious Players Collector Items Studio Work
Key Feature:
• Exceptional playability
✓ PROS
  • • Exceptional playability
  • • Professional appointments
✗ CONS
  • • Can be intimidating to play
  • • Very high price point

Taylor Custom #27: CT5z B5027Electric Guitar with Acoustic PickupWith cutawayBack and sides: Urban ashT5z bracingTop:...

4.9/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Taylor 454ce - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Taylor 454ce

Studio Work Collector Items Investment
Key Feature:
• Highest quality materials and craftsmanship
✓ PROS
  • • Professional appointments
  • • Investment-grade instruments
✗ CONS
  • • May be overkill for beginners
  • • Requires careful maintenance

Taylor 454ce12-String Steel-String Guitar with PickupWith cutawayBody: Indian rosewoodV-class bracingTop: Sitka...

4.8/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10

How to Choose the Best Premium 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 premium 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.

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