AudioFu

Best Premium Acoustic Guitars for Investment 2026

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

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Professional Recording For Live Performance For Studio Work For Investment For Serious Players For Collector Items
BRANDS: Martin Guitar Taylor Lakewood
Martin Guitar 00018 LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Martin Guitar 00018 LH

by Martin Guitar
Live Performance Studio Work Investment
Key Feature:
• Professional appointments
✓ PROS
  • • Professional appointments
  • • Investment-grade instruments
✗ CONS
  • • Can be intimidating to play
  • • Requires careful maintenance

Martin Guitar 00018 LHSteel-String Guitar2025 modelLeft-handed modelType: 000 AuditoriumTop: Solid spruceBack and...

⭐ 5.0/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 605624
$4,146
Buy at Thomann View Details
Taylor C24ce B5013 Custom #13 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Taylor C24ce B5013 Custom #13

by Taylor
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
Art. 610888
$9,239
Buy at Thomann View Details
Adamas MD80-8R-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Adamas MD80-8R-G

by Adamas
Collector Items Investment Serious Players
Key Feature:
• Highest quality materials and craftsmanship
✓ PROS
  • • Superior tone and projection
  • • Exceptional playability
✗ CONS
  • • Very high price point
  • • Requires careful maintenance

Adamas MD80-8R-GAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: Roundback with mid-depth contour cutawayTop: carbon...

⭐ 4.6/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 600372
$4,827
Buy at Thomann View Details
Lakewood A-14 Custom - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Lakewood A-14 Custom

by Lakewood
Live Performance Collector Items Studio Work
Key Feature:
• Investment-grade instruments
✓ PROS
  • • Highest quality materials and craftsmanship
  • • Investment-grade instruments
✗ CONS
  • • Can be intimidating to play
  • • Very high price point

Lakewood A-14 CustomAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: Grand ConcertNeck-body joint at the 13th fretTop: Solid...

⭐ 4.5/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 621362
$3,959
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar OM42 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Martin Guitar OM42

by Martin Guitar
Collector Items Investment Studio Work
Key Feature:
• Highest quality materials and craftsmanship
✓ PROS
  • • Exceptional playability
  • • Professional appointments
✗ CONS
  • • May be overkill for beginners
  • • Requires careful maintenance

Martin Guitar OM42Steel-String Guitar2025 modelStyle: OrchestraTop: Solid spruceBack and sides: RosewoodNeck:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 605635
$9,338
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar OM28E LRB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Martin Guitar OM28E LRB

by Martin Guitar
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
Art. 606106
$5,169
Buy at Thomann View Details
Breedlove Oregon Companion Old Fashioned - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Breedlove Oregon Companion Old Fashioned

by Breedlove
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
Art. 613115
$3,189
Buy at Thomann View Details
Lakewood M-15 Custom - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Lakewood M-15 Custom

by Lakewood
Live Performance Professional Recording Collector Items
Key Feature:
• Superior tone and projection
✓ PROS
  • • Investment-grade instruments
  • • Superior tone and projection
✗ CONS
  • • Can be intimidating to play
  • • Very high price point

Lakewood M-15 CustomSteel-String Guitar with PickupType: Grand ConcertNeck-body joint at the 13th fretTop: Solid...

⭐ 4.8/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 621364
$2,914
Buy at Thomann View Details
Taylor Custom #27: CT5z B5027 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Taylor Custom #27: CT5z B5027

by Taylor
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
Art. 610487
$5,719
Buy at Thomann View Details
Furch Rainbow Gc-SZ 2024 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Furch Rainbow Gc-SZ 2024

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

Furch Rainbow Gc-SZSteel-String GuitarType: Grand Auditorium with CutawayTop: Sitka spruceBack and sides: ZiricoteBody...

⭐ 5.0/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 595399
$5,499
Buy at Thomann View Details
Breedlove Premier Concert Shadowburst CE - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Breedlove Premier Concert Shadowburst CE

by Breedlove
Professional Recording Collector Items Investment
Key Feature:
• Professional appointments
✓ PROS
  • • Professional appointments
  • • Investment-grade instruments
✗ CONS
  • • May be overkill for beginners
  • • Can be intimidating to play

Breedlove Premier Concert Shadowburst CESteel-String Guitar with PickupStyle: Concert with cutawayTop: Solid...

⭐ 4.9/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 613127
$5,279
Buy at Thomann View Details
Taylor 454ce - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Taylor 454ce

by Taylor
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
Art. 608868
$3,849
Buy at Thomann View Details
Breedlove Premier Concert Burnt Amber CE - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Breedlove Premier Concert Burnt Amber CE

by Breedlove
Serious Players Investment Collector Items
Key Feature:
• Superior tone and projection
✓ PROS
  • • Highest quality materials and craftsmanship
  • • Investment-grade instruments
✗ CONS
  • • Very high price point
  • • May be overkill for beginners

Breedlove Premier Concert Burnt Amber CESteel-String Guitar with PickupStyle: Concert with cutawayTop: Solid Adirondack...

⭐ 4.5/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 613100
$3,299
Buy at Thomann View Details
Lakewood M-31-9 Custom - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Lakewood M-31-9 Custom

by Lakewood
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
Art. 621366
$3,079
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar D41 Sunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Martin Guitar D41 Sunburst

by Martin Guitar
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
Art. 606069
$7,864
Buy at Thomann View Details

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.

Related Best Lists

POPULAR

Best ST Style Guitars

TOP

Best Humbucker Pickups

POPULAR

Best Distortion Pedals

POPULAR

Best Single Cut Guitars

RELATED

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

TOP

Best 4/4 Size Classical Guitars

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more