Best Premium Acoustic Guitars for Live Performance 2025

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

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

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

Taylor 657ce Bajo Quinto BLK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Taylor 657ce Bajo Quinto BLK

by Taylor

Live Performance Professional Recording Investment

Key Feature:

• Exceptional playability

✓ PROS

• Professional appointments
• Investment-grade instruments

✗ CONS

• Requires careful maintenance
• May be overkill for beginners

Taylor 657ce Bajo Quinto BLK10-String Acoustic Guitar with PickupMexican 10-string Bajo QuintoStyle: Grand Pacific with...

⭐ 4.9/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 599009

$4,949

Buy at Thomann View Details

Lakewood M 41 Custom Chakte Viga - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Lakewood M 41 Custom Chakte Viga

by Lakewood

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

Art. 598653

$4,059

Buy at Thomann View Details

Adamas MD80-8R-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

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

Taylor C24ce B5013 Custom #13 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (19 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

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

Martin Guitar D41 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (47 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Martin Guitar D41

by Martin Guitar

Studio Work Investment Professional Recording

Key Feature:

• Highest quality materials and craftsmanship

✓ PROS

• Investment-grade instruments
• Highest quality materials and craftsmanship

✗ CONS

• Insurance considerations
• May be overkill for beginners

Martin Guitar D41Steel-String Guitar2025 modelType: DreadnoughtTop: Solid spruceBack and sides: RosewoodNeck:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (47 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 606014

$7,578

Buy at Thomann View Details

Taylor Custom #44: C24ce 8-String Bar - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Taylor Custom #44: C24ce 8-String Bar

by Taylor

Live Performance Investment Professional Recording

Key Feature:

• Professional appointments

✓ PROS

• Exceptional playability
• Investment-grade instruments

✗ CONS

• Very high price point
• Insurance considerations

Taylor Custom #44: C24ce 8-String Bar8-String Baritone Acoustic Guitar with PickupType: Grand AuditoriumBody: Figured...

⭐ 4.8/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 610538

$6,379

Buy at Thomann View Details

Breedlove Premier Concert Shadowburst CE - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

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

Breedlove Oregon Companion Old Fashioned - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (34 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

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

⭐ 4.8/5 (17 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

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

Bedell Coffee House Dreadnought AT - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 5.0/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Bedell Coffee House Dreadnought AT

by Bedell

Investment Studio Work Serious Players

Key Feature:

• Professional appointments

✓ PROS

• Exceptional playability
• Superior tone and projection

✗ CONS

• Requires careful maintenance
• May be overkill for beginners

Bedell Coffee House Dreadnought ATAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: DreadnoughtBack and sides: Solid East Indian...

⭐ 5.0/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 617370

$4,619

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bedell Coffee House Dreadnought ESPR - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.8/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Bedell Coffee House Dreadnought ESPR

by Bedell

Studio Work Collector Items Investment

Key Feature:

• Professional appointments

✓ PROS

• Professional appointments
• Investment-grade instruments

✗ CONS

• Insurance considerations
• Very high price point

Bedell Coffee House Dreadnought ESPRSteel-String Guitar with pickupType: DreadnoughtBack and sides: Solid East Indian...

⭐ 4.8/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 617367

$4,729

Buy at Thomann View Details

Breedlove Premier Concert Burnt Amber CE - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.5/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

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

Martin Guitar OM42 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.4/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

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

Furch Rainbow Gc-LP 09 2024 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.8/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Furch Rainbow Gc-LP 09 2024

by Furch

Live Performance Studio Work Investment

Key Feature:

• Professional appointments

✓ PROS

• Superior tone and projection
• Investment-grade instruments

✗ CONS

• Very high price point
• May be overkill for beginners

Furch Rainbow Gc-LP 099-String Steel-String GuitarType: Grand Auditorium with CutawayDoubled GB and E stringTop: Alpine...

⭐ 4.8/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 595041

$3,849

Buy at Thomann View Details

Martin Guitar 00018 LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 5.0/5 (38 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

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

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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TOP

Best Premium Acoustic Guitars for Live Performance 2025

Taylor 657ce Bajo Quinto BLK

Lakewood M 41 Custom Chakte Viga

Adamas MD80-8R-G

Taylor C24ce B5013 Custom #13

Martin Guitar D41

Taylor Custom #44: C24ce 8-String Bar

Breedlove Premier Concert Shadowburst CE

Breedlove Oregon Companion Old Fashioned

Lakewood M-15 Custom

Bedell Coffee House Dreadnought AT

Bedell Coffee House Dreadnought ESPR

Breedlove Premier Concert Burnt Amber CE

Martin Guitar OM42

Furch Rainbow Gc-LP 09 2024

Martin Guitar 00018 LH

How to Choose the Best Premium Acoustic Guitars

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying premium acoustic guitars?

How much should I spend on premium acoustic guitars?

Are expensive premium acoustic guitars worth the investment?

What are the best brands for premium acoustic guitars?

Should I buy premium acoustic guitars online or in-store?

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