Best Premium Acoustic Guitars for Serious Players 2026

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

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

Martin Guitar D41 Sunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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
Martin Guitar 00018 LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Martin Guitar 00018 LH

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
Lakewood A-14 Custom - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Lakewood A-14 Custom

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
Taylor C24ce B5013 Custom #13 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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
Bedell Coffee House Dreadnought ESPR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Bedell Coffee House Dreadnought ESPR

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
Taylor PS54ce - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

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
Breedlove Premier Concert Shadowburst CE - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Breedlove Premier Concert Shadowburst CE

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
Martin Guitar OM28E LRB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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
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
Martin Guitar OM42 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Martin Guitar OM42

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
Furch Rainbow OM-LK 2024 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Furch Rainbow OM-LK 2024

Live Performance Professional Recording Collector Items
Key Feature:
• Highest quality materials and craftsmanship
✓ PROS
  • • Highest quality materials and craftsmanship
  • • Investment-grade instruments
✗ CONS
  • • Can be intimidating to play
  • • May be overkill for beginners

Furch Rainbow OM-LKSteel-String GuitarType: OMTop: Alpine spruceBack and sides: KoaBinding: Redheart with contrast...

4.5/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Taylor Builder´s Ed. 814ce Adirondack - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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-31-9 Custom - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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 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 854ce - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

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

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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