Best Roundback Acoustic Guitars 2026

Top-rated roundback acoustic guitars 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: February 11, 2026 • Next update: February 18, 2026

Ovation Pro Series Elite 2078TX-5-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Ovation Pro Series Elite 2078TX-5-G

Traditional Styles World Music Folk
Key Feature:
• Cultural authenticity
✓ PROS
  • • Cultural authenticity
  • • Great for world music styles
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability and options
  • • May not suit all players

Ovation Pro Series Elite 2078TX-5-GAcoustic Guitar with PickupBody: Contour BowlSolid spruce topOptimised...

4.8/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Ovation Celebrity Elite CE48-1-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Ovation Celebrity Elite CE48-1-G

Folk World Music Cultural Music
Key Feature:
• Cultural authenticity
✓ PROS
  • • Cultural authenticity
  • • Unique round back construction
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability and options
  • • May not suit all players

Ovation Celebrity Elite CE48-1-GSteel-string guitar with pickupWith cutawayTop: Solid spruceBody: Super Shallow...

4.7/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Ovation Celebrity Elite CE44-1-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Ovation Celebrity Elite CE44-1-G

Unique Sound Distinctive Tone Cultural Music
Key Feature:
• Comfortable playing position
✓ PROS
  • • Unique round back construction
  • • Cultural authenticity
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability and options
  • • Very specialized sound

Ovation Celebrity CE44-1-GSteel-String GuitarCelebrity Elite ModelWith cutawayTop: Solid spruceMulti-wood epaulet sound...

4.8/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Ovation Ultra 1516DTD-G Dusk till dawn - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Ovation Ultra 1516DTD-G Dusk till dawn

Unique Sound Distinctive Tone Folk
Key Feature:
• Distinctive tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Unique round back construction
  • • Distinctive tonal character
✗ CONS
  • • Can be difficult to hold securely
  • • Very specialized sound

Ovation Ultra 1516DTD-G Dusk till dawnAcoustic Guitar with PickupPro Series Ultra Mid-Depth Non-CutawayMid-Depth Body:...

4.5/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Ovation Ultra 1516YS-G Yukon Spray - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Ovation Ultra 1516YS-G Yukon Spray

Cultural Music World Music Folk
Key Feature:
• Comfortable playing position
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable playing position
  • • Great for world music styles
✗ CONS
  • • Limited to specific musical styles
  • • Can be difficult to hold securely

Ovation Ultra 1516YS-G Yukon SprayAcoustic Guitar with PickupPro Series Ultra Mid-Depth Non-CutawayMid-Depth Body:...

4.6/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Ovation Celebrity El. Plus CE44P-TGE-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Ovation Celebrity El. Plus CE44P-TGE-G

World Music Unique Sound Distinctive Tone
Key Feature:
• Distinctive tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive tonal character
  • • Unique round back construction
✗ CONS
  • • Very specialized sound
  • • Limited availability and options

Ovation Celebrity El. Plus CE44P-TGE-GAcoustic guitar with pickupWith cutawayMid-depth lyrachord bodySelected quilted...

5.0/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Ovation Celebrity Tradition CS-24P-KOA - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Ovation Celebrity Tradition CS-24P-KOA

Distinctive Tone Traditional Styles World Music
Key Feature:
• Cultural authenticity
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive tonal character
  • • Unique round back construction
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability and options
  • • Can be difficult to hold securely

Ovation Celebrity Tradition CS-24P-KOASteel-String GuitarTop: Flamed koaMid-depth cutaway Lyrachord bodyRosette:...

4.5/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Ovation Celebrity Elite PlusCE48P-RG-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Ovation Celebrity Elite PlusCE48P-RG-G

Folk Traditional Styles Unique Sound
Key Feature:
• Comfortable playing position
✓ PROS
  • • Unique round back construction
  • • Great for world music styles
✗ CONS
  • • Limited to specific musical styles
  • • Limited availability and options

Ovation Celebrity Elite Plus CE48P-RG-GSteel String GuitarCutawayTop: Selected mapleMulti-soundholeSuper shallow...

4.5/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Ovation Ultra 1516VRM-G Vampira Red - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Ovation Ultra 1516VRM-G Vampira Red

Traditional Styles Cultural Music Distinctive Tone
Key Feature:
• Great for world music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Cultural authenticity
  • • Great for world music styles
✗ CONS
  • • Limited to specific musical styles
  • • Very specialized sound

Ovation Ultra 1516VRM-G Vampira RedAcoustic Guitar with PickupPro Series Ultra Mid-Depth Non-CutawayMid-Depth Body:...

4.7/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Ovation Celebrity Elite CE48-RR-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Ovation Celebrity Elite CE48-RR-G

Traditional Styles Unique Sound Folk
Key Feature:
• Great for world music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Unique round back construction
  • • Comfortable playing position
✗ CONS
  • • Limited to specific musical styles
  • • Can be difficult to hold securely

Ovation Celebrity Elite CE48-RR-GSteel-String Guitar with PickupWith cutawayTop: Solid spruceBody: Lyrachord Super...

4.5/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Adamas 1687GT-5 BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Adamas 1687GT-5 BK

Traditional Styles Unique Sound Folk
Key Feature:
• Comfortable playing position
✓ PROS
  • • Unique round back construction
  • • Cultural authenticity
✗ CONS
  • • Can be difficult to hold securely
  • • May not suit all players

Adamas 1687GT-5 BKAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: Deep Bowl Non-Cutaway RoundbackThin (<1 mm) carbon fibre...

4.7/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Ovation Celebrity El. Plus CE44LX-1R-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Ovation Celebrity El. Plus CE44LX-1R-G

Traditional Styles Cultural Music Unique Sound
Key Feature:
• Great for world music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Great for world music styles
  • • Unique round back construction
✗ CONS
  • • Very specialized sound
  • • Limited availability and options

Ovation Celebrity El. Plus CE44LX-1R-GSteel-string guitar with pickupLeft-handers modelBody: Mid-Depth LyrachordWith...

4.4/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Ovation Celebrity Elite CE44-RR-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Ovation Celebrity Elite CE44-RR-G

Unique Sound Folk Traditional Styles
Key Feature:
• Unique round back construction
✓ PROS
  • • Cultural authenticity
  • • Great for world music styles
✗ CONS
  • • Limited to specific musical styles
  • • Limited availability and options

Ovation Celebrity CE44-RRSteel String GuitarCelebrity EliteWith cutawaySolid spruce topMulti-wood epaulette sound...

4.6/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Ovation Ultra 1526PBM-G Pitch Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Ovation Ultra 1526PBM-G Pitch Black

Traditional Styles Distinctive Tone World Music
Key Feature:
• Great for world music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive tonal character
  • • Cultural authenticity
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all players
  • • Very specialized sound

Ovation Ultra 1526PBM-G Pitch BlackAcoustic Guitar with PickupPro SeriesMid-depth Lyrachord body with cutawayTop: solid...

4.7/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Ovation Celebrity Tradition CS-24-RR-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Ovation Celebrity Tradition CS-24-RR-G

Cultural Music Unique Sound World Music
Key Feature:
• Great for world music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Great for world music styles
  • • Comfortable playing position
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all players
  • • Limited to specific musical styles

Ovation Celebrity CS24-RR StandardSteel String GuitarSolid spruce topMid-depth cutaway Lyrachord bodyPearloid...

4.4/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10

How to Choose the Best Roundback 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 roundback 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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