AudioFu

Best Roundback Acoustic Guitars for Traditional Styles 2026

Perfect roundback acoustic guitars for traditional-styles - easy to play and learn on

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

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 Under $500 Under $800 Under $2,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For World Music For Folk For Unique Sound For Cultural Music For Traditional Styles For Distinctive Tone
BRANDS: Ovation Harley Benton
Ovation Ultra 1516SSM-G Silver Shadow - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Ovation Ultra 1516SSM-G Silver Shadow

by Ovation
Traditional Styles Unique Sound Distinctive Tone
Key Feature:
• Great for world music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Great for world music styles
  • • Unique round back construction
✗ CONS
  • • Can be difficult to hold securely
  • • May not suit all players

Ovation Ultra 1516SSM-G Silver ShadowAcoustic Guitar with PickupPro Series Ultra Mid-Depth Non-CutawayMid-Depth Body:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 559080
$692
Buy at Thomann View Details
Applause Elite AE44-7S - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Applause Elite AE44-7S

by Applause
World Music Distinctive Tone Unique Sound
Key Feature:
• Unique round back construction
✓ PROS
  • • Great for world music styles
  • • Cultural authenticity
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability and options
  • • Limited to specific musical styles

Applause Elite AE44-7SSteel-String Guitar With PickupElite seriesMid Depth RoundbackWith a...

⭐ 4.7/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 526495
$370
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Celebrity Traditional CS24-1-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Ovation Celebrity Traditional CS24-1-G

by Ovation
Traditional Styles Distinctive Tone Cultural Music
Key Feature:
• Comfortable playing position
✓ PROS
  • • Unique round back construction
  • • Cultural authenticity
✗ CONS
  • • Very specialized sound
  • • May not suit all players

Ovation Celebrity Traditional CS24-1-GSteel-string guitar with pickupBody: Mid-Depth LyrachordWith cutawayOptimised...

⭐ 4.8/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 525186
$505
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Celebrity CE44P Elite Plus FES - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Ovation Celebrity CE44P Elite Plus FES

by Ovation
Cultural Music Unique Sound World Music
Key Feature:
• Distinctive tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable playing position
  • • Cultural authenticity
✗ CONS
  • • Very specialized sound
  • • Limited to specific musical styles

Ovation Celebrity CE44P Elite Plus FESSteel-String Guitar with PickupLimited editionWith mid cutawayBody: Mid-Depth...

⭐ 4.6/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 611153
$714
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Celebrity Elite CE48-1-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Ovation Celebrity Elite CE48-1-G

by Ovation
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
Art. 525252
$527
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Celebrity Trad. LH CS24L-5G-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Ovation Celebrity Trad. LH CS24L-5G-G

by Ovation
Folk Traditional Styles Cultural Music
Key Feature:
• Unique round back construction
✓ PROS
  • • Cultural authenticity
  • • Comfortable playing position
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability and options
  • • Limited to specific musical styles

Ovation Celebrity Trad. LH CS24L-5G-GSteel-string guitar with pickupLefthand modelTop: Solid spruceBody: Mid-Depth...

⭐ 4.9/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 525202
$516
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Pro Series 2771AX-CCB-G SBal - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Ovation Pro Series 2771AX-CCB-G SBal

by Ovation
Traditional Styles Cultural Music Distinctive Tone
Key Feature:
• Great for world music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Great for world music styles
  • • Comfortable playing position
✗ CONS
  • • Limited to specific musical styles
  • • Limited availability and options

Ovation Pro Series 2771AX-CCB-G SBalAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: Deep Contour BowlWith cutawayNew neck profile and...

⭐ 4.8/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 570424
$1,044
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Celebrity Trad.Plus CS24X-7C-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Ovation Celebrity Trad.Plus CS24X-7C-G

by Ovation
Distinctive Tone World Music Folk
Key Feature:
• Distinctive tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Cultural authenticity
  • • Comfortable playing position
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability and options
  • • May not suit all players

Ovation Celebrity Trad.Plus CS24X-7C-GSteel-string guitar with pickupBody: Mid-Depth LyrachordWith cutawaySelected...

⭐ 4.4/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 525206
$505
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Ultra 1516DTD-G Dusk till dawn - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Ovation Ultra 1516DTD-G Dusk till dawn

by Ovation
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
Art. 559076
$714
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Pro Legend 1767-4S-G USA - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Ovation Pro Legend 1767-4S-G USA

by Ovation
Folk World Music Traditional Styles
Key Feature:
• Distinctive tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Unique round back construction
  • • Cultural authenticity
✗ CONS
  • • Limited to specific musical styles
  • • Can be difficult to hold securely

Ovation Pro Legend 1767-4S-G USAAcoustic Guitar with PickupType: RoundbackTop: solid AA-grade sitka spruceTraditional...

⭐ 4.4/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 600287
$2,639
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBO-850NT w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Harley Benton HBO-850NT w/Case

by Harley Benton
Traditional Styles Distinctive Tone World Music
Key Feature:
• Distinctive tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Great for world music styles
  • • Comfortable playing position
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability and options
  • • Very specialized sound

Harley Benton HBO-850NT w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton HBO-850NT*Steel-String Guitar*Design: Roundback...

⭐ 4.6/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 545357
$226
Buy at Thomann View Details
Adamas 1687GT-9-G RevBrownBurst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Adamas 1687GT-9-G RevBrownBurst

by Adamas
Distinctive Tone Unique Sound Folk
Key Feature:
• Cultural authenticity
✓ PROS
  • • Unique round back construction
  • • Great for world music styles
✗ CONS
  • • Limited to specific musical styles
  • • Very specialized sound

Adamas 1687GT-9-G RevBrownBurstSteel-String Guitar with PickupType: Deep Bowl Roundback Non-CutawayThin (<1 mm)...

⭐ 4.6/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 576791
$4,888
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Custom Balladeer 2762BL-VB-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Ovation Custom Balladeer 2762BL-VB-G

by Ovation
Traditional Styles Distinctive Tone Folk
Key Feature:
• Cultural authenticity
✓ PROS
  • • Unique round back construction
  • • Comfortable playing position
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all players
  • • Very specialized sound

Ovation Custom Balladeer 2762BL-VB-GSteel-String Guitar with PickupWith cutawayBody: Lyrachord GS Deep BowlOptimised...

⭐ 4.9/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 611837
$1,978
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Celebrity El. Plus CE44LX-1R-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Ovation Celebrity El. Plus CE44LX-1R-G

by Ovation
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
Art. 525227
$611
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBO-600TB Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Harley Benton HBO-600TB Bundle

by Harley Benton
Distinctive Tone Folk World Music
Key Feature:
• Great for world music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Unique round back construction
  • • Cultural authenticity
✗ CONS
  • • Limited to specific musical styles
  • • Can be difficult to hold securely

Harley Benton HBO-600TB Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton HBAC-20*Combo Amplifier for Acoustic Guitar*2...

⭐ 4.7/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 537025
$246
Buy at Thomann View Details

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.

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