acoustic guitars

Latest Updates

“I didn’t want them to be traditional”: Martin's Satin Black M/0000 is the first of a Reverb-exclusive line of experimental builds – and a glimpse at the future of one of America’s oldest guitar brands

By Matt Parker published 17 April 24

The acoustic giant’s stealthy new design is limited to just 24 units

“When companies have success, or they have iconic models, we can tend to get lazy... Consumers and artists deserve better – they need to feel like we’re working hard”: How Martin made its groundbreaking Inception acoustic

By Jamie Dickson published 16 April 24

Martin's vice president of product management Fred Greene gives us the skinny on how the brand's latest acoustic presents players with some seriously innovative features

“Now with the rich sonic allure of rosewood”: Three timeless Gibson acoustics have received a rosewood reinvention – bringing new visuals and tones to the table

By Matt Owen published 3 April 24

The J-45, SJ-200 and Hummingbird have all been treated to a cosmetic and functional pick-me-up

“A powerhouse dreadnought made for genre-defying artists”: Orangewood branches out with the Pomona Live – its first signature acoustic, built for boundary-pushing fingerstyle artist Alejandro Aranda

By Phil Weller published 25 March 24

The LA acoustic builders have collaborated with local hero Aranda – formerly known as Scarypoolparty – for the instrument, which adds “playful embellishments” to a vintage dreadnought design

Janis Joplin covered his songs and he was in a supergroup with Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings – Kris Kristofferson is a movie star and outlaw country icon with a classic acoustic style

By Stuart Ryan published 25 March 24

Kristofferson is one of the greatest songwriters of his generation, one of its biggest movie stars, and a master of making open chords work to a song's advantage

Everything you need to know about acoustic guitar neck joints – how they work, and why they matter for your tone

By Huw Price published 22 March 24

There are all kinds of different ways the neck is attached to the body of your acoustic, and it’s one of the areas where luthiers are innovating to offer similar or better tone to traditional dovetail joints

Taylor 50th Anniversary 814ce Builder’s Edition

“Its ability to suit everything from gentle fingerstyle to vigorous strumming would make it a welcome addition to any collection”: Taylor 50th Anniversary 814ce Builder’s Edition review

By David Mead published 21 March 24

Taylor celebrates its 50th anniversary with some very special limited-edition instruments, including this superb Grand Auditorium acoustic

“Stands at the crossroads of utility and elegance”: Bourgeois Guitars collabs with Eastman for the Touchstone Signature – a historically-styled model that pays homage to prewar acoustics

By Phil Weller published 18 March 24

Available in dreadnought and OM variants, the new addition to the series offers historically inspired features and a torrefied tonewood top

“It sounds as good as ever, with impressive volume output and projection, rich, reverb-like resonance, brisk treble and sweet, sonorous midrange”: Taylor GS Mini Sapele review

By Chris Gill published 7 February 24

The high-end acoustic guitar specialist has done the impossible once again, serving up a small-bodied acoustic with a huge voice, with a top build at an inflation-beating price. Remarkable

“Whichever model you choose, you’ll never be underdressed”: Four of Gibson’s most enduring acoustics have received the Custom Shop tuxedo treatment inspired by the Les Paul Custom

By Phil Weller published 1 February 24

The beloved J-45, Hummingbird, SJ-200 and Songwriter EC models have all been celebrated with custom shop craftsmanship

Takamine GD34CE and GD38CE Acoustic guitars

NAMM 2024: “A lower cost option that’s pure Takamine in its voice”: An affordable take on Takamine’s all-black Legacy Series has been in demand “for decades” – with its latest G Series acoustics, the Japanese luthier has finally obliged

By Phil Weller published 29 January 24

Complete with gig-ready TP-3G electronics, the builds offer budget-conscious alternatives to its Legacy Series EF341SC and EF381SC models

NAMM 2024: “One of the most unique and spectacular LTD models that Takamine has ever created”: Takamine's master luthiers celebrate once more around the sun with this spectacular solar system-themed acoustic guitar build

By Matt Parker published 27 January 24

Every year the firm builds a guitar to showcase the finest work of its Japanese luthiers and this year’s model really dazzles

Martin's two new-for-2024 SC line guitars

NAMM 2024: “Pairing technology with timeless style and tone”: Martin expands its revolutionary SC acoustic-electric line with new, top-of-the-line models

By Jackson Maxwell published 22 January 24

The new SC-18E and SC-28E feature some serious tonewood and electronics upgrades

“A ramblin’ companion for everything from bluesy porch pickin’ to speakeasy swingin’”: Are Gretsch’s new Jim Dandy models 2024’s budget acoustics to beat?

By Phil Weller published 18 January 24

The storied guitar firm has launched standard and classy pickup-bolstered Deltoluxe versions of its Parlor, Concert and Dreadnought acoustic guitars – starting at $189

NAMM 2024: Ibanez gives one of 2023’s best-selling acoustics – the Tim Henson-inspired FRH10N – a sleek new makeover

By Matt Owen published 10 January 24

The Japanese brand shows its commitment to growing the progressive nylon-string platform first developed by the Polyphia virtuoso with some eye-popping finishes

The interior of the Guitar House of Tulsa store

“[We want] to recover the guitars and sell them to people who actually want to play them”: $80,000 worth of vintage guitars have been stolen from Guitar House of Tulsa. Now the owner – and Joe Bonamassa – are appealing for your help

By Matt Parker published 9 January 24

15 vintage guitars – including ’50s/’60s Gibsons, PRS Private Stock models, and a ’61 Rickenbacker – have been taken

NAMM 2024: “Sustainably taking the art of guitar manufacturing to new heights and new sounds”: Martin ushers in a new era of acoustic guitar innovation with the GPCE Inception – and the results could be game-changing

By Matt Owen published 9 January 24

Martin's latest sustainable model is a uniquely engineered instrument with an all-new skeletonized bracing design that debuts “a new innovative approach to building acoustic guitars”

“We determined, ‘Boy, with that checked finish, the acoustic guitar – which is a box that vibrates – really rings’”: Gibson's Tom Murphy on how Murphy Lab acoustics are taking aged guitars into new sonic territory

By Matt Parker published 28 December 23

Gibson’s master artisan Tom Murphy has reinvented the process of guitar aging. Now he’s turned his eye and – perhaps, more importantly – his ear, to the firm’s acoustic line

Turnstone TG review: the most expensive guitar we’ve ever reviewed – but is it worth it?

By David Mead published 30 October 23

At £12,240 (nearly $15,000), this premium-level model from the renowned UK-based acoustic builder is the most expensive guitar we have reviewed, but it might also be one of the best. Want to know what a high-end acoustic plays like? Read on…

Martin LX1E on a light blue background with the text 'Guitar World Buyer's guide: Best 3/4 acoustic guitars'

Best 3/4 acoustic guitars: smaller bodied options from Taylor, Martin, Fender and more

By Matt McCracken last updated 26 October 23

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned veteran there’s a lot to love about these 3/4 size acoustic guitars

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