Long before stadiums, stacks, spotlights and K-pop supergroups, there was the parlor guitar. Small, gutsy and heavily associated with the raw sting of the Delta Blues, it was, somewhat ironically, originally conceived as a sophisticated instrument with which to entertain guests in the aristocratic sitting rooms – parlors – of the 19th Century.
Swapping gut strings for steel in the 1920s and sacrificing hand-crafted finesse for mass-produced, mail-order affordability in the 1930s placed it very much in the hands of the people, blues musicians in particular. Today, it remains a very accessible guitar, and it’s still one that lends itself to being played while slouched on the couch. It’s a great beginner acoustic guitar, and with modern appointments, it can sound surprisingly contemporary, despite its quaint name.
Sonically mid-biased, its natural voice enables vocals to shine, making it an inspired choice for singer-songwriters working both within and well beyond the blues genre. Frankly, it’s also the ultimate n+1 guitar – the kind you leave leaning against the sofa, ready to grab the second inspiration strikes.
So, if you’re looking for a small, yet versatile guitar that’s easy to live with and exceptionally comfortable to play, read on to discover the best parlor guitars available to you today. But if you want my top pick straight away, I've gone for the Fender Highway Series - a versatile parlor guitar that's great for new players and more seasoned musicians.
Best overall
✅ Buy if you want an parlor with excellent playability: This Fender blurs the line between electric and acoustic and is a joy to play.
❌ Avoid if you're after a more traditional parlor guitar: As lovely as this model is, more classically-minded players might want to look elsewhere.
The lowdown: Under the guise of its Highway Series, Fender gives this small but intriguing parlor guitar the Acoustasonic treatment. Fender’s regular Acoustasonic line ingeniously re-imagines the brand’s iconic electrics – Tele, Strat and Jazzmaster – as thinline electro-acoustics that can nail both electric and acoustic tones. Yet, with a character all of their own. The Highway Series Parlor turns this approach on its head, reinventing the acoustic as a versatile, capable thinline. It sings with the ergonomics of an electric, the resonance of a much larger guitar, and the aura of a genuine acoustic.
Build quality: With guitarists the world over deifying vintage Teles and Strats, it’s easy to forget Leo was never a traditionalist, he was an ardent innovator. The Highway Series Parlor proves that Fender can still push the creative envelope when it chooses. The back, sides and heel block are all sculpted from a single slab of mahogany, with a solid Sitka spruce top dropped on to its mere 2.25" depth. Fender supports the top with a unique ‘tapered floating X’ bracing pattern, and the hog body is chambered for resonance. The Highway Series Parlor utilizes a proprietary sound hole-mounted Fishman Fluence Acoustic Pickup System, designed specifically to resist feedback while maintaining a genuinely acoustic tonality.
The body, which is contoured for comfort, features a sizeable belly cut, and the slim bolt-on mahogany neck is clearly inspired by Fender’s electrics – the Strat-like headstock and the inline tuners are clearly a chip off the old block. It sports a familiar ‘C’ profile, a 24.75” scale, and a 12"-radius rosewood fingerboard.
Sound and performance: Unplugged, the Parlor surprises with a full yet bright tone that’s ideal for fingerstyle and blues. Fender’s bracing pattern is an achievement, one that allows the thin top to resonate with enough energy and efficiency to jam along with a friend or accompany a singer. While it lacks the low-end thump of a larger body, its acoustic volume is remarkably respectable. Plugged in, the analogue Fluence system delivers a rich, feedback-free tone that sounds sweet and organic, making it a top-tier choice for live performance. Playing with the contour knob provides some subtle but useful EQ – just bear in mind that, unlike the Acoustasonic line, you can’t coax and ‘electric’ tone from Highway Series Parlor, but that’s not what its designed for.
This little guitar is triumph of comfort; the slim, contoured body and svelte satin-finished neck make it feel more like a Strat or Tele than a traditional acoustic – ideal if you often find yourself transitioning from electric to acoustic and back.
"It look great, plays really well, is sensibly thought through and, most important of all, sound amazing. While it'll work fine through your guitar amp for a few songs in the set, if you own an acoustic combo or have access to a PA and monitors, that’s where the Highway Series’ true magic is revealed.
Read our full Fender Highway Series Parlor review
Best budget
✅ Buy if you that classic parlor character for a sweet price: The Jim Dandy has a warm and intimate sound - and the price is hard to argue with.
❌ Avoid if you have big hands: During our testing, we found that some players might find that the fretboard is a little cramped.
The lowdown: Who would have thought my budget pick – the Gretsch Jim Dandy – is arguably the most authentic parlor guitar here? By the 1930s, parlor guitars had slipped from being sophisticated instruments for the wealthy, instead becoming simply small guitars at a small price. Which is precisely how they found their way into the well-calloused hands of the original songsters and purveyors of the blues. The Gretsch Jim Dandy Parlor traces a proud route from that lineage, it’s the spiritual heir to the brand’s budget mail-order ‘Rex’ line of instruments from the ’30s through to the '50s.
Build quality: Parlor sizes have swollen over the years, but I’m delighted to report that this Gretsch, with its 17.875" (454 mm) body length and narrow lower bout, stays true to the ideal. It’s a characterful little guitar with a non-cutaway basswood body, sides and X-braced top, providing a lightweight, resonant build. The 24”-scale nato neck has a ‘C’ profile and a walnut fingerboard with 18 vintage-style frets. Pinstripe purfling, open-gear die-cast tuning machines, and the iconic ‘G’ graphic on the white pickguard complete the retro look.
Sound and performance: Sonically, the Jim Dandy delivers an intimate focused midrange that’s the hallmark of the parlor shape. It’s not the most sophisticated tone – lacking the complexity of its more expensive rivals – but it makes up for this with projection and balanced brightness that responds well to fingerpicking. The sample we were provided for review was well intonated across the neck and exhibited no fret buzz. The short scale length reduces string tension, making it easy to play, which is perfect for smaller hands or anyone who enjoys effortless string bends. It’s a fun, unpretentious instrument with a vintage aesthetic that makes it a legitimate entry point into the world of blues.
"With stunning looks, a short scale length and modest price tag, this is an ideal guitar for younger players and adults alike."
Read our full Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy review
Best high-end
✅ Buy if fingerpicking is your preferred way to play: The Gibson L-00's note separation sounds wonderful.
❌ Avoid if strumming is your thing: While a fingerpick-style works really well here, those who prefer to strum won't get the same benefit.
The lowdown: Developed in the Great Depression years as a more affordable ‘blues box’ to rival less expensive guitars from the likes of Stella and Washburn, the L-00 has nevertheless evolved into a premium benchmark for small-body acoustics. Strictly speaking, as an "00" shape, it’s a little large for a parlor but that anomaly only adds to its versatility – a marvel for fingerpicking, it strums well too. It’s compact-enough dimensions, focused projection and enviable heritage make it a worthy contender in this buyer’s guide.
Build quality: The L-00 Standard is handcrafted in Gibson’s ‘Acoustic Craftory’ in Montana, with an all-solid construction that features a Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides. As befits its vintage roots and price tag, it’s built with ‘traditional’ hand-scalloped X-bracing – Gibson switched from ladder to X-bracing in the late 30s – and a hide-glue dovetail neck joint. The mahogany neck sports Gibson’s ‘SlimTaper’ profile, a 24.75” scale length, and a 12”-radius rosewood fingerboard. Contemporary refinements include Mini Grover Rotomatic tuners and a discreetly mounted LR Baggs VTC pickup system with soundhole volume and tone controls.
Sound and performance: Its mahogany build and compact size give the L-00 an energetic mid-forward tone that sits really well with delta blues and ragtime tunes that value clarity over bass. Fingerstyle players of any style will find its note separation to die for, providing a crispness that larger guitars just cannot compete with. It does, however, favour a lighter touch, so it’s not the instrument for heavy strumming, though projection and volume are both surprisingly good. Dig in too hard though, and it all becomes a bit much for the little L-00.
Like many smaller guitar, it’s immensely comfortable to play. If you’re more used to playing acoustic necks than electrics, you’ll be relieved to find the 1.725” nut width offers plenty breathing room for tricky chord shapes, making the Gibson L-00 Standard as physically comfortable as it is tonally distinct.
Best durability
✅ Buy if you're in the market for one of the most budget-minded parlor guitars: The PRS SE P20E has good on-board electronics and is an absolute pleasure to kick back with.
❌ Avoid if you want lots of volume: This small-bodied guitar might not be loud enough for your needs, but it remains a super-playable instrument.
The lowdown: The tiny PRS SE P20E is a real gem in the PRS catalogue. It retains the same small ‘Tonare’ body shape as previous PRS parlor guitars, as well as the all-mahogany charm that made them so versatile. Aimed at everyone from beginners to pros, fingerstyle blues players to singer-songwriters, it serves as a high-quality instrument that transitions seamlessly from the couch to the stage.
Build quality: The P20E is pretty much hog through and through – PRS has mated a solid mahogany top with mahogany back and sides and crafted on a mahogany neck. A technical highlight is the hybrid "X"/Classical bracing, which PRS says allows the top to vibrate more freely than standard bracing patterns. In essence, the pattern features classical fan bracing in combination with X-bracing behind the bridge.
The neck is carved into the substantial but comfortable "Wide Fat" profile, featuring a relatively short 24.72” scale length, an ebony fingerboard with iconic bird inlays, and a genuine bone nut and saddle. The bridge is also solid ebony.
The electronics are really something special. Fishman technicians EQ’d the P20E in Paul Reed Smith’s home studio, before applying the curve to the brand’s Fishman Presys VT Pickup system. If it’s good enough for Paul Reed Smith…
Finally, the Black Dog Hair gloss top colour option adds an added sheen of sophistication to an already very attractive guitar. It’s available in a Fire Red Burst finish too, if you favour a more vibrant look.
Sound and performance: Every wondered what the difference is between warm and bassy? Play the PRS SE P20E and all will become clear. The mahogany tonal character of this guitar is warm and woody, yet clear and bright, which sounds like contradiction but makes sense as soon as you accept it’s all about the defined mids and articulate highs. There’s clarity here, plenty of warmth too, but no boom and absolutely no mud. It’s a fingerpicker’s delight.
Though it’s impossible to tell whether the hybrid bracing pattern is nothing more than clever marketing, the P20E does have plenty of projection, so there’s no doubt that the top is moving some air. The Fishman Presys VT system sounds impressively natural too, managing to retain some of the guitar’s characteristic woodiness.
As with all PRS guitars, playability is excellent – for such a small guitar, the ‘Wide Fat’ neck is a blessing too.
"Boasting clean lines from top to bottom, comfortable playability and a sweetly sonorous voice, the PRS SE P20E is one of the finest budget-minded parlor guitars."
Read our full PRS SE P20E review
Best traditional
✅ Buy if you're after a premium-feeling parlor with classic tones: The Electro Scoop is an up-to-date take on the traditional parlor and it looks and sounds fantastic.
❌ Avoid if you are just starting out: If you're a new player, it's likely you won't need all the under-the-hood extras.
The lowdown: The Mercury Electro Scoop is a highly contemporary take on the traditional parlor form, and it’s all the better for it. Aimed at the serious fingerstyle soloist, it combines the easy feel of a shortscale 12-fret neck with a modest scooped cutaway that provides effortless access to the ‘dusty end’. There’s a thoroughly modern Fishman INK3 Preamp with undersaddle pickup integrated into the body too.
Build quality: Spending north of $1,000/£1,000 should get you into solid tonewood territory, and Faith doesn’t disappoint with the HiGloss Mercury. It features the classic balanced combo of an FSC-certified solid Engelmann Spruce top paired with solid Rosewood back and sides. The ‘Scoop’ refers to the attractive ergonomic contour at the neck heel, which allows dextrous fingerstyle players to work high up the fretboard with precision. It looks a lot more subtle than a full cutaway, especially on a guitar this diminutive.
A mahogany neck is topped with a Macassan Figured Ebony fingerboard, which has a relatively flat 16" radius and measures 43mm/ 1.68" at the Tusq nut. The signature curvy Faith headstock looks premium, with its gold Grover Rotomatic tuners and inlayed mother of pearl branding.
For live use, the Faith HiGloss Mercury Electro Scoop is equipped with the Fishman INK3 preamp system, which features a discreet chromatic tuner and a 3-band EQ.
Sound and performance: The spruce and rosewood combination provides crystalline trebles and a surprisingly resonant bass for a guitar of this size. Because the neck joins the body at the 12th fret, the bridge is relocated further back on the soundboard, resulting in more warmth, and more bass oomph than most 14-fret parlors can muster. It’s a beguiling sound that fingerstyle players will fall in love with. Plugged in, the Fishman electronics serve the guitar well, providing separate EQ adjustment for bass, middle and treble as well as a tuner.
Any guitar with a 24-inch scale length will be easy to play due to its lower spring tension, and the Faith HiGloss Mercury Electro Scoop is no different. It’s the beautifully executed scooped cutaway that sets it apart from the competition. If you’re after the honest, lo-fi grit of a parlor built a century ago, this may not be the guitar for you. If, however, you’re after fidelity, elegance and the height of playability then add the Faith HiGloss Mercury Electro Scoop to your shortlist.
Best value
✅ Buy if you want a solid Gibson-like acoustic that won't break the bank: This is just the ticket if you'd like to replicate that classic Gibson sound without the hefty price tag.
❌ Avoid if you have the cash to splash: If you've got a bit more saved up, then you should probably go straight for a Gibson.
The lowdown: This is Epiphone’s take on Gibson’s veritable L-00, and very good it is too. Just like its much higher priced cousin, it’s a direct descendant of the 1930s blues boxes that defined an era, the influence of which still pervades popular music almost a century on. This is an ‘Inspired by Gibson’ model, which means you pay a bit more, but the quality is superior. In fact, it’s surprisingly close to the ‘real thing’.
Like the Gretsch Jim Dandy but up a notch, the Epiphone L-00 Standard provides a relatively affordable entry point into the vintage small-body market, capturing the raw charm of its mail order forbears that helped shape the golden age of acoustic blues. It's aimed squarely at fingerpickers, blues enthusiasts, and singer-songwriters who want the punchy, iconic Gibson vibe without the four-figure price tag.
Build quality: As expected at this price, the L-00 Standard features a solid Sitka spruce top, which provides excellent dynamic range and clarity. It’s paired with solid mahogany back and sides to promote a bright, mid-forward tone while adding some woody warmth. Just like its upmarket cousin, the Gibson L-00, it features a mahogany neck, here carved into a comfortable rounded C profile. Scale length is 24.75” and the 12”-radius rosewood fingerboard is appointed with 20 standard frets. For amplification, Epiphone has combined a Fishman S-Core undersaddle pickup with a Fishman Presys VT preamp, allowing for a clean, non-invasive aesthetic.
Sound and performance: True to its heritage, the L-00 Standard delivers a crisp, woody tone with an immediate attack that is particularly responsive to a light touch. It offers a warm bottom end and focused trebles that avoid the muddiness of larger guitars, though it will naturally compress (and distort) if pushed too hard with a heavy plectrum. The Fishman S-Core undersaddle pickup and Fishman Presys VT preamp compare favourably to the LR Baggs system on the Gibson.
Is it as good as the Gibson version? Trust me, it’s really not that far behind. In short, it’s a road-ready workhorse that manages to feel both nostalgic and incredibly practical for modern use.
Also consider
Glossary
12-fret neck join: Refers to where the neck joins the body. A 12-fret design shifts the bridge further into the sweet spot of the lower bout, typically creating a warmer, punchier resonance than the modern 14-fret standard.
Action: The height of the strings above the fretboard. Lower action is generally preferred for the intricate fingerstyle playing common on parlor guitars.
Boxy: A midrange-heavy tonal quality. While usually a negative for large guitars, in a parlor it can signify a focused, "woody" punch that records exceptionally well.
Dreadnought: The antithesis of the parlor. Large, wide-waisted, and loud, it is the best-selling acoustic shape, prized (or loathed) for its deep bass and high volume. Dreads are rarely the most comfortable instruments to play.
EQ (Equalization): The controls (usually bass, middle, treble) on a guitar's preamp that allow you to shape the plugged-in tone.
Fretboard (Fingerboard): The wood surface on top of the neck, where the frets sit. Common parlor materials include Laurel, Pau Ferro and Ebony.
Headstock: The ‘face’ of the guitar where the tuners are located. Some parlors feature a slotted headstock (with vertical grooves) for a vintage 1920s aesthetic.
Laminate v solid wood: Solid wood offers superior resonance and matures over time. Laminate (layered wood) is more budget-friendly and durable, making it ideal for travel or ‘couch’ guitars.
Nut width: The width of the neck at the headstock. Wider nuts (e.g., 1.75”) provide more string spacing, which is a major advantage for complex fingerpicking.
Parlor guitar: The smallest of the ‘standard’ acoustic shapes. Defined by a narrow waist and a focused, midrange-heavy voice, it was historically designed for intimate home performances.
Preamp & mic (Electronics): The onboard electronic system for plugging into an amp. The preamp processes the signal, while a mic or Piezo pickup captures the vibrations of the strings and body.
Scale length: The distance from the nut to the bridge. Many parlors use a short scale (24” to 24.75”), which reduces string tension for a slinkier feel and easier string bends.
Size comparison (Small to large): Parlor < 0 Concert < 00 Grand Concert < 000 Auditorium < Dreadnought.
Tonewood: The specific wood species used to ‘colour’ the sound. Common examples include spruce (bright/clear), mahogany (warm/woody), and rosewood (rich/glassy).
Top (Soundboard): This is the most critical part of the guitar body for tone because it resonates the most when the strings are plucked. In common parlance, it’s the entire guitar top but in reality, the lower bout is the most active area. A solid top is always preferred over laminate as it vibrates more freely, offering better projection.
Tuners (Machine heads): The geared pegs used to adjust string pitch. High-quality tuners ensure better tuning stability and smoother adjustment.
Upper/Lower Bout: The wide, curved sections of the guitar body. The parlor's smaller upper bout creates its signature pear shape and contributes to its balanced, non-boomy bass response.
X-bracing: The internal wooden support under the top. While X-bracing is the modern standard for balance, some vintage-style parlors use ladder bracing for a drier, old-school blues tone.
How to choose a parlor guitar
Choosing a guitar is intensely personal, which explains why there are so many models available to us. My dream parlor could be an anathema to the next player, and vice versa, so we’re lucky to be blessed with so many alternatives. However, the sheer amount of choice can be overwhelming, so here’s how to select the right guitar without spiralling.
Stick to your budget
Don’t waste energy gassing for a guitar you really can't afford; instead focus on the models you can. A decade or so ago, many budget guitars were horrific to both play and listen to. Since then, big brands such as Fender, Epiphone and Gretsch entered the fray with renewed gusto, elevating quality considerably. Yamaha has always been a stalwart of the affordable end of the market – the quality of its guitars beggars belief.
Similarly, if you’re a novice with money burning a hole in your pocket, don’t shy away from mid-market guitars and up. Social media feeds and guitar forums are full of ‘experts’ claiming beginners aren’t worthy of expensive, well-made instruments, but nothing could be further than the truth. Invest in the best guitar you can afford – it'll sound better, be easier to play and you won’t be compelled to upgrade a year or two from now. Choose well and may even hold its price for years to come.
Onboard electronics
These days, even entry-level models boast really good preamps and piezo pickups, which is great for those of us on a tight budget. An integrated piezo pickup, or piezo pickup and preamp system combined, adds versatility to your guitar, whether you intend to perform in an amplified setting or not. It enables you to easily colour your tone with effects or record direct to your laptop, though you’ll also have to invest in an interface.
If you’ve narrowed your choices down to a particular guitar and it happens to come loaded with electronics that you’re unlikely to use, don’t worry, there’s no real downside to these systems. In fact, if you do change your mind about live performance a couple of years from now, at least you won’t have to worry installing an aftermarket system, which is rarely complicated but often means taking a drill to your guitar.
Experienced fingerstyle players after a truly special instrument are probably better off choosing a guitar without factory-fitted electronics provided they have zero ambition to gig. Electronic installs are pretty low-key these days, but they do affect the aesthetic of a fine instrument and add a little weight.
Should I buy a dreadnought instead?
The giant ‘dread’ is the by far the most popular guitar shape, outselling all the others by some margin. Is it the best? No, not even close. Its popularity is almost entirely down to marketing and product association – many of the biggest stars have been seen playing a dread at some stage in their careers. Big, bold and bassy, it owes its very existence to the fact it’s loud; a quality that’s not even relevant now that acoustic amplification has been with us for decades.
A parlor guitar, on the other hand, is small in size and sweet in tone. It’s arguably more versatile than a dread, and for many guitarists, much more comfortable to play. If you are seriously considering a larger alternative to the parlor then consider the mid-sized Grand Auditorium shape popularized by Taylor. It hits a sweet spot, yielding more bass than the Parlor, but without the boom of the dread. However, a parlor is still the choice if you’re a blues aficionado or need a guitar that’s easy to live and travel with.
Scale length and nut width
Many traditionally sized parlor guitars – those with a diminutive body length of approx. 18.25” – also boast a short scale length of between 24” and 24.75”, which tends to go hand-in-hand with the neck joining the body of the guitar at the twelfth fret.
A short scale length reduces tension on the strings, which makes them easier to fret for beginners, and easier to bend for blues players. The twelfth fret neck join also results in a warmer tone, because the bridge moves to the centre of the lower bout, maximising resonance.
However, there are no hard and fast rules. Some guitarists don’t get along with a shorter scale length, finding less tension in the strings makes them feel sloppy to play. They may also prefer the bright, punch sound of a longer scale length, which will also react better to strumming. Fortunately, parlor guitars are also available with longer scale lengths, such as 25.4” – 25.5”. These tend to be the more contemporary models, which are often a little larger than the 18.25” ‘standard’ of the last century.
Choosing which scale length to settle on is entirely down to feel and tone – it’s completely subjective. Nevertheless, it’s useful to know that these differences do exist from one model to the next.
Nut width is another personal choice, but at least it’s a little less subtle than scale length. The wider the nut, the easier it will be for larger fingers to fret complex fingerstyle shapes, though barre chords can be trickier to execute. A wide nut – typically 1.75” (44.5mm) or even 1.875” (47.6mm) – can also make the fretboard feel slow. The narrower the nut, the faster it is to get around the fretboard but some players, those from an acoustic background in particular, may feel cramped. Nuts can be as narrow as a Strat-like 1.65” (42mm), which is a much more comfortable proposition for most electric players.
Tonewoods
Tonewoods make a difference, but don’t get too hung up on the choice – there are many other factors that shape a guitar’s voice, not least of which is the quality of construction. Mahogany is the quintessential tonewood for parlor guitars, but you have options.
Spruce top & mahogany body: A parlor favourite. This pairing delivers a tone that is relatively rich in warmth yet retains great clarity.
All-mahogany: Provides a similar character, but the tone is typically darker, earthier, and more compressed. It’s the sound we associate with the blues.
Spruce top & rosewood body: A classic pairing across almost all guitar shapes, but less so the parlor. It is prized for its balanced tone, deep lows, and glassy highs. Additionally, rosewood looks stunning in comparison to mahogany, which can appear a little plain.
FAQs
What are parlor guitars best for?
Like most guitars, a parlor can handle almost any genre, but it has a few standout characteristics that make it especially well-suited to certain styles. With its focused, tight, mid-range sound, a parlor guitar is ideal for fingerstyle. Pairing a parlor with fingerpicked blues is a match made in heaven—after all, it’s likely what our forefathers were playing in old saloons. The same goes for country and bluegrass. A parlor’s tight response is perfect for fingerpicking, and when paired with vocals, it’s a winning combination.
Singer-songwriters throughout history have also embraced the unique tone and easy playability of parlor guitars. Legends like Joan Baez and Bob Dylan have relied on them throughout their careers—if it’s good enough for them...
If these genres and artists don’t match what you’re going for, we’d still encourage you to give a parlor a try. These punchy guitars are more versatile than you might think, and a bit of experimentation can lead to new and exciting musical combinations.
Which tonewoods should I consider?
The woods from which a parlor guitar is made will have quite an effect on the sound it produces. Solid woods are generally preferred, as opposed to laminated woods, as they resonate more, produce more overtones and generally just tend to sound richer and better. Many of the best parlor guitars feature a solid top. This means the top part of the body, which is in effect like the speaker of the instrument, is made from solid wood so it vibrates more freely and will produce a better tone when compared to a laminate top. You can then get guitars where the whole body is solid, i.e. the top, back and sides are made from solid woods, which will yield an even richer tone.
Spruce is a common tonewood for the top and is fairly bright sounding, with a nice snap and attack. It can also lend some extra punch in the midrange. It’s versatile so should work for any style of music. Mahogany is used on quite a few parlor guitars too. Some players describe it as ‘woody’ or ‘earthy’ sounding. A lot of old blues players like mahogany for its warmth – if that’s your bag, then a parlor guitar featuring mahogany is worth checking out.
Should I buy a parlor guitar with electronics?
If you’re wanting to use your new parlor guitar at gigs or open-mic nights, or maybe you want to record directly into an audio interface, then going for one that has a built-in pickup will certainly help. With an electro-acoustic guitar you can turn up, plug in and play. You’ve usually got some controls on the side for volume and maybe even a simple EQ so you can dial in your ideal sound. Of course, if this seems unnecessary for your needs, then you don’t want to be paying for a pickup you don’t need, so a straight up acoustic parlor guitar will see you right.
How much should I spend on a parlor guitar?
Price is usually an important factor when shopping for a new guitar. You’ll want to get the best parlor guitar that your money can buy. All of our options on this list are good guitars, though of course, the more you spend, the better the guitar is going to be. You can get a great starter option for under $200. Increasing your budget is going to get you better woods, so you’ll see solid tops just above this price point which resonate better. Go even further and you’ll get all solid wood construction.
A more expensive guitar is also probably going to feature better hardware, which can help it stay in tune better, will probably feel nicer to play and might include a better pickup, giving you a more organic and natural sound when plugged in. Of course if you’re just starting out, then some of these higher end features might be unnecessary.
Can a parlor guitar handle heavy strumming?
Kind of. A heavy strumming style isn’t ideal for a little parlor, despite their appeal as a great beginner’s instrument. These guitars respond best to a gentle touch, making them much better suited to nuanced fingerstyle.
However, because beginners are unlikely to have the skill of a fingerstyle maestro the minute they pick up a guitar, they will, of course, need an instrument that can handle some basic stumming patterns. The parlor will hold up fine with the caveat that if you hit the strings too hard, the sound can become compressed or 'boxy' as the wood reaches its physical limit. Dig in too hard and you’ll end up with a distorted mess.
Parlor guitars are tough little brutes, so your unlikely to do any damage with an over-enthusiastic strum; it just won’t sound great. If you’re a novice, don’t overthink it – you’ll be off to a great start with a parlor.
Does a 12-fret neck joint make a difference to the sound?
Absolutely! Many traditional parlor guitars join the neck to the body at the 12th fret rather than the 14th, which is the modern standard. To achieve this, physics dictates that the bridge has to be moved further down towards the widest part of the lower bout, which gives a warmer, punchier sound.
This is important because the parlor’s small body doesn’t lend itself naturally to either warmth or bass response. Choosing a ‘warm’ tonewood such as mahogany, and joining the neck at the twelfth fret, can help compensate for this. With a 12th-fret neck build, a depth of tone is gained that makes a small guitar sound much larger than it actually is.
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How we test
Here at Guitar World we'll test a parlor guitar in much the same way as we would a regular acoustic guitar, or any guitar for that matter. However parlor guitars do tend to differ in terms of the situation they're used in, particularly in the modern age where they're popular as sofa strummers.
Our first check of a parlor guitar is always to examine the build quality in detail. We're looking to see that the instrument has been well put together, and finished exquisitely. That means checking the neck and fret ends, the application of the nut, any binding, as well as the bracing inside. A parlor guitar lives and dies by its body construction, so naturally this plays a huge part of our tests.
Once that's done we'll focus on the playability. As relatively small instruments you'd expect a parlor to feel slightly more cramped than a full-size dreadnought, but we don't want it to feel uncomfortable. It should be easier to fret more complex chords on, but no scramped you struggle to fret chords at all.
With playability out of the way, next up we need to focus on the sound. Parlor guitars are usually more 'boxy' sounding, which can sometimes be used as a negative for full-sized acoustic guitars. Here though, it's part of the charm, and you should fully expect that these guitars aren't as big and brash as a dreadnought.
Overall parlor guitars should share many of the same qualities as a full-size acoustic guitar, but we always appreciate they are a different genre of instrument. Find out more about how we make our recommendations and how we test at Guitar World.
Meet the experts
After spending a decade in music retail, I’m now a freelance writer for Guitar World, MusicRadar, Guitar Player and Reverb, specialising in electric and acoustic guitars, bass, and almost anything else you can make a tune with. When my head’s not buried in the best of modern and vintage gear, I run a small company helping musicians with songwriting, production and performance, and I play bass in an alt-rock band.
Ross has been a music lover and guitar player since the age of 8. He has spent the five years since graduating from university working in music retail, selling guitars, amps and more. Ross is particularly interested in electric guitars, pedals and amplifiers and his current rig includes a trusty 2009 American Standard Stratocaster and Vox AC30S1 with a few Walrus Audio and Way Huge pedals in between.
When Simon's childhood classical guitar teacher boasted he 'enjoyed a challenge', the poor man had no idea how much he'd underestimated the scale of the task ahead. Despite Simon's lack of talent, the experience did spark a lifelong passion for music. His classical guitar was discarded for an electric, then a room full of electrics before Simon discovered the joys of keys. Against all odds, Simon somehow managed to blag a career as a fashion journalist, but he's now more suitably employed writing for Guitar World and MusicRadar.
Latest updates
11/05/26: The guide has been re-written from the ground up and also features "At A Glance" panels with the pros and cons of each product. We've also added expert verdict panels where applicable and a glossary highlighting key terms relating to parlor guitars. A section detailing why you can trust the Guitar World team is now included while the FAQ section has been expanded. A brand new section on how to choose a parlor guitar has also been added, alongside a "Meet The Experts" section showing you more information about the guide's authors.
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You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
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