#1
Taylor 314ce
Grand Auditorium (14-fret), all-solid · Sitka spruce top, sapele back/sides, cutaway, electronics, bone nut/saddle$900–$1200 usedBest for: Studio recording, fingerpicking, singer-songwriter, versatility
Taylor makes the most consistent professional guitars. The 314ce is all-solid Sitka and sapele, the electronics are transparent, and the sound is balanced across all frequencies. Used Taylor guitars hold value.
#2
Martin 000-15M
Triple Ought (14-fret), all-solid mahogany · Solid spruce top, solid mahogany back/sides, American build, bone hardware$800–$1050 usedBest for: American tone, fingerpicking, budget-conscious professionals
Martin all-mahogany construction is warm and balanced. The 000-15M is smaller than a dreadnought but louder than you expect. All-American manufacturing and Martin quality control.
#3
Gibson J-45 Studio
Dreadnought (14-fret), all-solid · Solid spruce top, solid mahogany back/sides, modern construction, bone hardware$1000–$1350 usedBest for: Dreadnought tone, strumming, recording, classic American sound
The J-45 is iconic — more album covers than any other acoustic. The Studio version uses solid construction and modern CNC (not vintage hand-bracing) at a lower price than Custom Shop.
#4
Collings OM-1
OM (15-fret small body), all-solid · Sitka spruce top, Indian rosewood back/sides, hand-carved top, Austin-made$1200–$1600 usedBest for: Fingerpicking, singer-songwriter, boutique craftsmanship, tone clarity
Collings is the gold standard for boutique American acoustics. The OM-1 is all-solid Sitka and rosewood, hand-carved top, and hand-assembled in Austin. Expensive used, but incredible tone.
#5
Eastman E20OM
OM (15-fret small body), all-solid · Solid Sitka spruce top, solid Indian rosewood back/sides, hand-carved top$900–$1200 usedBest for: Hand-crafted tone at fair price, fingerpicking, value seekers
Eastman is the secret among session players. Hand-carved tops and hand-assembled construction in their Beijing workshop. All-solid, premium tonewoods, and priced far below Collings.
#6
Martin 00-28
Double Ought (14-fret), all-solid · Solid spruce top, Indian rosewood back/sides, American build, bone hardware$1100–$1450 usedBest for: Premium American tone, recording, collection-grade, investment
The Martin 28 series uses Indian rosewood — the premium tonewoods Martin is known for. All-solid construction, American-made, and significantly appreciated in value. Museum-grade acoustic.
#7
Taylor 414ce
Grand Auditorium (14-fret), all-solid · Solid Sitka spruce top, solid ovangkol back/sides, cutaway, electronics$1100–$1450 usedBest for: Studio and gigging hybrid, versatile tone, modern electronics
Taylor 414 is the professional workhorse. Sitka spruce, ovangkol back (warmer than sapele), cutaway for upper-fret access, and excellent electronics. Used 414s are gig-ready.
