The 30 best electric acoustic guitar brands
Ernie Ball, Takamine and Fender lead our ranking of 30 electric acoustic guitar brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Electric Acoustic Guitar brands, ranked
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1
Ernie Ball
Ernie Ball is the world's most well-known manufacturer of premium-quality electric guitar strings, bassline strings, and guitar gear. Ernie Ball has been a leader in string manufacture and design for almost 50 years. Ernie Ball continues to manufacture lines that artists all around the globe rely on for creative expression via constant research and development. Their brands are among the most well-known in the world, from guitars to basses to pedals, picks, and strings. They offer something for everyone, whether you're on stage or rocking at home.
Website: ernieball.com |Brands like Ernie Ball
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
Takamine
Takamine guitars are the ideal blend of traditional craftsmanship and world-class technology. Its commitment to invention and continuous development has elevated it to the ranks of the world's leading acoustic guitar manufacturers, producing genuinely excellent instruments that are the first choice of performing guitarists worldwide. Its long-standing commitment to invention and continuous development has elevated it to the ranks of the world's leading acoustic guitar manufacturers, producing genuinely excellent instruments that are the first choice of performing guitarists worldwide. Takamine guitars capture the musician's spirit with their stunning tone and unrivaled playability.
Website: takamine.com |Brands like Takamine
Popularity 8.5/10
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3
Fender
Leo Fender’s ambition was to design an instrument that was functional and easy to operate. With that in mind, he created a unique guitar. Fender guitars prioritized volume and fun tones when used. Going back to as far as 1946, Fender has revolutionized the music industry worldwide in practically every genre. Moreover, many people, from hobbyists and amateurs to acclaimed artists, have utilized Fender products, which should assure you of its quality.
Website: fender.com |Brands like Fender
Popularity 7.6/10
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4
Breedlove
Enjoy the essence of music with the strings of Breedlove! The company uses finely picked wood and sheer craftsmanship to make guitars that elicit your passion. Make music sound better with their instruments that can be customized the way you desire. The brand has received accolades for being one of the best suppliers in the music industry; it has been appreciated for its eco-friendly conduct. Besides, their instruments are affordable and wieldy so that beginners can play seamlessly.
Website: breedlovemusic.com |Brands like Breedlove
Popularity 6.7/10
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5
Yamaha
Yamaha Corporation is an all-time famous Japanese conglomerate that offers various services and products. While it is mainly known for its musical instruments, it also had a line of motorcycles operating under Yamaha Motors. The motorcycle line was established in 1955 and later separated to become an independent company. The parent company was established in 1887 as a manufacturer of reed organs before growing into the powerhouse it is today.
Website: usa.yamaha.com |Brands like Yamaha
Popularity 6.5/10
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6
Stagg
Music is life itself. Stagg makes it more beautiful by manufacturing musical instruments for all the musicians. Its mission is to offer superior instruments, audio and lighting, and accessories at an affordable cost. They have guitars, cymbals and percussion, band, and orchestra instruments. The team of specialists designers customizes products according to your needs without compromising with the quality. Stagg designs products that are loved and helps the musician to play their best every time.
Website: staggmusic.com |Brands like Stagg
Popularity 5.2/10
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7
Ovation
Ovation has been in the business for the last 30 years, and they have been manufacturing rugged, high-performance video surveillance products. The company sells its products to professionals, and the military and the police use them. The company does not cut any corners with its technology. They are advancing and changing with the times and needs of the consumers. The company always focuses on making its products even better and more reliable. Only the best-grade materials and technology are used for their items.
Website: ovation.co.uk |Brands like Ovation
Popularity 5.0/10
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8
D'Addario
D'Addario is one of the world's top developers and makers of musical instruments. They are a family-owned business that provides cheap musical instrument accessories for guitar, ukulele, violin, and bass. Whatever your musical inclinations are, they have the most fantastic strings and accessories for your musical instrument. Strings, drumheads, hand percussion, brasswinds, guitar accessories, mandolin, and ukulele accessories are all available to enhance musical instruments' genuine tone and resonance.
Website: daddario.com |Brands like D'Addario
Popularity 4.8/10
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9
Ibanez
Ibanez is a Japanese company known for its quality guitars that come in various types. Their products are famous in countries like China and the US and also well known in Indonesia. Electric and Acoustic are a few from their...
Website: ibanez.com |Brands like Ibanez
Popularity 4.7/10
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10
Tanglewood
Tanglewood is a guitar manufacturer founded in 1989 and produces high-quality guitars. The firm makes guitars for all levels of guitarists, from beginners to professionals. Tanglewood Guitars are handcrafted in England with the finest materials and unique artistry handed down...
Website: tanglewoodguitars.com |Brands like Tanglewood
Popularity 4.6/10
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11
Martin
Digital publication Martin is devoted to all things Aston Martin. The publication has established itself as the go-to resource for the most fascinating, captivating, and in-depth articles regarding Aston Martins, both current and past. You can find anything here, from...
Website: magazine.astonmartin.com |Brands like Martin
Popularity 4.3/10
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12
Washburn
Washburn is a well-known American musical instrument manufacturer. Its mission has been to deliver the most excellent quality instruments and service to musicians worldwide for over 135 years. All Washburn instruments are still handcrafted by professional craftsmen in their state-of-the-art...
Website: washburn.com |Brands like Washburn
Popularity 3.9/10
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13
D'Angelico
Creating the stringed melodies since the 1930s, D’Angelico Guitars has managed to execute the balance between the antique essence and modern style fabulously. Suppliers to renowned jazz artists like Chuck Wayne and Kenny Burrell, it still produces its instruments with...
Website: dangelicoguitars.com |Brands like D'Angelico
Popularity 3.9/10
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14
Alvarez
Keeping the love and bond you have with your instruments and adding creativity, Alvarez presents you with top-notch guitars and ukuleles. With finishing that, you will get nowhere else; Alvarez believes in innovating with top-quality materials and special attention to...
Website: alvarezguitars.com |Brands like Alvarez
Popularity 3.9/10
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15
Cort
CORT is a leading nationwide furniture rental, staging, and apartment relocation service. Customers rely on them for furniture rental for home, business, and short-term projects. For all of your furniture needs, they provide both short and long-term rentals with various...
Website: cort.com |Brands like Cort
Popularity 3.4/10
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16
Cole Clark
Cole Clark makes one-of-a-kind guitars out of sustainably sourced woods, cutting-edge design and technology, and traditional craftsmanship. Provides distinctive, stronger, lighter instruments for modern acoustic musicians. The majority of tonewoods used in guitar manufacture are native to Australia, and 98...
Website: coleclarkguitars.com |Brands like Cole Clark
Popularity 3.3/10
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17
Gibson
Gibson makes tableware, flatware, cookware, glasses, tea sets, kitchen equipment and gadgets, and various tables and housewares. Gibson offers tailored solutions to the world's biggest retailers in every type of trade via its family of national chains and private label...
Website: gibsonusa.com |Brands like Gibson
Popularity 3.1/10
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18
Epiphone
Since Epiphone has been manufacturing instruments for almost 140 years, each is produced to the best possible standards. Whatever kind of instrument you're searching for, from the storied Les Paul and SG models to banjos, mandolins, ukuleles, and more, you...
Website: epiphone.com |Brands like Epiphone
Popularity 3.1/10
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19
Guild
Guild is a company that was founded in 1953. They have been manufacturing guitars for a long time. The company makes iconic acoustic, bass, and electric guitars. They have a tradition to follow, ensuring that their guitars are made with...
Website: guildguitars.com |Brands like Guild
Popularity 3.1/10
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20
Cordoba
Music is a pure source that blows life to words and emotions, and therefore, the organic beauty and honesty of instruments should be maintained, understanding which Cordoba sets forth the range of acoustic instruments that blends evolution and traditional craftmanship....
Website: cordobaguitars.com |Brands like Cordoba
Popularity 3.0/10
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21
Oscar Schmidt
Oscar Schmidt is the world's largest manufacturer of stringed instruments. They provide the best quality instruments and all accessories to musicians everywhere. Their primary objective is to ensure that their clients are delighted with their purchases. That's why they offer...
Website: oscarschmidt.com |Brands like Oscar Schmidt
Popularity 2.9/10
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22
Godin
Bringing from forest to stage, Godin is an America-based company. They provide acoustics, basses, electrics, amps, accessories, and parts to sell. They also offer TrueFire guitar lessons. With assured quality products, they take responsibility for quality control before shipping. Shipping...
Website: godinguitars.com |Brands like Godin
Popularity 2.8/10
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23
Peavey
Since 1965, Peavey has enabled musicians to express themselves with absolute Peavey excellence. They've always had a simple philosophy: build goods that will allow musicians to do what they love: write music, perform, and create art. Every day, they follow...
Website: peavey.com |Brands like Peavey
Popularity 2.7/10
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24
Gretsch
It's the story of a firm that started making drums in 1883 in Brooklyn, New York. Gretsch has grown into one of the world's most well-known producers of expert drums and percussion instruments. Artists of many genres and generations have...
Website: gretschguitars.com |Brands like Gretsch
Popularity 2.7/10
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25
PRS
PRS is dedicated to the guitar's rich history while also embracing emerging technology to enhance its instruments' tone, versatility, and aesthetic appeal. They make guitars and basses with a genuine feel and unrivaled sound quality by embracing these key features....
Website: prsguitarseurope.com |Brands like PRS
Popularity 2.5/10
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26
K. Yairi
K.Yairi is a brand that analyses every part of a guitar to manufacture super affordable yet functional guitar body parts. It is one of the most recommended brands by various renowned musicians. They have come a long way and made...
Website: yairi.com |Brands like K. Yairi
Popularity 2.4/10
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27
Dean
Dean is Cleveland's top restaurant supply store. They have a large assortment of commercial kitchen equipment for professionals and home chefs. They also provide a wide selection of perfect culinary materials, such as spices, dinnerware, and even food products like...
Website: shopatdean.com |Brands like Dean
Popularity 2.2/10
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28
Chord
Chord is a range of excellent quality digital to analog converters (DACs), amplifiers, and more from award-winning British HiFi experts. Chord DACs are used in studios, music venues, and homes worldwide to create superior sound quality. The company prides itself...
Website: chordelectronics.co.uk |Brands like Chord
Popularity 2.2/10
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29
Recording King
Recording King, which was founded in 1930, is known for producing excellent musical instruments. Their offerings include everything from banjos to acoustic guitars. Their main goal is to equip every musician with the right equipment so they can compose a...
Website: recordingking.com |Brands like Recording King
Popularity 2.2/10
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30
Art & Lutherie
Art & Lutherie guitars are manufactured in Tumwater, Washington, a small Pacific Northwest hamlet. They are handcrafted with genuine care and pride by a team of artisans who share a passion for music and the construction of exquisite instruments. They...
Website: artandlutherieguitars.com |Brands like Art & Lutherie
Popularity 2.1/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ernie Ball | ernieball.com | /ernieball | ernieball | @ernieball | ernieballinc |
| Takamine | takamine.com | /TakamineGuitars | takamineguitars_official | @takamineguitars | takamineguitars |
| Fender | fender.com | /Fender | fender | @Fender | fendermusical |
| Breedlove | breedlovemusic.com | /Breedlove-Guitars | breedloveguitar | – | BreedloveGuitarCo |
| Yamaha | usa.yamaha.com | /YamahaMusicUSA | yamahamusicusa | @yamahamusicusa | – |
| Stagg | staggmusic.com | /staggmusic | staggmusic | – | – |
| Ovation | ovation.co.uk | – | – | – | – |
| D'Addario | daddario.com | – | – | – | – |
| Ibanez | ibanez.com | – | – | – | – |
| Tanglewood | tanglewoodguitars.com | /tanglewooduk | tanglewooduk | @TANGLEWOODUK | tanglewoodguitarsuk |
Electric Acoustic Guitar Buying Guide
A guitar is an essential instrument for most musicians, whether professional or amateur. Guitars come in several types, including electric, acoustic, and electric acoustic. However, the electric acoustic guitar is becoming increasingly popular because of its versatility and ease of use. This article will provide a buying guide for electric acoustic guitars to help you make the right buying decision.
What is an Electric Acoustic Guitar?
An electric acoustic guitar is a type of acoustic guitar that comes with an electronic pickup that amplifies the sound. The pickup material is usually a piezoelectric or a magnetic material that captures the vibrations of the strings and converts them into electrical signals. Electric acoustic guitars have built-in preamps and other electronic features that allow the guitar to be connected to an amplifier or other sound system.
Features to Consider When Buying an Electric Acoustic Guitar
When buying an electric acoustic guitar, there are several features to consider.
Body
The body of an electric acoustic guitar is usually made of wood, and the type of wood affects the sound quality. Different types of wood have different tonal qualities, so it's important to choose the right wood for the type of music you play.
Tonewoods
There are several types of tonewoods used in electric acoustic guitars.
Spruce
Spruce is the most common tonewood used in electric acoustic guitars. It produces a bright and clear sound and is ideal for playing fingerstyle or flatpicking.
Cedar
Cedar is less dense than spruce and produces a warmer sound with more mid-range tones. It's ideal for players who want a more intimate and expressive sound. Cedar is also suitable for solo performances or smaller audiences.
Mahogany
Mahogany is a dense and heavy wood that produces a warm and rich sound. It's ideal for blues, country, and folk music. Mahogany also has excellent sustain, making it suitable for leads and solo performances.
Maple
Maple is a hard and dense wood that produces a bright and snappy sound. It's ideal for playing jazz or other styles that require a clear and articulate sound.
Body Size
The body size of an electric acoustic guitar affects its sound quality and comfort level. There are four common body sizes for electric acoustic guitars:
Dreadnought
The dreadnought is the most common body size for electric acoustic guitars. It produces a loud and bold sound, making it ideal for playing in bands or large crowds. The body has a wide lower bout and a narrow waist, making it comfortable to hold for extended periods.
Grand Auditorium
The grand auditorium body size is slightly smaller than the dreadnought and produces a balanced sound with a slightly emphasized mid-range. It's ideal for players who want a versatile guitar that can handle various playing styles.
Concert
The concert body size is smaller than the grand auditorium and produces a warm and rich sound. It's ideal for players who want a guitar for intimate performances or studio recordings.
Jumbo
The jumbo body size is the largest of all and produces a deep and booming sound. It's ideal for players who want a guitar for playing rhythm or bass lines. However, the jumbo body size may be uncomfortable for some players to hold for extended periods.
Neck
The neck of an electric acoustic guitar affects its playability and comfort. There are several things to consider when choosing a neck:
Scale Length
The scale length is the distance between the nut and the saddle of the guitar. It determines the string tension and the spacing of the frets.
Short Scale
Short scale guitars have a scale length of 24 inches or less. They are ideal for players with small hands or those who prefer a more comfortable playing position. However, short scale guitars may have less sustain than long scale guitars.
Long Scale
Long scale guitars have a scale length of 25 inches or more. They are ideal for players who want a guitar with more sustain and a wider string spacing. Long scale guitars may be less comfortable to play for players with small hands or those who prefer a more relaxed playing position.
Fretboard Material
The fretboard material affects the feel and sound of the guitar. The most common fretboard materials are:
Rosewood
Rosewood is the most popular fretboard material for electric acoustic guitars. It produces a warm and balanced sound and has a smooth and comfortable feel. However, the use of rosewood is regulated, and some guitar brands may use alternative materials for their fretboards.
Maple
Maple is a hard and dense wood that produces a bright and snappy sound. It's ideal for playing styles that require a clear and articulate sound. Maple fretboards are also easy to maintain and clean.
Ebony
Ebony is a dense and hard wood that produces a bright and articulate sound. It's ideal for players who want a guitar that can handle aggressive playing styles. Ebony fretboards also have a smooth and comfortable feel.
Neck Shape
The neck shape affects the feel and comfort of the guitar. There are several common neck shapes:
C-Shaped Neck
The C-shaped neck has a rounded profile that fits comfortably in the hand. It's ideal for players who want a traditional and comfortable playing experience.
V-Shaped Neck
The V-shaped neck has a more pronounced shape that provides more grip for the thumb and fingers. It's ideal for players who want a guitar that can handle more aggressive playing styles.
U-Shaped Neck
The U-shaped neck has a thicker and more substantial shape that provides more support for the hand. It's ideal for players who prefer a more substantial and comfortable playing experience.
Electronics
The electronics of an electric acoustic guitar affect its sound and connectivity. There are several things to consider when choosing the electronics of an electric acoustic guitar:
Pickup
The pickup material affects the sound quality and versatility of the guitar. The most common pickup materials are:
Piezo
Piezo pickups are mounted either under the bridge or inside the guitar body. They capture the vibrations of the strings and convert them into electrical signals. Piezo pickups produce a clear and natural sound and are ideal for playing styles that require a more natural and organic sound.
Magnetic
Magnetic pickups are similar to the pickups used in electric guitars. They capture the magnetic field created by the strings and convert it into electrical signals. Magnetic pickups produce a warm and rich sound and are ideal for playing styles that require a more amplified and distorted sound.
Preamp
The preamp of an electric acoustic guitar affects its tonal flexibility and sound quality. The most common types of preamps are:
Onboard
Onboard preamps are built into the guitar and allow you to adjust the tone and volume of the guitar without the need for external equipment. They are ideal for players who want a simple and flexible system.
External
External preamps are separate units that you plug into the guitar. They offer more control and flexibility than onboard preamps and allow you to connect the guitar to a wider range of audio equipment. However, they can be more expensive and difficult to operate.
Connectivity
The connectivity of an electric acoustic guitar affects its versatility and compatibility with other audio equipment. The most common connectivity options are:
Jack
Most electric acoustic guitars come with a 1/4 inch jack that allows you to connect the guitar to an amplifier or other audio equipment. The jack provides a reliable and simple connection that is compatible with most audio equipment.
XLR
Some electric acoustic guitars come with an XLR output that provides a more balanced and noise-free connection to an audio system. XLR outputs are ideal for players who want a high-quality and professional sound.
USB
Some electric acoustic guitars come with a USB output that allows you to connect the guitar directly to a computer or recording device. USB outputs are ideal for players who want to record their performances or use digital aids to enhance their sound.
Conclusion
Buying an electric acoustic guitar requires careful consideration of several features, including body type, neck shape, and electronics. Before buying an electric acoustic guitar, you should identify the style of music you want to play and the type of sound you want to achieve. You should also consider your playing style and comfort level. With the right electric acoustic guitar, you can enhance your playing experience, expand your musical repertoire, and impress your audience.
