The 30 best parlor guitar brands in 2026
Recording King, Tanglewood and Vintage lead our ranking of 30 parlor guitar brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Parlor Guitar brands, ranked
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1
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 variety of musical works for the enjoyment of listeners. Regardless of your level of experience, Recording King is the only name you need to know!
Website: recordingking.com |Brands like Recording King
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
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 through the generations of violin makers. They are committed to continuous research and development, which allows them to offer high-quality acoustic guitars at an affordable price. Each instrument is made by hand from high-quality tonewoods, enabling you to express yourself through your device of choice.
Website: tanglewoodguitars.com |Brands like Tanglewood
Popularity 9.6/10
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3
Vintage
Vintage began its journey in the mid-60s when John Skews desired an independent business and started a small musical instrument agency, which also served as a wholesale business. Over time, the company began to hit its stride and formed a line of self-branded musical equipment. The line includes electric and acoustic guitars and basses. Today, it is one of England's largest independent musical merchandise producers.
Website: vintageguitarsus.com |Brands like Vintage
Popularity 9.2/10
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4
Harmony
Harmony has been harmonizing for so many years that they are now synonymous with music. They have been in operation since 1892, which makes them a company standing for more than a century. They make musical instruments that are one of a kind. Harmony knows the intricate details one needs to pay attention to when making any musical instrument. They understand the needs of the musicians, and they deliver them with finesse and quality. It has always been for music, and it always will be.
Website: harmony.co |Brands like Harmony
Popularity 8.3/10
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5
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 8.3/10
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6
First Act
First Act Music offers superior musical instruments for children of all ages. They specialize in teaching your child to play musical instruments that are elegantly made and simple to use. It is their pleasure to assist you in nurturing your child's musical skills from an early age, whether you are searching for a first piano for your three-year-old or a complete drum set for your pre-teen. It provides excellent instruments for children designed to suit the musical demands of your child's first musical experience.
Website: firstact.com |Brands like First Act
Popularity 7.8/10
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7
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 factories, carrying on the legacy. Their company has a long history of creating tools that inspire and unite guitarists worldwide. When you play a Washburn, your next musical thought is just a minute away, from bluegrass to jazz and everything in between.
Website: washburn.com |Brands like Washburn
Popularity 7.8/10
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8
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 collections. Product creation and innovative design skills, sourcing built on years of experience, manufacturing management, and industry-leading quality assurance are all available via the brand. Gibson has also had a lengthy history of charity contributions.
Website: gibsonusa.com |Brands like Gibson
Popularity 7.3/10
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9
Aria
Aria was founded in 1956. Aria manufactures guitars with love and attention so that it is reflected in the music produced through the instruments. They are true music enthusiasts making guitars for music producers but above all for music lovers....
Website: ariaguitarsglobal.com |Brands like Aria
Popularity 7.3/10
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10
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 7.3/10
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11
Silvertone
Silvertone is a company with a mission: to equip you with the most fantastic guitars and music instruction available. Their innovative research and development team makes instruments for all styles of guitar playing, including rhythm, lead, bass, and more. They...
Website: silvertoneclassic.com |Brands like Silvertone
Popularity 6.8/10
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12
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 6.2/10
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13
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 6.2/10
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14
Larrivée
Modern music is incomplete without hitting some chords of guitars. Presenting to you the most stylish and bold-looking guitars is Larriva, known for its fine making and excellent expertise in the business. The guitars are made up of fine quality...
Website: larrivee.com |Brands like Larrivée
Popularity 6.2/10
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15
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 5.5/10
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16
Framus
Framus & Warwick is a distributor center of musical instruments and accessories located in the USA. Framus & Warwick have distinguished themselves among the leading brands under this category by providing professional-level musical instruments and accessories at a very reasonable...
Website: framuswarwickusa.com |Brands like Framus
Popularity 4.8/10
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17
Sawtooth
Serving as a certified paradise for musicians and bands everywhere, Sawtooth World is an iconic manufacturer of musical instruments designed for players that strive for the best quality and feel. Their trademark products are the classic acoustic guitars, crafted primarily...
Website: sawtoothworld.com |Brands like Sawtooth
Popularity 4.8/10
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18
Blueridge
Blue Ridge Home Fashions is an industry-leading manufacturer of the finest quality home textiles, including duvets, comforters, pillows, mattress toppers, and accessories. Their sophisticated manufacturing plant creates a complete variety of bedding products utilizing only the best materials available. For...
Website: blueridgehome.com |Brands like Blueridge
Popularity 4.8/10
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19
Johnson
Consumer Healthcare, Medical Devices, and Consumer Products make up the three business sectors of the global consumer products and pharmaceutical firm Johnson & Johnson. The company's primary line of business is the development, production, marketing, and distribution of prescription and...
Website: johnsongtr.com |Brands like Johnson
Popularity 3.9/10
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20
Kona
Kona was established back in 1988. They are focused on making way for bicycle enthusiasts. Kona is dedicated to creating bicycles of the highest grade that can be found. A top priority is using quality parts to create a unique...
Website: konaworld.com |Brands like Kona
Popularity 3.9/10
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21
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 3.9/10
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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 3.9/10
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23
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 3.9/10
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24
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...
Website: takamine.com |Brands like Takamine
Popularity 3.9/10
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25
Encore Electronics
Encore Electronics is a world-class manufacturing and engineering firm that draws on its mechanical design, electrical design, and software development strengths. Encore provides a comprehensive range of value-added services at reasonable prices, including electronics design and development, PCB assembly, mechanical...
Website: encore-elec.com |Brands like Encore Electronics
Popularity 2.8/10
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26
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is an e-commerce platform where they have listed their hotels, restaurants, events, and services. The in-house restaurant follows the organic and farm-to-table trends and serves Mexican, Chinese, seafood, bbq, and vegan food; It includes hotels with spectacular seaside...
Website: santacruz.com |Brands like Santa Cruz
Popularity 2.8/10
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27
Maestro
Maison Maéstro has been a cornerstone factor in the manufacture of magnificent ranges of exceptional instruments since 2015. The company strives to enhance the quality and offer highly advanced watches and services to customers through online forefront stores and other...
Website: maestrowatches.com |Brands like Maestro
Popularity 2.8/10
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28
Huntington
Designing fashionable faucets and fixtures for more than 30 years, .it has sophisticated styles and superior quality. These sleek upgrades to your space come at a very pocket-friendly rate. Putting its customers first, the brand has been curating unique products...
Website: huntingtonbrass.com |Brands like Huntington
Popularity 2.8/10
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29
Olympia
Olympia is where you can attempt to investigate the convergence of art and everyday life. It is published without pretense or apologies from a tiny town in the Midwestern United States by a socialist, transgender woman. It accumulates information from...
Website: olympiatime.com |Brands like Olympia
Popularity 2.8/10
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30
VENTURA
Most of us associate our childhood memories with that of a bike. Sturdy and bright, it gave us the first sense of freedom to fly toward our dreams. VENTURA Bike Depot is a US-based bicycle store known for its bike...
Website: venturabikedepot.com |Brands like VENTURA
Popularity 2.8/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recording King | recordingking.com | /RecordingKing | p | – | RecordingKing1 |
| Tanglewood | tanglewoodguitars.com | /tanglewooduk | tanglewooduk | @TANGLEWOODUK | tanglewoodguitarsuk |
| Vintage | vintageguitarsus.com | /vintageguitarsus | vintage_guitars_us | – | UCtRCS1YL9fuVgoS-FOtJItA |
| Harmony | harmony.co | /HarmonyGuitars | harmonyguitars | – | – |
| Fender | fender.com | /Fender | fender | @Fender | fendermusical |
| First Act | firstact.com | – | – | – | – |
| Washburn | washburn.com | /washburnguitars | washburn.authentic | @washburnguitar | – |
| Gibson | gibsonusa.com | /GibsonOverseas | gibsonoverseas | @Gibson_Overseas | Gibson Overseas |
| Aria | ariaguitarsglobal.com | /ariaguitars | ariaguitars | @ARIA_Guitars | ariaguitarsworld |
| Cort | cort.com | – | – | – | – |
Parlor Guitars Buying Guide
Parlor guitars were initially designed in the late 19th century to be lightweight and portable, making them a popular choice of instrument for traveling musicians. Today, they remain a sought-after guitar size and style as their unique tonal qualities and compact size make them an ideal choice for many guitar players. If you are considering purchasing a parlor guitar, this buying guide will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.
What is a Parlor Guitar?
Parlor guitars, sometimes referred to as parlour guitars, are smaller sized acoustic guitars that were popular during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They were designed to be lightweight, portable, and easy to play, making them a popular choice for traveling musicians.
Although their popularity declined following the introduction of larger, louder acoustic guitars, they have seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, with many amateur and professional players incorporating them into their setups.
These guitars are known for their bright, clear sound and are often associated with blues, folk, and country music. They are also great for players with smaller hands, making them an excellent choice for beginners.
Body Shape and Size
Parlor guitars typically have a more compact design than traditional acoustic guitars. Their small size and reduced weight make them perfect for guitarists who need something easy to travel with, and they also provide a different playing experience than larger guitars.
There is no one size or shape that is better than any other, but it's important to choose a size that suits your playing style and comfort. You should also consider the tone you want to achieve from your guitar, as different sizes and shapes can produce different sounds.
Here are some common body sizes:
- Grand Concert: Similar in size to a Parlor guitar, but with a more modern design. These guitars often have a cutaway body that allows access to higher frets.
- Grand Auditorium: A mid-sized guitar that is ideal for fingerstyle playing and is known for its balanced tone.
- Dreadnought: A large and powerful guitar that is typically used for strumming and flatpicking. Created by Martin in 1916, the dreadnought style is now the most common size and shape of acoustic guitar.
- Jumbo: A larger-bodied guitar that produces a boomy, bass-heavy sound. Perfect for big bluesy sounds.
Body Material
The material that your guitar's body is made from can have a significant impact on the overall sound and feel of the instrument. Here are some common materials:
- Spruce: The most common wood used in acoustic guitar tops, spruce provides a bright and lively tone with excellent projection and sustain.
- Mahogany: A dense and heavy wood that provides a warm, round sound with great sustain. This wood can be used for the back and sides or the top of the guitar.
- Maple: A bright-sounding wood that lends itself well to fingerstyle playing. It is often used for the back and sides of the guitar.
- Rosewood: A dense and oily wood that provides a warm, balanced tone with excellent sustain. This wood is often used for the back and sides of guitars.
Neck and Fretboard
The neck and fretboard of your guitar are essential components that affect the ease of your playing experience. Look for a neck that feels comfortable in your hand, and a fretboard with a suitable width and radius for your playing style.
Common materials for the neck and fretboard include mahogany, maple, and rosewood. Each wood has unique tonal qualities, and your choice will depend on your preference.
Hardware
The hardware of your guitar, including the tuners, bridge, and strings, can have a significant impact on its overall performance. Quality hardware ensures that your guitar stays in tune and provides good sustain and intonation.
Here are some things to look for in terms of hardware:
- Tuners: Look for tuners that are easy to use and reliable. Higher-end guitars often come with locking tuners that help keep your guitar in tune.
- Bridge: The bridge transfers the vibrations from the strings to the guitar's body. Look for bridges that are well-constructed and provide good intonation.
- Strings: Strings are an essential component of any guitar, and it's important to choose the right ones for your playing style. Lighter gauge strings are easier to play but can sacrifice tone, while heavier gauge strings offer a fuller tone but can be harder to play.
Budget
The price of a parlor guitar can vary widely depending on the brand, model, and materials used. Generally, you can expect to pay more for guitars made from higher quality materials and constructed by well-known brands.
If you're a beginner or on a tight budget, there are still plenty of great options available at lower price points. However, keep in mind that cheaper guitars may not offer the same sound quality or performance as higher-end models.
When considering your budget, it's essential to remember that a guitar is an investment that can last you for many years. Take the time to find a guitar that meets your needs and preferences, and that you will love playing for years to come.
Final Thoughts
Parlor guitars provide a unique playing experience and a distinct tone that many guitar players find attractive. When choosing a parlor guitar, consider the size and shape of the body, the materials used in the construction, the quality of the hardware, and your budget.
Ultimately, the best guitar for you is the one that feels comfortable, sounds great, and inspires you to play. With a little research and careful consideration, you can find a parlor guitar that meets your needs and provides endless hours of enjoyment.
