Expensive Acoustic Guitars

Most Expensive Acoustic Guitars

Last Updated on February 18, 2024 by Justin

The list below showcases some of the most expensive acoustic guitars on the. We have chosen to go with acoustic guitars that can actually be purchased as opposed to the one-of-a-kind, owned by so and so that go for hundreds of thousands in an auction.

The list of expensive acoustic guitars includes both steel string and classical guitars as they both are acoustic instruments at the end of the day.

Nothing sounds quite as sweet as an acoustic guitar. The same goes for any acoustic instrument for that matter. These beautiful instruments are crafted in such a way that they are able to amplify themselves to produce a natural and organic sound.

The acoustics on the market today that is top of the price range are incredible pieces of work and craftsmanship and deserve to be showcased.

Playing one of these instruments is a privilege when we consider what goes into producing such high-end guitars.

What Makes Expensive Acoustics Guitars Expensive?

Essentially the price of expensive acoustic guitars comes down to many factors. But simply put, the chances are the higher the price of the acoustic, the better it is going to sound. But let us look closely at some of the reasons why this is:

  1. The Wood: This is such a crucial factor in the sound of the guitar. the guitars that demand a pretty penny use expensive and sometimes exotic woods. A lot of guitars are made up of more than one type of expensive wood. For example, The top of the body may be made from Mango wood on top, Buity Bearclaw on the side and back of the guitar, and Brazilian rosewood on the fretboard. Expensive woods mature over time and improve the sound of the acoustic as the wood ages.
  2. The Hardware: these include the tuning pegs, bridge end-pins, nut, and bridge. These high-end expensive acoustic guitars use only top-quality hardware. For example, a cheap guitar will have a plastic nut while expensive guitars will have a bone nut, etc.
  3. The Amount Produced:  models of expensive acoustic guitars that are produced for a limited time bring a higher price as they become harder to come by. Also, many expensive acoustic guitars are crafted by one person in a custom shop. This drastically increases the price.
  4. The Luthier: The more well-known the luthier the more expensive the guitar will be. The best luthiers are at the top of their craft and deserve to command high prices for the instruments they make.
  5. The Electronics: Pretty much all acoustic guitars nowadays are produced with preamps, microphones, and/or other amplification devices. The higher-end acoustics have quality electronics most of the time made by either Fishman or L.R. Baggs. In some cases, the manufacturer will produce their own.
  6. Guitar Strings: Okay, I know this has nothing to do with the guitar itself. But, if you’re buying one of these guitars, you may as well string it up with the best acoustic guitar strings for the best sound.

Let’s get to the list of expensive acoustic guitars, shall we? The list goes in Descending order. Or take a look at these specifications of an acoustic.

10) Masterclass Concert Exclusive By Breedlove

Breedlove is a relatively unknown brand in comparison to the other guitars on the list of expensive acoustic guitars. However, that is certainly not to say they don’t produce good instruments.

In fact quite the contrary. Breedlove makes killer acoustic guitars! The Masterclass acoustic is Breedlove’s high-end guitar. This instrument is not your conventional acoustic guitar shape.

They have brought the acoustic guitar into the modern era in a big way. Not only in terms of looks but also the sound that the guitar produces both acoustically and when plugged in.

Watch Breedlove’s video below on their Masterclass Acoustic

 

Specifications

  • Wood
    • Top: Sitka Spruce
    • Back and Sides: Myrtlewood
    • Neck: hard rock maple
    • Fretboard: Ebony (African)
  • Hardware
    • Tuners: Gotoh gold 150 with ebony buttons
    • Bridge: Winged bridge made from African Ebony
  • Electronics
    • LR Baggs – Anthem TRU – Mic
  • Features
    • Ameritage custom case
    • Made in Oregan USA

9) Taylor PS1ce

As far as Acoustic guitar brands go, Taylor is definitely one of the biggest. We only have to look at the long list of musicians who use a Taylor. A great example would be Dave Matthews.

You can almost certainly see him with a Taylor acoustic at any of his shows. This is Taylor’s top-of-the-range acoustic. It sounds just as beautiful as it looks. What sets this guitar apart from the rest has to be the inlays.

the “Nouveau vine” inlay runs along the whole fretboard which looks magnificent. You can also find the inlay on the headstock as well as on the bridge.

If you would like to hear the Taylor PS16CE in action, check out the video below

Specifications:

  • Wood 
    • Sides: Macassar Ebony
    • Top: Sitka Spruce
    • Fretboard: Macassar Ebony
  • Hardware
    • Tuners: Gotoh (gold)
    • Saddle and Nut: made from bone
  • Electronics
    • The Expression System #2 by Taylor
  • Features
    • Cutaway
    • Contoured for an armrest

8) Martin Custom John Mayer Signature: 00-42SC

This acoustic was built in collaboration with John Mayer and is based and inspired by  Mayer’s 45SC model which has now become a rarity due to its limited production run.

The guitar was first announced at NAMM in 2013 and like the 45SC, was also inspired by the country and western cowboy days. I believe this guitar has also been produced as a limited run so if you want it you better get it now!

Martin fans will appreciate the old-style logo on this guitar from when the company first started making guitars.

Thus sticking to the cowboy and western theme. Apparently, the “SC” in the model number stands for Stagecoach.

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See this Martin guitar in action below.

Specifications

  • Wood
    • Sides & back: Cocobolo wood on the sides and back of the guitar with a glossy finish
    • Top: Sitka Spruce top
    • Binding: Grained ivoroid
    • Neck: Mahogany
    • Fretboard: Ebony
  • Hardware
    • Nut and Saddle: Made out of Bone
    • Tuners: Open Gear Tuning machine heads by Waverly (Brass)
  • Electronics 
    • None
  • Features
    • Hardshell case
    • John Mayers Signature

7) Concierto Classical by Paulino Bernabe

Before we delve into the guitar itself I think it is important to give some background. Do you know those classical guitarists who sit alone on a chair in front of a theater full of thousands of people while playing an exceptionally complicated piece of music?
That guy or girl is most likely playing a classical such as this one. This is a very high-end acoustic however it is handcrafted by one of the world’s most famous luthiers, Paulion Bernabe.

Paulion is a highly renowned luthier around the world and builds some of the most beautiful classical guitars out there. Paulino learned his artisanal craft from his dad who was also a highly respected luthier.

Paulion’s dad urged him to build the perfect classical guitar. We believe this very well could be.

Specifications:

  • Wood
    • Back & Side: Madagascan Rosewood
    • Top: German Spruce
    • Fretboard: Madagascan Rosewood
  • Hardware
    • Nut: Made of Bone
    • Tuners: Unknown to us at this point.
  • Electronics
    • None

This guitar produces a warm and natural sound almost cell-like as well as delivering sustain like a piano.


6) Dreadnaught Revere By Bedell 

The Dreadnaught Revere By Tom Bedell might not be the first brand name you think of when hearing the words, Acoustic guitar. However, when you hear the words, “high-end Expensive Acoustic Guitars” then this guitar should definitely come to mind.

Bendel had one aim in mind when building this guitar and that was to deliver the best artists and bands in the world one of the highest quality acoustic guitars possible while staying “green”.

What does green mean in this context? It means that all parts of this guitar were sourced responsibly so as to not damage the environment in any way.

Watch guitar player, James DePrato play this immaculate guitar by Bedell below.

 

Specifications

  • Wood
    • Back and Sides: Brazillian Rosewood
    • Top: Adirondack Spruce
    • Neck: Mahogany from Honduras
    • Fretboard: Ebony
  • Hardware
    • Tuners: Waverly (Nickel)
    • Nut and Saddle: Bone
  • Electronics
    • K&K Sound – PowerMix pure XT
  • Features
    • hardshell case
    • Koa Inlays
    • Environmentally friendly

5) Martin Custom Shop 000-45 – NAMM 2016 DISPLAY!

Let’s get the obvious question out of the way. Was this the actual guitar that was displayed for the 2016 NAMM? Highly doubt it BUT this exact Martin model was on display at NAMM 2016.

this may not sound significant however NAMM is the biggest gear showcase/convention in the world and the companies all bring their best products for that year to showcase them. This means that Martin themselves regard this as being one of their flagship guitars for that year.

The truth is that Martin never produces a bad acoustic guitar so NAMM display or no NAMM display, this acoustic is an absolute winner. The guitar is made in the Martin custom shop so the attention to detail and quality you get from this guitar is outstanding.

Specifications

  • Wood
    • Sides and Back: Rosewood from Honduras
    • Top: Spruce (Carpathian)
    • Neck: Hardwood
    • Fretboard: Ebony (black)
  • Hardware
    • Tuning Pegs: Waverly (brass)
    • Nut and Saddle: Bone
    • Bridge: Pyramid Stauffer Style (ebony)
  • Electronics
    • None
  • Features
    • Grained ivoroid binding
    • Abalone snowflake inlays
    • Natural gloss finish (Non-catalyzed)

4) 1A C650 By Jose Ramirez

Jose Ramirez is yet another world-renowned classical guitar luthier. This guitar comes out of Jose Ramirez’s workshop which is situated in Spain.

The workshop has become legendary over the years. Jose Ramirez has built guitars for famous guitarists such as Sting from the Police, Chet Atkins (Country guitar player) as well as Jazz virtuoso Lee Ritenour.

The letter and number combination of the “1A” in the model refers to the high quality of this expensive acoustic guitar. It roughly translates from Spanish to English as, “class A”. This is a direct referral to craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Watch Jerry Roberts below play a 1992 1A by Jose Ramirez

Specifications

  • Wood
    • Top: Red Canadian Cedar
    • Back and Sides: Indian Rosewood
  • Hardware
    • Tuners: Handmade in the workshop
    • Nut and Saddles: Bone
  • Electronics
    • None
  • Features
    • BAM Hardcase
    • Jose Ramirez’s classic rosette

3) Gibson Hummingbird

Ah yes, finally a Gibson acoustic. This is not just any Gibson acoustic though, this is the Hummingbird. This guitar is not only strikingly beautiful and drop-dead gorgeous but it also happens to be historically significant to Rock N Roll.

The guitar was brought out by Gibson in the 1960s and quickly adopted by many a rockstar such as Keith “Keef” Richards of The Rolling Stones due to its versatility and high-quality build.

If you want to hear how this beautiful instrument sounds, watch the video below.

Specifications

  • Wood
    • Top: Sitka Spruce
    • Back and Sides: Mahogany
    • Neck: Mahogany
    • Fretboard: Rosewood
  • Hardware
    • Bridge: Rosewood
    • Saddle and Nut: Tusq by graphtech
    • Tuners: Grover Romantic (nickel)
  • Electronics
    • L.R. Baggs Element
  • Features
    • Gibson Hardcase

2) Martin Custom Shop D 14 – Best Acoustic Guitar Brand

Another Martin! Of course, there is, they are highly regarded as one of the top acoustic guitar manufacturers. The list of artists that use this guitar can most likely span from earth to space.

The D14 is definitely a cut above the rest. The Martin D14 custom shop is by far Martin’s dearest acoustic guitar. Some things should just be left the way they are and that is exactly what the D14 custom shop is about.

Staying true to Martin’s classic shape that’s been in existence for over 200 years. The materials that went into making this guitar have been hand-picked by the luthier to ensure the highest possible standard of a guitar that Martin can produce. And we know they can make darn incredible acoustic guitars!

Specifications

  • Wood
    • Top: Adirondack Spruce
    • Sides: Madagascan Rosewood
    • Back: Madagascan rosewood
    • Neck: Hardwood
    • Fretboard: Black Ebony
  • Hardware
    • Tuners: Waverly gold
    • Nut: Bone
    • Bridge pins: Bone
    • End-Pin: Bone
  • Electronics
    • None
  • Features
    • pearl Inlays
    • Grained Ivoroid binding

1) Paul Reed Smith (PRS) Private Stock – “The Tree”

This acoustic guitar is very very special, Not only is it the most expensive acoustic guitar but it is part of a limited edition run for the PRS 25th Anniversary.

“Private Stock” is essentially PRS’s version of a custom shop but it is literally where Paul Reed Smith himself will build the guitar for you, indeed, This expensive acoustic guitar was most certainly built by him.

when we think of PRS one immediately associates them with electric guitar and rightfully so, as this has been their primary product. However, we know PRS for building exceptionally high-quality electric guitars. And the same goes for Acoustics.

In fact, This acoustic is the holy grail not to mention, finding information on the specifications of this guitar is almost impossible besides, specifications, in this case, are almost irrelevant when you’re talking about a piece of art such as this guitar.

And in all honesty, not only we can comfortably assume that only the finest materials went into making this guitar but that this is comfortably number 1 on our most expensive acoustic guitar list.

Furthermore, if you’d like to learn the best methods and techniques for recording acoustic guitars, you should visit my article on miking acoustic guitars.


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