If you’re picking up the acoustic guitar for the first time, you may have noticed that there are a lot of shapes and tonewoods to choose from. Even if you’re looking for your second, third, or fourth guitar, it’s good to thoroughly understand all these different specs so you can venture beyond your typical go-to.
In this article, I’ll take you through the various types of acoustic guitars out there, so you know what to look for when shopping for your next (or first) acoustic. There’s an acoustic guitar for every playing style or scenario.
If you prefer to sit on the sofa and practise, like me, a small parlour or mid-sized auditorium will do the trick. If you’re taking your sound to the stage, amping things up with a dreadnought or jumbo is the way to go. And if none of these take your fancy, you can get quirky with resonators, roundbacks, and foldable travel guitars!
In a hurry?
Save yourself scouring the whole article with the table below.
Guitar type Styles, techniques, and performances it's used for Guitar recommendation
Auditorium Medium-sized all-rounder, perfect for both fingerpicking and strumming Taylor 114ce Grand Auditorium Electro Acoustic
Concert Small and compact, perfect for fingerstyle playing Gretsch Jim Dandy Concert
Dreadnought Excellent projection and power across every genre Hartwood Century Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
Jumbo The big band’s favourite, letting you lay down a powerful rhythm Epiphone J-180 LS Inspired by Gibson Custom
Parlour Great solo performance or practice session companion ARIA-131DP Delta Player Parlour Acoustic Guitar
Travel Perfect to take on the road Furch Guitars Little Jane LJ10 CM Travel Guitar
Classical Lets you explore classical music and stunning solo pieces Taylor 214ce-N Nylon String Electro Acoustic
Flamenco Play with flamenco flair, percussive techniques, and unique strumming Admira 1906 Triana Flamenco Classical Guitar
Resonator Achieve metallic Bluegrass tones with metal cones Gretsch G9200 Boxcar Resonator
Hybrid Combines nylon string classical tones with modern electric potential Ibanez FRH10N
Roundback Provides electric guitarists with a comfortable acoustic platform while reducing feedback on stage Deluxe Roundback Electro Acoustic Guitar
Types of acoustic guitars
1. Auditorium
Auditorium guitars strike a balance between projection and comfort, using a refined shape that fits between a dreadnought and a grand concert.
Introduced in 1994 by Bob Taylor, these all-rounders really excel in the midrange, with well-defined notes that suit fingerstyle and strumming.
With help from legendary builder Andy Powers, Taylor Guitars have created an exciting Super Auditorium design as part of their Gold label collection, building on the popular GA shape but with a slightly longer body and a wider lower bout.
If you’re after an acoustic that can do it all, the auditorium, grand auditorium, and super auditorium designs are superb options.
However, the only downside is that they don’t have a huge amount of natural projection, although many have onboard electronics to make up for it.
We recommend: Taylor 114ce Grand Auditorium Electro Acoustic
2. Concert
Concert acoustic guitars are smaller than auditorium and dreadnought models.
They’re among the top contenders when it comes to fingerpicking, thanks to their small body and deep waist, letting you sit with the guitar comfortably and reach the strings with ease.
This also makes them great guitars if you’re a beginner or a smaller player.
Aside from the comfortable shape, concert models produce beautiful, crisp trebles and delicate bass tones.
Like an auditorium, they don’t have powerful projection, but you’ll still be able to hold your own in more intimate playing settings, such as small room folk gigs or living room jam sessions with your friends.
We recommend: Student Acoustic Guitar by Gear4music
3. Dreadnought
Perhaps the most famed member of the steel-string acoustic guitar family is the mighty dreadnought. Inspired by the Battleship HMS Dreadnought, Martin designed this shape with sheer size and projection in mind. If you’ve ever played one at full pelt, you’ll see where it gets its naval name.
Since its inception in 1916, the dreadnought has become an industry standard, catering to all genres, from classic country to modern indie. Signature models like the Martin DX Johnny Cash celebrate the legends that used this type of guitar, affirming its place in music history.
Tonally, you can’t really go wrong with a dreadnought. It provides plenty of low end for venue-filling strumming patterns (where it thrives) and sparkly treble for when you’re playing melodic parts.
The only issue you might face with a dreadnought is its size. If you’re short on space or simply putting comfort first, you might want a smaller model.
We recommend: Hartwood Century Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
4. Jumbo
If you thought things couldn’t get any bigger than a dreadnought, think again.
Jumbo guitars are designed to be as big and loud as possible. They have a rounder body shape to accommodate size and sound, looking right at home in the rock’n’roll hands of the Everly Brothers throughout the ‘50s and ‘60s.
While the jumbo produces an unmistakable bellowing sound that commands attention on stage, it’s not suited for low-key settings like your living room or a lesson practice space.
The sheer size and shape of the jumbo mean you need to be standing to play it. Like the dreadnought, you’ll want to factor in space and comfort before buying one of these.
We recommend: Epiphone J-180 LS Inspired by Gibson Custom
5. Parlour
From one extreme to another, the parlour acoustic guitar is one of the smallest shapes on the list.
It offers a super snug and compact playing experience – perfect for solo sessions at home if you’re just after an acoustic to noodle on.
Parlours have a vintage vibe, which makes sense considering they get their name from 19th-century Victorian Parlours, where they were typically played. They’re very popular guitars, particularly in the ‘60s folk scene, sported by legends like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez.
With a narrow body, short scale length, and a slotted headstock, parlour acoustics make for a cosy living room companion you can just pick up and play, no hassle.
However, as you’ve probably guessed, its small size doesn’t command a venue quite a dreadnought or a jumbo.
We recommend: ARIA-131DP Delta Player Parlour Acoustic Guitar
6. Travel guitars
Travel guitars focus on practicality, letting you take your music anywhere with ease.
These nifty little companions are constructed with a small body and short scale length, so they can fit in places that regular-sized acoustic guitars can’t.
Some models, like the Furch Little Jane, can be partially deconstructed, saving even more space!
They’re great if you’re always on the move and want something you can take with you, or if you’ve got a holiday coming up and can’t bear to keep your fingers off the fretboard for too long.
Despite their small size, you can still achieve some beautiful tones from a travel guitar, albeit at a lower volume.
We recommend: Furch Guitars Little Jane LJ10 CM Travel Guitar
7. Classical guitars
Classical guitars are defined by their nylon strings, wide necks, and rounded figure-eight shape. Classical guitarists tend to set the guitar between their legs at a 45-degree angle while playing, allowing for easier fretting and reducing fatigue.
Given that classical guitars are most often used for fingerstyle playing, reducing wrist tension is crucial. Nylon strings also feel much softer under your fingers, limiting the risk of calluses forming.
The only drawback of classicals is that you can’t achieve the bright, aggressive tones used in modern rock, pop, and blues music.
That’s not to say that classical guitars have no place in modern music, though; indie artist Mac DeMarco proves this by sporting a classical guitar in various performances in recent years.
We recommend: Taylor 214ce-N Nylon String Electro Acoustic
8. Flamenco guitars
Like classical guitars, flamenco guitars use nylon strings and cater to a specific playing style. This Spanish guitar is totally unique, fuelled by passion, speed, and percussion.
Techniques like ‘Golpe’ involve hitting the guitar’s soundboard with your fingertips for a fast percussive effect, while ‘picado’ refers to single-string melodic lines that alternate between the index and middle finger.
Flamenco guitars are constructed with low-density tonewoods like cedar, producing a beautiful warmth that’s brought to life and made loud by the fast-paced, aggressive flamenco playing style. The strings are closer to the fretboard on a flamenco than a classical, so you can really dig in and feel a connection with your guitar.
If you’re looking to try your hand at the flamenco style, these guitars are the best you can get. They’re devoted to the genre.
We recommend: Admira 1906 Triana Flamenco Classical Guitar
9. Resonator guitars
As one of the more “out there” types of acoustic guitars on the list, the resonator guitar uses spun metal cones inside its body to amplify your playing, as opposed to relying on the soundbox or bracing patterns like standard acoustic designs. More cones mean more volume.
Resonators are perfect for blues and bluegrass music, producing bright, chimey tones that sound even better when combined with a slide.
If you’re looking for a vintage instrument that offers something a little different from your standard acoustic, a resonator is a good choice. They look super stylish too.
While you can have a lot of fun with a resonator, they aren’t the most ideal if you’re a beginner (unless you plan on only playing a resonator). As a newbie, you’re better off playing a standard acoustic.
We recommend: Gretsch G9200 Boxcar Resonator
10. Hybrid guitars
Hybrid guitars are the perfect option if you can’t decide between an electric and an acoustic.
Combining classical tones with modern playability, there’s not much this trendy design can’t handle. Hybrids combine classical nylon strings and a slotted headstock with modern body shapes and electronics, all while removing the soundhole to reduce feedback.
Tim Henson is just one artist known for his frequent use of a hybrid guitar, so much so that his signature model is a hybrid. These guitars are sleek, smooth, and can take on anything from fingerstyle passages to aggressive strumming.
However, if you’re a beginner, you should note that without a soundhole, a guitar won’t get those lush, ringing tones of a true acoustic – something to consider when purchasing your first guitar.
We recommend: Ibanez FRH10N
11. Roundback guitars
Roundback guitars are easy to spot thanks to their curved backs.
The rounded shape propels their sound forward, giving you a bright, punchy tone with plenty of clarity. Another big bonus of these is their ability to null feedback, perfect if you’re taking your tone on stage.
Most roundbacks feature a cutaway to accommodate the curved back and keep it comfortable to play.
They put power and practicality first, catering to gigging and performance needs. But again, roundbacks aren’t very accommodating if you’re new to guitar – the curved back doesn’t make for the most comfortable sitting down sessions.
We recommend: Roundback Electro Acoustic Guitar by Gear4music
Tonewoods explained
One of the most common tonewood combos is a spruce top with a rosewood back and sides. While the specific type of spruce or rosewood can change, the fundamental sound and feel remain consistent. Spruce produces an articulate, bright sound, finding a home in pretty much every genre of music. Rosewood, on the other hand, has a slightly deeper sound, so the two even out nicely.
Take the Taylor Gold Label 814e Super Auditorium, for example. While it features a torrefied Sitka spruce top with a Honduran rosewood back and sides, the overall balance created by these two woods is fantastic, letting you take on just about any play style and genre. There’s a reason it’s the most popular tonewood combo!
Going against the combo grain (no pun intended), you’ll also find all-mahogany constructions. Mahogany is one of the hardest tonewoods, producing a wonderfully warm and woody tone – it’s less trebly and bright than other woods like spruce. The Martin 000-15M Solid Mahogany captures classic mahogany tone in a nutshell.
One of my favourite tonewoods is koa. Hailing from Hawaii, this wood offers an ever-expanding tone that evolves the more you play the guitar, literally adapting to your playing. Initially, it might sound ever-so slightly stiff, but once you warm into it, the tone opens up beautifully. Taylor’s Gold Label 814e Koa Super Auditorium shows just how koa can be an ample back and side alternative if you’re not a fan of rosewood.
Maple, ebony, and rosewood are the most common fretboard woods. Maple is the lightest and brightest of the three, while rosewood offers a lovely, warm, rounded sound with a hard feel. Ebony is the darkest and durable of the three, besting the others in terms of sustain and attack.
These are the most common tonewoods you’ll come across, but to find out more, check out our tonewood guide.
Laminate vs. solid wood
Laminate and solid wood guitars differ significantly in construction and tone. A solid wood guitar features a top, back, and sides made from single pieces of wood. This increases resonance, depth, and sustain, making for a more nuanced and complex tone. It also shows natural signs of ageing. All in all, solid wood is much more ‘alive.’
In contrast, a laminate guitar consists of thin layers of wood pressed together. While generally more affordable and resistant to temperature and humidity changes, a laminate construction doesn’t offer the same tonal depth and richness. The sound is typically more focused and less dynamic.
Acoustic vs. classical guitars
The choice between acoustic and classical guitars will define your play style. No pressure! Before you settle on one over the other, study the differences and try them both.
Acoustic guitars typically have steel strings, producing a brighter, louder sound that’s suited to pop, rock, folk, and country. In contrast, classical guitars use nylon strings, producing a softer, warmer tone ideal for classical, flamenco, and fingerstyle playing. It’s a good idea to try out both and see what you prefer, although classical guitars are more limited in terms of versatility.
The neck and nut width also differ. Classical guitars have wider necks (around 52mm at the nut), which provide more space for fingerpicking and intricate melodic lines. Steel-string acoustics usually have narrower nuts (43–45mm), making them easier for chord work and strumming – it all comes down to what sort of music you want to play.
Scale length is slightly longer on most acoustics (around 25.5″) compared to classicals (about 25.0″), resulting in higher string tension and a crisper response. Classical guitars commonly feature flat fingerboards with no inlays and lighter bracing, while acoustics often include a truss rod and stronger construction for higher tension strings.
How to choose the right guitar for you
With such acoustic variety out there, choosing the right one for you is no easy feat. The best advice is to go and give a few guitars a whirl, see how they sound and feel – most guitar shops are happy to let you play any that take your fancy. If you’re up in the north of England, check out our showroom in York!
If you’re after the standard acoustic playing experience, steel strings are a good place to start. You’ll have to think about the shape you want, but auditorium and dreadnought are both solid choices. If you want something with extra volume and power, a jumbo might be more up your street.
If you’re a beginner or you just need a compact, comfortable guitar, parlour or concert shapes are worth a try – their small body makes them super easy to handle. In a similar vein, travel guitars give you a compact guitar that’s built to take to the road – they’re even smaller than the concert and parlour shapes.
Of course, there’s much more to acoustic guitars than your typical steel-string models. Classical and flamenco guitars give you a soft sound, letting you access genres and tones that are otherwise unavailable. Resonators and roundbacks offer something a little more unconventional if that’s what you’re into.
Our list of the 11 best acoustic guitars has some more info on these factors, so you can make an even more informed decision when choosing your guitar.
FAQs
What is the difference between a dreadnought and an orchestral guitar?
The difference between dreadnought and orchestra model guitars comes down to the shape. Orchestra guitars are smaller and thinner. The bigger shape of a dreadnought produces greater power and projection.
What is the most comfortable acoustic guitar shape?
While guitar comfort is a matter of personal preference, models like the concert and parlour prioritise comfort over other aspects like volume and projection. The smaller shape and low string tension make concert guitars more comfortable than larger models like the jumbo or dreadnought.
What’s the hardest style of guitar to play?
The ‘hardest’ guitar playing style is generally considered to be classical. The technical prowess, theoretical knowledge and complex fingerpicking work makes playing classical guitar difficult. However, different guitarists might find other styles harder than classical, so it comes down to what you’re familiar with.
Final thoughts
From compact parlours to booming jumbos, the world of acoustic guitars is full of character, charm, and choice.
Hopefully, this article has helped you come a bit closer to discovering the right guitar for you. With so many diverse types of acoustic guitars, things can feel overwhelming – knowing what’s out there is a great place to start!
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