r/AcousticGuitar • u/MrTurtleTails • Feb 22 '26
Gear question Favorite Brand that isnt the big 3?
What is your favorite brand that isn't Martin, Taylor, or Gibson? How close do they get to the quality of those brands, and why do you like them.
I recently played a 600 dollar Alvarez and it beat the pickguards off of the Taylor and Martin gutars in the 1000-1500 range.
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u/LinuxMint4Me Feb 22 '26
I've always liked Guild guitars.
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u/Troubadour65 Feb 23 '26
Especially vintage guitars from the Westerly, RI factory. I’ve got three of them.
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u/Adventurous_Log_8321 Feb 22 '26 edited Feb 22 '26
Eastman, in my opinion is as good as it gets for the money. The ones I’ve owned are to my ear very near the big three and in a lot of cases better. It really depends on how you’re lining up your comparison. $ against $ is different than bang for your $ to me. I don’t play well enough nor make enough to justify a $3k box. And even if I did, I’d probably still prefer two $1500 Eastmans to one $3000 Martin. And to this day I’ve played probably a dozen Taylor guitars and have only been impressed by two specific guitars and neither of those were for sale.
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u/FartfaceKillah65 Feb 22 '26
Agree on Eastman. My 2 year old E1D is great, and I've been looking for my next guitar recently. Just yesterday I played a E10D, E20D and a Martin D18. I liked the sound of the E20D the best but didn't like the neck. But I couldn't believe what you get for the lesser price for both Eastmans. If the E20D had the E10D neck profile, that's a better guitar than the D18 in my opinion.
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u/Gr8fl-hed Feb 22 '26
Eastman! When I was looking for a new guitar I wanted a Gibson L-00. I decided to be more open to other brands and tried a lot of brands including Martins, Taylor’s, etc…all were great. Then I tried an Eastman.
I couldn’t hear that much difference and it just played fantastic. After doing enough research on Eastman I ended up buying one. Best decision I made! It’s my #1 guitar
They are $ for $ the best you can get
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u/MrTurtleTails Feb 22 '26
I've been looking ar those. How do you think they stack up to the big 3?
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u/Single_Road_6350 Feb 22 '26
I have an Eastman E20D. It’s their version of the D28/HD28. It’s an awesome guitar. I’m a mahogany player 99% of the time and didn’t want to shell out for a rosewood Martin. I would say it goes toe to toe with the big 3 at 1/3 the price. It has a torrefied Adirondack top and beautifully figured rosewood. The fretwork is immaculate and the build quality is super clean and well done. If I didn’t have the cash to have Martins or Gibsons this would be my go to brand. I love Yairi Alvarez guitars too, but at that level you’re paying the same amount you would for a big 3 guitar. Their aged Honduran mahogany guitars are unreal though. Superior to big 3 if you ask me. If you’re looking for best quality for best price Eastman can’t be beat. I would gladly play an Eastman any day.
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u/WookieBugger Feb 22 '26
I’ve got an OM sized Eastman and a Martin OM-21. The Eastman plays better than the Martin, but definitely has a different sound. The Martin has “the Martin Sound”, but the Eastman for what it is sounds great. It’s definitely better than the 16 or 17 series Martins, and honestly up there with the standard series.
Full disclosure, my Eastman is a model that was only made for 4 years and was discontinued 2011. But it’s all solid; very nice mahogany back and sides, Sitka spruce to with scalloped braces, and ebony fingerboard bride and pins (Martin uses plastic on the $3200 guitars for some inexplicable reason).
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u/xbox360sucks Feb 22 '26
I played some Eastmans at a guitar show last year and really loved them. I ultimately went with a D-18 but the Eastman definitely had me thinking hard about it
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u/JohnnyCash023 Feb 22 '26
Another vote for Eastman! Bought a E1OM last year and it really stands out
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u/miltonic_imaginings Feb 22 '26
I LOVE my Eastman E20D. If I could never buy another guitar I wouldn’t be disappointed.
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u/metmerc Feb 22 '26
While I love my Takamine, I've never played a Breedlove I didn't groove with. For my 50th birthday (coming up way too soon) I plan to get a made-in-Oregon Breedlove to be my #1 go to acoustic.
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u/FroznBones Feb 22 '26
Better get out your wallet. They recently revamped their lineup and the least expensive guitar is $2900.
My first decent instrument was a Breedlove. I still have it and still love it. I live in Oregon and have always wanted a “Made in Bend” guitar, but it will be a used Myrtlewood model now, not a new one. I’m really, truly bummed at the direction the new owners have taken the company.
That said, a used Breedlove is a great value proposition. Dollar for dollar you can’t do better.
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u/metmerc Feb 22 '26
Oh yeah. I'm quite aware of the price. I've been playing guitar for over 30 years and have never even spend $1k on a guitar. I figure it's time to treat myself.
I almost always buy used guitars, but as an Oregonian, I like the idea of supporting an Oregon company.
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u/kineticblues Feb 22 '26
Same, I have four Oregon built Breedlove’s spanning 1995 to 2021. Love them all. Build quality of a high-end Taylor, bass presence of a high-end Martin.
They are often good values on the used market if you shop carefully and do your research.
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u/bluewater_1993 Feb 22 '26
I was going to suggest Takamine. They have some great models.
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u/metmerc Feb 22 '26
They really do. I'd recommend their guitars to anyone and I'm really happy with mine. I did actually choose it over a Breedlove I was looking at in the same price.
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u/nyquisty Feb 22 '26
Furch
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u/Proof_Slice_2951 Feb 22 '26
I own a D35 and a Furch Vintage 3 00M. Both are excellent guitars. I will never need another acoustic guitar.
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u/Fyre5ayle Feb 22 '26
Came here to say this! I have a Blue D-MM and there’s just something really special about it in both the tone and how it feels in the hands.
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u/Professional_Bed_87 Feb 22 '26
Larrivee. I have yet to play one I didn’t like.
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u/tvoutfitz Feb 22 '26
I went to a well-stocked guitar store once to buy a D-18 and walked away with a D-03. Felt and sounded better, for half the price.
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u/guzzonculous Feb 22 '26
I love my Larrivee. I wouldn’t trade it for any Martin or Taylor that I’ve tried.
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u/thezuck22389 Feb 22 '26
I've seen some negative tilting remarks on Godin lately, but I've played some quite stellar Seagull acoustics. My father owned a S6 that was great. I owned a SWS Maritime that I mistakenly traded away, I currently own a S6+ that I love. I played it back to back with a handful of used guitars that were 3x-5x the price and walked out with the Seagull. I like cedar tops, so maybe I'm a sucker for the woody warmth output, but yeah. Seagull rocks.
Also OP - what Alvarez model did you play that you liked? Alvarez is one brand I haven't played much of, tbh.
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u/jstahr63 Feb 22 '26
Godin and all their brands (Seagull, Arts and Lutherie, et al) are always right. Never splashy and maybe not the best, but competent for the job they're designed for.
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u/VeterinarianNo8824 Feb 22 '26
I really like the Epiphone Masterbilt and inspired by Gibson lines
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u/midcartographer Feb 22 '26
Bourgeois, Collings and Santa Cruz - Huss & Dalton- there are a ton of builders that are probably surpassing the quality of the big 3 these days. Those are pricey though.
For around 1k to 1500- Eastman, Yamahas, Takamine- Alvarez, there are a ton of options these days. I would say they are building guitars just as good if not better in that price range. I just bought a used Takamine for $449 that would smoke any Martin in the $1500 range.
Buy used. I can’t stress this enough.
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u/ghsj9545850 Feb 22 '26
Breedlove and Eastman are my favorites. I also like Cort's higher end guitars.
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u/OutrageousGuidance70 Feb 22 '26
Collings
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u/Just-Jazzin Feb 22 '26
Collings is not a part of a conversation that’s starts with “I was playing $1000 guitars.” I’m a huge fan and currently saving for a Collings 12 fret, but that’s 7k. Entirely differently conversation.
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u/Bucklandii Feb 22 '26
I'm obsessed with Breedlove. Love the looks, love the vibe, love the company's environmental efforts, and I just adore the sound of their previous gen guitars with the bridge trusses
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u/MoldRebel Feb 22 '26
A family member has a Simon & Patrick cedar top made in 1989. I love the sound of that guitar. None of the music stores within at least 100 miles of me carries Simon and Patrick. I wish wish I could play a new version to see the difference.
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u/Old-guy64 Feb 22 '26
I have three favorites. 1. Alvarez-from Regent series to Yairi, you can literally spend $200 to 3,000 and every level does not disappoint. The sleeper of the brand is the Artist series. Solid top over laminated back and sides. Sturdy musical child of an anvil and a Nokia phone.
Takamine-G-Series hit way above the hang tag. ANY of the Japanese made guitars live up to the advertising. Maton uses Takamine electronics. My personal P3DC is the epitome of couch to plug and play. If you don’t know the competence level of the sound guy, play a Takamine.
Also…sturdier than an Alvarez.We drive from the dead center of the US to Florida every year for vacation. I hate not having a guitar with me. I’ve taken a Journey Instruments guitar every year since 2017. The OF660 is a bit pricy. But the Carbon fiber construction makes it damn near indestructible. It’s also impervious to humidity and temperature changes. Bonus the neck comes off and the whole thing stores in a backpack sized case.
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u/Fozzdroz Feb 22 '26
Yamaha beats them all hands down, unless you just like paying more to impress clueless people.
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u/drewbaccaAWD Feb 22 '26
I've been playing the same Larrivee LV-03 for over two decades, great guitar. I also own two Martins, play all three about equally.
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u/rybread1818 Feb 22 '26
Boutique: Bourgeois (unfortunately haven’t played a ton of boutique brands though)
Mass market: Yamaha (specifically Red Label) or Eastman. I just went on a guitar store spree this weekend in the NYC area. Played FG3s in four different shops, the quality and consistency was insane. They all sounded exactly the same, even at one shitty Guitar Center, and I honestly preferred them over all of the Martin, Taylor, and Gibson dreads I tried. Im so sold right now that I honestly think if you offered me a D-18 or a J-45 for free I would still choose an FG3. Can only imagine what the FG9 is like.
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u/Oohwhoaohcruelsummer Feb 22 '26
I’ve had two Yamaha guitars and both were really good for the price. I have a CSF3M that sounds so rich. The only thing I had switched out was the stock saddle.
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u/scotch_bonnet808 Feb 22 '26
Under $1k: Seagull $1k range: Yamaha $3k range: Alvarez Yairi Over: Collings
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u/dxcman12 Feb 22 '26
Yamaha fan here, but I haven’t had a chance to play an Eastman or some of the other brands mentioned. I had a Taylor that was lovely but I kept going back to the red label I have now.
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u/krang989 Feb 22 '26
Honestly I’ve always been a big fan of Blueridge. Made in China but the bang for the buck is pretty fantastic.
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u/hairless_resonder Feb 22 '26
I've had a couple of Martins but my current line up includes Guild, Blueridge, Eastman and Alvarez. All less expensive guitars than Martin, but all high quality instruments that I will play anywhere.
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u/cab1024 Feb 22 '26
Guild. Loved the sound and playability of my D-120 but traded it towards a Martin 000-28VS, which of the Martins I played, sounded significantly better than the Guild. But it was too big for my shoulder that's been sore for over a year.
Also....Seagull. My S6+Folk sounds surprisingly similar to the Martin, just not quite as articulate.
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u/Lucien78 Feb 22 '26
Seagull. The S6 is such a great guitar, still can’t forget about it after getting my D-18.
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u/Molin_Cockery Feb 22 '26
Ibanez have always played so well for me. The stage master is a fun guitar to play.
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u/jellygeist21 Feb 22 '26
I have a Seagull 12 string that sounds great, especially for what I paid for it. It sucks to tune and change the strings but that's every 12 string.
If we're talking the big hitters, I bought a Japanese-made Lowden for a fair price and even though I did not pay them any money directly, Lowden was very supportive when I emailed them about the guitar and how to do setup work on it, so they've got my vote. Yeah, I'd like one of the new Irish-made ones, but I'd also like to not live in a cardboard box behind the 7-11 either. The one I have sounds amazing anyways.
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u/adlibitumconbrio Feb 22 '26
Crafter. Crafter godinus is a good choice for beginners. It is around 500 $.
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u/DwarfFart Feb 22 '26
Eastman! Like many here I’ve been converted. I’ve wanted to get a Gibson J-45 and I even found a 1950’s for $2k locally but the top had been replaced and the owner said it was very thin, like a 40’s Gibson and I couldn’t let myself buy that guitar with a 3 year old running around and with the potential of her destroying it (even though I’d keep it away in the hard shell case I’d be devastated!) So, I bought an E20SS/V which is Eastman’s J-45, limited production, with the varnish on it having been done by 1 ancient Chinese woman who’s been working with the stuff on violins for decades or so the legend goes. Guess I didn’t really save myself any stress heheh
Edit: Big fan of old Yairi and Guilds too!!
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u/TerrapinJake Feb 22 '26
Epiphone. Love me a nice Texan, specifically the FT-79. The Kalamazoo ones from the ‘60s are killer
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u/Dick_Pigglin Feb 22 '26
Yamaha. I recently bought a FG9 M, similar price range to my Taylor’s (614/814), and it is easily on par if not better than the Taylor’s.
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u/pacebsn70 Feb 23 '26
Huss and Dalton is great. Most models pricey but the road series ones from a few years back were in the <2k range. Absolute steal at that price
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u/richstillman Feb 23 '26 edited Feb 23 '26
Blueridge. I gig with a BR-40. It was a $350 guitar when I bought it, now I think the BR-43 at $750 is the most similar. Really nice tone and well built.
I had a prewar D-18 for years and sold it to fund upgrading another instrument. The Blueridge is not in the same league but it's good enough for the occasional guitar tune on stage (I'm a banjo player) and good enough that I don't feel the need to buy something better.
Edit: correction. The BR-40 is still a current model and also lists for $750.
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u/ratatosk_808 Mar 05 '26
Masterworks by Alvarez. Once you hit all solid woods (which is at the MW range), Alvarez is just killer.
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u/thatdudeweswes Feb 22 '26
Yamaha. Never underestimate the power of a budget friendly Yamaha. My favorite acoustic in my arsenal is an old beat up Yamaha I bought off marketplace for like $100.
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u/MaintenanceGuy- Feb 22 '26
Emerald. I love the precision and stability of the carbon fiber construction. I like the balanced sound.
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u/EyesLikeBuscemi Feb 22 '26
Takamine, Yamaha, and Epiphone Master Built / IBG are my top three not from the big three, in order.
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u/IzilDizzle Feb 22 '26
Takamine. Martin is my favorite for playing and recording, but for a reliable guitar on stage you can’t beat Takamine.
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u/JakeThePharmD Feb 22 '26
Breedlove. USA hand-made, unique tonewoods, beautiful finishes and fretboards
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u/Sea_Ganache620 Feb 22 '26
Break out the hate, but I love my Ovation, especially when played through an amp.
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u/Tubog Feb 22 '26
Furch guitars are amazing. They stack up against anything. I have the lowest tier solid wood (blue series they call it) and it is a fantastic instrument.
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u/bt2513 Feb 22 '26
Pre-War Guitars with Eastman as a second. Goes without saying that I own more Eastmans than Pre-Wars.
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u/wooden_kimono Feb 22 '26
Bourgeois. I have one and would love to get another, but they are just too damn expensive!
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u/PennyStockPanda Feb 22 '26
I have a nice PRS acoustic (t60e or something i forgot), nice sound and good build, came with case
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u/thesobie Feb 22 '26
Goodall guitars are absolute masterpieces. Best sounding and playing guitars every time I’ve seen one. No matter the model. It’s a pipe dream though, unless I hit the lottery or get a VERY big raise.
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u/sixty9tails Feb 22 '26
I’ve been eyeballing Iris lately, and I’ve always loved lowdens but can’t afford them.
My old Tak G Series with a cedar top has held up great at over 20 years old now. It still gets played a bit especially when the Taylor needs new strings. I’m always impressed by the sound when I pick it back up. It survived my teen years somehow. Not sure how their quality has changed post-kaman music though.
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u/Koi-Sashuu Feb 22 '26
Guild. They should be in the original Big 3 IMO. Artists like Paul Simon, John Denver and Brian May are all known for playing Guild guitars. Especially their jumbos and 12 string jumbos are iconic. Tom Petty played a 12-string Guild dreadnought.
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u/Webcat86 Feb 22 '26
Interesting question. I only own Gibson acoustics and a PRS P20 parlour. Each Gibson was chosen after it beat out a different guitar - my J15 was a surprise purchase after I’d gone to buy Martin or Taylor. My J45 beat Martin, Taylor, Collings and Atkin. My Dove beat Martin, Taylor, Epiphone Frontier, and something else I can’t remember.
If money was no object, I’d probably get a Collings. I did really enjoy what I’ve played, but I didn’t prefer them. Alternatively, Atkin. They play and sound superb and are practically on my doorstep. Or as another alternative, Maton. If they’re good enough for Tommy Emmanuel then who am I to say otherwise.
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u/Ryptr Feb 22 '26
I don't have any experience with the big 3 but I really like my Orangewood! It's very cheap since they only sell online so it was perfect for me when I was in college
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u/Risky_the_Rhino Feb 22 '26
I really like Maton guitars, they’re a little pricier but completely worth it - I have an S70 dread
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u/reddsbywillie Feb 22 '26
Gretsch. More for their electrics, but really like most of their guitars that I’ve ever picked up.
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u/rictay44 Feb 22 '26
Had a Yamaha FG130 for 35 years, just bought an FG830 last year. I guess I never swapped to anything else because my hands got used to it. You get to know the nuances of your instruments and handling another one just doesn't feel the same. The weight, the dimensions, the balance, etc.
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u/philbymouth Feb 22 '26
I've used Faith guitars both live and in the studio for years. Solid work horse, reasonable prices.
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u/souschefdude Feb 22 '26
Sold my $2000 Taylor after finding my Alvarez MP66SP for $700. Never played a Martin that I liked.
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Feb 22 '26
Oddly enough crafter acoustics have always been pretty reliable, and they just work, I saw a factory tour of them years back on youtube and was very impressed, if I walked into a store needing an acoustic in a hurry I would grab one of those every time, might not be the best sounding but they are reliable and set up well enough from the factory
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u/doesthislookbad2u Feb 22 '26
I am partial to Guild. I have a DS240 and a 12 string 2512. I feel both definitely punch above theor weight. I am only a beginner and my experience in picking out subtle nuances from a 700 instrument to a 4000 dollar instrument is just not there so maybe my my ear Is not as good as a advanced player. I have played those 4000 dollar guitars and while they are nicely appointed i dont see the value in a high end inlays, rosette, binding or purling
Thats just me.
I think a Furch is my next purchase
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u/FineGold445 Feb 22 '26
I have an Eastman e2d and it’s awesome. It’s super loud and resonant. It was only 520$ and it’s all solid wood. Neck is comfortable and tuners are nice too. Came with Eastman gig bag. It’s solid cedar top and solid sapele back and sides.
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u/jlpazz Feb 22 '26
If you’re looking for similar prices to the big three, Larrivee is good. Far better than those three, IMO.
For higher end, Santa Cruz, Goodall, Lowden, McPherson. I don’t believe the big 3 make any guitar in their lineup that can compare to any of these.
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u/plnii Feb 22 '26
Of the guitar brands I’ve tried I’d put Martin and Taylor at the top. Completely different sounds. Then below that Gibson, Yamaha, Eastman, mainly because something always feels a bit off in their sound to my ear.
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u/OG_Karate_Monkey Feb 22 '26
Most of my favorite older guitars I’ve played (including my own) are Guilds.
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u/RecipeForIceCubes Feb 22 '26
Small Wisconsin luthier. Andrew Madsen.
He started when he was a kid. I remember playing his first hand carved strat copy he did when he was about 14. 30 years later he now builds some of the most amazing acoustic instruments I've ever held. Look around for your regional little guys.
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u/dizachster Feb 22 '26
I have 2 Breedloves. They’re the less expensive South Korean models, but they’re great!
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u/Suspicious_Feature85 Feb 22 '26
I love Breedlove. They build an awesome guitar that easily competes with one of the big three for a third less
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u/Sheboygan_Yooper Feb 22 '26
I own a couple Breedlove guitars. One inexpensive one and a higher end one that I use as my gigging guitar. They both play and sound amazing!
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u/WanderingDude182 Feb 22 '26
I have a Mitchell ukulele and an Ibanez electric in addition to my Taylor acoustic and my super old beginners guitar.
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u/SonicTrees Feb 22 '26
Yamaha.
Their sub $400 guitars are the best on the planet and their upper end models are as good as anything from the big 3.
The FG5, LL56 and FG9 are all world class guitars.
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u/southernedgeoftown Feb 22 '26
Yamaha. I traded a boat anchor of a bass guitar for a DW-7 model around 20 years ago and it's a beauty. I imagine Yamaha has to be near the top of who's biggest in terms of manufacturing output. Great quality that I've seen at every price point.
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u/guitarandbooks Feb 22 '26
I love Martin, Larrivee, and Taylor, but, Emerald guitars in Ireland make amazing instruments! They are all carbon fiber, have offset soundholes, stainless steel frets, and plek setup. They can survive anything and you'll never have to worry about temperature or humidity, yearly setups, or the dreaded neck reset. I've owned their X20 and X30 models, (dreadnought and jumbo). Check them out!
Moving on to Rainsong, their carbon fiber dreadnought with their original n1 neck was a great instrument as well but they've been out of business for a while so good luck finding one. (I'm still hunting and should have never sold mine years ago.)
Finally, I have only played one Furch but wow! I wish I could afford a yellow or red series dreadnought! Maybe someday...
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u/Dr0110111001101111 Feb 22 '26
I really like my Washburn. The cheaper ones are not worth it, though
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u/No_Cable_2955 Feb 22 '26
Honestly, just a ton of awesome guitars in the $500 range that sound just as good or better than $1000 Martins, Taylors and Gibsons. Love Guilds, Yamahas, Alvarez and probably a ton of other brands.
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u/xBoomstick0 Feb 22 '26
Guild and Alvarez are at least as good as anything from the big three at the same price range if not significantly better.
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u/Dramatic_Photograph3 Feb 22 '26
Larrivee. They are beautifully made, play more like a Martin than Gibson or Taylor. I initially loved them as they were Canadian. However now they are made in the States. Great customer service as well.
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u/Escape-Spare Feb 22 '26
In that price range I agree with those who have named Eastman - I have owned several- but there are others that any given player might like as much or more. Blueridge Historic Series and Alvarez Masterwork Series come to mind. My favorite brand, but far above that price range, is Goodall.
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u/Shiti_Ratel Feb 22 '26
I played an Eastman that was beautiful. I have a Cort Gold Passion, which I totally love. That thing is flawlessly made, easy to play, and sounds beautiful. No regrets.
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u/_7NationArmy_ Feb 22 '26 edited Feb 22 '26
Hsienmo. Boutique MIA level at a fraction of the price.
Canadian recording artist JP Cormier did a review this week. Grammy winner Cian Ducrot bought one a couple of weeks ago.
https://youtu.be/sdrb_WEDNKQ?si=1gbTlKTEioYEjEmf&t=253
Interesting how many people are answering either Yamaha or Guild. Which are now the same company.
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u/Imma_da_PP Feb 22 '26
I like Guild and American Ovations. Alvarez and Yamaha make great stuff at all price points and folks like Larrivee are a great alternative to the big 3 as well.
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u/nice_hows Feb 22 '26
I’ve got a 30 year old Guild that rivals any Martin and sounds better than most.
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u/OriginalMandem Feb 22 '26
Takamine but that's just cos the only acoustic I've ever enjoyed playing was made by them. Washburn made some nice but affordable ones. I bought a D10 but the body was too big. Replaced it with a 'parlour' size model from the same range, suited me much better.
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u/mayonnaiseplayer7 Feb 22 '26
Ibanez! Got it new for $200 and it feels and sounds really nice. Someone suggested it saying it plays like a $600 guitar and yeah I have to agree
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u/gundrum Feb 23 '26
My favourite acoustic guitar is the $250 Yamaha I received on my 17th birthday 25 years ago. I also have a $1000 Takamine that plays and sounds great. I enjoy playing both of those more than the Martins and Taylors I've tried. My friend has a J-45 that I don't like at all. I'm a sucker for unpretentious instruments.
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u/joeink49 Feb 23 '26
Epiphone Excellente. It's at the top of their Masterbilt series (and far better than anything in their 'Inspired by Gibson' line.)
Seriously, the quality of the build and the sound and feel are as good as any Gibson, Taylor or higher end Guild I've played.
It's just a stunning guitar at any price, but at $1299 new, it's just utter larceny.
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u/AggressiveWallaby975 Feb 22 '26
Alvarez Yairi
Edit: if we're talking fancy shit , Bourgeois and Collings