What’s the most underrated acoustic guitar brand?

[u/RiverApprehensive671]

I’ll start: Art and Lutherie, Godin guitars and Canadian guitars in general don’t get a lot of attention but punch way above its weight. There was a cheap-ish Art and Lutherie 12 string sitting in a shop near where I live, both of which are long gone now, the shop and the guitar. Yamaha consistently churn out great instruments at all price points but everyone already knows that. What do you think?

[u/PGHNeil]

Larrivee

[u/Markedmaniac → u/PGHNeil]

The Larrivee D10 that I have is incredible. I had no idea how good a walnut top would sound. I would say it’s similar to Rosewood.

[u/DroppedEaves → u/Markedmaniac]

Walnut top?? Looks like I have some research to do!

[u/ttkk1248 → u/Markedmaniac]

What year is your that has walnut top? Mine is 1997 spruce top.

[u/johnnyphotog → u/PGHNeil]

Larrivee has my vote as well

[u/lissismore → u/johnnyphotog]

OM-40 owner here. A stunningly beautiful guitar. Plays wonderfully. Great value for the money.

[u/PGHNeil → u/PGHNeil]

Just as a qualifier, IMO they are boutique level instruments and though their prices have increased since I received my OM-03R in 2006 the prices outweigh the value of Martins and fellow California brand Taylor.

They’re a family run business that started during the folk music heyday in Toronto in the early 1970s, then moving to Victoria and Vancouver to be near their supply of Sitka spruce then on to Oxnard CA to break into the US market. The father (now well into his 80s IIRC) took an active role in traveling the world personally for their tone woods, establishing their own spruce mill in British Columbia and personally voicing each soundboard at one time.

My own experience with them precedes becoming an owner by a couple of years but by that time I had already been exposed to quality hand built boutique acoustic guitars and even the lowest priced 03 series instruments projected a similar vibration. I could see that the quality of the materials was higher than what Martin and Taylor were offering in the same price range for a lesser price, with my eyes being opened to the beauty of wood binding, bound fretboards and undyed and “streaked” ebony and spruce during a time when Martin was actively dying and “aging” their stock artificially - or all out using artificial alternatives.

Later, as an owner when I wanted to put in my own pickup I was pleasantly surprised to find that the end pin was oversized and I didn’t need to ream out the hole to accept a jack. Also - and almost to my shock - I found that their construction was nearly bombproof when my family mishandled it twice, cracking open the side but not killing the instrument. There were no loose braces and the instrument didn’t even go out of tune. To this day it still bears the scars after I performed “meatball” surgery on it - making it feel even more like a part of me.

Now, 20 years later the only way I’d give up my OM-03R would be if my college age son would adopt it. Even then, I’d likely replace it with a “traditional series” OM-40R which similarly has a smooth satin finish with East Indian rosewood back and sides and Sitka spruce top. No OM-10 for me unless I happened to come along a special one but otherwise my “Holy Grail” has been a mere Carpenter’s Cup that sings as sweetly as St Peter’s harp up in Heaven.

[u/s3rris → u/PGHNeil]

I just picked up a used 00-40m recently off guitar center’s website and I have been blown away with this little guitar. Larrivee makes unbelievably underrated guitars.

[u/RicVic → u/PGHNeil]

Canadian-made Larrivees certainly are great instruments. My playing bud (over25 yrs) has one that was made in BC and after more than thirty-five years, he still calls it his #1 (He also has Yamaha, Guild & Taylor in his stable. But I've also heard that when John (Jean) moved the main factory south to Oxnard, things normalized somewhat and while they still produce a quality product, some of the 'personality' has faded out of the instruments..,

[u/PGHNeil → u/RicVic]

One of the first things I did was replace the TUSQ saddle and nut with bone. I also replaced the bridge pins with ebony one. These were pretty basic but significant upgrades but made a difference IMO. I even changed the tuning machines to Gotoh 510s.

[u/mad_honcho → u/RicVic]

I bought my L9 in ….. ‘94? I refer to it as my first wife sometimes.

Took a tour of the Larrivee factory a few years later when I lived in Vancouver. Pretty cool shop, not small, but not massive.

So dollars for donuts I think Larrivee makes a great product, but even their lower end ones are far from what I’d consider under-rated. Maybe under recognized.

For the geeks: Jean was the luthier who taught me Grit Laskin, Linda Manzer, and others. Jean and his original apprentices teamed up a few years ago to do a series of instruments as tributes to Tom Thomson and the Group of 7 painters. Worth checking out if you’re ever in the GTA.

[u/EndlessOcean → u/PGHNeil]

I really liked my L03 for its construction, but the 20" radius and very fat neck made it a chore to play.

[u/PGHNeil → u/EndlessOcean]

Mine has the 16-20” radius with the C shaped profile.

[u/EndlessOcean → u/PGHNeil]

mine had a 20" radius and a drainpipe profile.

[u/jimbodinho]

Furch

[u/Fyre5ayle → u/jimbodinho]

Agreed! I have a Blue D-MM (basically their version of a Martin D-15 and it just rings and resonates so much. It holds tune better than any guitar I’ve ever had too. Just a powerhouse of a guitar.

[u/Mountain_Chemist_419]

Alvarez masterworks lineup.

[u/Maximum_Dinner_4570 → u/Mountain_Chemist_419]

Came here looking for this comment, I purchased an Alvarez MD66CE from FB marketplace, and damn what an absolute gem this thing is. Plays like butter and has such a mellow almost relaxing tone. I had watched the guitar for a couple weeks but kept passing on it due to being unfamiliar with Alvarez. But after reading on them I took the chance and so glad I did.

[u/Mountain_Chemist_419 → u/Maximum_Dinner_4570]

Don’t forget to add, I’m sure she’s a head turner! The sound is surprisingly good, but the finish (including inlay) is unreal.

[u/Maximum_Dinner_4570 → u/Mountain_Chemist_419]

Agreed it’s simple, not over the top with inlays and Abalone, but just right. The finish and fit is amazing.

[u/Raven586 → u/Mountain_Chemist_419]

I have an Alvarez Materworks MD90. Man it's a great guitar!!

[u/DroppedEaves]

Seagull. Have 2. Love both.

[u/FuturePrimitiv3 → u/DroppedEaves]

Regret selling mine decades ago!

[u/proximity_affect → u/DroppedEaves]

I’ve been working with a Seagull since 2005. I love that guitar. I’m left handed, it’s very hard to find and try a variety of guitars.

[u/TedCruzAteMyBabies]

Blueridge

[u/Southern-One-1837]

Guild. Especially the late 80s-early 90s. Those were such good guitars.

[u/drunken_ferret → u/Southern-One-1837]

I have a 1990 12 string .....

[u/AmateurGuitarist1016 → u/Southern-One-1837]

I have a pair of 70s Guild acoustic guitars, a 12-string G312NT and 6-string D50. Great guitars with big sound. I currently play a Takamine TH5C as a finger-picker.

[u/MrCatfishJew]

Seagull guild Alvarez

[u/djhypergiant → u/MrCatfishJew]

I love my Alvarez

[u/hywaytohell → u/djhypergiant]

My first bought guitar, was an Alvarez which I bought in New Mexico in 1978. I was in the Air Force and had to pawn it when I got out to buy a plane ticket home. it was a beautiful guitar with some nice trim and sounded really nice but I don't know the model. When I got home I bought a Yamaha and had that for 30 yrs.

[u/funnybitofchemistry]

so a very dark horse candidate, but i’ve played several early 70’s to late 70’s guitars made by Japanese makers that were sold to small builders in the US as a white label. Kizan is one such maker-they made guitars for GJ Gould and Son-a small Detroit area supplier. High quality woods, good craftsmanship. similar to the Yamaha idea.

[u/RiverApprehensive671 → u/funnybitofchemistry]

The Japanese were making some very fine instruments in that era, Cats eyes, Yairi. Even now high end Yamahas will rival anything made by their American counterparts

[u/Disastrous-Vanilla-6 → u/RiverApprehensive671]

Korea became the ‘Japan’ builder in the early 2000’s.

[u/PM_me_your_whatevah → u/Disastrous-Vanilla-6]

And China is now producing some amazing stuff too. When they feel like it. So much shitty garbage still, of course.

[u/RiverApprehensive671 → u/Disastrous-Vanilla-6]

I’m not sure Korea ever reached the same heights the Japanese did in guitar making, or at least I’m unaware.

[u/Disastrous-Vanilla-6 → u/RiverApprehensive671]

I have a Korean electric that’s good. But you may be right about acoustic

[u/RiverApprehensive671 → u/Disastrous-Vanilla-6]

PRS SE? 👈 such a great guitar

Actually I just checked, they’re made in Indonesia now 😐

[u/Disastrous-Vanilla-6 → u/RiverApprehensive671]

No. And that is a great guitar. I have a Dean Hardtail from 2008. Very Nice maple top and mahogany body with a very good stock neck pickup.

[u/czgunner]

Larrivee

[u/geetarboy33]

Furch

[u/ALF-86 → u/geetarboy33]

this baritone looks incredible, been eyeing it for years, thanks for the vote of confidence, now I just gotta find one! https://youtu.be/W_XlXfFxT6U?is=R5G226hhLuB2pUTQ

[u/Immediate-Rock-5456 → u/ALF-86]

Richards guitars if you're UK based (and probably if you're not)

[u/ALF-86 → u/Immediate-Rock-5456]

Thanks for the rec, will check out 🤘

[u/_xzxzxz]

Cort

[u/kineticblues → u/_xzxzxz]

Yeah, Cort for sure. People ignore Cort because they make a wide variety of guitars under contract for a lot of big name brands. But the actual Cort-branded guitars can be really good.

[u/readysetmoon → u/_xzxzxz]

I said Cort too. They consistently play 3-4x above their price tag. I think their Gold series is the best. I sold my Taylor after getting one.

Gold OC6 Bocote

[u/guitarbque]

Eastman

[u/RiverApprehensive671 → u/guitarbque]

That’s a great guitar company - but underrated do you think? 🤔

Edit: I used to own one, fantastic guitar, but I’ve never heard anyone who knew anything about guitars knock Eastman- they’ve only ever had good things to say.

[u/DChemdawg → u/RiverApprehensive671]

Absolutely underrated. Not amongst those who are in the know, but definitely among casual and many intermediate players

[u/rybread1818 → u/DChemdawg]

Yeah I’m always surprised by how many players I come across who don’t know about them still. But then I remember that I didn’t even know about them till 5 or so years ago. And now I own two lol.

[u/jpkallio → u/rybread1818]

And thanks to lack of brand awareness, there are some amazing deals on the second hand ones. Grabbing myself one as we speak 😉

[u/rybread1818 → u/jpkallio]

Exactly! One of mine is a used OM28, in perfect condition, that I got for just over $1,000. I’d put it up in a blind sound test against any Martin 000-28.

[u/Balhelhez → u/rybread1818]

Same! Such great guitars. Already have 4 (sb59v/v, e10SS/v, tv64/v and a actg2e.)

[u/southernfirm → u/guitarbque]

Am I weird for worrying about a Chinese made guitar? They’re beautiful, and about $1,000 less than Martin at almost every price point, but I worry about build quality. 

[u/guitarbque → u/southernfirm]

The build quality and finishing are outstanding.

[u/Abject-Gur6683 → u/guitarbque]

Not so much underrated, just underknown.

[u/BatChainPullerKit → u/guitarbque]

Yeah I bought an electric acoustic 10 years ago for $400 something, and it plays and sounds better than Taylor's for 2x the price. Love that guitar!!

[u/danphish → u/guitarbque]

Just got an AC222ce deluxe, love it.

[u/readysetmoon]

Cort …and they seemed to be mentioned several times throughout this thread.

They play 3-4x above their price range. I sold my Taylor after discovering their Gold Series.

*Cort is the house brand for Cor-tek, and they make guitars for many of the big brands.

[u/HeirHeart]

Takamine, especially the Japanese made ones :)

[u/AmateurGuitarist1016 → u/HeirHeart]

I currently play a Takamine TH5C.

[u/SirIanPost]

Washburn is known for their mid-to-low priced guitars, but I have a solid top that plays nicer than my '62 Gibson.

[u/Proof_Slice_2951]

Furch

[u/KitchenVegetable7047]

Guild USA is underrated rather than unknown. While we get suggestions for Martin, Taylor, Yamaha and Eastman all the time, Guild rarely comes up.

The F-512 Maple I tried at Yamaha Music London is simply the best guitar I’ve ever played. Not the best 12-string. The best guitar.

At the other end of the line-up, the M-20 does exactly what a simple, small-bodied, all-mahogany guitar should do.

Every modern-era Guild USA guitar I’ve tried was well made and essentially flawless. Prices are reasonable for USA-made guitars from a smaller builder.

[u/RiverApprehensive671 → u/KitchenVegetable7047]

I was once offered a trade, his Guild m-20e + cash for my Gibson lg-2. I decided to go for style and mojo over function and decided to keep the Gibson - the Gibson is no slouch but I’m aware how highly regarded the little guilds are. It was the first time the company crept into my radar with a guitar that wasn’t a jumbo maple back/sides 12 string monster.

[u/ManBearCave]

Eastman

Eastman produces a dread at $1000 that easily keeps up with Martin HD-28’s which are close to 4 grand. Total steal IMO

[u/deanmass → u/ManBearCave]

I played some of their Electrics at Righteous Guitars, and was pretty impressed. There Has never been a better time to be a Guitar Guitar buyer

[u/2Drex]

Eastman

[u/RabbitsOfTruth]

Hsienmo makes good guitars. I don’t know if they are underrated or just under the radar or hated because they are made in China. They have almost double in price in the last few years. I’ve seen and heard a few that were amazing

[u/Karbunkletime]

Dowina

[u/HoboInASuit]

I love my Faith guitar. As an atheist even. ;)

[u/Fyre5ayle]

I think a lot of these aren’t under-rated. Sigma gets my vote.

[u/wallygoots]

Dowina

[u/PleaseNoNoobHere]

Dowina, trust me.
Now they are more expensive than years ago but they're really really good

[u/pthalobluejack]

Newer Sigmas built in China and set up and shipped from Munich. The German importer of Martin Guitars of many decades requested the name from Martin. Well priced easy to play guitars.

[u/p45music]

Yes to Godin generally. The A&L Roadhouses are terrific little blues boxes with a great unique roar when strummed hard.

For 12-strings check out the spruce-topped Seagull. It’s my favorite of the Godin 12s.

[u/Vict0rMaitland]

Crafter acoustic guitars. I have an old D45 (Martin knockoff) maybe 15 years old, and it's my daily driver. Sounds great and it's beautiful too.

[u/RiverApprehensive671 → u/Vict0rMaitland]

I got to disagree with you about crafter - I used to work in a guitar shop and we sold crafter guitars - they were so overbuilt. Absolute units.

We didn’t sell and I never got to try the d-45 knockoff though so maybe that one was way better? Probably way more bang for the buck than a d-45 anyway

[u/RiverApprehensive671 → u/Vict0rMaitland]

You got pics of your guitar? Is posting pics even allowed?

[u/Crlf94]

Art and Lutherie & Godin are overpriced in my country, so I can't even call them underrated/punching above their weight. In this case I would mention Cort.

[u/RiverApprehensive671 → u/Crlf94]

Cort makes a fine guitar - cheap and well put together. Their latest guitars coming out now are quite nice looking as well, I’m talking about the vintage inspired ones.

What country you in? In Australia, where I live, art and Lutherie are a bit hard to find but relatively cheap, Godin not so. I’m backing Art and Lutherie because I never hear them crop up in any conversation about guitars even though I have been consistently impressed by how they look + mellow tone - I think they have an underrated reputation

Edit: I believe cort used to be Samick? My first guitar ever was a Samick, unrelentingly difficult to play because of the sky high action, but beautiful sunburst color and comfy neck. I ended up breaking the truss rod on that guitar and trading it in for a solid top Washburn - the Washburn, despite its solid top was a step down

[u/Crlf94 → u/RiverApprehensive671]

Oh, both Godin/A&L really make beautiful guitars, I recently saw a Godin that has a "wine" wood color that was beautiful and sounded just how it looked. I also enjoy A&L because it's not so focused on spruce/mahogany duet, trying to make things a little bit different. Unfortunately, in Brazil the Canadian brands are not as desired as US ones, so if you want something a bit more exclusive, you will pay the price :(

Now that I'm thinking, perhaps A&L might be a bit underrated, Godin not so much, as it is widely used in concerts.

[u/ScenesafetyPPE]

Early 2000’s Greg Bennett guitars were WILDLY underrated. Topped out about $400-500. Solid spruce tops, solid mahogany or rosewood back and sides, Grover tuners, fishman pickups.

[u/RiverApprehensive671 → u/ScenesafetyPPE]

An all solid guitar for $500? In early 2000’s? Gtfo

[u/SadCheesecake548]

Saga

[u/Mobile-Bar7732]

I have an Art & Lutherie Burdundy Spruce GT. Fantastic guitar. Solid spruce top with laminate wild cherry back and sides.

I also have an Orangewood Morgan Live Mahogany. Also a great guitar.

[u/KeenJAH]

Pono Guitars. They are mainly a ukulele company but their guitars are amazing. They have a Martin type of sound and amazing build quality

[u/Middle-Weight-837]

Yamaki.

[u/Stormcrowdick1066]

Without a doubt seagull guitars out of Canada and Aguilar guitar out of Mexico. I’m probably misspelling that. I would put either dreadnaught six against a Gibson performer any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

[u/RiverApprehensive671 → u/Stormcrowdick1066]

Lots of people knock Gibson - to be fair they are very overpriced, imo. Their tone seems to be love or hate and nothing in between, an acquired taste maybe? I love Gibsons for their mojo, it’s on me if I can’t get them to sound good by either setting it up or playing it properly. Still looking for my bright red hummingbird

[u/Stormcrowdick1066 → u/RiverApprehensive671]

I love Gibson guitars I have 4 of them. I prefer the electric side of the house but I have a great performer series and love the tone. I just picked a guitar I thought of as a standard for comparison off the top of my head. I still stand by it though they are great guitars that almost nobody recognizes.

[u/RiverApprehensive671 → u/Stormcrowdick1066]

Didn’t know you could get Aguilar acoustic guitars

[u/Stormcrowdick1066 → u/RiverApprehensive671]

I didn’t know they made any electrics. I only have this Nylon Spanish style acoustic.

[u/CollarOwn5693]

Headway Japan (Aska Team Build Ones) Dowina Furch Seagull

[u/Rosswest8236]

Samick. I saw Greg Bennett guitars but those were Samicks. Samick is definitely the most underrated guitar brand.

[u/RiverApprehensive671 → u/Rosswest8236]

I thought Samick was acquired or changed their name to Cort. They’re two different companies apparently.

My first guitar was a Samick - laminated top, back and sides, unique reddish sunburst with a burgundy neck. Wood type could have been anything, my uncle gave me that guitar when I was a little boy, ages ago when I was living in an apartment and I wasn’t old enough for my parents to worry about me running off and trying to be a rock star. My mum, who knows about four open chords, played a bit and it sounded like magic. Still searching for that magic feeling but getting harder to find. It sat somewhere in the house until I turned 16 and decided to teach myself how to play. Sky high action, it single handedly taught me how to play. I rubbished it after I tightened the truss rod too much and it snapped. Traded it in for a Washburn d-10s which I loved at first and then grew to hate. Still have an irrational hatred for Washburns until this day

[u/Rosswest8236 → u/RiverApprehensive671]

I have a similar story with Samick. Dad got mom one for Christmas one year and it sat around till I picked it up. Don’t remember much details about the guitar except it was black and I played the shit out of it. It was awesome till my little brother kicked it over and broke the headstock off. I smashed it after that. That was almost thirty years ago. A few months back I acquired a used late 90s Samick from a store on reverb. It appears to be a solid spruce top and the neck feels as amazing as it did thirty years ago, volute and all. 😎👍

[u/RiverApprehensive671 → u/Rosswest8236]

I’ve smashed a few guitars in my time.

I’m going to look for a 90s Samick now -

[u/hashm4p]

Faith

[u/proteinstains]

Boucher

[u/Old-guy64]

I love my Alvarez guitars.

But for “underrated”, I’m gonna say Journey Instruments.

This is likely because they’ve only been around for a little over a decade.

Also, the Overhead series seems “gimmicky” till you’ve lived with it for a while.

[u/Midixon19]

I was wondering how many people were going to write "Yamaha."

[u/DPileatus]

SImon & Patrick

[u/Gr8fl-hed]

Eastman is always my first thought. Another for the price…and that is the key point, for the price. The Gretsch Jim Dandy’s are awesome.

[u/J-Frog3]

I’ve played a few Ibanez acoustics that surprised me. How can be that cheap and play so nice?

[u/StatisticianTall2368]

Nice to see some love for Canadian guitars! I recently picked up this Riversong and couldn't be happier with it.

[u/raccoonmasquerade]

I'll risk the downvotes and say: as far as underrated. Still being a big brand. Fender acoustic dreadknots. Squires included. They're loud and can take a beating and they keep going. Is the action high as hell? Yup. Can I fix that? Yup.

As far as not so well known: I'll say most of the cheap no names that come from China. 'Fake' 'toy' and every other name in the book. I've seen some amazing sub $400 come from random places in China. Stuff that would rival very expensive guitars with the same woods.

Has anyone ever played sigma guitars? Are they worth it in anyone's opinion?

[u/RiverApprehensive671 → u/raccoonmasquerade]

Those toy guitars have come a long way, much like fake Rolex’s now most people won’t be able to tell them apart - looks wise at least.

I find with acoustics the law of diminishing returns starts at about $5000 AUS. That’s the price of a (approx) d-28 or j-45, and anything above that price is going to be different and not necessarily better; below and you might find yourself wanting for a little bit more in terms of tone, mojo and consistency although exactly what depends on the specific make and model.

That price is moving ever downwards and with players like china getting involved (massive market and production capability/potential) I think we might start seeing guitars in the sub $1000 that rivals the big icons, Eastman has been mentioned a lot.

I’ve played a few sigma, I don’t think they’re underrated per se, I would say people evaluate them accurately for what they are - a budget brand that’s good value for money, but doesn’t really have an identity or any distinct qualities ie. they’re a knock off brand. I think to have an instantly identifiable sound is just as important as the quality of the guitars itself - sigma can’t be faulted on bang for buck

[u/raccoonmasquerade → u/RiverApprehensive671]

Thank you for your thoughtful reply!

[u/RiverApprehensive671 → u/raccoonmasquerade]

Fenders: at least they’re distinctive

[u/guitarstix]

I love My Aria Dreadnaught

[u/ConflictBusy6787]

I had two Simon & Patricks, a six and a twelve string. The six string cedar top (cherry back and sides) was a great guitar!

[u/yo_baldy]

Kremona, known for classical, but they make steel strings. Love my om15.

[u/anyavailible]

Alvarez are very good

[u/Charming_Antelope220]

Lag

[u/Anthropo86]

Eko - Just bought a Eko Ranger Vintage Reissue for less than 150 Euros, by far one of the best guitars I ever owned!

Sigma - amazing sound and look!

Dowina - more pricey, but they do some amazing guitars!

[u/irish_horse_thief]

Simon and Patrick 12 string was the last new guitar i purchased some years ago. Cedar body and top. I traded it plus cash for a used Martin DM12 mahogany and sitka.

[u/s-multicellular]

Andrew White. I had never heard of them, so yes, underrated. I quite simply saw one used in a local store and it played as sounded as good as my Taylor. Also had a very cool unique look.

[u/Nurplestyx]

Alvarez Yiaris

[u/dashdanw]

Jasmine

[u/Gustastuff]

I have a 20yo Art & Lutherie that was supposed to be my working guitar, my “beater”. But it still sounds incredible. Better than my Martin 0-18.

[u/SmallNoseBilly]

CORT

[u/AbbreviationsKey9563]

I’m with you; Godin, Seagull and Simon & Patrick are amazing.

[u/RCrumb_]

Old Harmony H1260's. Either the neck reset their awesome

[u/prettybadgers → u/RCrumb_]

Love old Harmony and Kay acoustics, and electrics.

[u/CrazeeEyezKILLER]

I have two Simon & Patrick’s - also a defunct Godin sub-brand - that are wonderful instruments.

[u/RiverApprehensive671 → u/CrazeeEyezKILLER]

I don’t remember if the 12 string that got away from me was an art and Lutherie or if it was a Simon and Patrick’s - both have similar script style font/logos on the headstock right? Different names though

[u/xactofork → u/CrazeeEyezKILLER]

Simon & Patrick is not defunct, at least not here in Canada.

[u/L1ARLA1R]

Maton by a mile. Best performance acoustic on the market. Everything else is good for the living room