If you’re chasing deep lows, sparkling highs, and lush overtones, a rosewood acoustic guitar is your dream instrument. Known for its complex tonal richness and strong projection, rosewood has long been favored by fingerstyle players, singer-songwriters, and strummers alike.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best rosewood acoustic guitars available today—spanning premium models, mid-range workhorses, and value-packed gems—so you can find the perfect fit for your sound, style, and budget.
Why Choose a Rosewood Acoustic Guitar?
Rosewood, especially East Indian and Brazilian variants, is prized for:
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Warm lows and crisp highs
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Strong projection and dynamic range
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Complex harmonics and sustain
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Visual beauty – rich dark grain with deep brown to purplish hues
Commonly paired with spruce or cedar tops, rosewood guitars deliver a balanced yet bold tone, making them great for fingerpicking, strumming, or solo acoustic performance.
Best Rosewood Acoustic Guitars (2024 Picks)
1. Martin D-28
Best Overall Rosewood Acoustic Guitar
The Martin D-28 is a legend—played by everyone from Hank Williams to Neil Young. Its Indian rosewood back and sides, paired with a solid Sitka spruce top, give it booming lows and crystalline highs.
Key Features:
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East Indian rosewood back and sides
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Sitka spruce top
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Forward-shifted scalloped X-bracing
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Ebony fingerboard and bridge
Why It’s Great:
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Classic dreadnought power with rosewood richness
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Perfect for studio and stage
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Built to last generations
Best For: Pro musicians and traditionalists wanting iconic tone and heritage
Price: ~$3,000
2. Taylor 814ce
Best High-End Rosewood Guitar for Modern Players
The Taylor 814ce blends cutting-edge design with classic rosewood tone. The Grand Auditorium shape delivers balance, while Taylor’s ES2 electronics make it stage-ready.
Key Features:
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East Indian rosewood back/sides
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Solid Sitka spruce top
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Expression System 2 (ES2) electronics
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V-Class bracing
Why It’s Great:
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Articulate, harmonically rich, and incredibly balanced
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Smooth cutaway for upper fret access
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Modern neck profile for effortless playability
Best For: Fingerstyle, live performance, and modern acoustic players
Price: ~$3,500
3. Yamaha A5R ARE
Best Mid-Range Rosewood Acoustic-Electric
Yamaha’s A5R offers solid tonewoods, professional-grade build quality, and incredible value. It’s a standout for those who want real rosewood sound under $2K.
Key Features:
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Solid Sitka spruce top with A.R.E. aging treatment
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Solid rosewood back and sides
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SRT2 pickup system with mic modeling
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Hand-rolled fret edges
Why It’s Great:
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Full-bodied tone with clarity and depth
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Excellent electronics for live gigs
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Comfortable neck and high-end finish quality
Best For: Gigging musicians seeking boutique feel without boutique price
Price: ~$1,500
4. Guild D-140CE
Best Affordable All-Solid Rosewood Dreadnought
The Guild D-140CE gives you all-solid tonewoods, a traditional dreadnought sound, and rosewood richness at a very accessible price.
Key Features:
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Solid Sitka spruce top
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Solid rosewood back and sides
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Cutaway design for upper fret access
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Fishman Sonitone pickup system
Why It’s Great:
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Deep low-end and loud projection
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All-solid build at a sub-$1,000 price point
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Vintage-style warmth with modern playability
Best For: Budget-conscious players who want pro tone for less
Price: ~$900–$1,100
5. Furch Vintage 2 D-SR
Best Boutique-Style Rosewood Acoustic
Furch guitars (made in the Czech Republic) are known for incredible craftsmanship and tone clarity. The D-SR is a premium rosewood dreadnought with flawless finishing.
Key Features:
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Solid Sitka spruce top
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Indian rosewood back and sides
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Vintage hand-brushed finish
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CNR truss system for perfect neck relief
Why It’s Great:
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Boutique tone and build quality
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Bold, open tone with long sustain
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Unique visual style
Best For: Players who want something special, different from the big names
Price: ~$2,500
Quick Comparison Table
| Model | Body Style | Back/Sides | Electronics | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin D-28 | Dreadnought | Indian Rosewood | None | Legendary tone and big projection | ~$3,000 |
| Taylor 814ce | Grand Auditorium | Indian Rosewood | ES2 Pickup System | Balanced modern tone and playability | ~$3,500 |
| Yamaha A5R ARE | Dreadnought | Solid Rosewood | SRT2 Electronics | Gigging, recording, solid mid-range | ~$1,500 |
| Guild D-140CE | Dreadnought Cutaway | Solid Rosewood | Fishman Sonitone | Affordable pro tone and volume | ~$1,000 |
| Furch Vintage 2 D-SR | Dreadnought | Indian Rosewood | Optional | Boutique tone and old-school warmth | ~$2,500 |
Tips for Choosing a Rosewood Acoustic Guitar
1. Solid vs. Laminate
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Solid rosewood = more resonance and better aging
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Laminated rosewood (often found on cheaper guitars) offers cost savings but less complexity in tone
2. Body Shape
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Dreadnought = more bass, punch, and volume
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Grand Auditorium / Concert = more balance and articulation
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Cutaway = better upper fret access, ideal for soloing
3. Top Wood Pairing
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Sitka Spruce = strong attack, clarity, and dynamics
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Cedar = softer, more sensitive, ideal for fingerstyle
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Mahogany tops = warmer, darker tone
4. Electronics
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Built-in pickups make sense if you gig or record often—look for systems like Fishman, ES2, or L.R. Baggs
Final Thoughts
A great rosewood acoustic guitar offers a sonic richness and depth that’s hard to match. Whether you’re strumming full-bodied chords or picking nuanced melodies, rosewood gives you powerful lows, detailed highs, and endless sustain.
Here’s the takeaway:
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Choose the Martin D-28 for legendary heritage and thunderous tone
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Pick the Taylor 814ce for modern elegance and balanced versatility
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Go with the Yamaha A5R for mid-range performance and stage-ready design
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On a tighter budget? The Guild D-140CE brings the heat without hurting your wallet
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Want boutique magic? The Furch D-SR is an artisan’s dream
Ready for rich resonance? Find the rosewood acoustic that fits your style—and let every chord bloom with color, depth, and soul.