The market of acoustic guitars with a cutaway is absolutely dominated by Taylor, because most cutaway acoustics are made with a concert body shape. Taylor calls this their "grand auditorium" design, and they've definitely perfected it. So I'll cover my two top recommendations from Taylor, then hit three other brands. But this roundup could truly be all Taylor guitars. At any rate, if you have questions about any of these acoustics, let me know in the comments section below.
Read more: Best acoustic guitars overall
5 Best Acoustic Guitars with Cutaways
Guitar | Audio | Rate | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Taylor 314CE | 93.3 | |
 | Taylor 214ce | 90.0 | |
 | Martin SC-13E | 88.5 | |
 | Martin GPC-16E | 92.6 | |
 | Yamaha AC5R | 89.5 |
1. Taylor 314ce Acoustic
Best Acoustic with Cutaway Overall
Taylor acoustics can get really expensive, but the 314ce is one of my favorite recommendations since it's an ideal balance of price and quality. Again, Taylor is king when it comes to concert acoustics and cutaways, and the 314ce is one of their best offerings.
Solid Spruce, Sapele, and a nice glossy finish gives you a beautiful look to compliment an equally beautiful sound. Image via Mountain Music Exchange
The Taylor cutaway acoustics are particularly good for finger picking and higher register styles. Image via Kohl Rose
The thinner waist of this body design improves comfort and playability quite a bit, especially compared to a dreadnought acoustic. Image via Folkway Music
2. Taylor 214ce Concert Body Acoustic
Best Acoustic with a Cutaway on a Lower Budget
The Satin finish on the 214ce is a little less "flashy" but this acoustic guitar can save you a lot of money, and still give you the same practical perks that we see in the 314ce.
While there are technical differences compared to the 314ce, practical differences aren't an issue. Image via Moze Guitars
The Satin finish doesn't pop as much as the gloss. Preference issue (not quality). Image via Miguel Perez
Once again, a great acoustic for fingerpicking and brighter notes/styles. Image via Eliza Hope
3. Martin SC-13E Acoustic Guitar
Best Modern Cutaway Acoustic
Now we get to switch brands. The Martin SC-13E is an excellent modern-style acoustic with a steep cutaway, S-shaped body and a Fishman pickup/preamp system. Further improving comfort and playability is the absence of a heel at the top of the neck (back of the neck) where it connects to the body, which gives your thumb plenty of room.
As far as cutaways go, this is definitely my preferred design. Image via Firehouse Guitars
You can see the upper fretboard access here really well, demonstrated by a smiling Jared Dines from Guitar World. Image via Guitar World
I'm a big fan of the blue trim with the natural gloss finish. Image via Tom Lee Music
4. Martin GPC-16E Cutaway Acoustic
Best Warm Acoustic Guitar with a Cutaway
Taylor does bright and Martin does warm. That's all there is to it. And the Martin GPC-16E is a great example of a high-value acoustic that will get you the cutaway, but also give you back some of the warmth and strumming you might miss from the first three guitars in this list.
The concert feel with more of a dreadnought tone. Rosewood is a big part of getting you there and giving you some added warmth. Image via Tsurup
The Fishman Matrix pickup system (VT Enhance NT2) makes this one a good fit for performing and non-mic recording. Image via Alex Kirev
Lower bout is a bit larger, which also helps with warmth. Image via Music Force
5. Yamaha AC5R Acoustic Guitar
Best Cutaway acoustic for Balanced Tone
The AC5R is one of Yamaha's more popular acoustics, and a nice aesthetic deviation from the other acoustics we've covered, despite a similar tonewood recipe. It's a "western" body style and cutaway, with a darker (I guess you could call it?) coloring and pickguard. Once again, Rosewood gives it the warmth while the Sitka Spruce adds brightness.
This color is produced by something called wood torrefaction which is some kind of a high heat treatment that also removes moisture. Image via Kaos Music Centre
That darker profile looks great with the gloss finish. Image via Music Arms
The AC5R produces a very balanced tone, but perhaps leans slightly to the warmer side of the spectrum. Image via Yamaha Guitars
Summary of our cutaway acoustic guitar recommendations.
Even with some great options from other reputable brands, acoustic guitars with cutaways are always going to be Taylor's specialty. I'd recommend getting real picky if you go outside of that brand. Either way, you'll need to take stock of your situation and preferences - variables that I can't foresee. Do your homework, and use this as a loosely held roadmap. If you have questions, hit me up in the comments section below.
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Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Acoustics & Roundups
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Acoustics & Roundups
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I’m sorry to say this but there is a serious lack of imagination here,Have you heard of Eastman,Dowina,Auden,Furch,Tanglewood.
All of these are at the very least as good as Taylor /Martin and most are far better.
This seems like an ad for the big 2.
The big 2 are the big 2 for a reason. Like they say in fantasy football, don’t get too cute.
Have you ever heard of a D-45s martin… cutaway w/ dreadnaught body??
I have one… is it a fake or copy, I think it plays like a martin, but has a few red flags!!! If its fake it’s the best copy I have ever seen or played
What are the red flags? I’m intrigued.
I am disappointed that every single example of cutaway “acoustic” guitars are actually “acoustic-electric” guitars. I know all too well that there are very few mainstream guitar companies which actually make straight acoustic guitars with no electronics or pickups, and also have the cutaway body. FYI Jasmine Guitars makes one. I have it, and it is not expensive. It might have cost $150 with tax. Jasmine S34C. It is a no frills acoustic guitar which serves well as a beginner student guitar, but also an inexpensive travel guiar.
Now that you mention it, those are fairly rare.