Updated by Bobby
Updated on July 5th, 2022
Added the Godin Collection acoustics. Hat tip to Mick in the comments section.
This is a list of cedar top acoustic guitars.
We're not ranking or reviewing these guitars, but simply using this page as a reference to list acoustic guitars that have a cedar top. The most common tonewood used for acoustic guitar tops is spruce with cedar a distant second place.
Note that when we're talking about cedar tonewood and acoustic guitars, we're almost always talking about only the top piece.
Cedar usually isn't used for other parts of the guitar which means you'll be working with a solid cedar top piece and a different kind of tonewood for the back and sides.
We'll start by covering some basics about cedar tone wood.
About Cedar Tonewood
Cedar, being the second most common tonewood behind Spruce (though Spruce is used far more), is less dense and produces a somewhat darker tone.
This tends to create less volume, which isn't as ideal for people who do a lot of heavy strumming or intense picking patterns. It's more in line with softer styles like finger picking and lighter playing, though some just prefer the sound of cedar, regardless of playing intensity.
Cedar tonewood produces richer overtones, but not as much projection/volume, making it perfect for fingerpicking styles. Flickr Commons Image via Sarah Elizabeth Altendorf
To summarize, here are some of the tonal characteristics:
- Darker
- Airy and lighter
- Less volume and less intense
- More overtones
- Softer resonance
For these reasons, guitars with a cedar top are commonly sought after in classical guitars and are commonly paired with nylon strings.
Acoustic Brands that Typically Use Cedar
As a consequence, the brand we noticed use a cedar top most often was Cordoba, which is a guitar builder that makes a lot of classical guitars and instruments. Following behind Cordoba was Taylor, Godin, and Takamine.
Almost every major acoustic guitar manufacturer has at least a handful of acoustic guitars with a cedar top.
The most notable omission from our current list would be Martin. They seem to avoid cedar, in most cases, though the Englemann uses it for its back and sides.
Pricing Considerations
Most acoustic guitars with a cedar top are more expensive because they almost always use a solid top. Laminate pieces typically aren't made of cedar because cedar is not as readily available as something like mahogany or spruce. Thus, when cedar is included, it's not going to be the cheap/laminate version.
You'll be looking at roughly $1000 on the low end and $2000 on the high end, though it can vary widely depending on a number of other factors.
For example, the Breedlove Pursuit and Seagull S6 are both popular acoustic guitars with a cedar top that both cost less than $600.
The Breedlove Pursuit and Seagull S6 are both priced around $500.
The problem with establishing a typical price for cedar acoustics is that there are so many other factors contributing to cost. Your price range will depend on the brand and additional features you choose to target.
Affiliate Disclaimer
The links we've used are partner links to Sweetwater, which help support our site without costing you anything extra. Please keep in mind that the point of this list is to inform and to provide a resource for people to find acoustic guitars that have a cedar top. If you buy through our links, that's helpful, but the point is to provide a reference. Enjoy it either way.
List of Cedar Top Acoustic Guitars
We've separated these guitars by the most common brands and then left a section for "other" brands that only have a few cedar examples. If you notice something we've missed, feel free to drop it in the comments section below and we'll add it.
Cordoba
Godin
Taylor
Takamine
Breedlove
Others
Cedar top acoustic guitars to add?
Do you know of any cedar top acoustic guitars that we've missed?
If you do, drop a line in the comments section and let us know about it. We'll check it out and add it to the list if it fits the descriptor. Keep in mind, for guitars that have multiple, similar versions - like a cutaway and non-cutaway version - we've only listed those once.
The same goes for if there's a dreadnought and concert version of a single acoustic with a cedar top. Those only get listed as a single entry.
Also keep in mind we're looking for cedar tops, and not back or sides. Most of the time cedar is going to be a top piece tonewood.
The more we keep this list updated, the more useful it'll be to the community.
Thanks, everyone. See you in the comments.
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Written by Bobby on Acoustics and Roundups
Written by Bobby on Acoustics and Roundups
Hi, I recently acquired a Godin Collection. This nylon string guitar has a solid cedar top and solid rosewood body, along with mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard. It’s one of the most amazing & beautiful guitars I’ve ever played! It should definitely be on your list of “cedar tops”!
They look great, Mick. Added.
It was. I paid $250. Free shipping and still had plastic on pick guard. Shipped in a Martin hsc.
Holy smokes. Was it a Reverb deal?
Ebay. I didnt know this guitar existed until I searched cedar top acoustic and since I’ve had great luck with Washburn I made an offer.
Hi Bobby,
I recently found and purchased a Washburn HD71SCEG-O that with new strings, plays and sound fabulous. Solid cedar top over Ovangkol back and sides. I like laminated back and sides because the all solid guitars I have had were louder than I could sing when playing unplugged.
Hey Mark – one of these, I take it? https://reverb.com/item/19558895-washburn-hd71sceg-o-solid-cedar-top-dreadnought-acoustic-electric-guitar
Heck of a deal.
It was. I paid $250. Free shipping and still had plastic on pick guard. Shipped in a Martin hsc.
I recently acquired a Furch Blue D-CM, the dread version of their cedar top solid mahogany back & sides Blue CM series. A very nicely made quality guitar from the Czech Republic.
Hey Jon – I checked out their site and those guitars look awesome. I’d only heard of Furch but hadn’t seen any of their instruments, but they’re extremely sleek. I assume this is yours? https://furchguitars.com/en/instruments/blue-series/blue-cm/
Yes, it is. You get a lot of bang for your buck with Furch guitars. Some have said that Furchs are a fraction of the price of Martins and Taylors of comparable quality. I’m not familiar with either, so I can’t confirm or deny that, but it’s certainly a very nice instrument with a big, clear and mellow sound. Having said ‘mellow’, it’ll also ring out with a chiming tone if that’s what you ask it to do.
Gonna keep them in mind moving forward. Thanks again, Jon.
And do check out the Yellow Master series as well! I own the Furch Yellow GC-Cr and it is a dream!
Thanks, Niels – these look fantastic: https://furchguitars.com/us/instruments/yellow-series/yellow-masters-choice/
Lag T118 ASCE has a cedar top
I have this one.
https://www.lagguitars.com/en/products/steel-strings-guitars-auditorium-cutaway-electro-black-gla-t118ace-blk
I put Martin Monel Retro, 11-52 strings on it. It sounds great, IMO.
Hey Garland, thanks so much for sharing! Lag guitars look great. Added and credited in the top update section.
Artist DCA100CEQ is a great acoustic electric guitar that us use a cedar top and it’s quite cheap, but don’t be fooled by the price it’s actually really good.
This one? https://www.artistguitars.com.au/buy/Artist-DCA100CEQ-Solid-Top-Dreadnought-Acoustic-El/70331
You’re overlooking one of the best Cedar top Brazilian rosewood side and back acoustic guitar I’ve ever played and I played a lot of Martin D-28 1947 1955 1976 and many more Martin D-28 and this Zager 80 c e out sounds and place them all maybe you should play one I rest my case the sound says it all
Hey, thanks Jerry. Looks like a great guitar. I added it to the “Other” section and credited you in the update section at the top of the article.
George Lowden in Ireland has been using cedar/walnut combination for years.
Good to know. Thanks, Mícheál.
But they’re very unstable. Never buy a cedar top guitar that uses a through bridge. The bridge pulls up, deforming the top and sometimes comes clean off.
Great post
Thanks a bunch.