Best 18 Fret Acoustic Guitars in 2024

Here you'll find the best 18 fret acoustic guitars.

After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.

There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.

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1. Taylor Builder's Edition 652ce WHB

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Taylor Builder's Edition 652ce WHB

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Playability 73

Sound 84

Build quality 89

Value for money 67

Overall Score 82

What our users think

Neck profile shape: D (8 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (8 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (7 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (6 votes)

Own it? Share your opinion

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From Taylor's 2020 600 series
Made in United States
12 strings
24.9"'' scale
15" Fretboard Radius
Solid Sitka Spruce top
Solid Maple back
Solid Maple sides
Hard Rock Maple neck
West African Crelicam Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
West African Crelicam Ebony bridge
Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
18 Medium frets
Gotoh tuners
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From Taylor's 2020 600 series
Made in United States
12 strings
24.9"'' scale
15" Fretboard Radius
Solid Sitka Spruce top
Solid Maple back
Solid Maple sides
Hard Rock Maple neck
West African Crelicam Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
West African Crelicam Ebony bridge
Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
18 Medium frets
Gotoh tuners
Compare Specs >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Taylor Builder's Edition 652ce WHB

Made in United States
Expensive Wood
Ivory Tusq Nut
Electronics
Synthetic Bone Saddle
Solid Top Wood
Solid Side Wood
Solid Back Wood
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
No Top Brand Pickups
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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2. Alvarez MPA66ESHB

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Alvarez MPA66ESHB

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Playability 78

Sound 84

Build quality 75

Value for money 84

Overall Score 79

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From Alvarez's 2022 Masterworks series
Made in China
6 strings
24.016"'' scale
14.96" Fretboard Radius
Solid African Mahogany top
Solid African Mahogany back
Solid African Mahogany sides
One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish neck
Indian Laurel/Rosewood w/12th Fret Inlay fretboard
Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
Bi-Level Indian Laurel/Rosewood bridge
Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
18 Medium frets
Premium Die Cast Gold w/Ebony Buttons tuners
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From Alvarez's 2022 Masterworks series
Made in China
6 strings
24.016"'' scale
14.96" Fretboard Radius
Solid African Mahogany top
Solid African Mahogany back
Solid African Mahogany sides
One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish neck
Indian Laurel/Rosewood w/12th Fret Inlay fretboard
Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
Bi-Level Indian Laurel/Rosewood bridge
Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
18 Medium frets
Premium Die Cast Gold w/Ebony Buttons tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Alvarez MPA66ESHB

Expensive Wood
Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Electronics
Bone Saddle
Solid Top Wood
Solid Side Wood
Solid Back Wood
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
Made in China
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

3. Harley Benton CLP-15E Flame Koa Exotic

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Harley Benton CLP-15E Flame Koa Exotic

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Playability 75

Sound 81

Build quality 70

Value for money 85

Overall Score 75

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From Harley Benton's 2021 Custom Line series
Made in China
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
15.748" Fretboard Radius
Solid selected AA-grade Hawaiian bar Koa top
Mahogany back
Mahogany sides
Mahogany neck
Pao Ferro fretboard
Bridge pickup: Sonicore with Fishman Presys II preamp (Preamp/Active)
Pau Ferro bridge
Acoustic C Shape Set neck
18 Medium frets
Black Die Cast Machine Heads with Mushroom buttons tuners
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From Harley Benton's 2021 Custom Line series
Made in China
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
15.748" Fretboard Radius
Solid selected AA-grade Hawaiian bar Koa top
Mahogany back
Mahogany sides
Mahogany neck
Pao Ferro fretboard
Bridge pickup: Sonicore with Fishman Presys II preamp (Preamp/Active)
Pau Ferro bridge
Acoustic C Shape Set neck
18 Medium frets
Black Die Cast Machine Heads with Mushroom buttons tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton CLP-15E Flame Koa Exotic

Expensive Wood
Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Electronics
Other Saddle
Solid Top Wood
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
Made in China
Laminated Side Wood
Laminated Back Wood
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

4. Fender CN-140SCE

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Fender CN-140SCE

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Playability 70

Sound 79

Build quality 74

Value for money 84

Overall Score 74

What our users think

Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Slightly chunky (3 votes)

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From Fender's 2017 Classic Design series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
25.3"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Solid Cedar top
Laminated Ovangkol back
Laminated Ovangkol sides
Mahogany neck
Walnut fretboard
Bridge pickup: Fishman CD Preamp (Preamp/Passive)
Walnut bridge
Acoustic Fender 'Easy-to-Play' shape with rolled fretboard edges Set neck
18 Vintage frets
3-In-Line with Amber Pearloid Buttons tuners
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From Fender's 2017 Classic Design series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
25.3"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Solid Cedar top
Laminated Ovangkol back
Laminated Ovangkol sides
Mahogany neck
Walnut fretboard
Bridge pickup: Fishman CD Preamp (Preamp/Passive)
Walnut bridge
Acoustic Fender 'Easy-to-Play' shape with rolled fretboard edges Set neck
18 Vintage frets
3-In-Line with Amber Pearloid Buttons tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender CN-140SCE

Expensive Wood
NuBone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Electronics
NuBone Saddle
Solid Top Wood
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
Made in Indonesia
Laminated Side Wood
Laminated Back Wood
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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5. Washburn 10SK

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Washburn 10SK

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Playability 82

Sound 76

Build quality 60

Value for money 88

Overall Score 73

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From Washburn's 2019 Rover series
Made in China
6 strings
23.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Solid Spruce top
Mahogany back
Mahogany sides
Mahogany neck
Engineered Wood fretboard
Bridge pickup: (/)
Engineered Wood bridge
Acoustic Washburn Rover Set neck
18 Medium frets
Chrome Diecast tuners
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From Washburn's 2019 Rover series
Made in China
6 strings
23.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Solid Spruce top
Mahogany back
Mahogany sides
Mahogany neck
Engineered Wood fretboard
Bridge pickup: (/)
Engineered Wood bridge
Acoustic Washburn Rover Set neck
18 Medium frets
Chrome Diecast tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Washburn 10SK

Expensive Wood
Solid Top Wood
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
Made in China
No High-Quality Nut
No Top Brand Pickups
No Electronics
Low-Quality Material Saddle
Laminated Side Wood
Laminated Back Wood
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

6. Cort AC120CE

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Cort AC120CE

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Playability 70

Sound 79

Build quality 67

Value for money 82

Overall Score 72

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From Cort's 2020 Classic series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
25.6"'' scale
15.748" Fretboard Radius
Spruce top
Mahogany back
Mahogany sides
Mahogany neck
Merbau fretboard
Bridge pickup: Cort CE304T (Preamp/Active)
Merbau bridge
Acoustic Cort Set neck
18 Medium frets
Classical Style tuners
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From Cort's 2020 Classic series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
25.6"'' scale
15.748" Fretboard Radius
Spruce top
Mahogany back
Mahogany sides
Mahogany neck
Merbau fretboard
Bridge pickup: Cort CE304T (Preamp/Active)
Merbau bridge
Acoustic Cort Set neck
18 Medium frets
Classical Style tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Cort AC120CE

Expensive Wood
Bone Nut
Electronics
Bone Saddle
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
Made in Indonesia
No Top Brand Pickups
Laminated Top Wood
Laminated Side Wood
Laminated Back Wood
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

7. Ibanez PN12E

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Ibanez PN12E

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Playability 78

Sound 76

Build quality 60

Value for money 86

Overall Score 71

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From Ibanez's 2020 PF series
Made in China
6 strings
24.4"'' scale
9.843" Fretboard Radius
Sapele top
Nyatoh back
Nyatoh sides
Nyatoh neck
Nandu Wood fretboard
Bridge pickup: Ibanez Undersaddle (Preamp/Active)
Nandu Wood bridge
Acoustic PN Set neck
18 Medium frets
Ibanez tuners
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From Ibanez's 2020 PF series
Made in China
6 strings
24.4"'' scale
9.843" Fretboard Radius
Sapele top
Nyatoh back
Nyatoh sides
Nyatoh neck
Nandu Wood fretboard
Bridge pickup: Ibanez Undersaddle (Preamp/Active)
Nandu Wood bridge
Acoustic PN Set neck
18 Medium frets
Ibanez tuners
Compare Specs >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez PN12E

Electronics
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
Made in China
No Expensive Woods
No High-Quality Nut
No Top Brand Pickups
Low-Quality Material Saddle
Laminated Top Wood
Laminated Side Wood
Laminated Back Wood
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

All Prices

8. Taylor Builder's Edition 652ce

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Taylor Builder's Edition 652ce

FIND IT ON:

Playability 73

Sound 84

Build quality 89

Value for money 67

Overall Score 82

What our users think

Neck profile shape: D (8 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (8 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (7 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (6 votes)

Own it? Share your opinion

FIND IT ON:

From Taylor's 2020 600 series
Made in United States
12 strings
24.9"'' scale
15" Fretboard Radius
Solid Sitka Spruce top
Solid Maple back
Solid Maple sides
Hard Rock Maple neck
West African Crelicam Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
West African Crelicam Ebony bridge
Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
18 Medium frets
Gotoh tuners
Compare Specs >

Show all Specs

From Taylor's 2020 600 series
Made in United States
12 strings
24.9"'' scale
15" Fretboard Radius
Solid Sitka Spruce top
Solid Maple back
Solid Maple sides
Hard Rock Maple neck
West African Crelicam Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
West African Crelicam Ebony bridge
Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
18 Medium frets
Gotoh tuners
Compare Specs >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Taylor Builder's Edition 652ce

Made in United States
Expensive Wood
Ivory Tusq Nut
Electronics
Synthetic Bone Saddle
Solid Top Wood
Solid Side Wood
Solid Back Wood
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
No Top Brand Pickups
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

All Prices

9. Taylor PS12ce 12-Fret Honduran Rosewood

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Taylor PS12ce 12-Fret Honduran Rosewood

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Playability 73

Sound 84

Build quality 85

Value for money 66

Overall Score 81

What our users think

Neck profile shape: D (8 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (8 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (7 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (6 votes)

Own it? Share your opinion

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From Taylor's 2019 Presentation series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.9"'' scale
15" Fretboard Radius
Solid Sinker Redwood top
Solid Honduran Rosewood back
Solid Honduran Rosewood sides
Tropical Mahogany neck
West African Crelicam Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
West African Crelicam Ebony bridge
Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
18 Medium frets
Taylor Slot Head tuners
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From Taylor's 2019 Presentation series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.9"'' scale
15" Fretboard Radius
Solid Sinker Redwood top
Solid Honduran Rosewood back
Solid Honduran Rosewood sides
Tropical Mahogany neck
West African Crelicam Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
West African Crelicam Ebony bridge
Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
18 Medium frets
Taylor Slot Head tuners
Compare Specs >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Taylor PS12ce 12-Fret Honduran Rosewood

Made in United States
Expensive Wood
Black Tusq XL Nut
Electronics
Synthetic Bone Saddle
Solid Top Wood
Solid Side Wood
Solid Back Wood
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
No Top Brand Pickups
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

All Prices

New from $11,999 >>

10. Taylor 912ce 12-Fret

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Taylor 912ce 12-Fret

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Playability 73

Sound 84

Build quality 85

Value for money 66

Overall Score 81

What our users think

Neck profile shape: D (8 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (8 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (7 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (6 votes)

Own it? Share your opinion

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From Taylor's 2016 900 series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.9"'' scale
15" Fretboard Radius
Solid Sitka Spruce top
Solid Indian Rosewood back
Solid Indian Rosewood sides
Tropical Mahogany neck
West African Crelicam Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
West African Crelicam Ebony bridge
Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
18 Medium frets
Taylor Slot Head tuners
Compare Specs >

Show all Specs

From Taylor's 2016 900 series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.9"'' scale
15" Fretboard Radius
Solid Sitka Spruce top
Solid Indian Rosewood back
Solid Indian Rosewood sides
Tropical Mahogany neck
West African Crelicam Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
West African Crelicam Ebony bridge
Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
18 Medium frets
Taylor Slot Head tuners
Compare Specs >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Taylor 912ce 12-Fret

Made in United States
Expensive Wood
Black Tusq XL Nut
Electronics
Synthetic Bone Saddle
Solid Top Wood
Solid Side Wood
Solid Back Wood
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
No Top Brand Pickups
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

All Prices