Best 25.5" Scale Acoustic Guitars in 2024

Here you'll find the best 25.5" scale acoustic guitars. This is the same scale length used in Stratocaster guitars, and it's one of the main reasons they have such a bright sound. It's considered a long scale when compared to most non-baritone guitars.

Since the distance between bridge and nut is relatively long, you'll need to give the strings more tension to get them in tune. This higher tension will allow for a couple of things. First, you can get a lower action (get the strings closer to the fretboard) because the strings won't 'wiggle' too much when pluck and won't cause fret buzz. This can allow you to use lower tunings without increasing your string gauge, and it will make it easier to press down the strings fast.

However, the frets will also have a wider separation between each other, which can make it harder to play, especially if you got small hands. The higher tension will also make the strings feel stiffer, so bending will require more strength.

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.

1. Gibson Custom SJ-200 Deluxe

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Gibson Custom SJ-200 Deluxe
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Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 92
Value for money 69
Overall Score 84

What our users think

  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (3 votes)
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  • From Gibson Custom's 2019 Modern Collection series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Rosewood back
  • Solid Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
  • Moustache bridge
  • Acoustic Rounded Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Grover Rotomatic w/ kidney buttons tuners
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  • From Gibson Custom's 2019 Modern Collection series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Rosewood back
  • Solid Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
  • Moustache bridge
  • Acoustic Rounded Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Grover Rotomatic w/ kidney buttons tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson Custom SJ-200 Deluxe
  • Made in United States
  • 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
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

2. Gibson Orianthi SJ-200

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Gibson Orianthi SJ-200
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logo
Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 92
Value for money 69
Overall Score 84
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Sweetwater logoReverb logo
  • From Gibson's 2021 Artist Collection series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AAA Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid AAA Flame Maple back
  • Solid Maple sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs (Preamp/Active)
  • Two bar SJ-200 Moustache; Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Rounded C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Grover Keystone tuners
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  • From Gibson's 2021 Artist Collection series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AAA Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid AAA Flame Maple back
  • Solid Maple sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs (Preamp/Active)
  • Two bar SJ-200 Moustache; Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Rounded C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Grover Keystone tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson Orianthi SJ-200
  • Made in United States
  • 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
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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3. Epiphone Frontier USA Collection

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Epiphone Frontier USA Collection
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Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 92
Value for money 69
Overall Score 84

What our users think

  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (3 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
  • From Epiphone's 2021 Made in USA series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Figured Maple back
  • Solid Figured Maple sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
  • Indian Rosewood; Belly Up bridge
  • Acoustic Rounded C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh Keystone tuners
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  • From Epiphone's 2021 Made in USA series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Figured Maple back
  • Solid Figured Maple sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
  • Indian Rosewood; Belly Up bridge
  • Acoustic Rounded C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh Keystone tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Epiphone Frontier USA Collection
  • Made in United States
  • 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
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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4. Ibanez AE440

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Ibanez AE440
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Playability 77
Sound 89
Build quality 84
Value for money 78
Overall Score 83
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  • From Ibanez's 2021 AE series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid African Mahogany top
  • Solid African Mahogany back
  • Solid African Mahogany sides
  • African Mahogany/Pau Ferro neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Ibanez AP11 Magnetic, T-bar Undersaddle & Contact (Preamp/Active)
  • Macassar Ebony scalloped bridge
  • Acoustic Advanced Comfort Grip Set neck
  • 20 Jumbo frets
  • Ibanez tuners
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  • From Ibanez's 2021 AE series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid African Mahogany top
  • Solid African Mahogany back
  • Solid African Mahogany sides
  • African Mahogany/Pau Ferro neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Ibanez AP11 Magnetic, T-bar Undersaddle & Contact (Preamp/Active)
  • Macassar Ebony scalloped bridge
  • Acoustic Advanced Comfort Grip Set neck
  • 20 Jumbo frets
  • Ibanez tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez AE440
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Electronics
  • 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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5. Taylor PS14ce Honduran Rosewood

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Taylor PS14ce Honduran Rosewood
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 89
Value for money 68
Overall Score 83

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 2018 Presentation series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' 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
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh tuners
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  • From Taylor's 2018 Presentation series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' 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
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Taylor PS14ce Honduran Rosewood
  • 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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6. Fender Highway Series Dreadnought

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Fender Highway Series Dreadnought
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Sweetwater logoFender logo
Playability 80
Sound 88
Build quality 82
Value for money 88
Overall Score 83

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (2 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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Sweetwater logoFender logo
  • From Fender's 2023 Highway series
  • Made in Mexico
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Chambered Mahogany back
  • Chambered Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Acoustic Pickup (Preamp/Active)
  • Modern Viking bridge
  • Acoustic C Shape Neck-Through neck
  • 20 Narrow Tall frets
  • Fender ClassicGear tuners
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  • From Fender's 2023 Highway series
  • Made in Mexico
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Chambered Mahogany back
  • Chambered Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Acoustic Pickup (Preamp/Active)
  • Modern Viking bridge
  • Acoustic C Shape Neck-Through neck
  • 20 Narrow Tall frets
  • Fender ClassicGear tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Highway Series Dreadnought
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Ivory Tusq Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Mexico
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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7. Cort The Black Tree

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Cort The Black Tree
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 87
Value for money 78
Overall Score 83
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  • From Cort's 2020 Limited series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Flame Maple top
  • Solid Flamed Blackwood (Master Grade) top
  • Solid Flamed Blackwood (Master Grade) back
  • Solid Flamed Blackwood (Master Grade) sides
  • Walnut Reinforced Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: L.R.Baggs Anthem (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony w/ Ebony Pins bridge
  • Acoustic Ergo-A Asymmetric Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh SGL510Z Gold tuners
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Show all Specs
  • From Cort's 2020 Limited series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Flame Maple top
  • Solid Flamed Blackwood (Master Grade) top
  • Solid Flamed Blackwood (Master Grade) back
  • Solid Flamed Blackwood (Master Grade) sides
  • Walnut Reinforced Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: L.R.Baggs Anthem (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony w/ Ebony Pins bridge
  • Acoustic Ergo-A Asymmetric Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh SGL510Z Gold tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Cort The Black Tree
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Black Tusq XL Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

8. Washburn D100SWCE

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Washburn D100SWCE
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 73
Sound 90
Build quality 80
Value for money 81
Overall Score 81
FIND IT ON:
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  • From Washburn's 2020 Heritage series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Torrefied Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Mahogany back
  • Solid Mahogany sides
  • Satin Mahogany with Walnut Rails & 2-way Truss Rod neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Presys+ Blend EQ with built in mic & tuner. (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Washburn Heritage Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Graphtech Ratio Tuned w/Black buttons tuners
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  • From Washburn's 2020 Heritage series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Torrefied Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Mahogany back
  • Solid Mahogany sides
  • Satin Mahogany with Walnut Rails & 2-way Truss Rod neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Presys+ Blend EQ with built in mic & tuner. (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Washburn Heritage Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Graphtech Ratio Tuned w/Black buttons tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Washburn D100SWCE
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in China
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

9. Gibson SJ-200 Standard

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Gibson SJ-200 Standard
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 92
Value for money 69
Overall Score 84

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (2 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Slightly chunky (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
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Sweetwater logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logo
  • From Gibson's 2016 Modern Acoustic series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AAA Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid AAA Flame Maple back
  • Solid AAA Flame Maple sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs Anthem (Preamp/Active)
  • Two bar SJ-200 Moustache; Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Rounded Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Grover Rotomatic tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Gibson's 2016 Modern Acoustic series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AAA Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid AAA Flame Maple back
  • Solid AAA Flame Maple sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs Anthem (Preamp/Active)
  • Two bar SJ-200 Moustache; Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Rounded Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Grover Rotomatic tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson SJ-200 Standard
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Ivory Tusq Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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10. Gibson SJ-200 Original

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Gibson SJ-200 Original
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 92
Value for money 69
Overall Score 84

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (2 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Slightly chunky (1 vote)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (3 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
  • From Gibson's 2020 Original Acoustic series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Flame Maple back
  • Solid Flame Maple sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
  • SJ-200 Four Bar Moustache bridge
  • Acoustic Rounded Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh Keystone tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Gibson's 2020 Original Acoustic series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Flame Maple back
  • Solid Flame Maple sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
  • SJ-200 Four Bar Moustache bridge
  • Acoustic Rounded Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh Keystone tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson SJ-200 Original
  • Made in United States
  • 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
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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