Best Acoustic Guitars With Nickel Hardware in 2024

Here are the top acoustic guitars with Nickel hardware.

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.

Order by

1. Gibson J-45 Standard 12-String

Compare

Gibson J-45 Standard 12-String

FIND IT ON:

Playability 78

Sound 88

Build quality 92

Value for money 71

Overall Score 86

What our users think

Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (3 votes)

Own it? Share your opinion

FIND IT ON:

2 Prices - New from $3,499 >
From Gibson's 2021 Modern Acoustic series
Made in United States
12 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Solid Sitka Spruce top
Solid Mahogany back
Solid Mahogany sides
Mahogany neck
Indian Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
Reverse Belly, Rosewood bridge
Acoustic Slim Taper Set neck
20 Medium frets
Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners
See all specs and compare >

Show all Specs

2 Prices - New from $3,499 >
From Gibson's 2021 Modern Acoustic series
Made in United States
12 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Solid Sitka Spruce top
Solid Mahogany back
Solid Mahogany sides
Mahogany neck
Indian Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
Reverse Belly, Rosewood bridge
Acoustic Slim Taper Set neck
20 Medium frets
Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson J-45 Standard 12-String

Made in United States
Expensive Wood
Bone 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

All Prices

2. Taylor GT 811e

Compare

Taylor GT 811e

FIND IT ON:

Playability 82

Sound 86

Build quality 85

Value for money 69

Overall Score 84

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:

4 Prices - New from $3,499 >
From Taylor's 2020 800 series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.125"'' 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
20 Medium frets
Taylor Nickel Mini tuners
See all specs and compare >

Show all Specs

4 Prices - New from $3,499 >
From Taylor's 2020 800 series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.125"'' 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
20 Medium frets
Taylor Nickel Mini tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Taylor GT 811e

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

3. Takamine EF341DX

Compare

Takamine EF341DX

FIND IT ON:

Playability 77

Sound 85

Build quality 87

Value for money 73

Overall Score 83

What our users think

Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (3 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)

Own it? Share your opinion

FIND IT ON:

1 Prices - New from $2,399 >
From Takamine's 2020 Legacy series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.4"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Solid Cedar top
Maple back
Maple sides
Mahogany neck
Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
Fixed bridge
Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
20 Medium frets
Gotoh tuners
See all specs and compare >

Show all Specs

1 Prices - New from $2,399 >
From Takamine's 2020 Legacy series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.4"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Solid Cedar top
Maple back
Maple sides
Mahogany neck
Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
Fixed bridge
Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
20 Medium frets
Gotoh tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine EF341DX

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

All Prices

New from $2,399 >>

4. Martin CEO-9

Compare

Martin CEO-9

FIND IT ON:

Playability 77

Sound 86

Build quality 89

Value for money 69

Overall Score 84

What our users think

Neck access to high frets: Normal (1 vote)
Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
Neck profile shape: V (1 vote)
Neck speed (thickness): Slightly chunky (1 vote)
Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)

Own it? Share your opinion

FIND IT ON:

From Martin's 2019 Custom & Special Editions series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.9"'' scale
16" Fretboard Radius
Solid Curly Mango top
Solid Curly Mango back
Solid Curly Mango sides
Genuine Mahogany neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
Ebony bridge
Acoustic Modified V Set neck
20 Medium frets
Vintage Copper Open Gear tuners
See all specs and compare >

Show all Specs

From Martin's 2019 Custom & Special Editions series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.9"'' scale
16" Fretboard Radius
Solid Curly Mango top
Solid Curly Mango back
Solid Curly Mango sides
Genuine Mahogany neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
Ebony bridge
Acoustic Modified V Set neck
20 Medium frets
Vintage Copper Open Gear tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin CEO-9

Made in United States
Expensive Wood
Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Electronics
Compensated 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

All Prices

5. Guild F-40E Antique Burst

Compare

Guild F-40E Antique Burst

FIND IT ON:

Playability 73

Sound 88

Build quality 87

Value for money 73

Overall Score 83

FIND IT ON:

From Guild's 2014 Guild Usa series
Made in United States
6 strings
25.625"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Solid Sitka Spruce top
Solid African Mahogany back
Solid African Mahogany sides
Mahogany neck
Indian Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: LR Baggs Element with Volume and Tone Control (Preamp/Active)
Indian Rosewood bridge
Acoustic Guild Usa Set neck
20 Medium frets
Guild Deluxe Vintage Open Gear with Cream Oval Buttons tuners
See all specs and compare >

Show all Specs

From Guild's 2014 Guild Usa series
Made in United States
6 strings
25.625"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Solid Sitka Spruce top
Solid African Mahogany back
Solid African Mahogany sides
Mahogany neck
Indian Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: LR Baggs Element with Volume and Tone Control (Preamp/Active)
Indian Rosewood bridge
Acoustic Guild Usa Set neck
20 Medium frets
Guild Deluxe Vintage Open Gear with Cream Oval Buttons tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Guild F-40E Antique Burst

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

All Prices

6. Epiphone J-45 EC

Compare

Epiphone J-45 EC

FIND IT ON:

Playability 82

Sound 88

Build quality 75

Value for money 87

Overall Score 82

What our users think

Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)

Own it? Share your opinion

FIND IT ON:

4 Prices - New from $399 >
From Epiphone's 2020 Inspired by Gibson Acoustic series
Made in China
6 strings
24.72"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Solid Sitka Spruce top
Solid Mahogany back
Solid Mahogany sides
Mahogany neck
Indian Laurel fretboard
Bridge pickup: Fishman Sonicore (Preamp/Active)
Reverse Belly, Indian Laurel bridge
Acoustic Rounded C Set neck
20 Medium Jumbo frets
3 on a plate: Ivory buttons, press in bushings tuners
See all specs and compare >

Show all Specs

4 Prices - New from $399 >
From Epiphone's 2020 Inspired by Gibson Acoustic series
Made in China
6 strings
24.72"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Solid Sitka Spruce top
Solid Mahogany back
Solid Mahogany sides
Mahogany neck
Indian Laurel fretboard
Bridge pickup: Fishman Sonicore (Preamp/Active)
Reverse Belly, Indian Laurel bridge
Acoustic Rounded C Set neck
20 Medium Jumbo frets
3 on a plate: Ivory buttons, press in bushings tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Epiphone J-45 EC

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

All Prices

7. Gibson 50s J-45 Original

Compare

Gibson 50s J-45 Original

FIND IT ON:

Playability 78

Sound 88

Build quality 92

Value for money 71

Overall Score 86

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:

3 Prices - New from $3,199 >
From Gibson's 2020 Original Acoustic series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Solid Sitka Spruce top
Solid Mahogany back
Solid Mahogany sides
Mahogany neck
Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
Traditional belly up bridge
Acoustic Rounded Set neck
20 Medium frets
Grover Strap Cream Button tuners
See all specs and compare >

Show all Specs

3 Prices - New from $3,199 >
From Gibson's 2020 Original Acoustic series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Solid Sitka Spruce top
Solid Mahogany back
Solid Mahogany sides
Mahogany neck
Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
Traditional belly up bridge
Acoustic Rounded Set neck
20 Medium frets
Grover Strap Cream Button tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson 50s J-45 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

All Prices

8. Gibson Nathaniel Rateliff LG-2 Western

Compare

Gibson Nathaniel Rateliff LG-2 Western

FIND IT ON:

Playability 78

Sound 86

Build quality 92

Value for money 70

Overall Score 85

What our users think

Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (3 votes)

Own it? Share your opinion

FIND IT ON:

3 Prices - New from $3,399 >
From Gibson's 2021 Artist Collection series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Solid Adirondack Red Spruce top
Solid Mahogany back
Solid Mahogany sides
Mahogany neck
Indian Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
Rectangular, Closed Slot bridge
Acoustic V Set neck
20 Medium frets
Gotoh Keystone tuners
See all specs and compare >

Show all Specs

3 Prices - New from $3,399 >
From Gibson's 2021 Artist Collection series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Solid Adirondack Red Spruce top
Solid Mahogany back
Solid Mahogany sides
Mahogany neck
Indian Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
Rectangular, Closed Slot bridge
Acoustic V Set neck
20 Medium frets
Gotoh Keystone tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson Nathaniel Rateliff LG-2 Western

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

All Prices

9. Gibson J-45 Standard

Compare

Gibson J-45 Standard

FIND IT ON:

Playability 78

Sound 88

Build quality 90

Value for money 75

Overall Score 85

What our users think

Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (3 votes)

Own it? Share your opinion

FIND IT ON:

3 Prices - New from $2,999 >
From Gibson's 2022 Modern Acoustic series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Solid Sitka Spruce top
Solid Mahogany back
Solid Mahogany sides
Mahogany neck
Indian Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
Reverse Belly, Rosewood bridge
Acoustic Slim Taper Set neck
20 Medium frets
Grover Rotomatic tuners
See all specs and compare >

Show all Specs

3 Prices - New from $2,999 >
From Gibson's 2022 Modern Acoustic series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Solid Sitka Spruce top
Solid Mahogany back
Solid Mahogany sides
Mahogany neck
Indian Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
Reverse Belly, Rosewood bridge
Acoustic Slim Taper Set neck
20 Medium frets
Grover Rotomatic tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson J-45 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

All Prices

10. Taylor GTe Urban Ash

Compare

Taylor GTe Urban Ash

FIND IT ON:

Playability 82

Sound 86

Build quality 82

Value for money 78

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

FIND IT ON:

From Taylor's 2020 GT series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.125"'' scale
15" Fretboard Radius
Solid Sitka Spruce top
Solid Urban Ash back
Solid Urban Ash sides
Tropical Mahogany neck
Eucalyptus fretboard
Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
Eucalyptus bridge
Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
20 Medium frets
Taylor Nickel Mini tuners
See all specs and compare >

Show all Specs

From Taylor's 2020 GT series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.125"'' scale
15" Fretboard Radius
Solid Sitka Spruce top
Solid Urban Ash back
Solid Urban Ash sides
Tropical Mahogany neck
Eucalyptus fretboard
Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
Eucalyptus bridge
Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
20 Medium frets
Taylor Nickel Mini tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Taylor GTe Urban Ash

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