Best Acoustic Guitars With Sapele Back in 2024

Here are the top acoustic guitars with Sapele back. It's similar to Mahogany in both color and tone. It can produce warm tones, and it's known for its beautiful figured grain patterns.

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. Takamine CRN-TS1

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Takamine CRN-TS1
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Playability 80
Sound 86
Build quality 82
Value for money 83
Overall Score 83

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (3 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • 1 Prices - Used from $1,899.99 >
  • From Takamine's 2019 TT series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.8"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Thermal Spruce top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ovangkol fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
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  • 1 Prices - Used from $1,899.99 >
  • From Takamine's 2019 TT series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.8"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Thermal Spruce top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ovangkol fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine CRN-TS1
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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2. Martin 000JR-10E Shawn Mendes

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Martin 000JR-10E Shawn Mendes
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Playability 82
Sound 86
Build quality 79
Value for money 87
Overall Score 82

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: C (1 vote)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
  • Pickups power: Slightly Hot (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • 3 Prices - New from $799 >
  • From Martin's 2022 Custom & Special Editions series
  • Made in Mexico
  • 6 strings
  • 24"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Solid Sapele sides
  • FSC Certified Sipo neck
  • FSC Certified Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Sonitone (Preamp/Active)
  • FSC Certified Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Junior Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Enclosed Gear tuners
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  • 3 Prices - New from $799 >
  • From Martin's 2022 Custom & Special Editions series
  • Made in Mexico
  • 6 strings
  • 24"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Solid Sapele sides
  • FSC Certified Sipo neck
  • FSC Certified Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Sonitone (Preamp/Active)
  • FSC Certified Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Junior Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Enclosed Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin 000JR-10E Shawn Mendes
  • 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
  • Made in Mexico
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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3. Taylor AD27e

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Taylor AD27e
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Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 82
Value for money 76
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)
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  • 1 Prices - New from $1,999 >
  • From Taylor's 2020 The American Dream series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Tropical Mahogany top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Solid Sapele 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 tuners
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  • 1 Prices - New from $1,999 >
  • From Taylor's 2020 The American Dream series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Tropical Mahogany top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Solid Sapele 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 tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Taylor AD27e
  • 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

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4. Harley Benton CLMJ-15MCE

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Harley Benton CLMJ-15MCE
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Playability 82
Sound 83
Build quality 67
Value for money 92
Overall Score 77
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  • From Harley Benton's 2019 Custom Line series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 23.504"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Okoume top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Sonicore system (Preamp/Active)
  • Pau Ferro bridge
  • Acoustic Oval modified C Shape Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • DLX die-cast chrome machine heads tuners
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Show all Specs
  • From Harley Benton's 2019 Custom Line series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 23.504"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Okoume top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Sonicore system (Preamp/Active)
  • Pau Ferro bridge
  • Acoustic Oval modified C Shape Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • DLX die-cast chrome machine heads tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton CLMJ-15MCE
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Plastic Saddle
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • Laminated Top Wood
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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    5. Takamine P4DC

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    Takamine P4DC
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logo
    Playability 77
    Sound 86
    Build quality 84
    Value for money 77
    Overall Score 82

    What our users think

    • Neck access to high frets: Easy (1 vote)
    • Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
    • Tuning stability: Won't get out of tune (1 vote)
    • Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
    • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (3 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
    • Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
    • Pickups power: Slightly Hot (1 vote)
    Own it? Share your opinion
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    • From Takamine's 2013 Pro Series 4 series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25.4"'' scale
    • 12" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Solid Sapele back
    • Sapele sides
    • Mahogany neck
    • Rosewood fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
    • Rosewood bridge
    • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Takamine Gold tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • From Takamine's 2013 Pro Series 4 series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25.4"'' scale
    • 12" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Solid Sapele back
    • Sapele sides
    • Mahogany neck
    • Rosewood fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
    • Rosewood bridge
    • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Takamine Gold tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Takamine P4DC
    • Made in Japan
    • Expensive Wood
    • Bone Nut
    • Top Brand Pickups
    • Electronics
    • Bone Saddle
    • Solid Top Wood
    • Solid Back Wood
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • Laminated Side Wood
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock

    All Prices

      6. Takamine P3NY

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      Takamine P3NY
      FIND IT ON:
      Amazon logoSweetwater logo
      Playability 80
      Sound 85
      Build quality 84
      Value for money 78
      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:
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      • 2 Prices - New from $1,799 >
      • From Takamine's 2014 Pro Series 3 series
      • Made in Japan
      • 6 strings
      • 24.8"'' scale
      • 12" Fretboard Radius
      • Solid Cedar top
      • Solid Sapele back
      • Sapele sides
      • Mahogany neck
      • Rosewood fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
      • Fixed bridge
      • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
      • 20 Medium frets
      • Takamine Gold tuners
      • See all specs and compare >
      Show all Specs
      • 2 Prices - New from $1,799 >
      • From Takamine's 2014 Pro Series 3 series
      • Made in Japan
      • 6 strings
      • 24.8"'' scale
      • 12" Fretboard Radius
      • Solid Cedar top
      • Solid Sapele back
      • Sapele sides
      • Mahogany neck
      • Rosewood fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
      • Fixed bridge
      • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
      • 20 Medium frets
      • Takamine Gold tuners
      • See all specs and compare >
      Strengths & Weaknesses
      Takamine P3NY
      • Made in Japan
      • Expensive Wood
      • Bone Nut
      • Top Brand Pickups
      • Electronics
      • Bone Saddle
      • Solid Top Wood
      • Solid Back Wood
      • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
      • No Locking Tuners
      • Laminated Side Wood
      • No Compound Radius Fretboard
      • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
      • No Strap Lock

      All Prices

      7. Takamine EF740FS TT

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      Takamine EF740FS TT
      FIND IT ON:
      Musician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
      Playability 73
      Sound 86
      Build quality 87
      Value for money 72
      Overall Score 82

      What our users think

      • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (3 votes)
      • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
      Own it? Share your opinion
      FIND IT ON:
      Musician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
      • 2 Prices - New from $2,799 >
      • From Takamine's 2016 TT series
      • Made in Japan
      • 6 strings
      • 25.4"'' scale
      • 12" Fretboard Radius
      • Solid Thermal Spruce top
      • Solid Sapele back
      • Solid Sapele sides
      • Mahogany neck
      • Ebony fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: TLD-2 Line Driver (Preamp/Active)
      • Fixed bridge
      • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
      • 20 Medium frets
      • Takamine tuners
      • See all specs and compare >
      Show all Specs
      • 2 Prices - New from $2,799 >
      • From Takamine's 2016 TT series
      • Made in Japan
      • 6 strings
      • 25.4"'' scale
      • 12" Fretboard Radius
      • Solid Thermal Spruce top
      • Solid Sapele back
      • Solid Sapele sides
      • Mahogany neck
      • Ebony fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: TLD-2 Line Driver (Preamp/Active)
      • Fixed bridge
      • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
      • 20 Medium frets
      • Takamine tuners
      • See all specs and compare >
      Strengths & Weaknesses
      Takamine EF740FS TT
      • Made in Japan
      • 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. Takamine KC70

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      Takamine KC70
      FIND IT ON:
      Sweetwater logo
      Playability 77
      Sound 85
      Build quality 85
      Value for money 72
      Overall Score 82

      What our users think

      • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (3 votes)
      • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
      Own it? Share your opinion
      FIND IT ON:
      Sweetwater logo
      • From Takamine's 2013 Signature series
      • Made in Japan
      • 6 strings
      • 25.4"'' scale
      • 12" Fretboard Radius
      • Solid Cedar top
      • Solid Sapele back
      • Sapele sides
      • Mahogany neck
      • Rosewood fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
      • Fixed bridge
      • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
      • 20 Medium frets
      • Takamine tuners
      • See all specs and compare >
      Show all Specs
      • From Takamine's 2013 Signature series
      • Made in Japan
      • 6 strings
      • 25.4"'' scale
      • 12" Fretboard Radius
      • Solid Cedar top
      • Solid Sapele back
      • Sapele sides
      • Mahogany neck
      • Rosewood fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
      • Fixed bridge
      • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
      • 20 Medium frets
      • Takamine tuners
      • See all specs and compare >
      Strengths & Weaknesses
      Takamine KC70
      • Made in Japan
      • Expensive Wood
      • Bone Nut
      • Top Brand Pickups
      • Electronics
      • Bone Saddle
      • Solid Top Wood
      • Solid Back Wood
      • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
      • No Locking Tuners
      • Laminated Side Wood
      • No Compound Radius Fretboard
      • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
      • No Strap Lock

      All Prices

        9. Takamine P3MC

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        Takamine P3MC
        FIND IT ON:
        Musician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
        Playability 77
        Sound 85
        Build quality 84
        Value for money 77
        Overall Score 82

        What our users think

        • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (3 votes)
        • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
        Own it? Share your opinion
        FIND IT ON:
        Musician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
        • 2 Prices - New from $1,799 >
        • From Takamine's 2013 Pro Series 3 series
        • Made in Japan
        • 6 strings
        • 25.4"'' scale
        • 12" Fretboard Radius
        • Solid Cedar top
        • Solid Sapele back
        • Sapele sides
        • Mahogany neck
        • Rosewood fretboard
        • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
        • Fixed bridge
        • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
        • 20 Medium frets
        • Takamine Gold tuners
        • See all specs and compare >
        Show all Specs
        • 2 Prices - New from $1,799 >
        • From Takamine's 2013 Pro Series 3 series
        • Made in Japan
        • 6 strings
        • 25.4"'' scale
        • 12" Fretboard Radius
        • Solid Cedar top
        • Solid Sapele back
        • Sapele sides
        • Mahogany neck
        • Rosewood fretboard
        • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
        • Fixed bridge
        • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
        • 20 Medium frets
        • Takamine Gold tuners
        • See all specs and compare >
        Strengths & Weaknesses
        Takamine P3MC
        • Made in Japan
        • Expensive Wood
        • Bone Nut
        • Top Brand Pickups
        • Electronics
        • Bone Saddle
        • Solid Top Wood
        • Solid Back Wood
        • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
        • No Locking Tuners
        • Laminated Side Wood
        • No Compound Radius Fretboard
        • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
        • No Strap Lock

        All Prices

        10. Takamine P3NC

        Compare
        Takamine P3NC
        FIND IT ON:
        Musician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
        Playability 77
        Sound 85
        Build quality 84
        Value for money 77
        Overall Score 82

        What our users think

        • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (3 votes)
        • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
        Own it? Share your opinion
        FIND IT ON:
        Musician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
        • 2 Prices - New from $1,799 >
        • From Takamine's 2013 Pro Series 3 series
        • Made in Japan
        • 6 strings
        • 25.4"'' scale
        • 12" Fretboard Radius
        • Solid Cedar top
        • Solid Sapele back
        • Sapele sides
        • Mahogany neck
        • Rosewood fretboard
        • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
        • Fixed bridge
        • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
        • 20 Medium frets
        • Takamine Gold tuners
        • See all specs and compare >
        Show all Specs
        • 2 Prices - New from $1,799 >
        • From Takamine's 2013 Pro Series 3 series
        • Made in Japan
        • 6 strings
        • 25.4"'' scale
        • 12" Fretboard Radius
        • Solid Cedar top
        • Solid Sapele back
        • Sapele sides
        • Mahogany neck
        • Rosewood fretboard
        • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
        • Fixed bridge
        • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
        • 20 Medium frets
        • Takamine Gold tuners
        • See all specs and compare >
        Strengths & Weaknesses
        Takamine P3NC
        • Made in Japan
        • Expensive Wood
        • Bone Nut
        • Top Brand Pickups
        • Electronics
        • Bone Saddle
        • Solid Top Wood
        • Solid Back Wood
        • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
        • No Locking Tuners
        • Laminated Side Wood
        • No Compound Radius Fretboard
        • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
        • No Strap Lock

        All Prices

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