Best Auditorium Guitars With C Neck Profile in 2026
Here are the top Auditorium style guitars with C neck profile. C-shaped necks like this have been the most popular for the last years. The reason is that they feel good in most hands. It's generally a thin neck that doesn't get in your way when playing fast, but that also has enough mass to give your hands a comfortable grip for chords if they aren't too big.
Thin necks like this make it easier to move your hand across the neck and it helps when playing fast solos, especially if you like to leave your thumb free while playing high on the fretboard. However, thinner necks are also weaker and will need adjustment more often than a thicker neck.
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.
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. Martin 000-42
Compare
What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (7 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (7 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
- Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Show All Specs
| Martin 000-42 | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Martin | |
| Year: | 1918 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Standard | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid Spruce | |
| Sides Material: | Rosewood | |
| Back Material: | Rosewood | |
| Bridge: | Ebony | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Gold Open Gear | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Genuine Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Abalone Style 45 Snowflake | |
| Scale Size: | 24.9" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Modified Low Oval | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 16" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 44.5mm (1.75'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | Fishman (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Gold | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin 000-42
Martin 000-42
- 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
2. Cort Gold-A8
Compare
What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (3 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (3 votes)
Show All Specs
| Cort Gold-A8 | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Cort | |
| Year: | 2019 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 8 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Gold | |
| Colors: | Natural, Light Burst | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Torrefied Solid Sitka Spruce | |
| Sides Material: | Pau Ferro | |
| Back Material: | Pau Ferro | |
| Bridge: | Ebony w/ Ebony Pins | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Deluxe Vintage Gold | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Walnut Reinforced Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Gold Custom MOP | |
| Scale Size: | 25.3" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Cort | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 15.748" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 45mm (1.772'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | Fishman Flex Blend (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Gold | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Cort Gold-A8
Cort Gold-A8
- 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 Indonesia
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
3. Schecter Orleans Studio-12 Acoustic
Show All Specs
| Schecter Orleans Studio-12 Acoustic | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Schecter | |
| Year: | 2016 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 12 | |
| Made in: | China | |
| Series: | Acoustic | |
| Colors: | Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid Cedar | |
| Sides Material: | Mahogany | |
| Back Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Rosewood with Bone Saddle & Graph Tech TUSQ Pins | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Grover Rotomatic 18:1 | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Mother of Pearl Dots | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Thin "C" | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 16" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 48mm (1.89'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | Fishman Sonicore Piezo (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter Orleans Studio-12 Acoustic
Schecter Orleans Studio-12 Acoustic
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Electronics
- Bone 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
All Prices
4. Harley Benton Santos Series C-40SCE NT
Show All Specs
| Harley Benton Santos Series C-40SCE NT | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Harley Benton | |
| Year: | 2019 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | China | |
| Series: | Santos | |
| Colors: | Black, Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Spruce | |
| Sides Material: | Mahogany | |
| Back Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Blackwood | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Deluxe machine heads | |
| Fretboard: | Black Walnut | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | ||
| Scale Size: | 24.724" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic C Shape | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 15.748" | |
| Nut: | Graphite | |
| Nut Width: | 48mm (1.89'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | HB-03 system with built-in tuner (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton Santos Series C-40SCE NT
Harley Benton Santos Series C-40SCE NT
- Expensive Wood
- Electronics
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in China
- 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
5. Fender FA-345CE Auditorium
Compare
What our users think
- Neck profile shape: D (2 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (2 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Clean (1 vote)
Show All Specs
| Fender FA-345CE Auditorium | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Fender | |
| Year: | 2018 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Fender Alternative | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Top: | Flame Maple | |
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Laminated Flame Maple | |
| Sides Material: | Lacewood | |
| Back Material: | Lacewood | |
| Bridge: | Walnut | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Open-Back Geared | |
| Fretboard: | Walnut | |
| Neck Material: | Nato | |
| Decoration: | Pearloid Keystone | |
| Scale Size: | 25.3" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic C Shape | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 11.81" | |
| Nut: | Ivory Tusq | |
| Nut Width: | 43mm (1.693'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | Fishman CD-1 Preamp (Preamp / Passive) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender FA-345CE Auditorium
Fender FA-345CE Auditorium
- Expensive Wood
- Ivory Tusq Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Electronics
- Ivory Tusq Saddle
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- Laminated Top Wood
- Laminated Side Wood
- Laminated Back Wood
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
6. Martin 000-28
Compare
What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (7 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (7 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
- Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Show All Specs
| Martin 000-28 | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Martin | |
| Year: | 1937 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Standard | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid Spruce | |
| Sides Material: | Rosewood | |
| Back Material: | Rosewood | |
| Bridge: | Ebony | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Nickel Open Gear | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Select Hardwood | |
| Decoration: | Abalone Diamonds and Squares Long Pattern | |
| Scale Size: | 24.9" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Modified Low Oval | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 16" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 44.5mm (1.75'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | Fishman (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin 000-28
Martin 000-28
- 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
7. Martin 000-18
Compare
What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (7 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (7 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
- Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Show All Specs
| Martin 000-18 | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Martin | |
| Year: | 1933 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Standard | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid Spruce | |
| Sides Material: | Mahogany | |
| Back Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Ebony | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Nickel Open Gear | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Select Hardwood | |
| Decoration: | Abalone Old Style 18 | |
| Scale Size: | 24.9" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Modified Low Oval | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 16" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 44.5mm (1.75'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | Fishman (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin 000-18
Martin 000-18
- 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
8. Martin 000-17
Compare
What our users think
- Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
- Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
- Weight: Very lightweight (1 vote)
- Neck profile shape: C (7 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (7 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
- Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Show All Specs
| Martin 000-17 | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Martin | |
| Year: | 2016 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | 16-17 | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid Spruce | |
| Sides Material: | Mahogany | |
| Back Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Rosewood | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Golden Age Relic Nickel | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | Select Hardwood | |
| Decoration: | Mother-of-Pearl 1955 Style 18 | |
| Scale Size: | 24.9" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Modified Low Oval | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 16" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 44.5mm (1.75'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | Fishman (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin 000-17
Martin 000-17
- 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
9. Martin OMJM John Mayer
Compare
What our users think
- Fret edges: Smooth (3 votes)
- Tuning stability: Won't get out of tune (3 votes)
- Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
- Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (3 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (5 votes)
- Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)
Show All Specs
| Martin OMJM John Mayer | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Martin | |
| Year: | 2012 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Custom & Special Editions | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid Engelmann Spruce | |
| Sides Material: | Rosewood | |
| Back Material: | Rosewood | |
| Bridge: | Ebony | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Nickel Open Gear | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Select Hardwood | |
| Decoration: | Mother-of-Pearl Custom | |
| Scale Size: | 25.4" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Low Profile | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 16" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 42.9mm (1.688'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | Fishman Gold Plus Natural I (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin OMJM John Mayer
Martin OMJM John Mayer
- 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
10. Martin OM-28
Compare
What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (7 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (7 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
- Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Show All Specs
| Martin OM-28 | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Martin | |
| Year: | 1931 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Standard | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid Spruce | |
| Sides Material: | Rosewood | |
| Back Material: | Rosewood | |
| Bridge: | Ebony | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Nickel Open Gear | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Select Hardwood | |
| Decoration: | Abalone Diamonds and Squares Short Pattern | |
| Scale Size: | 25.4" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Modified Low Oval | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 16" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 44.5mm (1.75'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | Fishman (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin OM-28
Martin OM-28
- 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




