Best Auditorium Guitars With C Neck Profile in 2024

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.

1. Martin 000-42

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Martin 000-42
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 77
Sound 86
Build quality 89
Value for money 69
Overall Score 84

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (4 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
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  • 3 Prices - New from $6,399 >
  • From Martin's 1918 Standard series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Genuine Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold Open Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 3 Prices - New from $6,399 >
  • From Martin's 1918 Standard series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Genuine Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold Open Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
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

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Cort Gold-A8
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 86
Build quality 79
Value for money 86
Overall Score 81
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • From Cort's 2019 Gold series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 8 strings
  • 25.3"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Torrefied Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Pau Ferro back
  • Solid Pau Ferro sides
  • Walnut Reinforced Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Flex Blend (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony w/ Ebony Pins bridge
  • Acoustic Cort Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Deluxe Vintage Gold tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • From Cort's 2019 Gold series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 8 strings
  • 25.3"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Torrefied Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Pau Ferro back
  • Solid Pau Ferro sides
  • Walnut Reinforced Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Flex Blend (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony w/ Ebony Pins bridge
  • Acoustic Cort Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Deluxe Vintage Gold tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
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. Harley Benton CLA-16SCE

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    Harley Benton CLA-16SCE
    FIND IT ON:
    Thomann logo
    Playability 73
    Sound 81
    Build quality 67
    Value for money 84
    Overall Score 74
    FIND IT ON:
    Thomann logo
    • 2 Prices - New from €239 >
    • From Harley Benton's 2017 Custom Line series
    • Made in China
    • 6 strings
    • 25.315"'' scale
    • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
    • Spruce top
    • Sapele back
    • Sapele sides
    • Okoume neck
    • Pau Ferro fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Fishman Presys-II preamp system with built-in tuner (Preamp/Active)
    • Pau Ferro bridge
    • Acoustic Modified Oval C Shape Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Chrome-plated die-cast DLX machine heads tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 2 Prices - New from €239 >
    • From Harley Benton's 2017 Custom Line series
    • Made in China
    • 6 strings
    • 25.315"'' scale
    • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
    • Spruce top
    • Sapele back
    • Sapele sides
    • Okoume neck
    • Pau Ferro fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Fishman Presys-II preamp system with built-in tuner (Preamp/Active)
    • Pau Ferro bridge
    • Acoustic Modified Oval C Shape Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Chrome-plated die-cast DLX machine heads tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Harley Benton CLA-16SCE
    • Bone Nut
    • Top Brand Pickups
    • Electronics
    • Bone Saddle
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • Made in China
    • No Expensive Woods
    • Laminated Top Wood
    • Laminated Side Wood
    • Laminated Back Wood
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock

    All Prices

    4. Fender FA-345CE Auditorium

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    Fender FA-345CE Auditorium
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logoFender logo
    Playability 72
    Sound 79
    Build quality 72
    Value for money 84
    Overall Score 74

    What our users think

    • Neck profile shape: D (2 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (2 votes)
    • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
    • Pickups power: Clean (1 vote)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logoFender logo
    • 6 Prices - New from $449.99 >
    • From Fender's 2018 Fender Alternative series
    • Made in Indonesia
    • 6 strings
    • 25.3"'' scale
    • 11.81" Fretboard Radius
    • Flame Maple top
    • Laminated Flame Maple top
    • Laminated Lacewood back
    • Laminated Lacewood sides
    • Nato neck
    • Walnut fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Fishman CD-1 Preamp (Preamp/Passive)
    • Walnut bridge
    • Acoustic C Shape Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Open-Back Geared tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 6 Prices - New from $449.99 >
    • From Fender's 2018 Fender Alternative series
    • Made in Indonesia
    • 6 strings
    • 25.3"'' scale
    • 11.81" Fretboard Radius
    • Flame Maple top
    • Laminated Flame Maple top
    • Laminated Lacewood back
    • Laminated Lacewood sides
    • Nato neck
    • Walnut fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Fishman CD-1 Preamp (Preamp/Passive)
    • Walnut bridge
    • Acoustic C Shape Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Open-Back Geared tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    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

    5. Martin 000-28

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    Martin 000-28
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logoReverb logo
    Playability 77
    Sound 86
    Build quality 88
    Value for money 69
    Overall Score 84

    What our users think

    • Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (4 votes)
    • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
    • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logoReverb logo
    • 6 Prices - New from $3,399 >
    • From Martin's 1937 Standard series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 24.9"'' scale
    • 16" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
    • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
    • Select Hardwood neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
    • Ebony bridge
    • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Nickel Open Gear tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 6 Prices - New from $3,399 >
    • From Martin's 1937 Standard series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 24.9"'' scale
    • 16" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
    • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
    • Select Hardwood neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
    • Ebony bridge
    • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Nickel Open Gear tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    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

    6. Martin 000-18

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    Martin 000-18
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logoReverb logo
    Playability 77
    Sound 86
    Build quality 86
    Value for money 73
    Overall Score 83

    What our users think

    • Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (4 votes)
    • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
    • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logoReverb logo
    • 4 Prices - New from $2,799 >
    • From Martin's 1933 Standard series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 24.9"'' scale
    • 16" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Solid Genuine Mahogany back
    • Solid Genuine Mahogany sides
    • Select Hardwood neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
    • Ebony bridge
    • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Nickel Open Gear tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 4 Prices - New from $2,799 >
    • From Martin's 1933 Standard series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 24.9"'' scale
    • 16" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Solid Genuine Mahogany back
    • Solid Genuine Mahogany sides
    • Select Hardwood neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
    • Ebony bridge
    • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Nickel Open Gear tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    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

    7. Martin 000-17

    Compare
    Martin 000-17
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoReverb logoAmazon logo
    Playability 77
    Sound 86
    Build quality 85
    Value for money 78
    Overall Score 83

    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 (4 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (4 votes)
    • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
    • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoReverb logoAmazon logo
    • 3 Prices - New from $1,799 >
    • From Martin's 2016 16-17 series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 24.9"'' scale
    • 16" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Solid Mahogany back
    • Solid Mahogany sides
    • Select Hardwood neck
    • Rosewood fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
    • Rosewood bridge
    • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Golden Age Relic Nickel tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 3 Prices - New from $1,799 >
    • From Martin's 2016 16-17 series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 24.9"'' scale
    • 16" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Solid Mahogany back
    • Solid Mahogany sides
    • Select Hardwood neck
    • Rosewood fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
    • Rosewood bridge
    • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Golden Age Relic Nickel tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    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

    8. Martin OMJM John Mayer

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    Martin OMJM John Mayer
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
    Playability 73
    Sound 86
    Build quality 88
    Value for money 67
    Overall Score 82

    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 (4 votes)
    • Pickups power: Clean (4 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
    • 4 Prices - New from $3,999 >
    • From Martin's 2012 Custom & Special Editions series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 25.4"'' scale
    • 16" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Engelmann Spruce top
    • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
    • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
    • Select Hardwood neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Fishman Gold Plus Natural I (Preamp/Active)
    • Ebony bridge
    • Acoustic Low Profile Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Nickel Open Gear tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 4 Prices - New from $3,999 >
    • From Martin's 2012 Custom & Special Editions series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 25.4"'' scale
    • 16" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Engelmann Spruce top
    • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
    • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
    • Select Hardwood neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Fishman Gold Plus Natural I (Preamp/Active)
    • Ebony bridge
    • Acoustic Low Profile Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Nickel Open Gear tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    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

    9. Martin OM-28

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    Martin OM-28
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logoReverb logo
    Playability 73
    Sound 86
    Build quality 88
    Value for money 67
    Overall Score 82

    What our users think

    • Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (4 votes)
    • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
    • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logoReverb logo
    • 5 Prices - New from $3,399 >
    • From Martin's 1931 Standard series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 25.4"'' scale
    • 16" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
    • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
    • Select Hardwood neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
    • Ebony bridge
    • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Nickel Open Gear tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 5 Prices - New from $3,399 >
    • From Martin's 1931 Standard series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 25.4"'' scale
    • 16" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
    • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
    • Select Hardwood neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
    • Ebony bridge
    • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Nickel Open Gear tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    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

    All Prices

    10. Martin OM-42

    Compare
    Martin OM-42
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
    Playability 73
    Sound 86
    Build quality 89
    Value for money 68
    Overall Score 83

    What our users think

    • Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (4 votes)
    • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
    • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
    • 4 Prices - New from $6,399 >
    • From Martin's 1930 Standard series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 25.4"'' scale
    • 16" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
    • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
    • Genuine Mahogany neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
    • Ebony bridge
    • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Gold Open Gear tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 4 Prices - New from $6,399 >
    • From Martin's 1930 Standard series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 25.4"'' scale
    • 16" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
    • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
    • Genuine Mahogany neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
    • Ebony bridge
    • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Gold Open Gear tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Martin OM-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

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