Best Classical Guitars With Mahogany Sides in 2024

Here are the top Classical style guitars with Mahogany sides. This is the type of wood found in many top-of-the-line guitars, so that's a positive point for the build quality. This red-looking wood Mahogany is found in Africa and Central America and has great sustain and a warm tone due to its high density. The downside about this type of wood is that it's relatively heavy.

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 000C12-16E Nylon

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Martin 000C12-16E Nylon
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Playability 73
Sound 86
Build quality 86
Value for money 72
Overall Score 82

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (3 votes)
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  • From Martin's 2020 16-17 series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 26.5"'' scale
  • 18" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Mahogany back
  • Solid Mahogany sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT1 (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Low Profile Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold Side Mount tuners
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  • From Martin's 2020 16-17 series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 26.5"'' scale
  • 18" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Mahogany back
  • Solid Mahogany sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT1 (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Low Profile Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold Side Mount tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin 000C12-16E Nylon
  • 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

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2. Alvarez AC65HCE

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Alvarez AC65HCE
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Playability 70
Sound 86
Build quality 72
Value for money 81
Overall Score 76
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  • From Alvarez's 2016 Artist series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.591"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid A+ Western Red Cedar top
  • African Mahogany back
  • African Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish neck
  • Indian Laurel/Rosewood w/12th Fret Inlay fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
  • Bi-Level Indian Laurel/Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 22 Medium frets
  • Chrome Open Gear Strip tuners
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  • From Alvarez's 2016 Artist series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.591"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid A+ Western Red Cedar top
  • African Mahogany back
  • African Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish neck
  • Indian Laurel/Rosewood w/12th Fret Inlay fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
  • Bi-Level Indian Laurel/Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 22 Medium frets
  • Chrome Open Gear Strip tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Alvarez AC65HCE
  • 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

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3. Cort Jade Classic

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Cort Jade Classic
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Playability 82
Sound 79
Build quality 64
Value for money 85
Overall Score 75
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  • From Cort's 2020 Jade series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany top
  • Mahogany back
  • Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Merbau fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Cort CE304T (Preamp/Active)
  • Merbau bridge
  • Acoustic Cort Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Vintage Machineheads tuners
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  • From Cort's 2020 Jade series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany top
  • Mahogany back
  • Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Merbau fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Cort CE304T (Preamp/Active)
  • Merbau bridge
  • Acoustic Cort Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Vintage Machineheads tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Cort Jade Classic
  • Expensive Wood
  • Electronics
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 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

4. Washburn C64SCE

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Washburn C64SCE
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Playability 70
Sound 81
Build quality 70
Value for money 84
Overall Score 74

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (1 vote)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • From Washburn's 2023 Classical series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.591"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Mahogany back
  • Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Engineered Wood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Classica II (Preamp/Active)
  • Alternative bridge
  • Acoustic Washburn Classical Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Classical Gold tuners
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  • From Washburn's 2023 Classical series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.591"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Mahogany back
  • Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Engineered Wood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Classica II (Preamp/Active)
  • Alternative bridge
  • Acoustic Washburn Classical Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Classical Gold tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Washburn C64SCE
  • Expensive Wood
  • NuBone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • NuBone 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

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5. Takamine GC3CE

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Takamine GC3CE
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Playability 70
Sound 81
Build quality 72
Value for money 79
Overall Score 74

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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  • From Takamine's 2017 G series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Cedar top
  • Mahogany back
  • Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: TP-4T (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Takamine Chrome tuners
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  • From Takamine's 2017 G series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Cedar top
  • Mahogany back
  • Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: TP-4T (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Takamine Chrome tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine GC3CE
  • Expensive Wood
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Synthetic 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

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6. Yamaha GC12C

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Yamaha GC12C
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Playability 73
Sound 81
Build quality 65
Value for money 78
Overall Score 73

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (14 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (15 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • From Yamaha's 2014 GC / GCX series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Western Redcedar top
  • Solid Mahogany back
  • Solid Mahogany sides
  • African Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: (/)
  • Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold (YTM-81) tuners
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  • From Yamaha's 2014 GC / GCX series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Western Redcedar top
  • Solid Mahogany back
  • Solid Mahogany sides
  • African Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: (/)
  • Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold (YTM-81) tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Yamaha GC12C
  • Expensive Wood
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Electronics
  • Low-Quality Material Saddle
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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7. Epiphone Classical E1

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Epiphone Classical E1
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Playability 73
Sound 79
Build quality 60
Value for money 86
Overall Score 71
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  • From Epiphone's 2018 Original Acoustic series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Select Cedar top
  • Select Mahogany; Reduced body depth; 4/4 size back
  • Select Mahogany; Reduced body depth; 4/4 size sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Laurel with PRO-Ease Lubricant fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: (/)
  • Indian Laurel bridge
  • Acoustic EZ-Profile D Set neck
  • 19 Jumbo frets
  • Epiphone Deluxe Classical 16:1 ratio tuners
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  • From Epiphone's 2018 Original Acoustic series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Select Cedar top
  • Select Mahogany; Reduced body depth; 4/4 size back
  • Select Mahogany; Reduced body depth; 4/4 size sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Laurel with PRO-Ease Lubricant fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: (/)
  • Indian Laurel bridge
  • Acoustic EZ-Profile D Set neck
  • 19 Jumbo frets
  • Epiphone Deluxe Classical 16:1 ratio tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Epiphone Classical E1
  • Expensive Wood
  • NuBone Nut
  • NuBone Saddle
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Electronics
  • 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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8. Fender CN-60S

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Fender CN-60S
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Playability 70
Sound 76
Build quality 64
Value for money 85
Overall Score 70

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Slightly chunky (3 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • From Fender's 2017 Classic Design series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.3"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Laminated Mahogany back
  • Laminated Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Walnut fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: (/)
  • Walnut bridge
  • Acoustic Fender 'Easy-to-Play' shape with rolled fretboard edges Set neck
  • 18 Vintage frets
  • 3-In-Line with Amber Pearloid Buttons tuners
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  • From Fender's 2017 Classic Design series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.3"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Laminated Mahogany back
  • Laminated Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Walnut fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: (/)
  • Walnut bridge
  • Acoustic Fender 'Easy-to-Play' shape with rolled fretboard edges Set neck
  • 18 Vintage frets
  • 3-In-Line with Amber Pearloid Buttons tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender CN-60S
  • Expensive Wood
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Electronics
  • Low-Quality Material Saddle
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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9. Alvarez RS26N

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Alvarez RS26N
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Playability 85
Sound 79
Build quality 60
Value for money 85
Overall Score 75
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  • From Alvarez's 2021 Regent series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 23.465"'' scale
  • 14.96" Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • African Mahogany back
  • African Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Techwood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: (/)
  • Techwood bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Die Cast tuners
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Show all Specs
  • From Alvarez's 2021 Regent series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 23.465"'' scale
  • 14.96" Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • African Mahogany back
  • African Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Techwood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: (/)
  • Techwood bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Die Cast tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Alvarez RS26N
  • Expensive Wood
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Synthetic Bone Saddle
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Electronics
  • Laminated Top Wood
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

10. Alvarez AC65CE

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Alvarez AC65CE
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Playability 70
Sound 81
Build quality 72
Value for money 79
Overall Score 74
FIND IT ON:
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  • From Alvarez's 2019 Artist series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.591"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid A+ Western Red Cedar top
  • African Mahogany back
  • African Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish neck
  • Indian Laurel/Rosewood w/12th Fret Inlay fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
  • Bi-Level Indian Laurel/Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Chrome Open Gear Strip tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Alvarez's 2019 Artist series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.591"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid A+ Western Red Cedar top
  • African Mahogany back
  • African Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish neck
  • Indian Laurel/Rosewood w/12th Fret Inlay fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
  • Bi-Level Indian Laurel/Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Chrome Open Gear Strip tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Alvarez AC65CE
  • 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

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