Best Classical Guitars With Rosewood Back in 2024

Here are the top Classical style guitars with Rosewood back. Since the ban of Brazillian Rosewood, this has become a rare and expensive wood. It's not usually used for guitar bodies because of this, and also because it's heavy. Instead, it's used mainly for fretboards. Sometimes it's also used for necks because it's an extremely hard wood (even harder than maple). Its tonality tends to favor warm tones.

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. Alvarez CYM75CE

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Alvarez CYM75CE
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Playability 70
Sound 84
Build quality 90
Value for money 71
Overall Score 81
FIND IT ON:
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  • From Alvarez's 2021 Yairi series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.591"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AAA Western Red Cedar top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany one piece. Spanish Heel neck joint neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC Element System (Preamp/Active)
  • Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Gotoh Gold with Pearloid Buttons tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
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  • From Alvarez's 2021 Yairi series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.591"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AAA Western Red Cedar top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany one piece. Spanish Heel neck joint neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC Element System (Preamp/Active)
  • Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Gotoh Gold with Pearloid Buttons tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Alvarez CYM75CE
  • Made in Japan
  • 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

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    2. Takamine TC135SC

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    Takamine TC135SC
    FIND IT ON:
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    Playability 70
    Sound 88
    Build quality 85
    Value for money 71
    Overall Score 81

    What our users think

    • 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
    FIND IT ON:
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    • 3 Prices - New from $2,399 >
    • From Takamine's 2011 Hirade & Classical series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25.6"'' scale
    • Flat Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Solid Rosewood back
    • Rosewood sides
    • Mahogany neck
    • Rosewood fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
    • Fixed bridge
    • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
    • 24 Medium frets
    • Takamine tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 3 Prices - New from $2,399 >
    • From Takamine's 2011 Hirade & Classical series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25.6"'' scale
    • Flat Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Solid Rosewood back
    • Rosewood sides
    • Mahogany neck
    • Rosewood fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
    • Fixed bridge
    • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
    • 24 Medium frets
    • Takamine tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Takamine TC135SC
    • 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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    3. Yamaha GC42C

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    Yamaha GC42C
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logo
    Playability 73
    Sound 84
    Build quality 82
    Value for money 65
    Overall Score 80

    What our users think

    • Neck profile shape: C (14 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (15 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logo
    • 4 Prices - New from $4,299.99 >
    • From Yamaha's 2014 GC / GCX series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25.6"'' scale
    • Flat Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Western Redcedar top
    • Solid Madagascar Rosewood back
    • Solid Madagascar Rosewood sides
    • African Mahogany neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: (/)
    • Indian Rosewood bridge
    • Acoustic C Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Gold (YTM-81) tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 4 Prices - New from $4,299.99 >
    • From Yamaha's 2014 GC / GCX series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25.6"'' scale
    • Flat Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Western Redcedar top
    • Solid Madagascar Rosewood back
    • Solid Madagascar Rosewood sides
    • African Mahogany neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: (/)
    • Indian Rosewood bridge
    • Acoustic C Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Gold (YTM-81) tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Yamaha GC42C
    • Made in Japan
    • Expensive Wood
    • Bone Nut
    • Bone Saddle
    • Solid Top Wood
    • Solid Side Wood
    • Solid Back Wood
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • No Top Brand Pickups
    • No Electronics
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock

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    4. Takamine TH90

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    Takamine TH90
    FIND IT ON:
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    Playability 70
    Sound 84
    Build quality 87
    Value for money 70
    Overall Score 80

    What our users think

    • 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
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logo
    • From Takamine's 2018 Hirade & Classical series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25.6"'' scale
    • Flat Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Solid Rosewood back
    • Solid Rosewood sides
    • Mahogany neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
    • Fixed bridge
    • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
    • 19 Medium frets
    • Takamine tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • From Takamine's 2018 Hirade & Classical series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25.6"'' scale
    • Flat Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Solid Rosewood back
    • Solid Rosewood sides
    • Mahogany neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
    • Fixed bridge
    • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
    • 19 Medium frets
    • Takamine tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Takamine TH90
    • 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

      5. Takamine TH5C

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      Takamine TH5C
      FIND IT ON:
      Sweetwater logo
      Playability 70
      Sound 84
      Build quality 85
      Value for money 75
      Overall Score 80

      What our users think

      • 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
      FIND IT ON:
      Sweetwater logo
      • From Takamine's 2016 Hirade & Classical series
      • Made in Japan
      • 6 strings
      • 25.6"'' scale
      • Flat Fretboard Radius
      • Solid Cedar top
      • Solid Rosewood back
      • Solid Rosewood sides
      • Mahogany neck
      • Ebony fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
      • Fixed bridge
      • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
      • 19 Medium frets
      • Takamine tuners
      • See all specs and compare >
      Show all Specs
      • From Takamine's 2016 Hirade & Classical series
      • Made in Japan
      • 6 strings
      • 25.6"'' scale
      • Flat Fretboard Radius
      • Solid Cedar top
      • Solid Rosewood back
      • Solid Rosewood sides
      • Mahogany neck
      • Ebony fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
      • Fixed bridge
      • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
      • 19 Medium frets
      • Takamine tuners
      • See all specs and compare >
      Strengths & Weaknesses
      Takamine TH5C
      • 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

        6. Takamine TH8SS

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        Takamine TH8SS
        FIND IT ON:
        Sweetwater logo
        Playability 70
        Sound 84
        Build quality 87
        Value for money 70
        Overall Score 80

        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 Hirade & Classical series
        • Made in Japan
        • 6 strings
        • 25.6"'' scale
        • Flat Fretboard Radius
        • Solid Spruce top
        • Solid Rosewood back
        • Solid Rosewood sides
        • Mahogany neck
        • Ebony fretboard
        • Bridge pickup: CTP3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
        • Fixed bridge
        • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
        • 19 Medium frets
        • Takamine tuners
        • See all specs and compare >
        Show all Specs
        • From Takamine's 2013 Hirade & Classical series
        • Made in Japan
        • 6 strings
        • 25.6"'' scale
        • Flat Fretboard Radius
        • Solid Spruce top
        • Solid Rosewood back
        • Solid Rosewood sides
        • Mahogany neck
        • Ebony fretboard
        • Bridge pickup: CTP3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
        • Fixed bridge
        • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
        • 19 Medium frets
        • Takamine tuners
        • See all specs and compare >
        Strengths & Weaknesses
        Takamine TH8SS
        • 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

          7. Yamaha GC42S

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          Yamaha GC42S
          FIND IT ON:
          Reverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
          Playability 73
          Sound 84
          Build quality 82
          Value for money 65
          Overall Score 80

          What our users think

          • Neck profile shape: C (14 votes)
          • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (15 votes)
          Own it? Share your opinion
          FIND IT ON:
          Reverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
          • 3 Prices - New from $4,299.99 >
          • From Yamaha's 2014 GC / GCX series
          • Made in Japan
          • 6 strings
          • 25.6"'' scale
          • Flat Fretboard Radius
          • Solid European Spruce or Solid Hokkaido Spruce top
          • Solid Madagascar Rosewood back
          • Solid Madagascar Rosewood sides
          • African Mahogany neck
          • Ebony fretboard
          • Bridge pickup: (/)
          • Indian Rosewood bridge
          • Acoustic C Set neck
          • 20 Medium frets
          • Gold (YTM-81) tuners
          • See all specs and compare >
          Show all Specs
          • 3 Prices - New from $4,299.99 >
          • From Yamaha's 2014 GC / GCX series
          • Made in Japan
          • 6 strings
          • 25.6"'' scale
          • Flat Fretboard Radius
          • Solid European Spruce or Solid Hokkaido Spruce top
          • Solid Madagascar Rosewood back
          • Solid Madagascar Rosewood sides
          • African Mahogany neck
          • Ebony fretboard
          • Bridge pickup: (/)
          • Indian Rosewood bridge
          • Acoustic C Set neck
          • 20 Medium frets
          • Gold (YTM-81) tuners
          • See all specs and compare >
          Strengths & Weaknesses
          Yamaha GC42S
          • Made in Japan
          • Expensive Wood
          • Bone Nut
          • Bone Saddle
          • Solid Top Wood
          • Solid Side Wood
          • Solid Back Wood
          • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
          • No Locking Tuners
          • No Top Brand Pickups
          • No Electronics
          • No Compound Radius Fretboard
          • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
          • No Strap Lock

          All Prices

          8. Yamaha GC82C

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          Yamaha GC82C
          FIND IT ON:
          Reverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
          Playability 73
          Sound 84
          Build quality 82
          Value for money 65
          Overall Score 80

          What our users think

          • Neck profile shape: C (14 votes)
          • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (15 votes)
          Own it? Share your opinion
          FIND IT ON:
          Reverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
          • 3 Prices - New from $9,999.99 >
          • From Yamaha's 2014 GC / GCX series
          • Made in Japan
          • 6 strings
          • 25.6"'' scale
          • Flat Fretboard Radius
          • Solid American Redcedar top
          • Solid Madagascar Rosewood back
          • Solid Madagascar Rosewood sides
          • Cedro neck
          • Ebony fretboard
          • Bridge pickup: (/)
          • Madagascar Rosewood bridge
          • Acoustic C Set neck
          • 20 Medium frets
          • Gold (35G510QC-M) tuners
          • See all specs and compare >
          Show all Specs
          • 3 Prices - New from $9,999.99 >
          • From Yamaha's 2014 GC / GCX series
          • Made in Japan
          • 6 strings
          • 25.6"'' scale
          • Flat Fretboard Radius
          • Solid American Redcedar top
          • Solid Madagascar Rosewood back
          • Solid Madagascar Rosewood sides
          • Cedro neck
          • Ebony fretboard
          • Bridge pickup: (/)
          • Madagascar Rosewood bridge
          • Acoustic C Set neck
          • 20 Medium frets
          • Gold (35G510QC-M) tuners
          • See all specs and compare >
          Strengths & Weaknesses
          Yamaha GC82C
          • Made in Japan
          • Expensive Wood
          • Bone Nut
          • Bone Saddle
          • Solid Top Wood
          • Solid Side Wood
          • Solid Back Wood
          • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
          • No Locking Tuners
          • No Top Brand Pickups
          • No Electronics
          • No Compound Radius Fretboard
          • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
          • No Strap Lock

          All Prices

          9. Yamaha GC82S

          Compare
          Yamaha GC82S
          FIND IT ON:
          Reverb logoSweetwater logo
          Playability 73
          Sound 84
          Build quality 82
          Value for money 65
          Overall Score 80

          What our users think

          • Neck profile shape: C (14 votes)
          • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (15 votes)
          Own it? Share your opinion
          FIND IT ON:
          Reverb logoSweetwater logo
          • 1 Prices - New from $9,999.99 >
          • From Yamaha's 2014 GC / GCX series
          • Made in Japan
          • 6 strings
          • 25.6"'' scale
          • Flat Fretboard Radius
          • Solid European Spruce top
          • Solid Madagascar Rosewood back
          • Solid Madagascar Rosewood sides
          • Cedro neck
          • Ebony fretboard
          • Bridge pickup: (/)
          • Madagascar Rosewood bridge
          • Acoustic C Set neck
          • 20 Medium frets
          • Gold (35G510QC-M) tuners
          • See all specs and compare >
          Show all Specs
          • 1 Prices - New from $9,999.99 >
          • From Yamaha's 2014 GC / GCX series
          • Made in Japan
          • 6 strings
          • 25.6"'' scale
          • Flat Fretboard Radius
          • Solid European Spruce top
          • Solid Madagascar Rosewood back
          • Solid Madagascar Rosewood sides
          • Cedro neck
          • Ebony fretboard
          • Bridge pickup: (/)
          • Madagascar Rosewood bridge
          • Acoustic C Set neck
          • 20 Medium frets
          • Gold (35G510QC-M) tuners
          • See all specs and compare >
          Strengths & Weaknesses
          Yamaha GC82S
          • Made in Japan
          • Expensive Wood
          • Bone Nut
          • Bone Saddle
          • Solid Top Wood
          • Solid Side Wood
          • Solid Back Wood
          • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
          • No Locking Tuners
          • No Top Brand Pickups
          • No Electronics
          • No Compound Radius Fretboard
          • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
          • No Strap Lock

          All Prices

          10. Alvarez CY75CE

          Compare
          Alvarez CY75CE
          FIND IT ON:
          Sweetwater logo
          Playability 70
          Sound 81
          Build quality 87
          Value for money 69
          Overall Score 79
          FIND IT ON:
          Sweetwater logo
          • From Alvarez's 2021 Yairi series
          • Made in Japan
          • 6 strings
          • 25.591"'' scale
          • Flat Fretboard Radius
          • Solid AA Western Red Cedar top
          • East Indian Rosewood back
          • East Indian Rosewood sides
          • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
          • Rosewood fretboard
          • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
          • Rosewood Direct Coupled bridge
          • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
          • 19 Medium frets
          • Gotoh Gold tuners
          • See all specs and compare >
          Show all Specs
          • From Alvarez's 2021 Yairi series
          • Made in Japan
          • 6 strings
          • 25.591"'' scale
          • Flat Fretboard Radius
          • Solid AA Western Red Cedar top
          • East Indian Rosewood back
          • East Indian Rosewood sides
          • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
          • Rosewood fretboard
          • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
          • Rosewood Direct Coupled bridge
          • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
          • 19 Medium frets
          • Gotoh Gold tuners
          • See all specs and compare >
          Strengths & Weaknesses
          Alvarez CY75CE
          • 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

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