Best Classical Guitars With Sapele Sides in 2024

Here are the top Classical style guitars with Sapele sides. 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 P3FCN

Compare
Takamine P3FCN
FIND IT ON:
Musician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
Playability 73
Sound 85
Build quality 84
Value for money 76
Overall Score 81

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
  • From Takamine's 2013 Pro Series 3 series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' 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
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Takamine's 2013 Pro Series 3 series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' 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
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine P3FCN
  • 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

2. Ibanez GA35TCE

Compare
Ibanez GA35TCE
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoSweetwater logo
Playability 70
Sound 81
Build quality 64
Value for money 82
Overall Score 72
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoSweetwater logo
  • From Ibanez's 2019 CLASSICAL series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Nyatoh neck
  • Walnut fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Ibanez Undersaddle (Preamp/Active)
  • Walnut bridge
  • Acoustic GA Set neck
  • 21 Medium frets
  • Ibanez tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Ibanez's 2019 CLASSICAL series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Nyatoh neck
  • Walnut fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Ibanez Undersaddle (Preamp/Active)
  • Walnut bridge
  • Acoustic GA Set neck
  • 21 Medium frets
  • Ibanez tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez GA35TCE
  • Electronics
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • 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

3. Harley Benton GL-2NT GuitarLele

Compare
Harley Benton GL-2NT GuitarLele
FIND IT ON:
Thomann logo
Playability 78
Sound 74
Build quality 57
Value for money 90
Overall Score 70
FIND IT ON:
Thomann logo
  • From Harley Benton's 2022 Standard series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 17.047"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Okoume neck
  • Walnut fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: (/)
  • Armaranth bridge
  • Acoustic C Shape Set neck
  • 17 Medium frets
  • Concert machine heads tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Harley Benton's 2022 Standard series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 17.047"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Okoume neck
  • Walnut fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: (/)
  • Armaranth bridge
  • Acoustic C Shape Set neck
  • 17 Medium frets
  • Concert machine heads tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton GL-2NT GuitarLele
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Electronics
  • 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

4. Takamine GC1CE

Compare
Takamine GC1CE
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoAmazon logo
Playability 70
Sound 79
Build quality 67
Value for money 82
Overall Score 72

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 logoAmazon logo
  • From Takamine's 2014 G series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele 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 >
Show all Specs
  • From Takamine's 2014 G series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele 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 GC1CE
  • Expensive Wood
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Synthetic Bone 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

All Prices

5. Takamine GC2CE

Compare
Takamine GC2CE
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoSweetwater logo
Playability 70
Sound 79
Build quality 67
Value for money 82
Overall Score 72

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (3 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoSweetwater logo
  • From Takamine's 2022 G series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele 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 >
Show all Specs
  • From Takamine's 2022 G series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele 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 GC2CE
  • Expensive Wood
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Synthetic Bone 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

All Prices

6. Ibanez GA6CE

Compare
Ibanez GA6CE
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 70
Sound 76
Build quality 60
Value for money 79
Overall Score 69
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • From Ibanez's 2018 CLASSICAL series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Okoume neck
  • Purpleheart fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Ibanez Undersaddle pickup (Preamp/Active)
  • Purpleheart bridge
  • Acoustic GA6CE Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Ibanez tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Ibanez's 2018 CLASSICAL series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Okoume neck
  • Purpleheart fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Ibanez Undersaddle pickup (Preamp/Active)
  • Purpleheart bridge
  • Acoustic GA6CE Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Ibanez tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez GA6CE
  • Electronics
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • 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

7. Takamine GC1

Compare
Takamine GC1
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoAmazon logo
Playability 70
Sound 76
Build quality 60
Value for money 79
Overall Score 69

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 logoAmazon logo
  • From Takamine's 2014 G series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: (/)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Takamine Chrome tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Takamine's 2014 G series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: (/)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Takamine Chrome tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine GC1
  • 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

All Prices

8. Takamine GC2

Compare
Takamine GC2
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoSweetwater logo
Playability 70
Sound 76
Build quality 60
Value for money 79
Overall Score 69

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (3 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoSweetwater logo
  • From Takamine's 2022 G series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: (/)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Takamine Chrome tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Takamine's 2022 G series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: (/)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Takamine Chrome tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine GC2
  • 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

All Prices

Filter ResultsClear all filters×
Price
  • General
    Brand
    Country of Origin
    For Hand Size
    Great for
    Handedness
      Max Weight
      • Type desired range in pounds (lbs):
      String Material
      Strings
      Body
      Back Wood
      Body Finish
      Body Shape
      Body Type
      Top Wood
      Comfortability
      Decorative Top
        Saddle Material
        Sides Wood
        Neck
        Custom 12th Fret Inlay
          Fret Material
            Fret Size
            Fretboard Radius
            Fretboard Wood
            Headstock
            Inlay Material
            Inlay Position
            Inlay Shape
            Luminescent Sidedots
              Neck Joint
              Neck Profile
              Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
              • Type desired range in inches:
              Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
              • Type desired range in inches:
              Neck Wood
              Number of Frets
              Nut Material
              Nut Width
              Playstyle
              Scale Length
              Electronics
              Bridge Pickups Brand
              Neck Pickups Brand
                Pickup Mods
                  Pickups Power
                  Hardware
                  Hardware Color
                  Strap Lock
                    Tuners Type
                      By Score
                      Build Quality Score
                        Build Quality Score
                      • Type desired score
                      Features Score
                        Features Score
                      • Type desired score
                      Material Quality Score
                        Material Quality Score
                      • Type desired score
                      Pickups Quality Score
                        Pickups Quality Score
                      • Type desired score
                      Playability Score
                        Playability Score
                      • Type desired score
                      Quality Control Score
                        Quality Control Score
                      • Type desired score
                      Sound Score
                        Sound Score
                      • Type desired score
                      Value for Money Score
                        Value for Money Score
                      • Type desired score
                      Versatility Score
                        Versatility Score
                      • Type desired score