Best Dreadnought Guitars With Black Tusq XL Nut in 2026

Here are the top Dreadnought style guitars with Black Tusq XL nut. It's not made of plastic or low-quality materials. They're made to resemble the sound you get from bone and ivory nuts, but with slippery materials so the intonation and tuning are stable. Also, each nut is carefully cut to ensure you won't have tune stabilization problems.

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. Taylor Builder's Edition 717e

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Taylor Builder's Edition 717e
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Playability 64
Sound 94
Build quality 88
Value for money 58
Overall Score 82

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (12 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (11 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (10 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (9 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
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  • 2 Prices - New from $3,499 >
  • From Taylor's 2019 700 series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid Indian Rosewood sides
  • Tropical Mahogany neck
  • West African Crelicam Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
  • West African Crelicam Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Taylor Nickel tuners
  • Side-By-Side Comparison
Show Overview
  • 2 Prices - New from $3,499 >
  • From Taylor's 2019 700 series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid Indian Rosewood sides
  • Tropical Mahogany neck
  • West African Crelicam Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
  • West African Crelicam Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Taylor Nickel tuners
  • Side-By-Side Comparison
Show All Specs
Taylor Builder's Edition 717e Specifications
Taylor Builder's Edition 717e
General
Brand: Taylor
Year: 2019
Configuration: N/A
Strings: 6
Made in: United States
Series: 700
Colors: Natural
Left-Handed Version: Yes
Body
Type: Hollowbody
Body Material: Solid Sitka Spruce
Sides Material: Rosewood
Back Material: Rosewood
Bridge: West African Crelicam Ebony
Neck
Neck Joint: Set
Tuners: Taylor Nickel
Fretboard: West African Crelicam Ebony
Neck Material: Tropical Mahogany
Decoration: Arrowheads, Mother of Pearl
Scale Size: 25.5"
Shape: Acoustic Taylor Standard
Frets: 20 Medium
Fretboard Radius: 15"
Nut: Black Tusq XL
Nut Width: 44.5mm (1.75'')
Electronics
Pickups: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp / Active)
Hardware
Strap Lock: No
Hardware Color: Nickel
Strengths & Weaknesses
Taylor Builder's Edition 717e
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Electronics
  • Synthetic Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

2. Taylor AD27e

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Taylor AD27e
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Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 64
Sound 94
Build quality 87
Value for money 74
Overall Score 82

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (12 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (11 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (10 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (9 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
  • From Taylor's 2020 The American Dream series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Tropical Mahogany top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Solid Sapele sides
  • Tropical Mahogany neck
  • Eucalyptus fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
  • Eucalyptus bridge
  • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Taylor Nickel tuners
  • Side-By-Side Comparison
Show Overview
  • From Taylor's 2020 The American Dream series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Tropical Mahogany top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Solid Sapele sides
  • Tropical Mahogany neck
  • Eucalyptus fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
  • Eucalyptus bridge
  • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Taylor Nickel tuners
  • Side-By-Side Comparison
Show All Specs
Taylor AD27e Specifications
Taylor AD27e
General
Brand: Taylor
Year: 2020
Configuration: N/A
Strings: 6
Made in: United States
Series: The American Dream
Colors: Natural
Left-Handed Version: Yes
Body
Type: Hollowbody
Body Material: Solid Tropical Mahogany
Sides Material: Sapele
Back Material: Sapele
Bridge: Eucalyptus
Neck
Neck Joint: Set
Tuners: Taylor Nickel
Fretboard: Eucalyptus
Neck Material: Tropical Mahogany
Decoration: 4mm Dot Italian Acrylic
Scale Size: 25.5"
Shape: Acoustic Taylor Standard
Frets: 20 Medium
Fretboard Radius: 15"
Nut: Black Tusq XL
Nut Width: 44.5mm (1.75'')
Electronics
Pickups: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp / Active)
Hardware
Strap Lock: No
Hardware Color: Nickel
Strengths & Weaknesses
Taylor AD27e
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Electronics
  • Synthetic Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

    3. Taylor AD17e Blacktop

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    Taylor AD17e Blacktop
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
    Playability 64
    Sound 94
    Build quality 87
    Value for money 74
    Overall Score 82

    What our users think

    • Neck profile shape: D (12 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (11 votes)
    • Pickups noise: Noiseless (10 votes)
    • Pickups power: Clean (9 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
    • From Taylor's 2020 The American Dream series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 25.5"'' scale
    • 15" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Sitka Spruce top
    • Solid Walnut back
    • Solid Walnut sides
    • Tropical Mahogany neck
    • Eucalyptus fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
    • Eucalyptus bridge
    • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Taylor Nickel tuners
    • Side-By-Side Comparison
    Show Overview
    • From Taylor's 2020 The American Dream series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 25.5"'' scale
    • 15" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Sitka Spruce top
    • Solid Walnut back
    • Solid Walnut sides
    • Tropical Mahogany neck
    • Eucalyptus fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
    • Eucalyptus bridge
    • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Taylor Nickel tuners
    • Side-By-Side Comparison
    Show All Specs
    Taylor AD17e Blacktop Specifications
    Taylor AD17e Blacktop
    General
    Brand: Taylor
    Year: 2020
    Configuration: N/A
    Strings: 6
    Made in: United States
    Series: The American Dream
    Colors: Natural
    Left-Handed Version: Yes
    Body
    Type: Hollowbody
    Body Material: Solid Sitka Spruce
    Sides Material: Walnut
    Back Material: Walnut
    Bridge: Eucalyptus
    Neck
    Neck Joint: Set
    Tuners: Taylor Nickel
    Fretboard: Eucalyptus
    Neck Material: Tropical Mahogany
    Decoration: 4mm Dot Italian Acrylic
    Scale Size: 25.5"
    Shape: Acoustic Taylor Standard
    Frets: 20 Medium
    Fretboard Radius: 15"
    Nut: Black Tusq XL
    Nut Width: 44.5mm (1.75'')
    Electronics
    Pickups: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp / Active)
    Hardware
    Strap Lock: No
    Hardware Color: Nickel
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Taylor AD17e Blacktop
    • Made in United States
    • Expensive Wood
    • Black Tusq XL Nut
    • Electronics
    • Synthetic Bone Saddle
    • Solid Top Wood
    • Solid Side Wood
    • Solid Back Wood
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • No Top Brand Pickups
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock

    All Prices

      4. Taylor AD17e

      Compare
      Taylor AD17e
      FIND IT ON:
      Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
      Playability 64
      Sound 94
      Build quality 87
      Value for money 74
      Overall Score 82

      What our users think

      • Neck profile shape: D (12 votes)
      • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (11 votes)
      • Pickups noise: Noiseless (10 votes)
      • Pickups power: Clean (9 votes)
      Own it? Share your opinion
      FIND IT ON:
      Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
      • From Taylor's 2020 The American Dream series
      • Made in United States
      • 6 strings
      • 25.5"'' scale
      • 15" Fretboard Radius
      • Solid Sitka Spruce top
      • Solid Ovangkol back
      • Solid Ovangkol sides
      • Tropical Mahogany neck
      • Eucalyptus fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
      • Eucalyptus bridge
      • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
      • 20 Medium frets
      • Taylor Nickel tuners
      • Side-By-Side Comparison
      Show Overview
      • From Taylor's 2020 The American Dream series
      • Made in United States
      • 6 strings
      • 25.5"'' scale
      • 15" Fretboard Radius
      • Solid Sitka Spruce top
      • Solid Ovangkol back
      • Solid Ovangkol sides
      • Tropical Mahogany neck
      • Eucalyptus fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
      • Eucalyptus bridge
      • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
      • 20 Medium frets
      • Taylor Nickel tuners
      • Side-By-Side Comparison
      Show All Specs
      Taylor AD17e Specifications
      Taylor AD17e
      General
      Brand: Taylor
      Year: 2020
      Configuration: N/A
      Strings: 6
      Made in: United States
      Series: The American Dream
      Colors: Natural
      Left-Handed Version: Yes
      Body
      Type: Hollowbody
      Body Material: Solid Sitka Spruce
      Sides Material: Ovangkol
      Back Material: Ovangkol
      Bridge: Eucalyptus
      Neck
      Neck Joint: Set
      Tuners: Taylor Nickel
      Fretboard: Eucalyptus
      Neck Material: Tropical Mahogany
      Decoration: 4mm Dot Italian Acrylic
      Scale Size: 25.5"
      Shape: Acoustic Taylor Standard
      Frets: 20 Medium
      Fretboard Radius: 15"
      Nut: Black Tusq XL
      Nut Width: 44.5mm (1.75'')
      Electronics
      Pickups: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp / Active)
      Hardware
      Strap Lock: No
      Hardware Color: Nickel
      Strengths & Weaknesses
      Taylor AD17e
      • Made in United States
      • Expensive Wood
      • Black Tusq XL Nut
      • Electronics
      • Synthetic Bone Saddle
      • Solid Top Wood
      • Solid Side Wood
      • Solid Back Wood
      • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
      • No Locking Tuners
      • No Top Brand Pickups
      • No Compound Radius Fretboard
      • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
      • No Strap Lock

      All Prices

        5. Taylor 327e

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        Taylor 327e
        FIND IT ON:
        Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
        Playability 64
        Sound 94
        Build quality 88
        Value for money 66
        Overall Score 82

        What our users think

        • Neck profile shape: D (12 votes)
        • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (11 votes)
        • Pickups noise: Noiseless (10 votes)
        • Pickups power: Clean (9 votes)
        Own it? Share your opinion
        FIND IT ON:
        Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
        • From Taylor's 2019 300 series
        • Made in United States
        • 6 strings
        • 25.5"'' scale
        • 15" Fretboard Radius
        • Solid Tropical Mahogany top
        • Solid Tropical Mahogany back
        • Solid Tropical Mahogany sides
        • Tropical Mahogany neck
        • West African Crelicam Ebony fretboard
        • Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
        • West African Crelicam Ebony bridge
        • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
        • 20 Medium frets
        • Satin Black tuners
        • Side-By-Side Comparison
        Show Overview
        • From Taylor's 2019 300 series
        • Made in United States
        • 6 strings
        • 25.5"'' scale
        • 15" Fretboard Radius
        • Solid Tropical Mahogany top
        • Solid Tropical Mahogany back
        • Solid Tropical Mahogany sides
        • Tropical Mahogany neck
        • West African Crelicam Ebony fretboard
        • Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
        • West African Crelicam Ebony bridge
        • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
        • 20 Medium frets
        • Satin Black tuners
        • Side-By-Side Comparison
        Show All Specs
        Taylor 327e Specifications
        Taylor 327e
        General
        Brand: Taylor
        Year: 2019
        Configuration: N/A
        Strings: 6
        Made in: United States
        Series: 300
        Colors: Natural
        Left-Handed Version: Yes
        Body
        Type: Hollowbody
        Body Material: Solid Tropical Mahogany
        Sides Material: Mahogany
        Back Material: Mahogany
        Bridge: West African Crelicam Ebony
        Neck
        Neck Joint: Set
        Tuners: Satin Black
        Fretboard: West African Crelicam Ebony
        Neck Material: Tropical Mahogany
        Decoration: Gemstone, Italian Acrylic
        Scale Size: 25.5"
        Shape: Acoustic Taylor Standard
        Frets: 20 Medium
        Fretboard Radius: 15"
        Nut: Black Tusq XL
        Nut Width: 44.5mm (1.75'')
        Electronics
        Pickups: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp / Active)
        Hardware
        Strap Lock: No
        Hardware Color: Black
        Strengths & Weaknesses
        Taylor 327e
        • Made in United States
        • Expensive Wood
        • Black Tusq XL Nut
        • Electronics
        • Synthetic Bone Saddle
        • Solid Top Wood
        • Solid Side Wood
        • Solid Back Wood
        • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
        • No Locking Tuners
        • No Top Brand Pickups
        • No Compound Radius Fretboard
        • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
        • No Strap Lock

        All Prices

          6. Taylor AD17 Blacktop

          Compare
          Taylor AD17 Blacktop
          FIND IT ON:
          Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
          Playability 64
          Sound 84
          Build quality 82
          Value for money 69
          Overall Score 77

          What our users think

          • Neck profile shape: D (12 votes)
          • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (11 votes)
          Own it? Share your opinion
          FIND IT ON:
          Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
          • From Taylor's 2020 The American Dream series
          • Made in United States
          • 6 strings
          • 25.5"'' scale
          • 15" Fretboard Radius
          • Solid Sitka Spruce top
          • Solid Walnut back
          • Solid Walnut sides
          • Tropical Mahogany neck
          • Eucalyptus fretboard
          • Bridge pickup: (/)
          • Eucalyptus bridge
          • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
          • 20 Medium frets
          • Taylor Nickel tuners
          • Side-By-Side Comparison
          Show Overview
          • From Taylor's 2020 The American Dream series
          • Made in United States
          • 6 strings
          • 25.5"'' scale
          • 15" Fretboard Radius
          • Solid Sitka Spruce top
          • Solid Walnut back
          • Solid Walnut sides
          • Tropical Mahogany neck
          • Eucalyptus fretboard
          • Bridge pickup: (/)
          • Eucalyptus bridge
          • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
          • 20 Medium frets
          • Taylor Nickel tuners
          • Side-By-Side Comparison
          Show All Specs
          Taylor AD17 Blacktop Specifications
          Taylor AD17 Blacktop
          General
          Brand: Taylor
          Year: 2020
          Configuration: N/A
          Strings: 6
          Made in: United States
          Series: The American Dream
          Colors: Natural
          Left-Handed Version: Yes
          Body
          Type: Hollowbody
          Body Material: Solid Sitka Spruce
          Sides Material: Walnut
          Back Material: Walnut
          Bridge: Eucalyptus
          Neck
          Neck Joint: Set
          Tuners: Taylor Nickel
          Fretboard: Eucalyptus
          Neck Material: Tropical Mahogany
          Decoration: 4mm Dots Faux Pearl
          Scale Size: 25.5"
          Shape: Acoustic Taylor Standard
          Frets: 20 Medium
          Fretboard Radius: 15"
          Nut: Black Tusq XL
          Nut Width: 44.5mm (1.75'')
          Electronics
          Pickups: ( / )
          Hardware
          Strap Lock: No
          Hardware Color: Nickel
          Strengths & Weaknesses
          Taylor AD17 Blacktop
          • Made in United States
          • Expensive Wood
          • Black Tusq XL Nut
          • Synthetic 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

            7. Taylor AD17

            Compare
            Taylor AD17
            FIND IT ON:
            Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
            Playability 64
            Sound 84
            Build quality 81
            Value for money 77
            Overall Score 76

            What our users think

            • Neck profile shape: D (12 votes)
            • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (11 votes)
            Own it? Share your opinion
            FIND IT ON:
            Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
            • From Taylor's 2020 The American Dream series
            • Made in United States
            • 6 strings
            • 25.5"'' scale
            • 15" Fretboard Radius
            • Solid Sitka Spruce top
            • Solid Ovangkol back
            • Solid Ovangkol sides
            • Tropical Mahogany neck
            • Eucalyptus fretboard
            • Bridge pickup: (/)
            • Eucalyptus bridge
            • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
            • 20 Medium frets
            • Taylor Nickel tuners
            • Side-By-Side Comparison
            Show Overview
            • From Taylor's 2020 The American Dream series
            • Made in United States
            • 6 strings
            • 25.5"'' scale
            • 15" Fretboard Radius
            • Solid Sitka Spruce top
            • Solid Ovangkol back
            • Solid Ovangkol sides
            • Tropical Mahogany neck
            • Eucalyptus fretboard
            • Bridge pickup: (/)
            • Eucalyptus bridge
            • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
            • 20 Medium frets
            • Taylor Nickel tuners
            • Side-By-Side Comparison
            Show All Specs
            Taylor AD17 Specifications
            Taylor AD17
            General
            Brand: Taylor
            Year: 2020
            Configuration: N/A
            Strings: 6
            Made in: United States
            Series: The American Dream
            Colors: Natural
            Left-Handed Version: Yes
            Body
            Type: Hollowbody
            Body Material: Solid Sitka Spruce
            Sides Material: Ovangkol
            Back Material: Ovangkol
            Bridge: Eucalyptus
            Neck
            Neck Joint: Set
            Tuners: Taylor Nickel
            Fretboard: Eucalyptus
            Neck Material: Tropical Mahogany
            Decoration: 4mm Dot Italian Acrylic
            Scale Size: 25.5"
            Shape: Acoustic Taylor Standard
            Frets: 20 Medium
            Fretboard Radius: 15"
            Nut: Black Tusq XL
            Nut Width: 44.5mm (1.75'')
            Electronics
            Pickups: ( / )
            Hardware
            Strap Lock: No
            Hardware Color: Nickel
            Strengths & Weaknesses
            Taylor AD17
            • Made in United States
            • Expensive Wood
            • Black Tusq XL Nut
            • Synthetic 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

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