Best Dreadnought Guitars With Sapele Back in 2024

Here are the top Dreadnought style guitars with Sapele back. 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 CRN-TS1

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Takamine CRN-TS1
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Playability 80
Sound 86
Build quality 82
Value for money 83
Overall Score 83

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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  • 1 Prices - Used from $1,899.99 >
  • From Takamine's 2019 TT series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.8"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Thermal Spruce top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ovangkol fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
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  • 1 Prices - Used from $1,899.99 >
  • From Takamine's 2019 TT series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.8"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Thermal Spruce top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ovangkol fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine CRN-TS1
  • 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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2. Taylor AD27e

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Taylor AD27e
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Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 82
Value for money 76
Overall Score 81

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (8 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (8 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (7 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (6 votes)
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  • 1 Prices - New from $1,999 >
  • 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
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  • 1 Prices - New from $1,999 >
  • 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
  • See all specs and compare >
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

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3. Martin D-12E

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Martin D-12E
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Playability 73
Sound 86
Build quality 76
Value for money 78
Overall Score 78

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (3 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (3 votes)
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  • 6 Prices - New from $1,349 >
  • From Martin's 2019 Road series
  • Made in Mexico
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Solid Sapele sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • FSC Certified Richlite fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman MX-T (Preamp/Active)
  • FSC Certified Richlite bridge
  • Acoustic Performing Artist Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Nickel Open Gear tuners
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  • 6 Prices - New from $1,349 >
  • From Martin's 2019 Road series
  • Made in Mexico
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Solid Sapele sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • FSC Certified Richlite fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman MX-T (Preamp/Active)
  • FSC Certified Richlite bridge
  • Acoustic Performing Artist Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Nickel Open Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin D-12E
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Mexico
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • Low-Quality Material Saddle
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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4. Ibanez AAD50CE

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Ibanez AAD50CE
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Playability 73
Sound 83
Build quality 64
Value for money 83
Overall Score 73
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  • 4 Prices - New from $205.99 >
  • From Ibanez's 2021 Advanced Acoustic series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Okoume neck
  • Purpleheart fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Ibanez T-bar Undersaddle (Preamp/Active)
  • Purpleheart bridge
  • Acoustic AAD Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Ibanez tuners
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  • 4 Prices - New from $205.99 >
  • From Ibanez's 2021 Advanced Acoustic series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Okoume neck
  • Purpleheart fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Ibanez T-bar Undersaddle (Preamp/Active)
  • Purpleheart bridge
  • Acoustic AAD Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Ibanez tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez AAD50CE
  • Electronics
  • Solid Top Wood
  • 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 Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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5. Harley Benton CLD-10SCE BK

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Harley Benton CLD-10SCE BK
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Thomann logo
Playability 73
Sound 80
Build quality 64
Value for money 82
Overall Score 72
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Thomann logo
  • 1 Prices - New from €239 >
  • From Harley Benton's 2020 Custom Line series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Okoume neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Presys-II preamp with built-in tuner (Preamp/Active)
  • Pau Ferro bridge
  • Acoustic C Shape Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome-plated die-cast machine heads tuners
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  • 1 Prices - New from €239 >
  • From Harley Benton's 2020 Custom Line series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Okoume neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Presys-II preamp with built-in tuner (Preamp/Active)
  • Pau Ferro bridge
  • Acoustic C Shape Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome-plated die-cast machine heads tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton CLD-10SCE BK
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • 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

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6. Takamine P4DC

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Takamine P4DC
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Sweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 86
Build quality 84
Value for money 77
Overall Score 82

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Easy (1 vote)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
  • Tuning stability: Won't get out of tune (1 vote)
  • Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
  • 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
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  • From Takamine's 2013 Pro Series 4 series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
  • Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine Gold tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • From Takamine's 2013 Pro Series 4 series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
  • Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine Gold tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine P4DC
  • 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

    7. Takamine P3DC-12

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    Takamine P3DC-12
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logo
    Playability 77
    Sound 86
    Build quality 84
    Value for money 77
    Overall Score 82

    What our users think

    • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (3 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
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    • From Takamine's 2017 Pro Series 3 series
    • Made in Japan
    • 12 strings
    • 25.4"'' 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
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • From Takamine's 2017 Pro Series 3 series
    • Made in Japan
    • 12 strings
    • 25.4"'' 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
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Takamine P3DC-12
    • 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

      8. Takamine P3D

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      Takamine P3D
      FIND IT ON:
      Amazon logoSweetwater logo
      Playability 77
      Sound 86
      Build quality 84
      Value for money 77
      Overall Score 82

      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
      • 1 Prices - New from $1,799 >
      • From Takamine's 2015 Pro Series 3 series
      • Made in Japan
      • 6 strings
      • 25.4"'' 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
      • See all specs and compare >
      Show all Specs
      • 1 Prices - New from $1,799 >
      • From Takamine's 2015 Pro Series 3 series
      • Made in Japan
      • 6 strings
      • 25.4"'' 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
      • See all specs and compare >
      Strengths & Weaknesses
      Takamine P3D
      • 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

      9. Takamine P3DC

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      Takamine P3DC
      FIND IT ON:
      Sweetwater logo
      Playability 77
      Sound 86
      Build quality 84
      Value for money 77
      Overall Score 82

      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
      • 1 Prices - New from $1,799 >
      • From Takamine's 2019 Pro Series 3 series
      • Made in Japan
      • 6 strings
      • 25.4"'' scale
      • 12" Fretboard Radius
      • Solid Cedar top
      • Solid Sapele back
      • Sapele sides
      • Mahogany neck
      • Rosewood fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
      • Rosewood bridge
      • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
      • 20 Medium frets
      • Takamine Gold tuners
      • See all specs and compare >
      Show all Specs
      • 1 Prices - New from $1,799 >
      • From Takamine's 2019 Pro Series 3 series
      • Made in Japan
      • 6 strings
      • 25.4"'' scale
      • 12" Fretboard Radius
      • Solid Cedar top
      • Solid Sapele back
      • Sapele sides
      • Mahogany neck
      • Rosewood fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
      • Rosewood bridge
      • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
      • 20 Medium frets
      • Takamine Gold tuners
      • See all specs and compare >
      Strengths & Weaknesses
      Takamine P3DC
      • 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

      10. Taylor 317e

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      Taylor 317e
      FIND IT ON:
      Amazon logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
      Playability 73
      Sound 86
      Build quality 80
      Value for money 70
      Overall Score 80

      What our users think

      • Neck profile shape: D (8 votes)
      • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (8 votes)
      • Pickups noise: Noiseless (7 votes)
      • Pickups power: Clean (6 votes)
      Own it? Share your opinion
      FIND IT ON:
      Amazon logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
      • 4 Prices - New from $2,199 >
      • From Taylor's 2019 300 series
      • Made in United States
      • 6 strings
      • 25.5"'' scale
      • 15" Fretboard Radius
      • Solid Sitka Spruce top
      • Solid Sapele back
      • Solid Sapele 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
      • See all specs and compare >
      Show all Specs
      • 4 Prices - New from $2,199 >
      • From Taylor's 2019 300 series
      • Made in United States
      • 6 strings
      • 25.5"'' scale
      • 15" Fretboard Radius
      • Solid Sitka Spruce top
      • Solid Sapele back
      • Solid Sapele 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
      • See all specs and compare >
      Strengths & Weaknesses
      Taylor 317e
      • Made in United States
      • Expensive Wood
      • Electronics
      • Solid Top Wood
      • Solid Side Wood
      • Solid Back Wood
      • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
      • No Locking Tuners
      • No High-Quality Nut
      • No Top Brand Pickups
      • Low-Quality Material Saddle
      • No Compound Radius Fretboard
      • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
      • No Strap Lock

      All Prices

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