Best Ebony Fretboard Classical Guitars in 2024

Here you'll find the best Ebony fretboard Classical style guitars. This is one of the most expensive woods there is, which is why it's mostly used for fretboards. It is dense, heavy, highly resistant and comes in a really dark color that gives any guitar a classy touch. Tone wise, it helps the high side of the spectrum and provides good sustain.

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
FIND IT ON:
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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)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • 4 Prices - New from $2,199 >
  • 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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  • 4 Prices - New from $2,199 >
  • 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
  • See all specs and compare >
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 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
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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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    3. 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:
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    • 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

      4. Yamaha NCX5

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      Yamaha NCX5
      FIND IT ON:
      Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
      Playability 73
      Sound 86
      Build quality 82
      Value for money 75
      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 logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
      • 4 Prices - New from $1,999.99 >
      • From Yamaha's 2020 NX series
      • Made in Japan
      • 6 strings
      • 25.6"'' scale
      • Flat Fretboard Radius
      • Solid European Spruce top
      • Solid Walnut back
      • Solid Walnut sides
      • African Mahogany neck
      • Ebony fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: Atmosfeel (Undersaddle Pickup + Contact Sensor + Mic) (Preamp/Active)
      • Ebony + Walnut bridge
      • Acoustic C Set neck
      • 20 Medium frets
      • Gold w/ Black Shaft (35G1800-BB) tuners
      • See all specs and compare >
      Show all Specs
      • 4 Prices - New from $1,999.99 >
      • From Yamaha's 2020 NX series
      • Made in Japan
      • 6 strings
      • 25.6"'' scale
      • Flat Fretboard Radius
      • Solid European Spruce top
      • Solid Walnut back
      • Solid Walnut sides
      • African Mahogany neck
      • Ebony fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: Atmosfeel (Undersaddle Pickup + Contact Sensor + Mic) (Preamp/Active)
      • Ebony + Walnut bridge
      • Acoustic C Set neck
      • 20 Medium frets
      • Gold w/ Black Shaft (35G1800-BB) tuners
      • See all specs and compare >
      Strengths & Weaknesses
      Yamaha NCX5
      • Made in Japan
      • Expensive Wood
      • Bone Nut
      • Electronics
      • 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. 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:
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      • 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 NTX5

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          Yamaha NTX5
          FIND IT ON:
          Sweetwater logoReverb logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
          Playability 73
          Sound 86
          Build quality 82
          Value for money 75
          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 logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
          • 5 Prices - New from $1,999.99 >
          • From Yamaha's 2020 NX series
          • Made in Japan
          • 6 strings
          • 25.6"'' scale
          • 23.622" Fretboard Radius
          • Solid European Spruce top
          • Solid Walnut back
          • Solid Walnut sides
          • African Mahogany neck
          • Ebony fretboard
          • Bridge pickup: Atmosfeel (Undersaddle Pickup + Contact Sensor + Mic) (Preamp/Active)
          • Ebony + Walnut bridge
          • Acoustic C Set neck
          • 20 Medium frets
          • Gold w/ Black Shaft (35G1800-BB) tuners
          • See all specs and compare >
          Show all Specs
          • 5 Prices - New from $1,999.99 >
          • From Yamaha's 2020 NX series
          • Made in Japan
          • 6 strings
          • 25.6"'' scale
          • 23.622" Fretboard Radius
          • Solid European Spruce top
          • Solid Walnut back
          • Solid Walnut sides
          • African Mahogany neck
          • Ebony fretboard
          • Bridge pickup: Atmosfeel (Undersaddle Pickup + Contact Sensor + Mic) (Preamp/Active)
          • Ebony + Walnut bridge
          • Acoustic C Set neck
          • 20 Medium frets
          • Gold w/ Black Shaft (35G1800-BB) tuners
          • See all specs and compare >
          Strengths & Weaknesses
          Yamaha NTX5
          • Made in Japan
          • Expensive Wood
          • Bone Nut
          • Electronics
          • 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

          8. 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

          All Prices

          9. 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

          10. 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

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