Best Grand Auditorium Guitars With Rosewood Back in 2024

Here are the top Grand Auditorium 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 GYM70CESHB

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Alvarez GYM70CESHB
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Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 92
Value for money 69
Overall Score 84
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  • From Alvarez's 2022 Yairi series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.512"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AAA Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
  • Ebony with 12th AA Fret Inlay fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC Element System (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony Direct Coupled bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh 510's Gold with Ebony Buttons tuners
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  • From Alvarez's 2022 Yairi series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.512"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AAA Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
  • Ebony with 12th AA Fret Inlay fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC Element System (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony Direct Coupled bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh 510's Gold with Ebony Buttons tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Alvarez GYM70CESHB
  • 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. Taylor PS14ce Honduran Rosewood

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    Taylor PS14ce Honduran Rosewood
    FIND IT ON:
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    Playability 73
    Sound 88
    Build quality 89
    Value for money 68
    Overall Score 83

    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
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    • 1 Prices - New from $11,999 >
    • From Taylor's 2018 Presentation series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 25.5"'' scale
    • 15" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Sinker Redwood top
    • Solid Honduran Rosewood back
    • Solid Honduran 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
    • Gotoh tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
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    • 1 Prices - New from $11,999 >
    • From Taylor's 2018 Presentation series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 25.5"'' scale
    • 15" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Sinker Redwood top
    • Solid Honduran Rosewood back
    • Solid Honduran 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
    • Gotoh tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Taylor PS14ce Honduran Rosewood
    • Made in United States
    • Expensive Wood
    • Ivory Tusq 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 M-36

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    Martin M-36
    FIND IT ON:
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    Playability 73
    Sound 88
    Build quality 88
    Value for money 68
    Overall Score 83

    What our users think

    • Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (4 votes)
    • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
    • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
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    • 1 Prices - New from $3,499 >
    • From Martin's 1978 Standard series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 25.4"'' scale
    • 16" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
    • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
    • Select Hardwood neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
    • East Indian Rosewood bridge
    • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Chrome Enclosed Gear tuners
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    • 1 Prices - New from $3,499 >
    • From Martin's 1978 Standard series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 25.4"'' scale
    • 16" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
    • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
    • Select Hardwood neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
    • East Indian Rosewood bridge
    • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Chrome Enclosed Gear tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Martin M-36
    • Made in United States
    • Expensive Wood
    • Bone Nut
    • Top Brand Pickups
    • Electronics
    • Compensated 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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    4. Taylor 814ce

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    Taylor 814ce
    FIND IT ON:
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    Playability 73
    Sound 88
    Build quality 85
    Value for money 67
    Overall Score 82

    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:
    Sweetwater logoReverb logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
    • 6 Prices - New from $3,999 >
    • From Taylor's 2013 800 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
    • Smoked Nickel tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 6 Prices - New from $3,999 >
    • From Taylor's 2013 800 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
    • Smoked Nickel tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Taylor 814ce
    • 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. Alvarez FY70CESHB

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    Alvarez FY70CESHB
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logo
    Playability 77
    Sound 85
    Build quality 85
    Value for money 77
    Overall Score 82
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logo
    • 1 Prices - New from $1,999 >
    • From Alvarez's 2022 Yairi series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25"'' scale
    • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid AA Sitka Spruce top
    • East Indian Rosewood back
    • East Indian Rosewood sides
    • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
    • Rosewood/12th Fret Inlay fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
    • Rosewood Direct Coupled bridge
    • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Gotoh Chrome tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 1 Prices - New from $1,999 >
    • From Alvarez's 2022 Yairi series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25"'' scale
    • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid AA Sitka Spruce top
    • East Indian Rosewood back
    • East Indian Rosewood sides
    • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
    • Rosewood/12th Fret Inlay fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
    • Rosewood Direct Coupled bridge
    • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Gotoh Chrome tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Alvarez FY70CESHB
    • 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

    6. Alvarez FY70CE

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    Alvarez FY70CE
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logo
    Playability 77
    Sound 85
    Build quality 85
    Value for money 77
    Overall Score 82
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logo
    • 1 Prices - New from $1,999 >
    • From Alvarez's 2021 Yairi series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25"'' scale
    • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid AA Sitka Spruce top
    • East Indian Rosewood back
    • East Indian Rosewood sides
    • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
    • Rosewood/12th Fret Inlay fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
    • Rosewood Direct Coupled bridge
    • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Gotoh Chrome tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 1 Prices - New from $1,999 >
    • From Alvarez's 2021 Yairi series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25"'' scale
    • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid AA Sitka Spruce top
    • East Indian Rosewood back
    • East Indian Rosewood sides
    • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
    • Rosewood/12th Fret Inlay fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
    • Rosewood Direct Coupled bridge
    • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Gotoh Chrome tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Alvarez FY70CE
    • 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

    7. Taylor 814ce-N

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    Taylor 814ce-N
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logo
    Playability 73
    Sound 88
    Build quality 85
    Value for money 67
    Overall Score 82

    What our users think

    • Neck profile shape: D (8 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (8 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logo
    • 4 Prices - New from $3,999 >
    • From Taylor's 2012 800 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
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: ES-N Electronics (Preamp/Active)
    • Ebony bridge
    • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Classical Nickel tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 4 Prices - New from $3,999 >
    • From Taylor's 2012 800 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
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: ES-N Electronics (Preamp/Active)
    • Ebony bridge
    • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Classical Nickel tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Taylor 814ce-N
    • Made in United States
    • Expensive Wood
    • Ivory Tusq Nut
    • Electronics
    • Ivory Tusq 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. Taylor 414ce-R

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    Taylor 414ce-R
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logo
    Playability 73
    Sound 88
    Build quality 84
    Value for money 72
    Overall Score 82

    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:
    Sweetwater logo
    • 1 Prices - New from $2,999 >
    • From Taylor's 2018 400 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
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 1 Prices - New from $2,999 >
    • From Taylor's 2018 400 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
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Taylor 414ce-R
    • 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

    9. Martin GPC-16E

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    Martin GPC-16E
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logoAmazon logo
    Playability 73
    Sound 88
    Build quality 85
    Value for money 77
    Overall Score 82

    What our users think

    • Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (4 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logoAmazon logo
    • 4 Prices - New from $1,949 >
    • From Martin's 2017 16-17 series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 25.4"'' scale
    • 16" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
    • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
    • Select Hardwood neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT2 (Preamp/Active)
    • Ebony bridge
    • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Nickel Open Gear tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 4 Prices - New from $1,949 >
    • From Martin's 2017 16-17 series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 25.4"'' scale
    • 16" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
    • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
    • Select Hardwood neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT2 (Preamp/Active)
    • Ebony bridge
    • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Nickel Open Gear tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Martin GPC-16E
    • 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

    All Prices

    10. Alvarez GY70CESHB

    Compare
    Alvarez GY70CESHB
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logo
    Playability 73
    Sound 85
    Build quality 84
    Value for money 81
    Overall Score 81
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logo
    • 1 Prices - New from $1,299 >
    • From Alvarez's 2020 Yairi series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25.512"'' scale
    • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid AA Sitka Spruce top
    • East Indian Rosewood back
    • East Indian Rosewood sides
    • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
    • Rosewood/12th Fret Inlay fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
    • Rosewood Direct Coupled bridge
    • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Gotoh Chrome tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 1 Prices - New from $1,299 >
    • From Alvarez's 2020 Yairi series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25.512"'' scale
    • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid AA Sitka Spruce top
    • East Indian Rosewood back
    • East Indian Rosewood sides
    • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
    • Rosewood/12th Fret Inlay fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
    • Rosewood Direct Coupled bridge
    • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Gotoh Chrome tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Alvarez GY70CESHB
    • 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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