Best Grand Auditorium Guitars With Sapele Back in 2026

Here are the top Grand Auditorium 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. Taylor 314ce-N

Compare
Taylor 314ce-N
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 64
Sound 94
Build quality 87
Value for money 66
Overall Score 82

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
  • 1 Prices - New from $2,499 >
  • From Taylor's 2012 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: ES-N Electronics (Preamp/Active)
  • West African Crelicam Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Classical Nickel tuners
  • Side-By-Side Comparison
Show Overview
  • 1 Prices - New from $2,499 >
  • From Taylor's 2012 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: ES-N Electronics (Preamp/Active)
  • West African Crelicam Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Classical Nickel tuners
  • Side-By-Side Comparison
Show All Specs
Taylor 314ce-N Specifications
Taylor 314ce-N
General
Brand: Taylor
Year: 2012
Configuration: N/A
Strings: 6
Made in: United States
Series: 300
Colors: Natural
Left-Handed Version: Yes
Body
Type: Hollowbody
Body Material: Solid Sitka Spruce
Sides Material: Sapele
Back Material: Sapele
Bridge: West African Crelicam Ebony
Neck
Neck Joint: Set
Tuners: Classical Nickel
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: Ivory Tusq
Nut Width: 47.6mm (1.875'')
Electronics
Pickups: ES-N Electronics (Preamp / Active)
Hardware
Strap Lock: No
Hardware Color: Nickel
Strengths & Weaknesses
Taylor 314ce-N
  • 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

All Prices

2. Martin GPC-11E

Compare
Martin GPC-11E
FIND IT ON:
Musician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
Playability 64
Sound 88
Build quality 78
Value for money 77
Overall Score 77

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Easy (3 votes)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (3 votes)
  • Tuning stability: Won't get out of tune (2 votes)
  • Weight: Lightweight (2 votes)
  • Neck profile shape: C (7 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (6 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Musician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
  • 2 Prices - New from $1,099 >
  • 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
  • Chrome Enclosed Gear tuners
  • Side-By-Side Comparison
Show Overview
  • 2 Prices - New from $1,099 >
  • 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
  • Chrome Enclosed Gear tuners
  • Side-By-Side Comparison
Show All Specs
Martin GPC-11E Specifications
Martin GPC-11E
General
Brand: Martin
Year: 2019
Configuration: N/A
Strings: 6
Made in: Mexico
Series: Road
Colors: Natural
Left-Handed Version: Yes
Body
Type: Hollowbody
Body Material: Solid Spruce
Sides Material: Sapele
Back Material: Sapele
Bridge: FSC Certified Richlite
Neck
Neck Joint: Set
Tuners: Chrome Enclosed Gear
Fretboard: FSC Certified Richlite
Neck Material: Select Hardwood
Decoration: Mother-of-Pearl Pattern MOP Pattern Dots- 28 Style Pattern
Scale Size: 25.4"
Shape: Acoustic Performing Artist
Frets: 20 Medium
Fretboard Radius: 16"
Nut: Corian
Nut Width: 44.5mm (1.75'')
Electronics
Pickups: Fishman MX-T (Preamp / Active)
Hardware
Strap Lock: No
Hardware Color: Chrome
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin GPC-11E
  • 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

All Prices

3. Harley Benton EAX-500TL Black

Compare
Harley Benton EAX-500TL Black
FIND IT ON:
Thomann logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 64
Sound 78
Build quality 65
Value for money 94
Overall Score 69
FIND IT ON:
Thomann logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
  • 1 Prices - New from €129 >
  • From Harley Benton's 2022 Standard series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.591"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Okoume neck
  • Purple Heart fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Presys II with built-in tuner (Preamp/Active)
  • Roseacer bridge
  • Acoustic C Shape Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Machine heads Die-cast tuners
  • Side-By-Side Comparison
Show Overview
  • 1 Prices - New from €129 >
  • From Harley Benton's 2022 Standard series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.591"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Okoume neck
  • Purple Heart fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Presys II with built-in tuner (Preamp/Active)
  • Roseacer bridge
  • Acoustic C Shape Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Machine heads Die-cast tuners
  • Side-By-Side Comparison
Show All Specs
Harley Benton EAX-500TL Black Specifications
Harley Benton EAX-500TL Black
General
Brand: Harley Benton
Year: 2022
Configuration: N/A
Strings: 6
Made in: China
Series: Standard
Colors: Black, Natural
Left-Handed Version: No
Body
Type: Hollowbody
Body Material: Spruce
Sides Material: Sapele
Back Material: Sapele
Bridge: Roseacer
Neck
Neck Joint: Set
Tuners: Machine heads Die-cast
Fretboard: Purple Heart
Neck Material: Okoume
Decoration: Dots
Scale Size: 25.591"
Shape: Acoustic C Shape
Frets: 20 Medium
Fretboard Radius: 15.748"
Nut: Bone
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Pickups: Fishman Presys II with built-in tuner (Preamp / Active)
Hardware
Strap Lock: No
Hardware Color: Black
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton EAX-500TL Black
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • Laminated Top Wood
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

4. Ibanez AEG50

Compare
Ibanez AEG50
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 74
Sound 69
Build quality 62
Value for money 85
Overall Score 68

What our users think

  • Tuning stability: Sightly unstable (1 vote)
  • Weight: Very lightweight (1 vote)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
  • 1 Prices - New from $349.99 >
  • From Ibanez's 2021 AEG series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Nyatoh neck
  • Walnut fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Ibanez T-bar II Undersaddle (Preamp/Active)
  • Walnut bridge
  • Acoustic Comfort Grip Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Ibanez tuners
  • Side-By-Side Comparison
Show Overview
  • 1 Prices - New from $349.99 >
  • From Ibanez's 2021 AEG series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Nyatoh neck
  • Walnut fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Ibanez T-bar II Undersaddle (Preamp/Active)
  • Walnut bridge
  • Acoustic Comfort Grip Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Ibanez tuners
  • Side-By-Side Comparison
Show All Specs
Ibanez AEG50 Specifications
Ibanez AEG50
General
Brand: Ibanez
Year: 2021
Configuration: N/A
Strings: 6
Made in: Indonesia
Series: AEG
Colors:
Left-Handed Version: Yes
Body
Type: Hollowbody
Body Material: Spruce
Sides Material: Sapele
Back Material: Sapele
Bridge: Walnut
Neck
Neck Joint: Set
Tuners: Ibanez
Fretboard: Walnut
Neck Material: Nyatoh
Decoration: White dot inlay
Scale Size: 25"
Shape: Acoustic Comfort Grip
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.827'' (21mm)
Frets: 20 Medium
Fretboard Radius: 15.748"
Nut: Plastic
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Pickups: Ibanez T-bar II Undersaddle (Preamp / Active)
Hardware
Strap Lock: No
Hardware Color: Black & Chrome
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez AEG50
  • 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

5. Taylor 314ce

Compare
Taylor 314ce
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 64
Sound 88
Build quality 85
Value for money 63
Overall Score 79

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 2013 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
  • Side-By-Side Comparison
Show Overview
  • From Taylor's 2013 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
  • Side-By-Side Comparison
Show All Specs
Taylor 314ce Specifications
Taylor 314ce
General
Brand: Taylor
Year: 2013
Configuration: N/A
Strings: 6
Made in: United States
Series: 300
Colors: Natural
Left-Handed Version: Yes
Body
Type: Hollowbody
Body Material: Solid Sitka Spruce
Sides Material: Sapele
Back Material: Sapele
Bridge: West African Crelicam Ebony
Neck
Neck Joint: Set
Tuners: Taylor Nickel
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: Graphite
Nut Width: 44.5mm (1.75'')
Electronics
Pickups: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp / Active)
Hardware
Strap Lock: No
Hardware Color: Nickel
Strengths & Weaknesses
Taylor 314ce
  • 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

    6. Ibanez AEG62

    Compare
    Ibanez AEG62
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
    Playability 74
    Sound 69
    Build quality 62
    Value for money 85
    Overall Score 68

    What our users think

    • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
    • 3 Prices - New from $349.99 >
    • From Ibanez's 2021 AEG series
    • Made in Indonesia
    • 6 strings
    • 25"'' scale
    • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
    • Sapele top
    • Sapele back
    • Sapele sides
    • Nyatoh neck
    • Walnut fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Ibanez T-bar II Undersaddle (Preamp/Active)
    • Walnut bridge
    • Acoustic Comfort Grip Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Ibanez tuners
    • Side-By-Side Comparison
    Show Overview
    • 3 Prices - New from $349.99 >
    • From Ibanez's 2021 AEG series
    • Made in Indonesia
    • 6 strings
    • 25"'' scale
    • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
    • Sapele top
    • Sapele back
    • Sapele sides
    • Nyatoh neck
    • Walnut fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Ibanez T-bar II Undersaddle (Preamp/Active)
    • Walnut bridge
    • Acoustic Comfort Grip Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Ibanez tuners
    • Side-By-Side Comparison
    Show All Specs
    Ibanez AEG62 Specifications
    Ibanez AEG62
    General
    Brand: Ibanez
    Year: 2021
    Configuration: N/A
    Strings: 6
    Made in: Indonesia
    Series: AEG
    Colors:
    Left-Handed Version: No
    Body
    Type: Hollowbody
    Body Material: Sapele
    Sides Material: Sapele
    Back Material: Sapele
    Bridge: Walnut
    Neck
    Neck Joint: Set
    Tuners: Ibanez
    Fretboard: Walnut
    Neck Material: Nyatoh
    Decoration: Specially designed inlay
    Scale Size: 25"
    Shape: Acoustic Comfort Grip
    Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.827'' (21mm)
    Frets: 20 Medium
    Fretboard Radius: 15.748"
    Nut: Plastic
    Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'')
    Electronics
    Pickups: Ibanez T-bar II Undersaddle (Preamp / Active)
    Hardware
    Strap Lock: No
    Hardware Color: Black & Chrome
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Ibanez AEG62
    • 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

    7. Ibanez AEG70

    Compare
    Ibanez AEG70
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
    Playability 74
    Sound 69
    Build quality 63
    Value for money 85
    Overall Score 68

    What our users think

    • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
    • 2 Prices - New from $429.99 >
    • From Ibanez's 2021 AEG series
    • Made in Indonesia
    • 6 strings
    • 25"'' scale
    • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
    • Flamed Maple top
    • Flamed Maple top
    • Sapele back
    • Sapele sides
    • Nyatoh neck
    • Walnut fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Ibanez T-bar II Undersaddle (Preamp/Active)
    • Walnut bridge
    • Acoustic Comfort Grip Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Ibanez tuners
    • Side-By-Side Comparison
    Show Overview
    • 2 Prices - New from $429.99 >
    • From Ibanez's 2021 AEG series
    • Made in Indonesia
    • 6 strings
    • 25"'' scale
    • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
    • Flamed Maple top
    • Flamed Maple top
    • Sapele back
    • Sapele sides
    • Nyatoh neck
    • Walnut fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Ibanez T-bar II Undersaddle (Preamp/Active)
    • Walnut bridge
    • Acoustic Comfort Grip Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Ibanez tuners
    • Side-By-Side Comparison
    Show All Specs
    Ibanez AEG70 Specifications
    Ibanez AEG70
    General
    Brand: Ibanez
    Year: 2021
    Configuration: N/A
    Strings: 6
    Made in: Indonesia
    Series: AEG
    Colors:
    Left-Handed Version: Yes
    Body
    Top: Flamed Maple
    Type: Hollowbody
    Body Material: Flamed Maple
    Sides Material: Sapele
    Back Material: Sapele
    Bridge: Walnut
    Neck
    Neck Joint: Set
    Tuners: Ibanez
    Fretboard: Walnut
    Neck Material: Nyatoh
    Decoration: White dot inlay
    Scale Size: 25"
    Shape: Acoustic Comfort Grip
    Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.827'' (21mm)
    Frets: 20 Medium
    Fretboard Radius: 15.748"
    Nut: Plastic
    Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'')
    Electronics
    Pickups: Ibanez T-bar II Undersaddle (Preamp / Active)
    Hardware
    Strap Lock: No
    Hardware Color: Chrome
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Ibanez AEG70
    • Expensive Wood
    • Electronics
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • Made in Indonesia
    • 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

    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
                CLEAR