Best Koa Top Acoustic Guitars in 2024

Here you'll find the best Koa top acoustic guitars. It's a type of wood native to the Hawaiian Islands, where it's pretty common. Its musical properties make it a great wood for making guitars, but it's especially popular for building Ukuleles.

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 GT K21e

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Taylor GT K21e
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Playability 82
Sound 86
Build quality 89
Value for money 71
Overall Score 86

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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  • From Taylor's 2021 Koa series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.125"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa top
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa back
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa 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
  • Compare Specs >
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  • From Taylor's 2021 Koa series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.125"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa top
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa back
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa 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
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Taylor GT K21e
  • 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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2. Cort OM-LE KA

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Cort OM-LE KA
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Playability 73
Sound 86
Build quality 85
Value for money 66
Overall Score 81
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  • From Cort's 2018 Limited series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.3"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa (Master Grade) top
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa (Master Grade) back
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa (Master Grade) sides
  • Walnut Reinforced Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: L.R.Baggs Anthem (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony w/ Ebony Pins bridge
  • Acoustic Cort Neck Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh tuners
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  • From Cort's 2018 Limited series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.3"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa (Master Grade) top
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa (Master Grade) back
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa (Master Grade) sides
  • Walnut Reinforced Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: L.R.Baggs Anthem (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony w/ Ebony Pins bridge
  • Acoustic Cort Neck Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Cort OM-LE KA
  • 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
  • Made in China
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

3. Takamine TSP178ACK

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Takamine TSP178ACK
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Playability 80
Sound 81
Build quality 80
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
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  • From Takamine's 2019 Thinline series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.8"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Arched Koa top
  • Arched Koa back
  • Koa sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT-3N (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
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  • From Takamine's 2019 Thinline series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.8"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Arched Koa top
  • Arched Koa back
  • Koa sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT-3N (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine TSP178ACK
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • 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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4. Harley Benton CLD-15CE Koa Exotic

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Harley Benton CLD-15CE Koa Exotic
FIND IT ON:
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Playability 73
Sound 85
Build quality 70
Value for money 86
Overall Score 76
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  • From Harley Benton's 2021 Custom Line series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.315"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Koa solid top
  • Mahogany back
  • Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Sonicore with Fishman Presys II preamp (Preamp/Active)
  • Pau Ferro bridge
  • Acoustic C Shape Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Black DieCast machine heads with Mushroom buttons tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Harley Benton's 2021 Custom Line series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.315"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Koa solid top
  • Mahogany back
  • Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Sonicore with Fishman Presys II preamp (Preamp/Active)
  • Pau Ferro bridge
  • Acoustic C Shape Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Black DieCast machine heads with Mushroom buttons tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton CLD-15CE Koa Exotic
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Plastic Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

5. Washburn G55CE Koa

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Washburn G55CE Koa
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logo
Playability 73
Sound 83
Build quality 69
Value for money 80
Overall Score 75
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  • From Washburn's 2021 Comfort series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.31"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Koa top
  • Koa back
  • Koa sides
  • Satin Mahogany with 2 way Truss Rod neck
  • Ovangkol fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Presys+ 501T w/tuner (Preamp/Active)
  • Mahogany Bound Ovangkol bridge
  • Acoustic Washburn Comfort Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • 18:1 Black with Black Buttons tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Washburn's 2021 Comfort series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.31"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Koa top
  • Koa back
  • Koa sides
  • Satin Mahogany with 2 way Truss Rod neck
  • Ovangkol fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Presys+ 501T w/tuner (Preamp/Active)
  • Mahogany Bound Ovangkol bridge
  • Acoustic Washburn Comfort Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • 18:1 Black with Black Buttons tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Washburn G55CE Koa
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • 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. Taylor K26ce

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Taylor K26ce
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 77
Sound 86
Build quality 89
Value for money 69
Overall Score 84

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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Reverb logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
  • From Taylor's 2014 Koa series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa top
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa back
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa sides
  • Tropical Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Taylor's 2014 Koa series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa top
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa back
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa sides
  • Tropical Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Taylor K26ce
  • 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

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7. Taylor 724ce

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Taylor 724ce
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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
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Reverb logoAmazon logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
  • From Taylor's 2022 700 series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa top
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa back
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa 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 Polished Bronze tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Taylor's 2022 700 series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa top
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa back
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa 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 Polished Bronze tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Taylor 724ce
  • 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

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8. Taylor 722ce

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Taylor 722ce
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoSweetwater logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 77
Sound 86
Build quality 85
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
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoSweetwater logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logo
  • From Taylor's 2022 700 series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa top
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa back
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa 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 Polished Bronze tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Taylor's 2022 700 series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa top
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa back
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa 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 Polished Bronze tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Taylor 722ce
  • 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

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9. Taylor K22ce

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Taylor K22ce
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 77
Sound 85
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:
Reverb logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
  • From Taylor's 2018 Koa series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa top
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa back
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa 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
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Taylor's 2018 Koa series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa top
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa back
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa 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
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Taylor K22ce
  • 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

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10. Taylor K24ce

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Taylor K24ce
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 73
Sound 86
Build quality 85
Value for money 66
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)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logo
  • From Taylor's 2019 Koa series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa top
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa back
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa 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
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Taylor's 2019 Koa series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa top
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa back
  • Solid Hawaiian Koa 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
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Taylor K24ce
  • 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

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