Best Rosewood Fretboard Classical Guitars in 2024

Here you'll find the best Rosewood fretboard Classical style guitars. 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. Takamine TC135SC

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Takamine TC135SC
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Playability 70
Sound 88
Build quality 85
Value for money 71
Overall Score 81

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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  • 3 Prices - New from $2,399 >
  • From Takamine's 2011 Hirade & Classical series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Rosewood back
  • Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 24 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 3 Prices - New from $2,399 >
  • From Takamine's 2011 Hirade & Classical series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Rosewood back
  • Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 24 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine TC135SC
  • 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

2. Alvarez CY75CE

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Alvarez CY75CE
FIND IT ON:
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Playability 70
Sound 81
Build quality 87
Value for money 69
Overall Score 79
FIND IT ON:
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  • From Alvarez's 2021 Yairi series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.591"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AA Western Red Cedar top
  • East Indian Rosewood back
  • East Indian Rosewood sides
  • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
  • Rosewood Direct Coupled bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Gotoh Gold tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • From Alvarez's 2021 Yairi series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.591"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AA Western Red Cedar top
  • East Indian Rosewood back
  • East Indian Rosewood sides
  • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
  • Rosewood Direct Coupled bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Gotoh Gold tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Alvarez CY75CE
  • 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

    3. Yamaha CG-TA

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    Yamaha CG-TA
    FIND IT ON:
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    Playability 73
    Sound 81
    Build quality 65
    Value for money 78
    Overall Score 73

    What our users think

    • Neck profile shape: C (14 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (15 votes)
    • Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
    • Pickups power: Clean (1 vote)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logoReverb logo
    • 5 Prices - New from $619.99 >
    • From Yamaha's 2016 TransAcoustic Guitars series
    • Made in China
    • 6 strings
    • 25.6"'' scale
    • Flat Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Ovangkol back
    • Ovangkol sides
    • Nato neck
    • Rosewood fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: SYSTEM70 TransAcoustic (Preamp/Active)
    • Rosewood bridge
    • Acoustic C Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Gold tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 5 Prices - New from $619.99 >
    • From Yamaha's 2016 TransAcoustic Guitars series
    • Made in China
    • 6 strings
    • 25.6"'' scale
    • Flat Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Ovangkol back
    • Ovangkol sides
    • Nato neck
    • Rosewood fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: SYSTEM70 TransAcoustic (Preamp/Active)
    • Rosewood bridge
    • Acoustic C Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Gold tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Yamaha CG-TA
    • Expensive Wood
    • Electronics
    • Solid Top Wood
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • Made in China
    • 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

    All Prices

    4. Takamine P3FCN

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    Takamine P3FCN
    FIND IT ON:
    Musician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
    Playability 73
    Sound 85
    Build quality 84
    Value for money 76
    Overall Score 81

    What our users think

    • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (3 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Musician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
    • 2 Prices - New from $1,799 >
    • From Takamine's 2013 Pro Series 3 series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25.6"'' 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
    • 2 Prices - New from $1,799 >
    • From Takamine's 2013 Pro Series 3 series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25.6"'' 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 P3FCN
    • 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

    5. Takamine TC132SC

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    Takamine TC132SC
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logo
    Playability 70
    Sound 83
    Build quality 84
    Value for money 74
    Overall Score 79

    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:
    Sweetwater logo
    • From Takamine's 2016 Hirade & Classical series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25.6"'' scale
    • Flat Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Cedar top
    • Solid Rosewood back
    • Rosewood sides
    • Mahogany neck
    • Rosewood 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
    • Rosewood sides
    • Mahogany neck
    • Rosewood 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 TC132SC
    • 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

      6. Alvarez CY75

      Compare
      Alvarez CY75
      FIND IT ON:
      Sweetwater logo
      Playability 70
      Sound 79
      Build quality 79
      Value for money 71
      Overall Score 76
      FIND IT ON:
      Sweetwater logo
      • 2 Prices - New from $1,649 >
      • From Alvarez's 2015 Yairi series
      • Made in Japan
      • 6 strings
      • 25.591"'' scale
      • Flat Fretboard Radius
      • Solid AA Western Red Cedar top
      • East Indian Rosewood back
      • East Indian Rosewood sides
      • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
      • Rosewood fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: (/)
      • Rosewood Direct Coupled bridge
      • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
      • 19 Medium frets
      • Gotoh Gold tuners
      • See all specs and compare >
      Show all Specs
      • 2 Prices - New from $1,649 >
      • From Alvarez's 2015 Yairi series
      • Made in Japan
      • 6 strings
      • 25.591"'' scale
      • Flat Fretboard Radius
      • Solid AA Western Red Cedar top
      • East Indian Rosewood back
      • East Indian Rosewood sides
      • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
      • Rosewood fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: (/)
      • Rosewood Direct Coupled bridge
      • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
      • 19 Medium frets
      • Gotoh Gold tuners
      • See all specs and compare >
      Strengths & Weaknesses
      Alvarez CY75
      • Made in Japan
      • Expensive Wood
      • Bone Nut
      • Bone Saddle
      • Solid Top Wood
      • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
      • No Locking Tuners
      • No Top Brand Pickups
      • No Electronics
      • Laminated Side Wood
      • Laminated Back Wood
      • No Compound Radius Fretboard
      • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
      • No Strap Lock

      All Prices

      7. Yamaha CGS102AII

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      Yamaha CGS102AII
      FIND IT ON:
      Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
      Playability 82
      Sound 76
      Build quality 55
      Value for money 86
      Overall Score 71

      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 $139.99 >
      • From Yamaha's 2017 SCHOOL series
      • Made in China
      • 6 strings
      • 21.063"'' scale
      • Flat Fretboard Radius
      • Spruce top
      • Locally-Sourced Tonewood back
      • Locally-Sourced Tonewood sides
      • Locally-Sourced Tonewood neck
      • Rosewood fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: (/)
      • Rosewood bridge
      • Acoustic C Set neck
      • 20 Medium frets
      • Chrome (RM-1252X) tuners
      • See all specs and compare >
      Show all Specs
      • 4 Prices - New from $139.99 >
      • From Yamaha's 2017 SCHOOL series
      • Made in China
      • 6 strings
      • 21.063"'' scale
      • Flat Fretboard Radius
      • Spruce top
      • Locally-Sourced Tonewood back
      • Locally-Sourced Tonewood sides
      • Locally-Sourced Tonewood neck
      • Rosewood fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: (/)
      • Rosewood bridge
      • Acoustic C Set neck
      • 20 Medium frets
      • Chrome (RM-1252X) tuners
      • See all specs and compare >
      Strengths & Weaknesses
      Yamaha CGS102AII
      • Expensive Wood
      • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
      • No Locking Tuners
      • Made in China
      • No High-Quality Nut
      • No Top Brand Pickups
      • No Electronics
      • 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

      8. Yamaha CGS103AII

      Compare
      Yamaha CGS103AII
      FIND IT ON:
      Sweetwater logoReverb logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
      Playability 82
      Sound 76
      Build quality 55
      Value for money 86
      Overall Score 71

      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
      • 6 Prices - New from $149.99 >
      • From Yamaha's 2017 SCHOOL series
      • Made in China
      • 6 strings
      • 22.75"'' scale
      • Flat Fretboard Radius
      • Spruce top
      • Locally-Sourced Tonewood back
      • Locally-Sourced Tonewood sides
      • Locally-Sourced Tonewood neck
      • Rosewood fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: (/)
      • Rosewood bridge
      • Acoustic C Set neck
      • 20 Medium frets
      • Chrome (RM-1252X) tuners
      • See all specs and compare >
      Show all Specs
      • 6 Prices - New from $149.99 >
      • From Yamaha's 2017 SCHOOL series
      • Made in China
      • 6 strings
      • 22.75"'' scale
      • Flat Fretboard Radius
      • Spruce top
      • Locally-Sourced Tonewood back
      • Locally-Sourced Tonewood sides
      • Locally-Sourced Tonewood neck
      • Rosewood fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: (/)
      • Rosewood bridge
      • Acoustic C Set neck
      • 20 Medium frets
      • Chrome (RM-1252X) tuners
      • See all specs and compare >
      Strengths & Weaknesses
      Yamaha CGS103AII
      • Expensive Wood
      • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
      • No Locking Tuners
      • Made in China
      • No High-Quality Nut
      • No Top Brand Pickups
      • No Electronics
      • 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

      9. Yamaha CGX102

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      Yamaha CGX102
      FIND IT ON:
      Sweetwater logoAmazon logo
      Playability 73
      Sound 79
      Build quality 60
      Value for money 81
      Overall Score 71

      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 logo
      • 3 Prices - New from $319.99 >
      • From Yamaha's 2013 CG & CGX Classical Guitars series
      • Made in China
      • 6 strings
      • 25.6"'' scale
      • Flat Fretboard Radius
      • Spruce top
      • Nato back
      • Nato sides
      • Locally-Sourced Tonewood neck
      • Rosewood fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: SYSTEM68 + ART 1-Way Pickup (Preamp/Active)
      • Rosewood bridge
      • Acoustic C Set neck
      • 20 Medium frets
      • Chrome tuners
      • See all specs and compare >
      Show all Specs
      • 3 Prices - New from $319.99 >
      • From Yamaha's 2013 CG & CGX Classical Guitars series
      • Made in China
      • 6 strings
      • 25.6"'' scale
      • Flat Fretboard Radius
      • Spruce top
      • Nato back
      • Nato sides
      • Locally-Sourced Tonewood neck
      • Rosewood fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: SYSTEM68 + ART 1-Way Pickup (Preamp/Active)
      • Rosewood bridge
      • Acoustic C Set neck
      • 20 Medium frets
      • Chrome tuners
      • See all specs and compare >
      Strengths & Weaknesses
      Yamaha CGX102
      • Expensive Wood
      • Electronics
      • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
      • No Locking Tuners
      • Made in China
      • 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

      10. Yamaha CG122MCH

      Compare
      Yamaha CG122MCH
      FIND IT ON:
      Amazon logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
      Playability 73
      Sound 79
      Build quality 60
      Value for money 81
      Overall Score 71

      What our users think

      • Neck profile shape: C (14 votes)
      • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (15 votes)
      Own it? Share your opinion
      FIND IT ON:
      Amazon logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
      • 4 Prices - New from $249.99 >
      • From Yamaha's 2013 CG & CGX Classical Guitars series
      • Made in China
      • 6 strings
      • 25.6"'' scale
      • Flat Fretboard Radius
      • Solid western red cedar top
      • Nato back
      • Nato sides
      • Nato neck
      • Rosewood fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: (/)
      • Rosewood bridge
      • Acoustic C Set neck
      • 20 Medium frets
      • Chrome tuners
      • See all specs and compare >
      Show all Specs
      • 4 Prices - New from $249.99 >
      • From Yamaha's 2013 CG & CGX Classical Guitars series
      • Made in China
      • 6 strings
      • 25.6"'' scale
      • Flat Fretboard Radius
      • Solid western red cedar top
      • Nato back
      • Nato sides
      • Nato neck
      • Rosewood fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: (/)
      • Rosewood bridge
      • Acoustic C Set neck
      • 20 Medium frets
      • Chrome tuners
      • See all specs and compare >
      Strengths & Weaknesses
      Yamaha CG122MCH
      • Expensive Wood
      • Solid Top Wood
      • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
      • No Locking Tuners
      • Made in China
      • No High-Quality Nut
      • No Top Brand Pickups
      • No Electronics
      • Low-Quality Material Saddle
      • Laminated Side Wood
      • Laminated Back Wood
      • No Compound Radius Fretboard
      • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
      • No Strap Lock

      All Prices

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