Regardless if you were recently introduced into fingerpicking, or maybe you have an experience, after some time you may find out that your regular acoustic guitar isn’t simply meant for you, or better said – for your playing style. This is normal and you shouldn’t be desperate since there are excellent guitars that will help you find your style and get the most of your fingerpicking skill.
In this article, I’ve listed the best fingerstyle guitars that will help you achieve great fingerpicking results, and also, keep in mind that they will let you tune them and always be loud and clear, exactly as you’d like!
Ready? Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
The Top 6 Best Guitars For Fingerstyle
6. Fender CD-60S
.jpg)
The Fender CD-60S is primarily oriented for beginners who want to learn the fingerpicking skill, however, its overall design quality and performance is good enough to easily compete with most of the midrange-priced guitars. So, it is a win-win situation, you won’t spend much money in order to feel the benefits of playing on a quality guitar.
Aesthetically speaking, the CD-60S features a dreadnought body that is comprised of a solid spruce top with scalloped x-bracing, mahogany wood that is present on the back and sides, a 20-fret rosewood fingerboard and a glossy, mahogany neck. Hence, you won’t stop admiring its beauty from the moment you take it out of its box, while on the other side, you already have a clue that these features do not usually come with such affordable guitars!
In addition, the CD-60S is also armed with high-quality, steel strings that will not only last for longer period of time, but they will dramatically improve the guitar’s playability because they will let you have a quick transition and by default, have comfortable sessions!
When it comes to the sound itself, well, this acoustic guitar is indeed versatile. By versatile, I want to say that the tone is well-balanced, lively, and has subtle, warm touches and brightness, and when we add the fact that its dreadnought body which outputs a strong and robust projection, without a doubt, I can say that you will love playing with this acoustic guitar!
I would also like to add that those who have been playing with this acoustic guitar claim that this particular model produces consistent and low-action performance that does not require any kind of adjustment, and the best thing about this is that it is comfortable to hold and that its strings are indeed smooth to the fingers!
To conclude, if you’re a beginner who is looking for a quality and affordable acoustic guitar that will help you make finger tricks easily, then the Fender CD-60S would be a really good option for you!
Sound Sample:
5. Takamine GD20-NS
The GD20-NS is made by one of the most recognizable brands in music industry, and this product is a proof of an excellent craftmanship that combines an affordable price for a quality performance, which by default means that intermediares and beginners will benefit a lot from having such a guitar.
Design-wise, this model has an ergonomic, dreadnought construction that packs a solid cedar top, mahogany back, side and neck, as well as a 12″-radius rosewood fingerboard that is specifically designed to offer you the best and most comfortable experience! Imagine, this is just a beginning!
Additionally, the hardware consists of a pin-less rosewood bridge that is set into a solid saddle made of bone. What’s special about it is that, in general, these components aren’t brought with guitars in this price range, and honestly, I think that Takamine has hit a jackpot with this unit! So, what are the benefits of having a pin-less rosewood bridge? Well, to begin with, you won’t have difficulties to change the strings, and secondly, sound quality and the overall intonation is nothing less than sweet, and this means that the chords and single-note runs will sound indeed nice!
Now, let’s briefly explain the sound.
For your information, thanks to the cedar top and mahogany, the audio quality is loud, warm and clear at the same time, and when we add the presence of the bold bones, the resonance will be great enough to hook you up to play for hours!
Finally, the 6 strings feel comfortable to your fingers, and what’s even cooler is that you this acoustic guitar will let you add a personal touch, and customize them anytime you want, by upgrading them in the future if you think that the lower action becomes too high!
Overall, the Takamine GD20-NS is worthy of considering, because it has a fantastic build quality, outputs loud and clear performance and feels exceptionally comfortable, so these three things are a must for fingerstyle guitars! Guess what? This acoustic guitar has all of them!
Sound Sample:
4. Yamaha L-Series LL6
The Yamaha L-Series LL6 is an acoustic-electric guitar that has been heavily praised by the guitarists on the market, in fact, its popularity its so high that made this unit be one of the most purchased guitars on the market, and on Amazon.
In order to understand what’s so special about it, I’d suggest to begin with the design.
This particular model employs mahogany back and sides, 5-ply neck made of rosewood and mahogany which is accompanied by an adjustable rod that adds a greater level of stability and strength to the guitar itself, and let’s not forget the signature of the L series. Namely, Yamaha has utilized non-scalloped bracing design which makes this guitar strong enough to output bright tones while paying attention to ensure that light-end tone will be enhanced and would sound amazingly!
I would also like to mention that the L-series including the LL6 are known for their ergonomics. To be more precise, even though if you’re not a fan of dreadnought, still, this guitar is very easy to hold and of course, this means that you won’t feel fatigued after playing for a longer period of time, whereas, on the other side, your sessions will be very smooth!
When it comes to the sound itself, the LL6 produces excellent midrange, the low end is well-controlled and this is something that I absolutely favor due to the fact that the chord tones will simply shine! Also, the high end is where you will understand a lot regarding the projection of this acoustic guitar. To be more precise, tones can are bright, and loud, and honestly, you can experiment with playing different styles without any problem!
Last but not least, Yamaha has included a so-called ” SRT Zero Impact Pickup system”, and what’s this? Well, this guitar integrates a passive type pickup system whose purpose is to minimize the pickup’s imp[act on the tone, so that the guitar’s performance will be natural, exactly as you’d expect!
In conclusion, if you’ve been searching for an acoustic-electric guitar that justifies its price tag and offers an even greater value for its cost, then you’ve found the acoustic guitar of your dreams – this is the Yamaha L-Series LL6!
Sound Sample:
3. Taylor 214ce
.jpg)
The Taylor 214ce has been on the market for a quite long time, however, it didn’t take long before professional guitarist recognized its potential, and a sudden hype occurred regarding this acoustic guitar. Hence, keep in mind that the price tag isn’t as affordable as the previous models, because sometimes the price tag has to be higher in order to get better intonation and overall performance.
In terms of the design, this guitar is made of multiple kinds of wood, including a Venetial top wood, layered rosewood, solid Sitka spruce back and sides, as well as a true, African ebony neck wood. Sounds, interesting? Wait until you read more!
Moreover, these woods add a lot to the build quality of this unit, because as you may already know, spruce is known for durability, its back and sides do absolutely give this unit a vintage appearance, whereas, the rosewood is yet another strong material that does enrich the surface by making it look shiny!
On the other hand, its mahogany neck is a very important part of this acoustic guitar, and at the same time, this guitar has been heavily praised by the guitarist exactly at this aspect.
Now, what about the electronics? Well, this model is armed with an ES-T electronic system which is seen as the trademark of the guitar mainly because of the fact that the system ensures that the resonance of the string may completely blend with the body itself. Additionally, the system helps you to reach the best possible acoustic sound, and even if you’re projecting with your speakers, you will barely feel an “electronic” sound.
But that’s not all! Although the pre-amp section does not have a tuner, instead, it has a three-knob control system which will let you have better control over the bass, volume and treble, and let’s not also forget that this guitar is powered by a 9-Volt battery that is strategically positioned at the bottom of the guitar, so that the left areas of the guitar would remain handsome-looking.
Finally, the sound quality is deep, rich, or with other words, once you start playing you will have an opportunity to hear a truly traditional dreadnaught sound, while the other thing that makes the tones appear rich is the auditorium body style, so when we combined all these things into one, it means that the 214ce is highly suitable for numerous music styles!
To summarize, you should seriously consider the Taylor 214ce as your next purchase, and if you ever decide to purchase it, you will never regret that decision, because Taylor has proven once again why it is among the leading brands of the music industry!
Sound Sample:
2. Fender Paramount PM-3
First things first – the design. This unit is entirely made of solid wood and if you didn’t know, this attribute can be often found at high-end acoustic guitars, well, although the Paramount PM-3 won’t cost you thousands of years, its performance and feel is indeed high-end!
Furthermore, there are multiple types of woods used during the crafting process, such as a Sitka spruce on the top, and solid mahogany that stretches from the back and all the way up to the sides and neck! Since I’ve mentioned the neck, I would like to inform you that the neck is C-shaped, and what got my attention is that it isn’t neither too chunky, nor too narrow, instead, it is somewhere in the middle and this is absolutely useful since this guitar can accommodate a wide variety of different sizes.
Now, let’s talk a bit regarding the hardware. The Paramount PM-3 includes a PM preamp which is followed by vintage-style control knobs, and for added versatility, there is a 2-band EQ, master volume and even a built-in tuner along with phase controls which will always be there for you to let you offer you plenty of customizable options!
But hey, we won’t end here. The manufacturer has implemented a rosewood bridge, compensated bone saddle, bone nut, and maybe one of the biggest highlights regarding this guitar – Fender’s Dura-Tone coated strings which will elevate the playability of this acoustic guitar to the highest points!
Speaking of the sound, the PM-3 is a pure masterpiece, because its sound is well-balanced, however, considering its standard dreadnought size, it isn’t very loud, or with other words, it is a bit quieter, but this definitely comes handy if you’re not only a fingerstyle guitarist, but also a singer, so your voice will not be disrupted by the loud noise of the guitar itself. Sounds good? Of course, it does!
Lastly, the PM-3 is an ideal option for you because it looks very handsome, outputs excellent audio, packs quality hardware and it is durable enough to last for years while keeping you satisfy all the time!
Sound Sample:
1. Yamaha A3M
The Yamaha A3M was instroduced in 2017, as a part of the brand’s performance-focused A-Series which simply stand for power, comfort and durability. The three things can be seen as the biggest indicators regarding the quality of a specific guitar. Currently, this acoustic guitar is among the most sold acoustic guitars on the market, and those who love playing on fingerstyle guitars already know its capabilities. But, what about those who are curious? Well, the Yamaha A3M is indeed a perfection!
When it comes to the design, the A3M features an attractive, and classy, dreadnought design that is accompanied by a deep cutaway, solid Sitka spruce on the top, solid mahogany which is present on the back, sides and neck, as well as a hand-rolled edges that are present on the fretboard made of rosewood. Therefore, I can easily say that the build quality is superb, and you simply can’t ask for more!
Moreover, this model is armed with Elixir NANOWEB 80/20 bronze light strings which will promise you a truly convenient, and smooth play for extended period of time, while on the other hand, these strings are known for their durability even though we are talking about a light type, and so far, I’m really pleased with the way Yamaha has managed to craft this guitar.
Speaking of the hardware, being an electro-acoustic guitar, the A3M incorporates Yamaha’s S.R.T (Studio Response Technology), which ensures an incredibly good piezo pickup and microphone. In addition, thanks to this technology, the preamp is controlled with a master volume and packs up a 3-band EQ. The 3-band EQ is basically bass, middle and treble, whereas, if you put all of these things aside, the A3M does also employ a plethora of die-cast chrome tuners, bridge, saddle, and urea nut, and to be honest, the A3M stands for playability and nothing else!
Now, the most important part – sound. What makes this unit stand from the other is the audio quality. Since the main materials used throughout the crafting process are solid spruce and mahogany, the tones are balanced and sound pleasing for you and for those people that will listen.
In terms of the acoustics, those who’ve had an opportunity to play with this acoustic guitar, claim that the audio is very loud and you will unlikely require electronics at all!
In the end, the A3M is a must-have guitar for everyone who is searching for a fingerstyle guitar that looks and performs premium!
Sound Sample:
Fingerstyle Guitar Buying Guide
First thing first. The resonance. This is essential prior to purchasing, mainly because of the fact that if a certain guitar’s resonance is great, or with other words, if that acoustic guitar can produce a full, ringing sound even without a guitar pick, then you’ve found the right, fingerstyle guitar. Why? Because if a guitar fails to output quality audio without using a guitar pick, that guitar isn’t suitable for fingerpicking.
Secondly, it is important to note that the string material is definitely one of the most essential factors. Namely, some guitars employ nylon strings which in practice means that you will require less force and pressure to create a specific tone, and some are steel or bronze.
Moreover, you should also pay attention to whether the strings are far from the neck, because this will play a huge role throughout your performance.
To be more precise, if the strings are far from the neck, you may not have the most comfortable fingerpicking or to play certain music as a whole, since you will have to put a lot of pull-offs and hammer-ons.
Finally, an indicator that shows how quality the guitar is, is exactly the finish or the design. Namely, guitars that employ a finish on the top may last longer than those who doesn’t, because those who don’t can get scratches easily, since they do not have any kind of protective coating.
Another thing i would like to mention is guitar tuners. If you own a guitar (whether its an acoustic or electric one), you definitely need a good guitar tuner, because it’s the most important accessory. I recommend you read our guide about the best clip-on guitar tuners if you want to learn more about that topic.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are fingerstyle guitars hard to learn?
It depends, and I can’t answer with yes and no, because the learning phase is always hard. However, numerous fingerstyle techniques will help you understand and learn in the future how to play on such guitars.
Are fingerstyle guitars expensive?
Once again, it depends. Fingerstyle guitars are available in a variety of different designs, quality and price tas, hence, you can affordable, medium-priced and premium-priced one, everything depends solely on you.
What are the advantages of fingerstyle guitars?
Honestly, there is a plethora of advantages. Starting from the ability to pick two notes at a time, they are easy to play arpeggios and are more suitable for playing polyphonically. In addition, the do not require much effort on the strings, there is less need for hand damping in playing chords, etc.
What are the best fingerstyle guitars?
Well, “the best” is a matter of perception, since some guitars are more suitable for specific guitarists, and other guitars are meant for different guitarists. Hence, the most closes answer to this question would be that the best fingerstyle guitars are included in this article.
What’s a fingerstyle guitar?
Fingerstyle guitar is a fairly broad term by itself, however, I will try to provide you the most simple definition of these guitars. Namely, there isn’t such thing as fingerstyle guitar, this is basically the technique of playing the guitar, since guitarists play by plucking the strings directly with their fingertips/nails.
Conclusion
Since you reached this far, I hope that you liked the guitars mentioned in this list, and that you’ve gained a better understanding regarding their qualities, so feel free to choose whichever you find the best and most visually pleasing, since all of them are unique and good enough to suit your style.
Also, feel free to contact me anytime you want if you want to share your opinion with me, in case you have made an actual purchase, because I’m always there to support and inform my audience!