Cutaway acoustic guitar for the win!
Welcome! In this blog, we aim to discover the best cutaway acoustic guitars there are on the market. We discuss the finest cutaway acoustic guitars and where to get them for the lowest price.
There is a lot of competition for the best cutaway acoustic guitar. So whether it’s Yamaha, Takamine, Martin, Gretsch, Fender, Taylor, Ibanez, Gibson, or Epiphone, we give you our top choices in this blog.
There is a cutaway to suit every budget, and we have thrown in a couple of alternatives to cutaway acoustic guitars too.
What is a cutaway guitar?
Cutaway acoustic guitars have grown in popularity in the last five years. We can see why! Cutaway guitars allow players comfortable access to the upper frets, which were not accessible on a standard non-cutaway instrument.
A cutaway is a must if you want to play up past the 12th-14th fret!
Why do some acoustic guitars have a cutaway?
Cutaways provide easier access to the higher frets and can be found on almost all electric guitars. The difference with acoustic guitars is that cutaways can diminish some of the bass and be more treble-heavy. This is not a bad thing depending on the sound you require.
Cutaway acoustic guitars present a brighter overall sound which can help guitar players achieve the natural sound they desire.
Best Cutaway Acoustic Guitar – Takamine GN93CE
The performance-ready Takamine GN93CE delivers a silky-smooth amplified tone, thanks to its TK-40D pre-amp system and NEX-style body.
The Takamine GN93CE is an acoustic/electric guitar with a solid top and unique back construction featuring Takamine’s sleek and curvaceous NEX-style body. It gives it an upscale feel and distinctive sound.
For players seeking a well-balanced guitar with great performance features and refined looks, the Takamine GD93CE has a solid spruce top, black walnut sides and a beautiful three-piece black walnut/quilt maple back.
The slim mahogany neck and 12″-radius bound Laurel fingerboard provides a great feel and playability. At the same time, the onboard Takamine TK-40D pre-amp system gives you a built-in tuner, three-band EQ and gain controls, mid contour switch, notch filter and EQ bypass switch for the ultimate versatility sound quality.
Other premium features include:
- Maple body, neck and headstock binding
- Dark wood rosette and body purfling
- Synthetic bone nut and split bridge saddle
- Laurel head cap
- Abalone dot inlays
- Gold die-cast tuners with black buttons
- A beautiful gloss finish
We believe it is the best cutaway acoustic guitar around.
Takamine GN93CE Specifications
Top: Solid Spruce
Body: Maple
Inlays: Abalone dot
Back: 3-Piece Black Walnut with Quilt Maple Center
Sides: Black Walnut
Neck: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Laurel
Nut Width: 1.6875″ (42.8 mm)
Electronics: TK-40D Pre-amp with Built-In Tuner
Finish: Natural
Best Runner Up – Gretsch Falcon Rancher
With a head-turning design plus a robust Fishman Isys pickup system for a jumbo-sized tone, this Gretsch G5022CBFE Rancher Falcon is ready to rock any gig.
The Gretsch Rancher Falcon Jumbo Cutaway Acoustic/Electric gives you a full-bodied jumbo tone with full-on Gretsch Black Falcon regalia, gilded appointments and professional onboard electronics for peerless amplified tone. It is a cutaway guitar that is classy and stylish.
Its jumbo cutaway body includes dazzling gold-sparkle binding on the top, back, sound hole, fingerboard and headstock. Other premium features include; a solid spruce top with scalloped “X”-bracing and classic Rancher triangular sound hole, maple sides and arched back, maple neck, 21-fret rosewood fingerboard with Neo-Classic “thumbnail” inlays>
In addition, there are “V”-shaped headstock with vertical winged “Gretsch” sparkle logo, the compensated bridge with rosewood base, deluxe tuners, and gold-plated hardware. These are just some of the many reasons why the Gretsch Rancher Jumbo had to make our list!
The Fishman Sonicore under-saddle pickup and Isys III pre-amp system provide great amplified performance and flexible sonic control, with volume, bass/middle/ treble controls, onboard tuner and battery life indicator.
The Gretsch Rancher Falcon is a black cutaway acoustic guitar with a lot of heart.
Gretsch Rancher Falcon Specifications
Series: Acoustic Collection
Body Shape: Jumbo
Body Top: Solid Spruce
Back and Sides: Laminated Maple
Body Finish: Gloss Polyester
Upper Bout: 11.375″ (289mm)
Lower Bout: 17″ (432mm)
Waist: 10.25″ (260.35mm)
Bracing: “X”-Bracing
Neck: Maple, Standard “U”
Neck Finish: Gloss Polyester
Fingerboard: Rosewood Frets: 21, Vintage Style
Position Inlays: Neo-Classic Thumbnails
Nut (Material/Width): Synthetic Bone,1.675″ (42.5mm)
Tuning Machines: Deluxe Die-Cast
Scale Length: 25″ (635 mm)
Best Budget – Takamine GD30CE
The Takamine GD30CE is a beautiful cutaway acoustic electric guitar.
Be ready for any live setting with a solid spruce top and rich, resonant mahogany back and sides, whether you’re next to the campfire or on the stage.
The Takamine GD30CE is a stage-worthy acoustic/electric dreadnought guitar with solid-top construction, a soft Venetian-style cutaway and a superior-sounding Takamine electronics system.
Ready for any performance situation, the GD30CE features a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides that produce a rich, resonant sound.
The slim mahogany neck and 12″-radius rosewood fingerboard provide a great feel and playability. At the same time, the onboard Takamine TP-4TD pre-amp system gives you a built-in tuner with three-band EQ and gain controls for excellent amplified performance and versatility.
Other great features include a synthetic bone nut and split bridge saddle, rosewood headcap, Pearloid rosette and dot inlays, chrome die-cast tuners and a beautiful gloss finish. Available in Natural and Black.
Takamine GD30CE Specifications
Top: Solid Spruce
Back: Mahogany
Sides: Mahogany
Neck: Mahogany
Finger Board: Rosewood
Nut Width: 1.6875″ (42.8 mm)
Electronics: TP-4TD
Finish: Black
Best Cutaway Acoustic Guitar Under $150 – Jasmine S34C
Jasmine S34C NEX Acoustic Guitar,Natural
The Jasmine S34C is a stylish grand orchestra-style guitar with a rich, well-balanced sound and a graceful Venetian-style cutaway.
We found the Jasmine S-34C acoustic guitar is an exceptional value guitar with high-quality features and a great tone.
Perfect for any player seeking a well-built and easy-playing guitar, the S-34C features a select spruce top with Jasmine’s Advanced “X” Bracing and Sapele back and sides.
The slim neck and full 25 1/2″ scale length provide a comfortable feel and excellent playability, and the smooth satin finish maximizes resonance for optimal sound quality. Other great features include full body binding and chrome tuners.
Jasmine Guitars is focused on making great quality instruments at an exceptional value. We make guitars for the music in you.
The Jasmine guitar S34C are designed by the same craftsmen who make the world’s hottest-selling all wood acoustic guitar…Takamine.
Each model features all-wood construction, popular finishes, ping machines, durability and quality. ‘Takamine level’ construction, D’Addario exp strings for rich tone and long life, and the woods notice the Japanese laminated spruce tops (solid spruce tops on some models).
Select jasmine models include a KMC music designed cp-100 in-bridge pickup and pre-amp system.
The Jasmine by Takamine S34C is are a markable guitar on a budget.
Jasmine S34C NEX Acoustic Guitar Specifications
Spruce top with Jasmine Advanced “X” Bracing
Sapele back and sides
Rosewood fingerboard and bridge
Slim neck profile
25 1/2″ scale length
Synthetic bone nut and saddle
Satin Natural finish
Cutaway Acoustic Guitar Alternative One – Yamaha
Yamaha APX700II-12 12-String Thinline Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar – Natural
The Yamaha acoustic guitar with cutaway APX series emphasizes playability with a stylish thin-line profile and slim neck, ensuring the performance experience is perfect.
This is a 12-string version of APX700II. The Yamaha cutaway acoustic guitar 700 series features styling and specification driven by the 1000-series guitars with the exclusive ART pickup system.
The APX700II is designed to capture the guitar’s full body resonance; the ART’s ability to faithfully recreate natural tone and dynamics means that the subtle differences between APX and CPX guitars are perfectly recreated. As a result, it is an acoustic guitar with cutaway perfection.
So, you can pick the guitar that suits your style and know that character will always shine through. A left-hand version of the APX700II is also available.
Yamaha Cutaway Acoustic Guitar Specifications
Back Material: Nato
Body Material: Mahogany
Color: Natural
Fretboard Material: Rosewood
Guitar Pickup Configuration: Piezoelectric
String Gauge: Light
String Material: Bronze
Top Material: Spruce
Neck Material Type: Nato Wood
Number of Strings: 12
Guitar Bridge System: Fixed
Material Type: Nato Wood
Size: Thin Body
Alternative Two – Washburn M3SWK Florentine Cutaway Mandolin
Washburn M3SWK Florentine Cutaway Mandolin (Natural)
The Florentine cutaway design features a Carved Solid Spruce top. This is book matched with solid maple back and sides, a maple neck, bound rosewood fingerboard, stain/buffed gloss top, and Rosewood bridge.
In addition, the new Allen style tailpiece, four inline open gear gold tuning machines make for a beautiful cutaway instrument.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Cutaway Guitar Affect the Tone?
Cutaway acoustic guitars do what they say in the description; they cut away part of the instrument, leaving less space for the sound to resonate.
So, does a cutaway affect the sound of an acoustic guitar? Yes, BUT there is a minimal reduction in tone but not one great enough to create a noticeable difference.
Is a cutaway guitar better?
When you weigh the minimal loss of tone to the access to higher up frets which opens up new possibilities in playing, a cutaway acoustic guitar is a winner every time.
What other notable guitars offer a cutaway?
Other popular cutaway acoustic guitars include Yamaha FGX800c, Yamaha AC3M DLX, Orangewood Rey Mahogany, Lucero LC150SCE, Lucero LC100CE, Gibson J45 cutaway, and Gibson Songwriter Cutaway.
Do I need a cutaway for fingerstyle?
All guitars have their unique character and tone. We would advise guitar players to have at least one cutaway in their collection when a bright and sharp sound is required.
Fingerstyle can benefit from those higher notes, which offer variety in playing style.
Cutaway acoustic guitar vs dreadnought?
It depends on what you are looking for regarding dreadnought vs cutaway.
Dreadnoughts have a fuller overall tone, while cutaways offer heavier treble and a brighter tone.
What’s the best left handed cutaway acoustic guitar?
Wow, any audience with the tone and power of the 214ce Deluxe. This lefty acoustic features Expression System 2 electronics for unmatched sound anywhere.
Taylor’s 214ce Deluxe acoustic-electric left handed cutaway acoustic guitar sets the standard in the value add 200 series.
With gloss finish on the body, small diamond inlays, and a deluxe hardshell case, this classic Grand Auditorium acoustic electric guitar boasts layered Indian Rosewood back and sides and a solid Sitka spruce top. This Taylor cutaway means business!
White binding and Taylor’s ES-2 pick-up and pre-amp design for complete player flexibility and stage ready voice. Fretboard and bridges are constructed of responsibly sourced West-African Ebony.
One thing is for sure; this Taylor cutaway acoustic guitar is stunning.
What’s the best 3/4 cutaway acoustic guitar?
Yamaha APXT2 3/4-Size Acoustic-Electric Guitar – Black
The Yamaha APXT2 3/4-Size Acoustic-Electric is a stunning cutaway guitar.
The APXT2 is a 3/4-size version of the best-selling acoustic-electric APX500III guitar.
This fun and well-constructed compact guitar makes great company when you are on the road. The APXT2 features an ART-based pickup system and Yamaha’s proprietary tuner with great sensitivity and accuracy.
Is the Takamine GJ72CE any good?
The Takamine GJ72CE isn’t just good; it is a beast of an acoustic-electric cutaway guitar!
Get robust projection from this mighty jumbo solid-top. The onboard TK-40D pre-amp offers a 3-band EQ, mid contour switch, notch filter, and built-in tuner.
With its mighty jumbo body style, solid-top construction, stunning cosmetic features and premium electronics, the GJ72CE is a commanding acoustic/electric guitar that is built to perform.
The GJ72CE produces the volume and robust sound that players expect from a jumbo guitar, featuring a solid spruce top and flame maple back and sides.
The slim mahogany neck and 12″-radius bound rosewood fingerboard provides excellent feel and playability. At the same time, the onboard Takamine TK-40D pre-amp system gives you a built-in tuner, three-band EQ and gain controls, mid contour switch, notch filter and EQ bypass switch for the ultimate versatility sound quality.
Other great features include a synthetic bone nut and split bridge saddle, rosewood headcap, abalone rosette, abalone “reversed mountain” inlay at the 12th fret, gold die-cast tuners with pearl buttons, and a beautiful gloss finish.
But don’t just take our word for it!
“I’ve played a lot of guitars, and this is my favorite. Incredible sustain came out of the box, ready to play. Great action, comfortable neck, stays in tune, and incredible sound. Sounds and looks better than guitars three times as much. You can’t go wrong with this guitar!” – Jason B in Phoenix, AZ
Which is the best Martin cutaway acoustic?
The Martin GPC-11E Road Series Grand Performance Acoustic-Electric is a cutaway guitar which hard to beat!
This super-comfortable Grand Performance belts out iconic tone at a fantastic price. The Sitka spruce and Sapele construction offer a balanced, clear sound.
The Martin cutaway acoustic guitar GPC-11E Grand Performance Road Series is perfect for value-conscious players looking for a full-sized, solid wood acoustic with the superior Martin tone that has shaped generations of music.
The series features a stunning mother-of-pearl pattern in the fingerboard and rosettes (except the D-12E, which has a Style 28 rosette pattern). In addition, all models include Martin’s high-performance neck taper for added comfort and satin and gloss finish options and a variety of tonewoods.
Perhaps the most notable update to the Road Series is the addition of discreet Fishman MX-T electronics with a built-in soundhole tuner that auto mutes the audio output so you can tune up any time without using a pedal. In addition, all Road Series guitars come with a Premium Soft Shell Case. It is a Martin cutaway with a lot of heart!
Is the Epiphone Hummingbird Pro Cutaway a contender?
This Epiphone cutaway acoustic guitar is simply beautiful.
Epiphone captures the classic style and responsive feel of a genuine Hummingbird acoustic and an added cutaway at a price almost anyone can afford!
The Epiphone Hummingbird Performer PRO Acoustic-Electric puts a new twist on the 60s classic with an elegant cutaway plus the new Fishman Sonitone and Sonicore pickup system for superior acoustic tone when plugged in.
This Epiphone Hummingbird Performer PRO is a black cutaway acoustic guitar that will please any guitarist.
What’s an affordable double cutaway acoustic guitar?
Thin-Line SG ACOUSTIC/ELECTRIC Double Cutaway GUITAR
This beautiful double cutaway acoustic guitar is affordable and gorgeous to play….. once it has been set up.
“Sounds good. I had to reset the bridge, though, but no big deal as I do luthier work. It plays well and looks good. I like; the double florentine cutaway is a classic look for an acoustic guitar.” – Amazon Customer – Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2021
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