Best Sapele Acoustic Steel-String Guitars of 2025

Hayden Bryant Avatar
Hayden Bryant
Last Updated: 5 Feb 2025

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Sapele acoustic steel-string guitars are high-quality musical instruments designed for professional and amateur guitarists alike. These guitars are made from the finest Sapele wood, which gives them a rich and warm sound. They are also designed for comfortable playing, with a smooth fretboard and sturdy construction that ensures stability and durability. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, Sapele acoustic steel-string guitars are an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable and high-quality instrument.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Fender FA-15 3/4 Acoustic Guitar with Gig Bag Cover #TOP 1
Fender FA-15 3/4 Acoustic Guitar with Gig Bag
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Chord Travel Guitar for Young Learners Cover #TOP 2
Chord Travel Guitar for Young Learners
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Ibanez AEG7MH-OPN Acoustic Guitar Cover #TOP 3
Ibanez AEG7MH-OPN Acoustic Guitar
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Sapele Acoustic Steel-String Guitars

#TOP 1

Fender FA-15 3/4 Acoustic Guitar with Gig Bag

FA-15 STEEL 3/4 BLACK W/BAG WN
Black
Fender FA-15 3/4 Acoustic Guitar with Gig Bag Cover
Fender FA-15 3/4 Acoustic Guitar With Gig Bag Limited Edition Black

The Fender FA-15 Acoustic Guitar is a fantastic choice for right-handed players seeking a quality instrument. Its striking black colour not only adds style but also makes it visually appealing. The laminated Agathis top, combined with sapele back and sides, enhances sound quality, providing a rich tone that is perfect for both beginners and experienced musicians. This guitar is lightweight and easy to handle, making it ideal for practice sessions or performances. With the included gig bag, you can conveniently transport your guitar wherever you go.

What We Like
Lightweight and portable
Rich sound quality
Stylish black finish
Right-hand orientation
Includes gig bag
#TOP 2

Chord Travel Guitar for Young Learners

CSC35
Mahogany
Chord Travel Guitar for Young Learners Cover
Chord | Travel Guitar Compact Acoustic Guitar High Grade Young Learner and Travel Instrument Due to Down Sized Body, Neck & Frets | 3/4 Steel Stringed Travel guitar

The Chord Travel Guitar is designed for ease and convenience, making it an excellent choice for those on the go. Its travel-friendly design ensures you can take it anywhere without sacrificing sound quality. With comfortable playability, the generous finger spacing and smaller scale length make it easier for young learners and those with smaller hands to play. The high-grade construction features a durable sapele body and a nato wood neck, which enhances its longevity. Additionally, quality closed gear machine heads provide precise tuning, allowing you to enjoy your music without constant retuning.

What We Like
Compact and easy to carry
Comfortable for young players
Durable construction materials
Stable tuning for longer play
#TOP 3

Ibanez AEG7MH-OPN Acoustic Guitar

AEG7MH
Open Pore Natural
Einheitsgröße
Ibanez AEG7MH-OPN Acoustic Guitar Cover
Ibanez AEG Series AEG7MH-OPN - Acoustic Guitar - Open Pore Natural

The Ibanez AEG7MH Guitar is a versatile 6-string electro-acoustic guitar, perfect for both beginners and intermediate players. Its tactile AEG neck design ensures comfort and precision, whether you prefer strumming or fingerstyle. The natural open-pore finish enhances resonance, allowing for a richer sound. With a Sapele top, back, and sides, this guitar not only looks impressive but also provides substantial sound quality. The inclusion of chrome die-cast tuners and Ibanez Advantage bridge pins adds to its overall ease of use, making it a great choice for anyone looking to create music.

What We Like
Comfortable neck design
Rich resonance and sound quality
Impressive and sustainable look
Easy to tune and maintain
#TOP 4

James Neligan Acoustic Firkin Cask Guitar

CASK-FIRKCOAL
Nickel,Black
Full Size
James Neligan Acoustic Firkin Cask Guitar Cover
James Neligan Acoustic Firkin Cask Cigar Box 4 String Guitar - Coal Black

The James Neligan Cask Guitar is a beautifully crafted instrument featuring a Sapele top, which enhances sound projection and clarity. The neck, made of sturdy mahogany with a truss rod, provides excellent playability and stability, allowing you to adjust the neck as needed. Its Ovangkol fingerboard, adorned with ABS inlays, offers a smooth playing surface, making it comfortable for both beginners and experienced players. The Ovangkol bridge further contributes to the guitar's warm tone and resonance, ensuring a rich sound quality for your music.

What We Like
High-quality Sapele top
Durable mahogany neck
Smooth Ovangkol fingerboard
Rich sound quality
#TOP 5

Fender Newporter Player Acoustic Guitar with Sunburst

0970743503
Gold Pickguard
Fender Newporter Player Acoustic Guitar with Sunburst Cover
Fender Newporter Player Acoustic Guitar, Walnut Fingerboard, Gold Pickguard, Sunburst

The Fender Newporter Player is a stunning acoustic guitar that combines impressive playability with exceptional sound. Its solid spruce top and sapele back and sides create a rich, versatile tone that inspires creativity. You will appreciate the comfortable mid-size auditorium body, allowing for hours of enjoyable playing. The slim-taper “C”-shaped neck design makes it easy to navigate the fretboard, while the unique tilt-back headstock adds a distinctive flair inherited from Fender's electric guitar heritage.

What We Like
Exceptional sound quality
Comfortable to play
Unique and stylish design
Easy-to-navigate neck
#TOP 6

Fender Redondo Player Acoustic Guitar with Walnut Fingerboard

0970713503
Sunburst
Fender Redondo Player Acoustic Guitar with Walnut Fingerboard Cover
Fender Redondo Player Acoustic Guitar, Walnut Fingerboard, Gold Pickguard, Sunburst

The Fender Redondo Player Acoustic offers a unique blend of playability, sound quality, and style. Its solid spruce top and sapele body create a rich, resonant tone, perfect for various musical genres. You'll appreciate the slim “C”-shaped neck, which makes it comfortable to play, especially during long sessions. The vintage-style tuning machines ensure your guitar stays in tune, giving you confidence whether you are practising or performing. With the onboard Fishman Flex preamp, you can easily amplify your sound for recordings or gigs, maintaining the guitar's natural character.

What We Like
Unique and bold design
Exceptional sound projection
Comfortable neck profile
Reliable vintage-style tuners
High-quality onboard preamp

Fender Villager 12-String Acoustic Guitar

0970792134
aged natural
Fender Villager 12-String Acoustic Guitar Cover
Fender Villager 12-String Acoustic Guitar, Walnut Fingerboard, Tortoiseshell Pickguard, Aged Natural

The Fender Villager Guitar offers an inspiring blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern design. With its solid spruce top and sapele back, it produces a rich and articulate sound, perfect for expressing your creativity. The comfortable Newporter auditorium shape allows for hours of play without strain. Its slim “C”-shaped neck makes it easy to fret notes, while the vintage-style tuning machines ensure your guitar stays in tune. With the Fishman Flex preamp system, you can amplify your music effortlessly, capturing the guitar's natural tones beautifully.

What We Like
Rich, articulate sound
Comfortable playability
Easy tuning
Amplifies natural tones
Unique and stylish design
#TOP 8

Fender Monterey Standard Acoustic Guitar with Walnut

0973052122
Natural
Fender Monterey Standard Acoustic Guitar with Walnut Cover
Fender Monterey Standard Acoustic Guitar, Walnut Fingerboard, Natural

The Fender Monterey Standard Guitar is crafted from all-laminated sapele, offering a mid-sized concert body that delivers a warm and balanced tone, perfect for various playing styles. Its nato neck features a slim “C”-shaped profile, providing you with optimal comfort and a short scale length that reduces string tension. The narrow string spacing at the bridge is especially beneficial for players with smaller hands, helping to minimise picking-hand fatigue. With a silky satin finish and vintage-style tuning machines, this guitar ensures smooth and accurate tuning.

What We Like
Warm, balanced tone
Comfortable slim neck
Narrow string spacing
Accurate vintage-style tuning

Vangoa Left Handed Acoustic Guitar Starter Set

Black
Vangoa Left Handed Acoustic Guitar Starter Set Cover
Vangoa Left Handed Acoustic Guitar 4/4 Full Size Cutaway Lefty Folk Guitar Starter Set with Beginner Kits, Black

The Vangoa Left Handed Guitar is specifically designed for left-handed players, making it easier for you to play, tune, and maintain. Its premium fittings, including a spruce top and sapele back, provide a crisp and bright sound that enhances your musical experience. With precise tuning thanks to the chrome-plated tuning pegs, you can keep your guitar in tune effortlessly. The scientific design, featuring a built-in truss rod, ensures a comfortable playing experience and allows you to reach higher notes with ease.

What We Like
Designed for left-handed players
High-quality sound materials
Precise tuning capabilities
Comfortable and durable design
Comprehensive starter kit included
#TOP 10

Fender Malibu Player Acoustic Guitar with Sunburst Finish

0970722503
Sunburst
Fender Malibu Player Acoustic Guitar with Sunburst Finish Cover
Fender Malibu Player Acoustic Guitar, Walnut Fingerboard, Gold Pickguard, Sunburst

The Fender Malibu Player Guitar is designed to inspire your musical creativity. With its solid spruce top and sapele back and sides, this parlor-sized instrument offers a sweet, clear tone that encourages you to explore new chords and melodies. Its comfortable slim “C”-shaped neck and short scale length make it easy for you to play, while the vintage-style tuning machines ensure your guitar stays perfectly in tune. Additionally, the onboard Fishman Flex preamp system delivers your guitar's natural sound beautifully when amplified, making it ideal for performances or recordings.

What We Like
Beautiful sound quality
Easy to play
Stylish design
Great for performances
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Sapele wood good for acoustic guitar?

Sapele can be a superb neck tonewood for acoustic guitars as well. It's articulate and stable; it feels nice, and its balanced tone can enhance the sound of whichever fretboard material is chosen (often ebony).

2. Which is better Sapele or mahogany?

Like Mahogany, Sapele is used as both a top wood and a back/sides wood. Also like Mahogany, Sapele is a popular wood for guitar necks....Related: Mahogany vs Rosewood.

3. Is Sapele any good?

It is a great alternative to genuine Mahogany. Sapele is stiffer and heavier than the African mahogany. It is said to be 16% harder than Red Oak. So that the chance of scratching on this wood is less....Sapele wood.

4. What does Sapele wood sound like?

Sounds: much like Mahogany but due to the hardness, a little brighter, just a little... to some ears. Looks: The coloring is spot on to many shades of mahogany that we see. It's also practically indistinguishable from Mahogany in terms of how the grain appears.

Editor's Notes

During our sapele acoustic steel-string guitar research, we found 21 sapele acoustic steel-string guitar products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 7,034 customer reviews through our big data system to write the sapele acoustic steel-string guitars list. We found that most customers choose sapele acoustic steel-string guitars with an average price of £253.91.

The sapele acoustic steel-string guitars are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of sapele acoustic steel-string guitars, including Fender, Chord, Ibanez, James Neligan, vangoa. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 82 consumers with an average rating of 4.5.

Written by
Hayden Bryant Avatar

Hayden was born in Liverpool, and he never left his hometown until university. In his freshman year at the University of Manchester, Hayden was the group leader of a popular music group. Hayden is responsible for the popularity of his music, and this is because of his natural ability to play with keys and strings. He graduated with BFA in 2016 and returned in 2018 as a lecturing staff in the School of Music.