Best Rosewood Electro-Acoustic Guitars of 2026

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is rosewood good for acoustic guitar?

If you like a guitar with fuller low end and brighter treble (bluegrassers, for instance), rosewood will do the trick. Its high-end sizzle and clear articulation will benefit players with “dark hands”. If you're looking for a traditional acoustic sound, a rosewood Dreadnought or Grand Auditorium is right up your alley.

2. Is rosewood a good tonewood?

Rosewoods. Rosewood, which takes the name from its characteristic floral scent, is an ideal tonewood for backs and sides. “Rosewood is dense and heavy compared to other woods—almost so heavy that it sinks in water,” Boak says. “And it produces extremely warm and resonant tones.”

3. Are rosewood guitars good?

Overall, Rosewood is a good choice for players who want a warm tone, for those who like the natural feel of the wood, and for those who want to attenuate some of the brightness that a guitar may otherwise generate through the soundboard or new strings. Ebony has been a popular fretboard tone wood choice for years.

4. Are guitars still made with rosewood?

The cost and hassle of the new regulations have caused some guitar makers to shift away from rosewood. Martin stopped using it on most guitars produced in Mexico and the models made in the U.S. that cost less than $3,000. Taylor has rolled out several models without rosewood for overseas customers.