5 Best Thin Neck Acoustic Guitars 2024

Acoustic guitars are often notorious for being a bit more difficult to play when compared to their electric counterparts. Many consider the acoustic guitar to be a training ground for building finger strength and stamina for this reason.

The acoustic doesn’t necessarily have to be difficult to play, and a model with a thin neck can help. You’ll find that the following guitars have thin necks, which are perfect for smaller hands that can’t exert much pressure.

Fender Acoustasonic Player Telecaster – Best Overall

Fender surprised the guitar industry when they unveiled their Acoustasonic model lineup. These guitars blend elements of the acoustic and the electric in one sleek and uniquely attractive package.

The Fender Acoustasonic Player Telecaster (see price on Sweetwater, Amazon) is definitely worth checking out. This acoustic guitar takes the shape of the iconic Telecaster but offers so much more.

In its construction, the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster features a Mahogany body with a Sitka Spruce top. A large number of color finishes are available with this model, including:

• Shadow burst
• Arctic white
• Brushed black
• Butterscotch blonde

Unlike traditional Telecasters, the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster has quite a bit of comfort packed into its design. A contour has been beveled to comfortably accommodate the player’s forearm. 

Despite being an acoustic guitar, some hallmark Fender designs are featured here. The most notable is the fact that it has a bolt-on neck, with this model’s neck made of Mahogany. 

While the neck has a modern deep C-shape contour, the neck itself feels more akin to an electric guitar. This allows for smooth action up and down the guitar’s 22-fretted Rosewood fretboard.

Some of the guitar’s most important measurements include:

• 12” fretboard radius
• 25.5” scale length
• 1.6875” nut width

What’s truly unique about this guitar is that it’s equipped with a single-coil pickup and an undersaddle piezo pickup. A 3-way switch, volume knob, and blend knob are provided for tonal selection and customization.

Some of the other hardware to be found on the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster includes:

• Die-cast tuners
• Tusq nut
• Tusq saddle
• Rosewood bridge

Plus, Fender has included a padded gig bag with the purchase of this guitar. 

What’s So Great About The Fender Acoustasonic Player Telecaster?

Let’s first start off by saying that the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster is not going to be for everybody. This isn’t going to be the first choice most people think of when they decide to buy an acoustic guitar. 

And really, that’s okay, as everyone is free to have their opinions and preferences. But, for the right person, the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster truly is the best option available.

Those who are primarily used to playing the electric guitar will find a welcome home on the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster. After all, it is literally just an electric guitar with acoustic guitar capabilities. 

In some ways, you could almost think of this guitar as the reverse idea of an acoustic-electric guitar. Rather than staying traditional, Fender opted to build an electric guitar that can also function as an acoustic. 

As you would expect, the guitar can handle acoustic guitar tones quite nicely. If we’re to be honest, the tone lacks a hint of depth that you would hear on a dreadnought acoustic. 

Where the real surprise comes in is that the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster can sound just like an electric guitar. You’ll be able to use this with your pedals, and cranking up the overdrive won’t be out of the question.

This is the perfect guitar if you don’t want a full-on acoustic or a full-on electric guitar. The Acoustasonic Player Telecaster offers a little bit of both while adding its own unique tones.

If you prefer the feel of an electric guitar’s thinner neck, this is worth looking at. Fender has done a fabulous job at providing the electric guitar’s feel and playability to the acoustic guitar design.

Plus, it comes in the shape of the iconic Telecaster, with traditional options for electronics. 

Godin MultiAc Grand Concert SA – Best Premium

If you have a decent budget to work with, the sky is essentially the limit. However, some discretion is still needed despite the fact that you have access to a large number of guitars.

For the money, the Godin MultiAc Grand Concert SA (see price on Sweetwater, Amazon) is worth every penny. This nylon-string guitar has tonal possibilities far beyond what you’d expect with a classical guitar.

In a sense, the MultiAc Grand Concert SA is more akin to a hollowbody electric guitar than an actual acoustic. It sports a Mahogany body with a Solid Cedar top and has a modern (yet traditional) stylistic design.

Godin has used a Mahogany neck with this guitar, which features a bolt-on neck joint. There is no heel joint to have to play around, ensuring easy playability in the higher regions of the neck. 

The Richlite fretboard features 19 frets along with an extremely flat radius of 24”. You’ll be able to set this guitar up with some insanely low playing action if that is your desire.

For hardware, the MultiAc Grand Concert SA has features such as:

• Richlite bridge
• Tusq nut
• Tusq saddle
• 16:1 ratio tuners

You’re probably thinking that, aside from the design, the MultiAc Grand Concert SA is a fairly standard guitar. Once you realize its capabilities, you’ll understand why this guitar stands apart on its own. 

For starters, the MultiAc Grand Concert SA features undersaddle pickups designed by LR Baggs. Godin has provided a number of preamp controls hidden on the shoulder of the guitar’s top.

Along with that, you’ll get an extra output jack with this guitar, which supports a 13-pin MIDI connection. This will allow you to assign any sound to the guitar, effectively changing the entire sound of the guitar overall. 

What’s So Great About The Godin MultiAc Grand Concert SA?

The MultiAc Grand Concert SA is another guitar that certainly won’t be to everyone’s liking and preferences. It is about the farthest thing away from an acoustic guitar as you could get while still being acoustic. 

With that being said, the MultiAc Grand Concert SA provides guitar players with some interesting capabilities not seen anywhere else. When you couple that with a slim body and a sleek neck, this guitar is truly one of the best.

Anyone who has dabbled with MIDI electronics knows that, as long as you have a sample, it can be assigned. That means you could make your guitar sound like a synthesizer, a saxophone, or anything you can imagine.

And, because it has nylon strings, it feels much easier and slinkier to play than its steel-stringed brethren. You don’t need to be a classical player to be able to enjoy the feel and playability of this guitar. 

If you were to look at the specs, you might be a bit concerned about its 2” nut width. However, the neck is actually quite slim in relation to the actual depth (or slimness) of the guitar’s body.

These guitars do weigh a few more pounds than your average acoustic, but this is all worth it. The MultiAc Grand Concert SA provides possibilities beyond your average acoustic applications. 

With that being said, this guitar does sound better when it is plugged into an amplifier or PA. The resonance of the guitar is not allowed to escape as easily as on a guitar with a traditional soundhole. 

Nevertheless, the MultiAc Grand Concert SA is a very unique offering designed especially for high performance. Plus, Godin includes a gig bag to ensure you can take it to your next gig.

Yamaha APX600 – Best Budget 

Not wanting to spend an exorbitant amount of money on your next acoustic guitar? Be sure to at least check out the Yamaha APX600 (see price on Sweetwater, Amazon).

This is a guitar that will provide you with everything you could ever need as an acoustic player. Plus, it has a thinner body and a thinner neck, which should feel comfortable to players of any style. 

The guitar itself has a Sitka Spruce top, with the rest of the body made of locally-harvested tonewoods. While the guitar might be thin, the APX600 is certainly not short on projection and resonance. 

The APX600 does have a bit of an unusual shape, with wider hips than average acoustics. This ultimately helps with projection.

There are quite a few different color options to consider when purchasing the guitar, including:

• Oriental blue burst
• Black
• Old violin burst
• Natural
• Vintage white

The APX600 has a Nato neck, offering a slim C-shape contour and a standard 25” scale length. Rosewood is used for the fretboard, offering 22 frets and a 15.75” radius. 

Standard white dot inlays have been included on the fretboard. Plus, the guitar has also fret indicators located along the side of the neck for easy identification.

For hardware, the APX600 has items such as:

• Rosewood bridge
• Urea nut
• Urea saddle
• Chrome die-cast tuners

A good number of people would be satisfied with just these basics previously mentioned. However, that’s not all that the APX600 has to offer for whoever might be interested.

There’s a piezo pickup installed in the APX600, allowing you to use the guitar for acoustic-electric performances. The guitar has the famed Yamaha System 65A preamp, with detailed functions such as:

• Built-in tuner
• 3-band EQ
• Volume control
• Frequency bias
• Battery status indicator

What’s So Great About The Yamaha APX600?

When compared to every other guitar on this list, you’re probably wondering what makes this guitar so special. The answer to that would have to be that the APX600 is essentially the everyman’s guitar.

Don’t worry if you aren’t too sure of the meaning of such a statement. To put it another way, the APX600 essentially packs in an incredible value while remaining very affordable.

The guitar itself is priced comfortably for anyone from beginners with a decent budget and beyond. And while it might be affordable, the APX600 doesn’t lack in features that make it a worthwhile guitar.

Quite a lot of people are going to find that the APX600 is a very comfortable guitar to play. The body is thinner than average, and thus, can better accommodate those of smaller stature. 

Along with that, the neck of the APX600 is fairly thin and should provide a blend between comfort and performance. It won’t feel like an electric guitar, but it’s thin enough to not have to constantly think about its thickness. 

Plus, the guitar is stocked with electronics, ensuring that you’ll be able to use this guitar on the stage. Compared with other guitars in its price point, the APX600 makes for a wonderful entry-level guitar for stage performances. 

Of course, let’s not forget that the APX600 is quite a stunning guitar to look at aesthetically. Yamaha has provided a number of different color options, which is always a massive plus for customization. 

Sure, you could raise an issue with the ambiguity of the guitar’s build components. But, this is just Yamaha ensuring that all of their materials are locally sourced, which helps to benefit the environment.

Overall, if you consider yourself a fairly average player with average needs, the APX600 is more than worth its cost. 

Takamine Thinline TSP138

Are you someone with a sizable budget and looking for something a little more traditional? The Takamine Thinline TSP138 (see price on Sweetwater, Amazon) might prove to be an ideal fit. 

This guitar is built more akin to a regular acoustic guitar rather than those aforementioned hybrid electric models. The guitar itself has a shape very similar to a Jumbo acoustic, with the exception of its dimensions.

For starters, the Thinline TSP138 features a Sapele body with a Solid Spruce top. As its name suggests, this guitar has a much thinner body than a traditional acoustic guitar would have.

There’s no need to worry about volume projection, however, as the guitar has surprisingly ample resonation. 

The Thinline TSP138’s neck is crafted from Mahogany to have a slim C-shape contour. Its Rosewood fretboard has a 12” radius and offers 21 frets outlined by Abalone dot inlays. 

With a scale length of 24.75”, the guitar will provide a bit more flexibility to the strings. The nut width measures 1.653”, making the overall neck and fretboard feel very sleek.

Takamine took no shortcuts when building this guitar, which is evident in the guitar's hardware, which features:

• Bone nut
• Bone saddle
• Rosewood bridge
• Gotoh tuners

Performers are definitely going to enjoy playing the Thinline TSP138 thanks to its pickup and preamp system. The preamp itself offers a number of features including:

• Built-in tuner
• Volume control
• 3-band EQ
• Battery status indicator
• Notch filter

Furthermore, Takamine offers a soft-shell case with the purchase of the Thinline TSP138. You’ll be able to take this to a gig directly out of the box!

Takamine also offers a number of different color options with the guitar, including:

• Natural
• Tea burst
• Tobacco sunburst

What’s So Great About The Takamine Thinline TSP138?

While it might be pricey for some budgets to handle, the Thinline TSP138 is a dream come true for many. This is an acoustic guitar that was built with the frequent performer in mind.

Too many manufacturers end up experimenting too much with a guitar’s design to provide thin dimensions. Takamine, however, ended up hitting a grand slam when they started producing this guitar.

This guitar is nothing less than an acoustic guitar but provides features that could be taken for granted. Takamine has built a seriously thin guitar with a total body depth of just a few inches.

Those who are accustomed to playing the electric guitar will find the Thinline TSP138 to be a great transition instrument. It provides acoustic sounds and playability without ever feeling too cumbersome to play.

For most people, the cumbersome nature of a full-size dreadnought guitar tends to be a major complaint. These people often have to awkwardly accommodate the guitar, rather than the guitar accommodating them.

With the Thinline TSP138, Takamine provides a traditional design with modern innovation. Plus, you can be dead certain that this guitar has one of the slimmest necks on the market. 

If you’re somebody who suffers from arthritis, the Thinline TSP138 might be the answer to your prayers. It’s slim in almost every way and offers a shorter scale length which decreases the spaces between each fret.

Plus, it's always a bonus to see an acoustic guitar offering at this price range having multiple color options. At this price, you’re normally stuck with 1 or 2 options (usually natural and black).

Some people have taken an issue with the electronics of this guitar and how it sounds. It’s of utmost importance that you try the guitar plugged in to see how the guitar’s electronics sound to you.

Yamaha APX1200II

Do you like the idea of Yamaha’s APX guitars, but want something that’s a bit of a higher quality? The Yamaha APX1200II is just the very guitar you’ve been looking for.

This guitar features the signature APX shape, with a cutaway design and a wider width in the hip area. Don’t let that fool you, as this Thinline model has a depth of just a few inches. 

The body of the APX1200II is crafted from Solid Rosewood and features a Solid Spruce top. You’ll find that this guitar has a pleasant blend of both warmth and brightness without ever sounding too thin.

African Mahogany is used for the neck, which has a C-shape contour that remains fairly thin throughout. The Ebony fretboard on this guitar has a 15.75” radius and offers 21 easily accessible frets. 

Yamaha has used some of the very best materials when it comes to the hardware of the APX1200II. This includes items such as:

• Urea nut
• Urea saddle
• Ebony bridge
• Die-cast Chrome tuners

Furthermore, the APX1200II is stocked with an SRT piezo pickup, which the guitar’s preamp takes to a new level. On the preamp, you’ll have a number of features, which include:

• Built-in tuner
• 3-band EQ
• Volume control
• Voicing type
• Resonance
• Blend control
• Pickup focus

The APX1200II has quite a number of aesthetic features as well, which are sure to turn some heads. For instance, Abalone and Mother-of-Pearl are used for some classy fretboard inlays as well as the guitar’s decorative rosette. 

With both color options (natural or translucent black), an attractive binding wraps around the edges of the guitar. This helps to give the guitar a timeless (yet modern) look that will forever be in style. 

Yamaha does include a gig bag with the purchase of this guitar.

What’s So Great About The Yamaha APX1200II?

Every guitar in Yamaha’s APX lineup has something worthwhile to mention. The APX1200II is essentially the cream of the crop when it comes to this particular model lineup.

For starters, the APX1200II has all solid-wood construction, ensuring the highest build quality possible. And while Yamaha could have stopped there, they opted to go the extra mile with every detail of the guitar. 

Sure, the APX1200II might cost a fair premium above most guitars available on the market. But, if you’re a professional looking for something that can get the job done comfortably every night, this is it.

One of the most notable aspects of the APX1200II has to be its pickup and preamp system. Compared to other guitars, this preamp gives you some of the most control over your tone.

You’ll be able to blend the pickup with a simulated ribbon mic for a natural tone of your preferences. The simulated microphone can even be virtually positioned so that certain parts of the guitar’s tone are more in focus.

Of course, the neck on the APX1200II is suitable for anyone looking for something slightly slimmer than average. This neck will feel reminiscent of other necks, just slightly thinner to be proportional to the guitar’s overall body thickness. 

Plus, it’s always nice to have some tasteful aesthetic touches that go beyond the norm without being gaudy. The fretboard inlays provide a hint of “cool” to the guitar’s design that is surprisingly refreshing.

What To Look For When Buying An Acoustic Guitar With A Thin Neck

Buying an acoustic guitar often requires a good amount of research before taking the plunge on a purchase. You’ll want to ensure that the money you’re spending is worth every penny in terms of needs and longevity. 

This certainly doesn’t get any easier when you’re looking for an acoustic guitar that has a thin neck. More often than not, retailers typically do not explicitly state how thick or thin a guitar’s neck might actually be. 

Fortunately, there are a few clues that you can use to help narrow down your research process. Keep the following points in mind when researching, but remember that there isn’t exactly a hard, fast rule to follow. 

Nut Width

When looking for a guitar with a thinner neck, many people will look at the nut width of the guitar. This is essentially the measurement of the neck’s width at the area of the nut itself.

Something with a wider nut width will typically have a wider string spacing between each string. Typically, you’ll find the widest nut widths on classical guitars, which can have a nut width above 2”. 

While no acoustic guitar is the same, there is a wide variety of different nut widths available. The most common nut widths tend to fall between 1.6875” and 1.75”.

With that being said, keep in mind that the nut width doesn’t always equate to the neck’s thickness. Rather, the nut width plays just one small part in how the neck itself might feel in your hand.

You could easily find instances of acoustic guitars that have a wider nut width, but a thinner neck. Because of this, it is of paramount importance that you take the time to try out each guitar of interest. 

Body Style & Dimensions

There are more acoustic guitar styles today than perhaps at any other time in history. And while this is great, it does require a bit more due diligence in the research process.

Generally, most manufacturers will produce necks that feel proportionate to the overall size of the guitar itself. Dreadnought and jumbo guitars are typically the largest body sizes being produced.

Because of this, it might be in your best interest to seek out a guitar of smaller dimensions. An acoustic guitar with a “thinline” construction might be your best option for a slimmer neck. 

Thinline acoustics are guitars that have slimmer body designs, usually with decreased depth in the body. As such, they often have slightly slimmer necks despite having average-sized nut widths. 

Again, you’ll need to try each guitar out for yourself to ascertain exactly how the neck feels in your hand. If you purchase blindly and impatiently, you should be prepared to be a little disappointed with the result.

Neck Contour

For most people, the overall neck thickness is thought of in relation to how chunky or slim the neck is. And, while there often isn’t a clear indicator of this, you can look to the neck contour for an idea.

Most acoustic guitars will typically have a C-shape contour, which is designed for comfort and playability. These types of contours appeal to the greater mass of people as they have a familiar feel.

Not all contours are the same, and even a C-shape contour on 1 guitar will feel completely different on another. You might find that some models have a thicker C, while others offer a slimmer C. 

Some other contours you might find include:

• D
• V
• Oval
• U

The guitar’s neck contour is vitally important to how thick or thin the neck actually feels in the hand. Be sure to try each out to get a feel for which contours feel the best in your hands.

Another thing to consider here is whether the neck has any tapering present along its length. Some manufacturers will do this so that the neck has a uniform feel, with more accessibility in certain regions. 

Every guitar player has their own preferences, and there isn’t one way that is right or wrong. Take the time to experiment and explore how each contour feels so you know what your own preferences are.

Extra Features

Aside from the actual neck of the guitar, you’ll also want to consider what features might be included. Everyone’s needs are different, and you’ll need to have a decent idea of your own requirements.

For instance, if you’re somebody that regularly performs live, a guitar with electric capabilities is a must. You’ll then want to dive deeper and explore what kinds of features the guitar’s preamp has to offer. 

Some other things that could be considered extra features include:

• Color options
• Inclusion of case or gig bag

Budget

Always keep your budget in mind as it will play a role in the kind of guitar you purchase. Every price range has something to offer, so do not feel discouraged or embarrassed about buying a budget guitar. 

If you’re strapped for cash, consider buying used. You’ll often find that more expensive models become a bit more affordable when going this route.

Best Brands For Thin Neck Acoustic Guitars

Are you finding it difficult to know exactly where you should begin your research on acoustic guitars? In these instances, it can help to start by checking out some of the most reputable brands in the industry. 

Like anything, the guitar industry has its fair share of companies that are widely respected by the majority of guitarists. While the bigger brands aren’t necessarily always better, they help to set a standard by which other guitars are produced.

The following companies are especially respected when it comes to their lineups of acoustic guitars. Be sure to check out their offerings when embarking on the journey to find your next guitar.

Yamaha

Yamaha is undoubtedly one of the largest names in the entire music industry, getting its start in 1887. The company is known best for its pianos but produces worthwhile acoustic guitars for any budget.

In recent years, guitarists have held Yamaha to high acclaim for their ability to provide value at every price point. Many of their acoustic guitars perform above and beyond the guitars in their respective price ranges.

Takamine

Takamine was officially founded at the end of the 1950s and has since been at the forefront of innovation. While the company isn’t as popular as some others, its designs have forever changed the industry.

Perhaps Takamine’s biggest contribution is the acoustic-electric guitar, which debuted in 1978. Today, Takamine continues to build upon its legacy, offering quality guitars for every kind of player and budget.

Top Thin Neck Acoustic Guitars, Final Thoughts

The neck of a guitar is undoubtedly one of the most important aspects of how a guitar plays. If you find that the neck is uncomfortable to play, you’re going to end up disliking the guitar itself.

Be sure to try out these acoustic guitars if you’re in the market for something with a thin neck. These are sure to be exactly what the doctor ordered and will provide a lifetime’s worth of comfort and playability.