Last Updated on April 28, 2023 by Teemu Suomala
Anything that can make an acoustic guitar sound better & different is hot stuff. What about a soundhole? Does the shape and size of it even matter?
Of course it does. It happens to be one of the crucial elements of an acoustic guitar that amplify its sound acoustically. The size and shape do matter here. In this article, we will explain how the soundhole affects your guitar, but let’s first determine what an offset soundhole is and I also reveal to you the cream of the crop acoustic guitars with offset soundholes…
Let’s get rolling!
If you want something even crazier, check these acoustic guitars without soundhole out.
Author: Teemu Suomala
What is An Offest Soundhole?
In this article, when we talk about offset soundholes, we mean soundholes that are not shaped and sized the same way as usually with acoustic guitars or the soundhole is in a totally different place than with acoustic guitars usually.
In the image above, you can see a normal soundhole of an acoustic guitar in a normal place on the left. On the right, you can see a differently shaped offset soundhole of an acoustic guitar in a totally different place than usual. Looks really cool by the way!
Resonator guitars don’t have normal soundholes either (thet usually have F-holes). Check our picks for the best resonator guitars here.
Let’s now have look at some amazing acoustic guitars with differently shaped & sized and located soundholes!
35 Acoustic Guitars With Offset Soundhole
Ibanez Altstar ALT30FM is a good example of a great-sounding and versatile acoustic guitar with an offset soundhole and an affordable price. It plays like an electric guitar and looks cool…what else do you need? It does have a laminated top, which is a bummer.
Price Range Icon Meanings:
$= $189-399
$$= $400-699
$$$= $700-999
$$$$= $1000-1399
$$$$$= $1400-
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| Model | Soundhole Type | Guitar Type | Price Range | Check The Current Price (affiliate links) |
| Luna Safari Peace Travel Guitar – Cheapest Acoustic Guitar With Offset Soundhole | “Peace” soundhole | Steel-string travel acoustic guitar | $ | Sweetwater* |
| Yamaha APXT2 3/4-size Thin-line | Oval soundhole | 3/4-size Thinline Steel-string acoustic guitar | $ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Yamaha APX600 – Great Acoustic Guitar for Small Hands | Oval soundhole | APX Thinline Steel-string acoustic guitar | $ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Ibanez Talman TCM50 – Plays Like An Electric | Slightly oblong soundhole | Talman Steel-string acoustic guitar | $ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Ibanez Altstar ALT30FM – Plays Like An Electric – Find More Great Ibanez Acoustic Guitars Here | Slightly oblong soundhole | Dreadnought with Cutaway, Steel-string acoustic guitar | $ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Ovation Applause AE44-4S Mid-depth | Ovation small-circle soundholes at the left side of the neck | Applause Mid-depth, Steel-string acoustic guitar | $ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Gretsch G5024E Rancher – Best Budget | Triangular soundhole | Dreadnought, Steel-string acoustic guitar | $$ | Sweetwater |
| Yamaha NTX1 Nylon String – Best Budget Nylon String – More Amazing Yamaha Acoustic Guitars Here | Oval | NTX1 Classical, Nylon String guitar | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Washburn Festival EA20 | Oval | Mini Jumbo, Steel-string acoustic guitar | $$ | Sweetwater |
| Washburn Festival EACT42S | Oval soundhole at the left side of the neck | Classical Thin with Cutaway, Nylon String guitar | $$ | Sweetwater |
| Gretsch G5021E Rancher Penguin Parlor – More Great Parlor Guitars Here | Triangular soundhole | Parlor, Steel-string acoustic guitar | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Ovation Elite Celebrity – Great Budget Ovation | Ovation small-circle soundholes on the both sides of the neck | Elite Celebrity Mid-Depth Cutaway, Steel-string acoustic guitar | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Takamine GC-6CE – Find More Great Takamine Acoustic Guitars Here | Oval soundhole | Classical Cutaway, Nylon String guitar | $$ | Sweetwater |
| ESP LTD TL-6 | ESP soundhole at the left side of the lower bout | LTD TL Singlecut, Steel-string acoustic guitar | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Cordoba Stage Thinbody Nylon | Square soundholes at the left side of the neck | Semi-hollobody steel string acoustic electric guitar | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Gretsch G5022CWFE-12 Rancher Falcon Jumbo – 12 String | Triangular soundhole | Jumbo Cutaway Steel-string acoustic guitar | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Luna Flora Lotus | Flower-shaped soundhole | Grand Auditorium Cutaway Steel-string acoustic guitar | $$$ | Sweetwater |
| Ovation Mod TX Super Shallow | Ovation small-circle soundholes at the left side of the neck | Mid-Depth Cutaway | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| The Loar LH-600-VS Professional Archtop – Check Our Full F-Hole Acoustic Guitar Article | F-Holes of both sides of the lower bout | Deep Body Archtop Steel-string acoustic guitar | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Gretsch G5034TFT Rancher – Best Overall | Triangular soundhole | Dreadnought Steel-string acoustic guitar | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Gibson Acoustic G-45 – Find More Great Gibson Acoustics Here | Normal soundhole and oval soundhole at the side of the guitar | J-45 Dreadnought Steel-string acoustic guitar | $$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Ovation Timeless Elite Deep Contour 12-String | Ovation small-circle soundholes on the both sides of the neck | Timeless Elite Deep Contour Steel-string acoustic guitar | $$$$ | Sweetwater |
| Yamaha APX1200II | Oval soundhole | APX Thinline, Steel-string acoustic guitar | $$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Journey Instruments OF660M Overhead | Offset soundhole at the left side of the neck | 00 Travel, Steel-string acoustic guitar | $$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Journey Instruments OC660M Overhead | Circle offset soundhole at the left side of the neck | 00 Travel, Steel-string acoustic guitar | $$$$ | Sweetwater |
| Godin G-Tour Nylon | Small Oval soundhole | G-Tour Double cut, Steel-string acoustic guitar | $$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| The Loar LH-700-VS Supreme Archtop | F-Holes of both sides of the lower bout | Deep Body Archtop Steel-string acoustic guitar | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Godin ACS-SA Slim | Small circle soundholes at the left side of the neck | ACS-SA Slim, Nylon String guitar | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Takamine GB7C Garth Brooks Signature | Dreadnought shaped soundhole | Dreadnought with Cutaway, Steel-string acoustic guitar | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Godin MultiAc Grand Concert SA | Small circle soundholes at the left side of the neck | MultiAc Grand Concert, Nylon String guitar | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Taylor 326ce – Best Premium | Normal soundhole and small oval soundhole on Cutaway | Grand Symphony with Soundport Cutaway, Steel-string acoustic guitar | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Taylor 816ce Builder’s Edition – Find Our Favorite Taylor Guitars Here | Normal soundhole and small oval soundhole on Cutaway | Grand Symphony with Soundport Cutaway, Steel-string acoustic guitar | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Ovation Adamas I GT Cutaway Deep Contour | Ovation small-circle soundholes at the left side of the neck | Deep Contour Cutaway, Steel-string acoustic guitar | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Ovation Adamas MD80 Cutaway Mid-depth – The Best Ovation Guitar | Offset soundhole at the left side of the neck | Deep Contour Cutaway, Steel-string acoustic guitar | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Taylor K26ce – Find More Acoustic Guitars With Side Sound Ports Here | Normal soundhole and small oval soundhole on Cutaway | Grand Symphony with Soundport Cutaway, Steel-string acoustic guitar | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
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3 Best Acoustic Guitars With Offset Soundhole – My Favorites
Best Budget – Gretsch G5024E Rancher
What I like
- Arched-back design boosts volume
- Great acoustic tone with a decent electronic system
- Stunning looks paired with superior construction and sound
- You really feel the instrument when playing
- Comfortable and slim neck
- Versatile, delivers from delta blues to blues rock
What I don’t like
- Non-cutaway limits high-fret access
- Synthetic bone nut and saddle
This Gretsch is our favorite acoustic guitar for blues overall. Check our other picks for the best blues acoustic guitars here.
Who is it for?
If you are in search of a solid top guitar with an offset soundhole, that handles blues exceptionally well and is comfortable to play, the Gretsch G5024E Rancher is easily one of the best acoustic guitar options for under $500.
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Best Overall – Gretsch G5034TFT Rancher
What I like
- Super versatile (Fideli’Tron Humbucker and Bigsby)
- Really rare to find a Bigsby Tremolo tailpiece from acoustic guitar
- Fun and comfortable Gretsch rancher playability
- Solid all-around acoustic guitar tones
- Humbucker offers excellent tones for jazz, blues, classic rock, and rockabilly
- Will get you noticed
What I don’t like
- Laminated top for this price is a deal-breaker for some people (this top choice is probably made because of the humbucker)
- Synthetic bone nut sounds cheap for this price
Check our full Laminated Woods vs Solid Woods on Guitar-article here.
Who is it for?
If you are after an extremely unique instrument with a still affordable price tag, plus an offset soundhole, Gretsch G5034TFT Rancher is one of the best picks. It’s the most versatile instrument in this whole article, and while it lacks some common features from its price range (solid top and bone nut), it still manages to offer so cool tones, uniqueness, and fun playability to the table that it is worth the money for me.
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Best Premium – Taylor 326ce
What I like
- Incredible volume for a Grand Auditorium body
- Beautiful finish with plenty of stage presence
- Rich, balanced mid-range tone for excellent articulation on stage
- Extremely comfortable to play
- Small oval soundhole on the cutaway should offer fuller and more “stereo-like” sound
What I don’t like
- Real bone nut and saddle would add more volume, sustain, and clarity
- No onboard tuner
Who is it for?
If you are after a stage-worthy and stunning acoustic guitar with offset soundhole, and value super-comfortable playability and rich sound & great volume, the Taylor 326ce is one of the best options you have.
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FAQ
Does Soundhole Size and Shape Affect The Sound Of An Acoustic Guitar?
Yes. Soundhole size and shape do affect the tone of an acoustic guitar. Different soundholes create different tones and volumes. Soundhole especially affects the overall volume and projection of a guitar, since it determines how much air is flowing in and out of the instrument.
A small offset soundhole can make a guitar deliver less bass, but at the same time, it can make the guitar sound brighter and clearer. Some offset soundholes might also make the guitar sound a bit duller.
Offset soundholes can certainly make the guitar sound different from what we are used to, but to me personally, the unique sound of a guitar is always welcome. Will I stop using acoustic guitars with regular soundholes as my main weapon of choice? Nope. Will I shy away from unique instruments using offset soundholes? Absolutely not.
Here’s a great video highlighting how acoustic guitar with F-holes and acoustic guitar with a normal soundhole sounds like, head-to-head:
Check also how this awesome custom-made acoustic guitar with offset soundhole sounds like (sounds really sweet):
I recommend checking our full article about Acoustic Guitar Anatomy here.
Different Guitar Sound Hole Designs
- Triangular (Gresch uses these)
- Oval (Yamaha and Takamine use these)
- Peace sign in the middle (Luna uses these)
- F-Holes (The Loar uses these)
- Slightly oblong soundhole (Ibanez uses these)
- Small oval soundhole on cutaway (Taylor uses these)
Guitar Brands Using Offset Soundholes
- Ibanez
- Taylor
- Journey
- Godin
- Gibson
- Ovation
- Washburn
- Gresch
- Takamine
- Yamaha
- ESP
- Luna
- The Loar
Conclusion on Acoustic Guitars With Offset Soundhole
Unique and awesome. That’s how I would describe the acoustic guitars we talked about. I personally think that everyone should at least try an acoustic guitar with offset soundhole out…you might end up loving them after all.
If you have any questions, just leave a comment down below, we are here for you!
Keep rocking!
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