When I tell people that I play a Grand Concert and Parlor sized guitars, many people have no idea about these types of guitars or if they see them in a guitar store they may think they are junior or starter guitars. The Grand Concert is slightly smaller than a Dreadnought and the parlor is smaller still. As primarily a fingerpicker, it is much easier for me to play Grand Concerts and Parlors compared to Dreadnoughts and Jumbos.
You will see many famous musicians play Grand Concerts and at time parlors in concerts. To get a bigger sound out of a smaller guitar most Grand Concerts and Parlors are made from all solid materials. I particularly like the sound from a Spruce or Mahogany top rather than Cedar tops. Cedar will give you a softer or warmer tone.
Below find a few samples of common Grand Concert guitars around or under $500 you can purchase that won’t break the bank.
Also check out today’s best prices on grand concerts.
 Ibanez is probably the leader in offering a great Grand Concert product at a really affordable price. They have a few models to choose from and you can pick up a new one starting around $250CDN. They are very well made and have a big sound. (review) They make a quality product for the money and most of their guitars include: X Bracing – Mahogany top, back, sides, neck, Rosewood fretboard, Rosewood bridge, sound hole rosette Tortoiseshell, tuning machine Chrome Open Gear tuners w/Butterbean knobs, number of frets 20, bridge pins Ibanez Advantage™ bridge pins, strings Ibanez IACS6C coated strings, finish Open Pore. – Check Reverb for prices – Check eBay for prices |
 Yamaha is a well known in the guitar world and make a great Grand Concert product at a really affordable price. (review) Their better Grand Concert guitars include: Japanese made, spruce top, agathis back/sides, and rosewood fingerboard – Check Reverb for prices – Check eBay for prices |
 Alvarez makes a great product and you can find them under $1000. (review)Their better Grand Concert guitars include: Top Solid A+ Sitka Spruce, Back & Sides Mahogany, Mahogany Bracing System, Scalloped X Bridge, Bi-Level Indian Laurel/Rosewood Inlays, Abalone & Mother of Pearl Fingerboard, Indian Laurel/Rosewood w/12th Fret Inlay Headstock Plate , Rosewood Nut & Saddle, Real Bone Tuner, Premium Open Gear Chrome Binding, Ivory ABS Strings, D’Addario EXP16 Pickup / EQ. – Check Reverb for prices – Check eBay for prices |
 Taylor Academy Series, under $1000, (review), features including:Slim-profile neck, a shorter 24-7/8-inch scale length, 1-11/16-inch nut width, low action, light gauge strings, layered sapele back and sides, solid Sitka spruce top, boasts an ergonomic armrest, onboard ES-B pickup, built-in digital chromatic tuner, and sturdy lightweight gig bag. – Check Reverb for prices – Check eBay for prices |