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16. 1937 Martin D-28

The sheer musical significance of Martin's deadnought cannot be underestimated. From Hank Williams, David Crosby, David Gilmour and Paul McCartney to Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Michael Hedges and countless more, this pretty much defined the sound of the American acoustic guitar as you know it.

The guitar first appeared in the 1930s and it's the pre-war (pre-1944) instruments that are most highly prized. While there were much fancier models, pre-war D-28s are Best In Show for many players thanks to appointments including an Adirondack spruce top, Brazilian rosewood back and sides, herringbone purfling, 28-style diamonds-and-squares inlays and forward-shifted scalloped X-bracing.

Arguably the most iconic of all acoustics and almost certainly the most copied guitar of all time. You need to experience one.

Price then: $100
Price now: from £25,000
Best new equivalent: Martin D-28 Authentic 1937 (£25,995)
Mid-price choice: Recording King RD-127 (£479)
Budget buy: Yamaha FG730S (£293)

17. PRS DGT

The best ever PRS?

Using a McCarty with a vibrato as the starting point, David Grissom got PRS to tweak the pickups, create a new neck shape and spray it with a nitro-cellulose top coat. A seriously good solidbody. (Click for review)

Price: £2859
Mid-price choice: PRS SE Custom (£599)
Budget buy: Washburn Idol WI18Q (£279)

18. Patrick James Eggle Linville

Every fingerpicker's dream

Patrick Eggle's luthiery proves that you don't need to look to the USA for high-end acoustics. Beautifully finished with a refined tone: among the very best of British. (Click for review)

Price: £1960
Mid-price choice: Blueridge BR-163 (£529)
Budget buy: Recording King RO-16 (£199)

19. Gretsch White Falcon

Fly, my pretty...

If there's one instrument that illustrates perfectly the vibe and sheer desire afforded by Gretsch guitars, it has to the White Falcon. Although available in a number of configurations these days, the opulent mix of gold hardware, the snow white finish and a sparkly binding fashioned from crushed sea shells is class in a perfectly formed glass.

With more tonal features than most modern guitars and a gorgeously skinny neck, the Falcon has a rock credential all its own: try Malcolm Young, Billy Duffy and John Frusciante for starters...

Price: £2459
Mid-price choice: Gretsch Electromatic G5120 (£649)
Budget buy: Epiphone Wildkat (£329)