Last year, the winner of this category was a foregone conclusion from April onwards thanks to the way that Martin's Guitarist Gold Award-winning 000-15M reduced the office to jelly. However, 2011 has seen much tougher competition and the recession has bitten hardest on the upper-mid price section of the market.

Yamaha's ability to manufacture entry-level acoustic guitars that offer staggering value for money for the home strummer has never been in any doubt, but it is important to remember that when the time comes to purchase a serious instrument for performance and recording, the company has plenty to offer here too.

Reviewed alongside the A1M dreadnought, Yamaha's concert-sized AC3R cutaway electro-acoustic was a real hit with the Guitarist team, earning 4.5 stars across the board and a Guitarist Choice Award into the bargain. A seriously impressive instrument for studio or stage use.

45 Stars

BUY: Yamaha AC3R currently available from Andertons Music Co. | Thomann | Soundslive | Coda Music | WoodBrass | Hard To Find

Read the full Yamaha AC3R review