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The tenor guitar is not one of the most common instruments out there today, and many musicians have never even laid eyes on one. However, if you want to have an instrument that sounds great and is a bit different from the norm, the tenor guitar can be a great choice.
If you want to start playing the 4-string tenor guitar, keep reading. Below we’ll give you our list of the best tenor guitars on the market today.
Best Tenor Guitars – Quick View
| Image | Model | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Blueridge BR-40T Tenor Guitar | Check Price on Amazon |  |
 | Ibanez Performance PFT2-NT Mini Dreadnought Acoustic Tenor Guitar | Check Price on Amazon | |
 | Gold Tone TG-10 Tenor Guitar | Check Price on Amazon | |
 | Ibanez AVT1 Tenor Guitar | Check Price on Amazon | |
What Is a Tenor Guitar?
If you don’t know what a tenor guitar is, you shouldn’t feel bad. These instruments aren’t so common and many guitarists have never laid their hands on one. The tenor guitar has been around for quite a while, however, and was created over a century ago. These guitars have an interesting history and have experienced something of a resurgence recently.
Unlike a typical acoustic guitar, the tenor guitar has only 4 strings. Tenor guitars are also usually tuned differently than a typical guitar. Most often, tenor guitars are tuned in fifths, to CGDA. This is the same as you can find in instruments such as the viola, the mandola, and the tenor banjo. However, all types of interesting tunings are available with the tenor guitar.
The tenor guitar makes a great instrument for guitar players to use to change up their instrumentation and can also be a great choice for banjo players looking for a change as well. While they’re not as common as standard guitars, many people play tenor guitars to this day and the instrument remains a unique choice for players.
How Are Tenor Guitars Played?
A tenor guitar can be used in a similar way to a full-size 6-string guitar and can be used to play rhythm parts or leads.
While a tenor guitar sounds a lot like a regular guitar, the sound isn’t quite the same. Some players prefer the tenor guitar’s sound in certain situations. The tenor guitar can be used to bring a different dimension of sound to a recording or a live performance and sounds both familiar and fresh at the same time.
Another important benefit of the tenor guitar is that it can serve as a transitional instrument for players. For musicians who play the banjo, the mandolin, the ukulele, or another instrument, the 4-string tenor guitar will be easier to learn than a 6-string guitar. A tenor guitar can even be tuned exactly like a banjo, so banjo players can easily play around with the sounds of the guitar or make the transition to a full-size guitar by starting with the tenor guitar first.
The tenor guitar serves as a great middle ground between guitars and other stringed instruments and this can be helpful for many different musicians.
Top Tenor Guitars – Our Recommendations
Ready to get started? Here’s our list of the best tenor guitars.
1. Blueridge BR-40TCE Tenor Guitar
Pros:
- Acoustic-electric
- High-quality craftsmanship
- Excellent value
Cons:
- Nothing comes to mind
The Blueridge BR-40TCE Tenor Acoustic-Electric Guitar is a versatile and gorgeous acoustic-electric tenor guitar that sounds amazing and projects well. The guitar bridges traditional acoustic tone with modern playability and amplification. Built with a solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides, this instrument delivers a balanced tonal profile—crisp highs, warm midrange, and pleasant resonance—that works whether you’re strumming around the house or performing on stage. Its cutaway design increases access to higher frets, making it more adaptable for lead lines and complex chords than many tenor models without cutaways.
Playability is a strong point of the BR-40TCE. The slim mahogany neck with an adjustable truss rod feels comfortable to players transitioning from standard guitars, and the rosewood fingerboard with smooth nickel-silver frets encourages fluid movement across frets. The tenor’s 22.9″ scale length strikes a nice balance between compact feel and sufficient tension, appealing to both seasoned players and those exploring the tenor format for the first time. This tenor guitar also comes with a padded gig bag, so this guitar will be portable from the very beginning.
A notable feature of this model is its LR Baggs E.A.S. pickup system, which effectively captures the guitar’s natural acoustic voice when amplified. The electronics are simple yet musical, letting you plug in without losing the instrument’s character—a big advantage for live work or recording. The endpin jack setup keeps the body clean and unobtrusive, showing thoughtful design for players who want amplified tone without fuss.
Users tend to praise the BR-40TCE for its quality finish and solid construction at a competitive price point. Many owners note that it arrives well set up and feels sturdy right out of the box, with a finish and aesthetic that punches above its price class. A few reviews mention that the action may benefit from a minor setup tweak depending on personal preference, but overall the build quality and feel receive strong marks.
That said, some players find the tenor size and tone a bit smaller or more intimate than larger acoustics, which isn’t necessarily a flaw but rather a reminder that tenor guitars have their own sonic niche. For players who appreciate the unique voice and feel of a tenor—whether for folk, jazz, or alternate tunings—the BR-40TCE offers an appealing mix of craftsmanship, amplified versatility, and traditional acoustic charm.
Also worth a look is the Blueridge BR-60T, the big brother of the BR-40TCE.
2. Ibanez Performance PFT2-NT Mini Dreadnought Acoustic Tenor Guitar
Pros:
- Beautiful glossy finish
- Excellent quality
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Needs some adjustments out of the box
The Ibanez Performance PFT2-NT Mini Dreadnought Acoustic Tenor Guitar is the next tenor guitar on our list and is well worth your consideration if you’re in the market for a great tenor guitar.
The Ibanez Performance PFT2-NT Mini Dreadnought Acoustic Tenor Guitar is a fun and approachable introduction to tenor guitar playing that blends classic acoustic design with unique tuning flexibility. Built around a mini dreadnought body with a spruce top and sapele back and sides, it delivers a warm, balanced tone unusual for instruments in this price range and size class. The smaller body and tenor scale are ideal for players seeking something more compact than a standard guitar yet rich in harmonic character.
Playability is one of the PFT2-NT’s standout qualities. The 22.8″ scale length and comfortable neck profile make it accessible for players transitioning from guitar or exploring tenor tuning for the first time, while the Ibanez Advantage bridge pins and quality string setup help preserve stable tuning and reliable feel right out of the box. Whether you’re moving from a ukulele, mandolin, or standard guitar, the tenor scale feels responsive and natural under the fingers.
Sonically, the PFT2-NT offers a surprisingly full sound for its compact body. The mini dreadnought shape provides ample acoustic projection, with a clear high end thanks to the spruce top and a warm midrange courtesy of the sapele. While it won’t rival larger acoustics in volume or low-end punch, its voice is well-suited for rhythm work, folk leads, and creative exploration across styles like jazz, country, and folk.
On the downside, this model doesn’t include electronics, so it’s an acoustic-only instrument, which might limit live use without a mic or pickup rig. Some players may also find that the strings and setup benefit from a light tech tweak to suit personal preference, as action and intonation on budget models can vary slightly out of the box. Despite that, the solid build quality and thoughtful design choices give it good value for the price.
Overall, the Ibanez PFT2-NT succeeds as an affordable, playable tenor acoustic that makes the unique tenor tuning accessible without a large investment. It stands out as a compelling choice for players curious about alternate tunings or those who want a versatile travel or secondary instrument, combining traditional materials and approachable ergonomics in a package that’s both fun and musically capable.
The Ibanez tenor guitar comes at a pretty reasonable price considering what you get with the purchase. If you can’t afford the Blueridge tenor guitar above, this can be a good alternative. This is truly a high-quality tenor guitar that will leave very few musicians wanting more.
3. Gold Tone TG-10 Tenor Guitar
Pros:
- Excellent value
- Impressive finish
- Bright, crisp sound
Cons:
- Action is a little high out of the box
The Gold Tone TG-10 is another great tenor guitar that musicians will love to play.
The Gold Tone TG-10 Tenor Guitar delivers an approachable and traditional tenor guitar experience built on a classic acoustic foundation. Its spruce top paired with mahogany back and sides gives the instrument a warm, balanced tone with clear projection that works well across folk, jazz, and acoustic ensemble settings. The natural high-gloss finish highlights the wood grain and gives this instrument a timeless acoustic look, making it feel like a well-made acoustic rather than just a novelty tenor model.
Playability is one of the TG-10’s strong suits. With a 23″ scale length and 20 frets on a rosewood fingerboard, it feels comfortable under the fingers, and the low action contributes to easy chord-melody playing and smooth transitions up and down the neck—particularly helpful for guitarists or banjo players adapting to the tenor format. The Kluson-style tuners and ZeroGlide nut help keep tuning stable, while the bolt-on mahogany neck ensures straightforward maintenance and longevity.
Sonically, the TG-10 has a bright, articulate voice that suits its CGDA tuning well, offering clarity that punches through in ensemble settings without overpowering other instruments. The tonal balance leans slightly toward midrange warmth due to the mahogany body, while the spruce top adds that lively sparkle on higher notes. It’s not a thunderous dreadnought, but for chord work, melodic lines, and creative exploration, it holds its own.
Value-wise, the TG-10 is compelling. It includes a padded gig bag, so it arrives ready to play and travel, and its build quality feels solid for the price point. Many players will appreciate that Gold Tone sets it up to be comfortable right out of the case, and while it doesn’t include electronics as standard, the simplicity of its acoustic design keeps costs down and responses clear.
That said, as with many instruments in this category, it may benefit from a professional setup to optimize action and intonation if you’re particular about feel. But for those exploring tenor tuning, adding tonal variety to their lineup, or transitioning from banjo to guitar-style playing, the TG-10 offers an authentic, enjoyable acoustic tenor experience that’s well-suited to both practice and performance.
Gold Tone is a quality brand and its instruments never disappoint. The same is true with this tenor guitar and it serves as another great option for players who want to start playing this 4-string instrument.
4. Ibanez AVT1NT Tenor Guitar
Pros:
- Great value
- Beautiful appearance
- Excellent sound
Cons:
- Doesn’t include a case or gig bag
Another tenor guitar from Ibanez, the Ibanez AVT 1 NT is another great tenor guitar choice.
The Ibanez AVT 1 NT is a parlor-sized acoustic tenor guitar from Ibanez’s Artwood Vintage line, designed to bring classic acoustic tone and comfortable playability into the four-string tenor format. It features a solid Sitka spruce top with mahogany back and sides, giving it a warm midrange and expressive response that suits folk, jazz, and traditional styles well. The high-gloss natural finish and multi-rosette detail give it a timeless acoustic aesthetic.
On the neck and playability side, the AVT1NT uses a 22.8″ scale length and 20 frets on a rosewood or ovangkol fingerboard, paired with a bone nut and saddle that help with tone transfer and sustain. Its parlor-sized body and relatively narrow nut width make it comfortable for players transitioning from guitar or ukulele, with a feel that’s both accessible and expressive for chord work or melody lines.
Soundwise, this tenor offers a balanced, articulate voice that projects more strongly than you would expect based on its size. The spruce top gives clear attack and responsiveness, while the mahogany body adds warmth and midrange fullness, making it versatile for both strummed rhythms and fingerstyle playing. Its natural acoustic tone often appeals to players seeking a unique sonic palette that bridges guitar and mandolin/ukulele tunings.
Player impressions tend to highlight that the AVT1NT is a well-made instrument with traditional acoustic charm, especially for those drawn to tenor tunings like CGDA (Chicago tuning). Some owners note that it may arrive with a setup that benefits from minor adjustment to maximize playability and action, which is common with many new acoustics at this price and build tier. Reviews also praise its comfortable size and distinct voice, especially for ensemble or folk settings.
That said, like many acoustic-only tenor guitars, the AVT1NT doesn’t include onboard electronics, so amplification requires a mic or pickup if you plan to perform live. For players who want a portable, responsive tenor with traditional tonewoods and classic styling, it offers an enjoyable acoustic experience that feels both familiar and refreshingly distinct within the four-string world.
This Ibanez guitar is also a pretty good value considering the price you’ll pay for it.
Choosing the Ideal 4-String Guitar for Your Needs
If you’re looking for the best tenor guitar on the market today, none of the instruments above will fail you. Be sure you consider the instruments above if you’re ready to start playing the tenor guitar and you want to start your journey off right.
Looking for a 12-string acoustic guitar instead? Click here to see our list of the best 12-string acoustic guitars.
Hi, I’m Harrison! I created this website to help musicians navigate the ins and outs of their craft and to help them choose new instruments and gear to add to their collection. I have 15 years of experience as a guitarist and singer and have also played many other instruments throughout the years including the bass guitar, piano, banjo, mandolin, and harmonica.