Acoustic guitars, especially dreadnoughts, are popular among musicians because of their large, robust build, which produces a deeply resonant and powerful sound, making them perfect for both strumming and flatpicking. In this article, we share the findings from our extensive research and testing of various dreadnought guitars to identify the best models on the market.
We spent hours playing and analyzing different dreadnought guitars to determine which ones offer the best sound quality, playability, and overall value. Our team of experts has decades of experience in the music industry, and we used our knowledge to carefully select the guitars that made it onto our list.
After extensive testing, we found that the top dreadnought guitars are not only well-crafted and beautiful to look at, but they also offer a wide range of tones and dynamic capabilities. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, our guide will help you find the perfect dreadnought guitar to suit your needs and budget.
Best Dreadnought Guitars
For those who are looking for a rich, full sound and a classic design, dreadnought guitars are an excellent choice. These guitars are known for their large bodies and deep tones, making them a popular choice for folk, country, and bluegrass musicians. In this article, we have compiled a list of the best dreadnought guitars on the market, based on their sound quality, playability, and overall value. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, you’re sure to find a great option on this list.
Yamaha FG830 Solid Top Acoustic Guitar, Tobacco Sunburst
If you’re looking for a guitar that can handle the rigors of life on the road, the Yamaha FG830 is a great choice.
Pros
- The solid Sitka spruce top provides a rich, balanced tone that will only improve with age.
- The Nato back and sides offer a durable and lightweight alternative to traditional woods.
- The scalloped OM-size bracing allows for better sound projection and clarity.
Cons
- The chrome hardware may not be as durable as brass or nickel-silver.
- The guitar may be a bit too small for players with larger hands.
- The price point may be a bit high for beginners or those on a tight budget.
We’ve had the opportunity to play the Yamaha FG830 on several occasions, and we’re always impressed with its sound quality and durability. The solid Sitka spruce top provides a rich, balanced tone that will only improve with age, while the Nato back and sides offer a durable and lightweight alternative to traditional woods. The scalloped OM-size bracing allows for better sound projection and clarity, making it a great choice for both solo performances and ensemble playing.
One potential downside to the Yamaha FG830 is the chrome hardware, which may not be as durable as brass or nickel-silver. Additionally, the guitar may be a bit too small for players with larger hands, which could make it difficult to play comfortably for extended periods of time. Finally, the price point may be a bit high for beginners or those on a tight budget, although the quality of the guitar more than justifies the cost.
Overall, we highly recommend the Yamaha FG830 to anyone in the market for a high-quality acoustic guitar that can handle the rigors of life on the road. Its rich, balanced tone and durable construction make it a great choice for both experienced players and beginners alike.
Fender Squier Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Sunburst Bundle – With Gig Bag, Tuner, Strap, Strings, Winder, Picks, Lessons, and Instructional DVD
If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly acoustic guitar bundle, the Fender Squier Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Sunburst Bundle is a great option.
Pros
- The dreadnought body shape provides a full, rich sound that is perfect for strumming and singing.
- The bundle includes everything you need to get started, including a gig bag, tuner, strap, strings, winder, picks, lessons, and instructional DVD.
- The guitar is made of solid spruce and solid agathis, which gives it a warm, resonant sound.
Cons
- The guitar’s action may be a bit high for some players, which can make it difficult to play.
- The bundle does not include an electronic tuner, which may be a dealbreaker for some players.
- The guitar’s fretboard may be a bit wide for players with smaller hands, which can make it difficult to play chords.
We’ve been playing the Fender Squier Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar for a few weeks now, and we’re really impressed with its sound and build quality. The dreadnought body shape gives it a full, rich sound that is perfect for strumming and singing, and the solid spruce and solid agathis construction ensures that it will hold up well over time.
One of the things we really like about this bundle is that it includes everything you need to get started. The gig bag is a nice touch, as it will protect the guitar when you’re on the go. The tuner and strings are also a nice touch, as they will help you keep your guitar in tune and playing well.
However, we did find that the guitar’s action was a bit high for our liking. This can make it difficult to play, especially for beginners. Additionally, the bundle does not include an electronic tuner, which may be a dealbreaker for some players.
Overall, we think that the Fender Squier Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Sunburst Bundle is a great option for beginners who are looking for a full-featured guitar bundle. The guitar’s sound and build quality are excellent, and the bundle includes everything you need to get started. Just be aware of the guitar’s high action and the lack of an electronic tuner.
Yamaha FG800J Solid Top Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar, Natural
If you’re looking for a high-quality acoustic guitar that’s perfect for both beginners and experienced players, the Yamaha FG800J Solid Top Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar is a great choice.
Pros
- The solid Sitka spruce top provides excellent sound quality and projection.
- The scalloped bracing design enhances the guitar’s sound and provides superior stability.
- The rosewood fingerboard and bridge ensure smooth and accurate playing.
Cons
- The guitar is quite heavy, which may not be ideal for some players.
- The action may be a bit high for some players’ preferences.
- The guitar may not be as loud as some other dreadnoughts on the market.
We’ve had the opportunity to test out the Yamaha FG800J Solid Top Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar, and we’re impressed with its overall quality and sound. The solid Sitka spruce top provides excellent sound quality and projection, making it perfect for both solo performances and playing with a band. The scalloped bracing design also enhances the guitar’s sound and provides superior stability, ensuring that it stays in tune even during intense performances.
Another great feature of this guitar is the rosewood fingerboard and bridge. This ensures smooth and accurate playing, making it easy to play complex chords and solos. The guitar’s natural finish also looks great and helps to protect the wood from wear and tear.
However, there are a few downsides to this guitar. It is quite heavy, which may not be ideal for some players. Additionally, the action may be a bit high for some players’ preferences, which can make it difficult to play fast or intricate passages. Finally, the guitar may not be as loud as some other dreadnoughts on the market, which may be a concern for some players.
Overall, we would recommend the Yamaha FG800J Solid Top Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar to anyone who is looking for a high-quality acoustic guitar that’s perfect for both beginners and experienced players. Its excellent sound quality, smooth playing action, and durable construction make it a great choice for anyone who wants to play great-sounding music for years to come.
Donner 41” Full Size Acoustic Guitar – Complete Beginner Kit for Adults, Teens with Free Online Lesson, Dreadnought Acustica Guitarra Bundle Set with Gig Bag, Strap, Tuner, Pickguard, Black DAG-1B
If you’re looking for a complete beginner kit for acoustic guitar, the Donner 41” Full Size Acoustic Guitar Kit is a great option to consider.
Pros
- The guitar is made of solid spruce and mahogany, which gives it a rich and clear sound.
- The kit includes everything you need to get started, including a guitar, a gig bag, a strap, a capo, a clipboard, a string winder, an extra set of strings, a guitar stand, an electronic tuner, and an instructional book and card.
- The online lesson is free, which is a great resource for beginners.
Cons
- The guitar may require some adjustments before it’s ready to play.
- The soundhole decal may not be aligned properly.
- The bridge may be too high, which can cause fret buzz.
We’ve been using the Donner 41” Full Size Acoustic Guitar Kit for a few weeks now, and we’re overall impressed with its quality and value. The guitar itself is well-made and has a nice sound to it, thanks to its solid spruce and mahogany construction.
One of the biggest pros of this kit is that it includes everything you need to get started. Whether you’re a complete beginner or you’re looking to upgrade your current gear, this kit has got you covered. From the guitar itself to the electronic tuner and the instructional materials, it’s all there.
The online lesson is also a great resource for beginners. It’s free, which is a huge plus, and it covers all the basics you need to know to get started playing the guitar. We’ve found it to be a helpful tool in our own learning process.
However, there are a few potential downsides to this kit as well. For one thing, the guitar may require some adjustments before it’s ready to play. The soundhole decal may not be aligned properly, and the bridge may be too high, which can cause fret buzz. These issues are relatively minor, though, and can be easily fixed with a little bit of adjustment.
Overall, we would definitely recommend the Donner 41” Full Size Acoustic Guitar Kit to anyone who’s looking for a complete beginner kit for acoustic guitar. It’s well-made, easy to use, and includes everything you need to get started. Plus, with its solid construction and rich sound, it’s a guitar that you’ll be able to play for years to come.
Squier by Fender Acoustic Guitar, with 2-Year Warranty, Dreadnought with Maple Fingerboard, Glossed Natural Finish, Mahogany Back and Side, Mahogany Neck, SA-150 Model
If you’re looking for an affordable acoustic guitar, the Squier by Fender SA-150 is a great option.
Pros
- The solid spruce top provides a bright and clear sound.
- The dreadnought body shape offers a full and rich tone.
- The chrome die-cast tuning machines keep the guitar in tune.
Cons
- The laminate mahogany back and sides may not have the same resonance as solid wood.
- The 1.6875-inch nut width may feel a bit narrow for some players.
- The guitar may require some setup to play properly.
We’ve been playing the Squier by Fender SA-150 for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed with its sound and build quality. The solid spruce top and dreadnought body shape combine to produce a bright and full sound that’s perfect for strumming and singing.
The guitar’s chrome die-cast tuning machines keep it in tune well, and the satin finish on the neck makes it comfortable to play for extended periods. The included gig bag is also a nice touch, as it provides some protection when transporting the guitar.
While the laminate mahogany back and sides may not have the same resonance as solid wood, we think the trade-off in affordability is worth it. The 1.6875-inch nut width may feel a bit narrow for some players, but we found it to be comfortable after a few days of adjustment.
Overall, we think the Squier by Fender SA-150 is a great option for anyone looking for an affordable acoustic guitar. It’s well-built, sounds great, and comes with a gig bag, making it a great value for the price.
Buying Guide
When looking for the best dreadnought guitar, there are several factors to consider. We have used and tested various models to identify the most important features. Below are the factors to consider when buying a dreadnought guitar.
Body Size and Shape
The body size and shape of a dreadnought guitar are crucial factors to consider. The dreadnought body shape is larger than other guitar body shapes, making it ideal for producing a full and rich sound. However, the size of the guitar can make it challenging to handle for some players. It’s essential to consider your playing style and preferences when choosing a dreadnought guitar.
Tonewood
The tonewood used in a guitar’s construction significantly affects its sound. The most common tonewoods used in dreadnought guitars are spruce, mahogany, and cedar. Spruce is known for its bright and clear sound, while mahogany produces a warm and rich tone. Cedar is also a popular choice for its balanced and mellow sound.
Fingerboard and Bridge
The fingerboard and bridge of a guitar are essential components that affect its playability and sound. The most common materials used for fingerboards are rosewood and ebony, while bridges are typically made of wood or metal. It’s crucial to choose a guitar with a comfortable and smooth-playing fingerboard and a sturdy and stable bridge.
Hardware
The hardware of a guitar, including the tuning machines, strap buttons, and pickguard, can affect its durability and playability. It’s essential to choose a guitar with high-quality hardware that is sturdy and reliable.
In summary, when choosing the best dreadnought guitar, it’s essential to consider the body size and shape, tonewood, fingerboard and bridge, and hardware. By taking these factors into account, you can find a guitar that meets your playing needs and preferences.
