Best Applause Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars 2025

Premium Applause dreadnought acoustic guitars - legendary tone and craftsmanship

Last updated: October 22, 2025 • Next update: October 29, 2025

Applause AED96-5HG Black Gloss Electro - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Applause AED96-5HG Black Gloss Electro

Rock Folk Country
Key Feature:
• Powerful projection and volume
✓ PROS
  • • Great for strumming
  • • Powerful projection and volume
✗ CONS
  • • Large body may be uncomfortable
  • • Less comfortable for smaller players

Applause AED96-5HG Black Gloss ElectroSteel-String Guitar with PickupWood Classic SeriesType: Dreadnought with...

4.7/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Applause Jump Slope Shoulder Lagoon - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Applause Jump Slope Shoulder Lagoon

Campfire Sessions Folk Country
Key Feature:
• Rich bass response
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced across all frequencies
  • • Rich bass response
✗ CONS
  • • Less comfortable for smaller players
  • • Requires good playing technique

Applause Jump Slope Shoulder LagoonAcoustic GuitarStyle: DreadnoughtTop: solid spruceBack & sides: OvangkolNeck:...

4.5/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Applause Jump Slope Shoulder Peach - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Applause Jump Slope Shoulder Peach

Country Singer-Songwriter Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for strumming
✓ PROS
  • • Powerful projection and volume
  • • Balanced across all frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good playing technique
  • • Can overpower fingerpicking

Applause Jump Slope Shoulder PeachAcoustic GuitarStyle: DreadnoughtTop: solid spruceBack & sides: OvangkolNeck:...

4.9/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Applause Jump Slope Shoulder Celeste - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Applause Jump Slope Shoulder Celeste

Singer-Songwriter Rock Folk
Key Feature:
• Great for strumming
✓ PROS
  • • Great for strumming
  • • Powerful projection and volume
✗ CONS
  • • Can overpower fingerpicking
  • • Less comfortable for smaller players

Applause Jump Slope Shoulder CelesteAcoustic GuitarStyle: DreadnoughtTop: solid spruceBack & sides: OvangkolNeck:...

4.5/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Applause Jump Slope Shoulder Lipstick - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Applause Jump Slope Shoulder Lipstick

Singer-Songwriter Rock Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Great for strumming
✓ PROS
  • • Great for strumming
  • • Rich bass response
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good playing technique
  • • Large body may be uncomfortable

Applause Jump Slope Shoulder LipstickAcoustic GuitarStyle: DreadnoughtTop: solid spruceBack & sides: OvangkolNeck:...

4.7/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Applause AAD96-M Mahogany - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Applause AAD96-M Mahogany

Singer-Songwriter Folk Campfire Sessions
Key Feature:
• Powerful projection and volume
✓ PROS
  • • Powerful projection and volume
  • • Balanced across all frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Less comfortable for smaller players
  • • May lack upper-mid clarity

Applause AAD96-M MahoganyAcoustic GuitarType: DreadnoughtTop: MahoganyBack and sides: MahoganyNeck: MahoganyDovetail...

4.6/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10

How to Choose the Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced dreadnought acoustic guitars typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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