AudioFu

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars for Beginner 2026

Perfect dreadnought acoustic guitars for beginner - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Country For Folk For Bluegrass For Rock For Singer-Songwriter For Campfire Sessions
BRANDS: Martin Guitar Harley Benton Gibson Furch Yamaha Fender Guild Ibanez Takamine Epiphone Taylor DAngelico Lakewood Applause Cole Clark Maton Baton Rouge Cort Framus Seagull
Martin Guitar D Jr E StreetMaster LH New - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Martin Guitar D Jr E StreetMaster LH New

by Martin Guitar
Campfire Sessions Rock Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• Powerful projection and volume
✓ PROS
  • • Powerful projection and volume
  • • Balanced across all frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • May lack upper-mid clarity
  • • Can overpower fingerpicking

Martin Guitar D Jr E StreetMaster LH NewSteel-String Guitar with PickupLeft-handed modelTop: SpruceBack and sides:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 616564
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Taylor Gold Label 517e - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Taylor Gold Label 517e

by Taylor
Bluegrass Rock Folk
Key Feature:
• Balanced across all frequencies
✓ PROS
  • • Powerful projection and volume
  • • Balanced across all frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • May lack upper-mid clarity
  • • Large body may be uncomfortable

Taylor Gold Label 517eAcoustic Guitar with Pickup500 SeriesStyle: Grand Pacific DreadnoughtTop: Solid torrified...

⭐ 4.8/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 619485
$3,079
Buy at Thomann View Details
Taylor Gold Label 717e SB Cream - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Taylor Gold Label 717e SB Cream

by Taylor
Country Bluegrass Folk
Key Feature:
• Balanced across all frequencies
✓ PROS
  • • Great for strumming
  • • Rich bass response
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good playing technique
  • • May lack upper-mid clarity

Taylor Gold Label 717e SB CreamAcoustic Guitar with Pickup700 SeriesStyle: Grand Pacific DreadnoughtV-Class bracingBack...

⭐ 4.6/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 619527
$3,519
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson J-45 Standard Natural Gloss - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Gibson J-45 Standard Natural Gloss

by Gibson
Country Bluegrass Rock
Key Feature:
• Powerful projection and volume
✓ PROS
  • • Rich bass response
  • • Classic dreadnought tone
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good playing technique
  • • Less comfortable for smaller players

Gibson J-45 Standard Natural GlossSteel-String Guitar with PickupTop: Solid sitka spruceMulti-ply top bindingBack and...

⭐ 5.0/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 617046
$3,189
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar Custom Shop D Black Walnut - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Martin Guitar Custom Shop D Black Walnut

by Martin Guitar
Rock Country Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• Powerful projection and volume
✓ PROS
  • • Great for strumming
  • • Powerful projection and volume
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good playing technique
  • • Large body may be uncomfortable

Martin Guitar Custom Shop D Black WalnutSteel-String GuitarStyle: DreadnoughtTop: Solid spruceBack and sides: Solid...

⭐ 4.8/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 616333
$4,729
Buy at Thomann View Details
Framus Vintage Hootenanny 6 TN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Framus Vintage Hootenanny 6 TN

by Framus
Country Bluegrass Folk
Key Feature:
• Rich bass response
✓ PROS
  • • Classic dreadnought tone
  • • Great for strumming
✗ CONS
  • • Less comfortable for smaller players
  • • Can overpower fingerpicking

Framus Vintage Hootenanny 6 TNSteel-String GuitarType: Round Shoulder DreadnoughtBack and sides: Solid sapeleBracing:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 610772
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Taylor Gold Label 717e SB Firestripe - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Taylor Gold Label 717e SB Firestripe

by Taylor
Bluegrass Campfire Sessions Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic dreadnought tone
✓ PROS
  • • Great for strumming
  • • Classic dreadnought tone
✗ CONS
  • • Can overpower fingerpicking
  • • Requires good playing technique

Taylor Gold Label 717e SB FirestripeAcoustic Guitar with Pickup700 SeriesStyle: Grand Pacific DreadnoughtV-Class...

⭐ 4.8/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 619529
$3,519
Buy at Thomann View Details
Taylor Gold Label 717e Blacktop - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Taylor Gold Label 717e Blacktop

by Taylor
Rock Campfire Sessions Folk
Key Feature:
• Powerful projection and volume
✓ PROS
  • • Rich bass response
  • • Balanced across all frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • May lack upper-mid clarity
  • • Can overpower fingerpicking

Taylor Gold Label 717e BlacktopAcoustic Guitar with Pickup700 SeriesStyle: Grand Pacific DreadnoughtV-Class bracingBack...

⭐ 4.6/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 619530
$3,299
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar D Jr E - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Martin Guitar D Jr E

by Martin Guitar
Singer-Songwriter Campfire Sessions Folk
Key Feature:
• Rich bass response
✓ PROS
  • • Great for strumming
  • • Powerful projection and volume
✗ CONS
  • • Less comfortable for smaller players
  • • Requires good playing technique

Martin Guitar D Jr EAcoustic Guitar with PickupTop: SpruceBack and sides: SapeleNeck: MahoganyFingerboard: EbonyScale:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 614263
$989
Buy at Thomann View Details
Furch Vintage 3 Dc-SR SPE a - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Furch Vintage 3 Dc-SR SPE a

by Furch
Country Folk Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• Powerful projection and volume
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced across all frequencies
  • • Great for strumming
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good playing technique
  • • May lack upper-mid clarity

Furch Vintage 3 Dc-SR SPE aAcoustic Guitar with PickupDesign: Dreadnought with cutawayBack and sides: Solid master...

⭐ 4.7/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 615639
$3,299
Buy at Thomann View Details
Breedlove Discovery S Dreadnought Spruce - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Breedlove Discovery S Dreadnought Spruce

by Breedlove
Country Campfire Sessions Folk
Key Feature:
• Balanced across all frequencies
✓ PROS
  • • Great for strumming
  • • Classic dreadnought tone
✗ CONS
  • • Large body may be uncomfortable
  • • May lack upper-mid clarity

Breedlove Discovery S Dreadnought SpruceAcoustic GuitarStyle: DreadnoughtTop: Solid European spruceCascade bracingBack...

⭐ 4.7/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 618728
$439
Buy at Thomann View Details
Furch Yellow Plus D-SP a - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Furch Yellow Plus D-SP a

by Furch
Campfire Sessions Folk Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for strumming
✓ PROS
  • • Rich bass response
  • • Balanced across all frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good playing technique
  • • Large body may be uncomfortable

Furch Yellow Plus D-SPAcoustic GuitarStyle: DreadnoughtBack and sides: Solid padoukTop: Solid AAA sitka spruceNeck:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 615796
$2,749
Buy at Thomann View Details
Furch Blue Plus Dc-SW SPE a - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Furch Blue Plus Dc-SW SPE a

by Furch
Bluegrass Singer-Songwriter Country
Key Feature:
• Balanced across all frequencies
✓ PROS
  • • Great for strumming
  • • Balanced across all frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Less comfortable for smaller players
  • • Can overpower fingerpicking

Furch Blue Plus Dc-SW SPESteel-String Guitar with PickupDesign: Dreadnought with cutawayBack and sides: Solid...

⭐ 5.0/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 615925
$1,649
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson Margo Price J-45, HCS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Gibson Margo Price J-45, HCS

by Gibson
Singer-Songwriter Bluegrass Rock
Key Feature:
• Rich bass response
✓ PROS
  • • Great for strumming
  • • Balanced across all frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Large body may be uncomfortable
  • • May lack upper-mid clarity

Gibson Margo Price J-45Steel-String Guitar with PickupMargo Price Signature ModelType: DreadnoughtBack and sides: solid...

⭐ 4.5/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 613797
$4,179
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar Custom Shop D Ambertone 1933 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Martin Guitar Custom Shop D Ambertone 1933

by Martin Guitar
Bluegrass Singer-Songwriter Country
Key Feature:
• Classic dreadnought tone
✓ PROS
  • • Classic dreadnought tone
  • • Balanced across all frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good playing technique
  • • Less comfortable for smaller players

Martin Guitar Custom Shop D Ambertone 1933Steel-String GuitarType: DreadnoughtTop: Solid Adirondack spruceBack and...

⭐ 4.4/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 616272
$10,449
Buy at Thomann View Details

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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