Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars for Folk 2025

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

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

Martin Guitar D Jr E LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Martin Guitar D Jr E LH

Bluegrass Country Folk
Key Feature:
• Powerful projection and volume
✓ PROS
  • • Great for strumming
  • • Rich bass response
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good playing technique
  • • Can overpower fingerpicking

Martin Guitar D Jr E LHSteel-String Guitar with PickupLeft-handed modelTop: SpruceBack and sides: SapeleNeck:...

4.5/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Martin Guitar Custom Shop D 1935 Sunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Martin Guitar Custom Shop D 1935 Sunburst

Rock Folk Campfire Sessions
Key Feature:
• Rich bass response
✓ PROS
  • • Rich bass response
  • • Classic dreadnought tone
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good playing technique
  • • May lack upper-mid clarity

Martin Guitar Custom Shop D 1935 SunburstSteel-String GuitarType: DreadnoughtTop: Solid Adirondack spruceBack and...

4.5/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Martin Guitar Custom Shop D Black Walnut - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Martin Guitar Custom Shop D Black Walnut

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
Breedlove Discovery S Dreadnought Spruce - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Breedlove Discovery S Dreadnought Spruce

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
Taylor Legacy 914ce - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Taylor Legacy 914ce

Bluegrass Country Campfire Sessions
Key Feature:
• Powerful projection and volume
✓ PROS
  • • Classic dreadnought tone
  • • Powerful projection and volume
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good playing technique
  • • May lack upper-mid clarity

Taylor Legacy 914ceAcoustic Guitar with Pickup900 SeriesStyle: Grand Auditorium DreadnoughtBack and sides: Solid Indian...

4.8/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Maton S70 Solid Road Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Maton S70 Solid Road Series

Folk Rock Country
Key Feature:
• Rich bass response
✓ PROS
  • • Classic dreadnought tone
  • • Powerful projection and volume
✗ CONS
  • • Can overpower fingerpicking
  • • Less comfortable for smaller players

Maton S70 Solid Road SeriesAcoustic GuitarStyle: DreadnoughtBack and sides: Solid Tasmanian blackwoodTop: Solid A-grade...

4.8/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Framus Vintage Hootenanny 6 TN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Framus Vintage Hootenanny 6 TN

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
Martin Guitar D Jr E StreetMaster LH New - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Martin Guitar D Jr E StreetMaster LH New

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
Martin Guitar Custom Shop D Ambertone 1933 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Martin Guitar Custom Shop D Ambertone 1933

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
Taylor Gold Label 717e Blacktop - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Taylor Gold Label 717e Blacktop

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
Breedlove Discovery S Dreadn Conc CE EB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Breedlove Discovery S Dreadn Conc CE EB

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

Breedlove Discovery S Dreadn Conc CE EBSteel-String Guitar with PickupType: Dreadnought Concerto with cutawayBack and...

4.9/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Martin Guitar GPE Inception Maple - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Martin Guitar GPE Inception Maple

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

Martin Guitar GPE Inception MapleSteel-String Guitar with PickupStyle: Grand PerformanceTop: Solid spruceBack: Maple...

4.8/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Gibson 60s J-45 Original Ebony LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Gibson 60s J-45 Original Ebony LH

Folk Country Campfire Sessions
Key Feature:
• Powerful projection and volume
✓ PROS
  • • Classic dreadnought tone
  • • Balanced across all frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Can overpower fingerpicking
  • • Large body may be uncomfortable

Gibson 60s J-45 Ebony LHAcoustic GuitarLeft-hand modelStyle: Round ShoulderTop: Solid sitka spruceBack and Sides: solid...

4.4/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Taylor Gold Label 717e SB Cream - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Taylor Gold Label 717e SB Cream

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
Martin Guitar D Bioshpere III - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Martin Guitar D Bioshpere III

Campfire Sessions Country Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• Balanced across all frequencies
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced across all frequencies
  • • Classic dreadnought tone
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good playing technique
  • • May lack upper-mid clarity

Martin Guitar D Bioshpere IIIAcoustic GuitarStyle: DreadnoughtTop: Solid FSC-certified sitka spruceBack and sides:...

4.5/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10

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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