AudioFu

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars for Folk 2026

Perfect dreadnought acoustic guitars for folk - 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 Bioshpere III - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Martin Guitar D Bioshpere III

by Martin Guitar
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
Art. 614215
$3,299
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar D Jr E LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Martin Guitar D Jr E LH

by Martin Guitar
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
Art. 616897
$989
Buy at Thomann View Details
Breedlove Discovery S Dreadn Conc CE EB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Breedlove Discovery S Dreadn Conc CE EB

by Breedlove
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
Art. 612721
$549
Buy at Thomann View Details
Taylor Gold Label 717e SB Firestripe - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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 SB Cream - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

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
Martin Guitar GPE Inception Maple - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Martin Guitar GPE Inception Maple

by Martin Guitar
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
Art. 617591
$6,049
Buy at Thomann View Details
Furch Blue Plus Dc-SW SPE a - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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
Breedlove Discovery S Dreadnought Spruce - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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
Gibson J-45 Standard Natural Gloss - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

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
Framus Vintage Hootenanny 6 TN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

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
Furch Vintage 3 Dc-SR SPE a - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

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
Martin Guitar D Jr E StreetMaster LH New - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
Furch Violet D-ER a - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Furch Violet D-ER a

by Furch
Bluegrass Folk Country
Key Feature:
• Rich bass response
✓ PROS
  • • Classic dreadnought tone
  • • Balanced across all frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • May lack upper-mid clarity
  • • Can overpower fingerpicking

Furch Violet D-ERSteel-String GuitarType: DreadnoughtTop: Solid Englemann spruceBack and sides: Solid rosewoodNeck:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 615643
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar Custom Shop D Black Walnut - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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
Martin Guitar Custom Shop D 1935 Sunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Martin Guitar Custom Shop D 1935 Sunburst

by Martin Guitar
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
Art. 616289
$9,129
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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