Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars for Intermediate 2025

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

Last updated: November 12, 2025 • Next update: November 19, 2025

Martin Guitar Custom Shop D Black Walnut - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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
Maton S70 Solid Road Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

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
Gibson 1960 Hummingbird Heavy Aged - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Gibson 1960 Hummingbird Heavy Aged

Bluegrass Folk Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• Balanced across all frequencies
✓ PROS
  • • Powerful projection and volume
  • • Rich bass response
✗ CONS
  • • May lack upper-mid clarity
  • • Requires good playing technique

Gibson 1960 Hummingbird Heavy AgedSteel-String GuitarMurphy Lab Custom Shop Historisches ModellType: Square...

4.5/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Martin Guitar GPE Inception Maple - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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 Margo Price J-45, HCS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Gibson Margo Price J-45, HCS

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
Taylor Gold Label 717e Blacktop - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

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
Furch Violet D-ER a - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Furch Violet D-ER a

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

Martin Guitar D Jr E StreetMaster New

Folk Bluegrass Country
Key Feature:
• Great for strumming
✓ PROS
  • • Classic dreadnought tone
  • • Powerful projection and volume
✗ CONS
  • • Large body may be uncomfortable
  • • May lack upper-mid clarity

Martin Guitar D Jr E StreetMasterAcoustic Guitar with PickupTop: SpruceBack and sides: SapeleNeck: MahoganyFingerboard:...

4.5/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Martin Guitar D Jr E StreetMaster LH New - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

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
#10

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
Framus Vintage Hootenanny 6 TN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

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
Taylor Gold Label 517e SB Firestripe - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Taylor Gold Label 517e SB Firestripe

Folk Singer-Songwriter Country
Key Feature:
• Balanced across all frequencies
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced across all frequencies
  • • Powerful projection and volume
✗ CONS
  • • Can overpower fingerpicking
  • • Less comfortable for smaller players

Taylor Gold Label 517e SB FirestripeAcoustic Guitar with Pickup500 SeriesStyle: Grand Pacific DreadnoughtTop: Solid...

4.5/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Furch Yellow Plus D-SP a - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Furch Yellow Plus D-SP a

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
Martin Guitar Custom Shop D 1935 Sunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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
Taylor Gold Label 717e SB Cream - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

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

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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