Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars for Singer Songwriter 2025

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

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

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 Ibanez Guild Takamine Epiphone Taylor Lakewood DAngelico Maton Cole Clark Applause Seagull Framus Cort Baton Rouge

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

⭐ 4.5/5 (38 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

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

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

⭐ 4.4/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

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

Taylor Legacy 914ce - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (21 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Taylor Legacy 914ce

by Taylor

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

Art. 619531

$6,379

Buy at Thomann View Details

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

⭐ 4.5/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Taylor Gold Label 517e SB Firestripe

by Taylor

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

Art. 619498

$3,299

Buy at Thomann View Details

Taylor Gold Label 717e SB Firestripe - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (41 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

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

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

⭐ 5.0/5 (34 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

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 D Bioshpere III - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (56 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

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

Taylor Gold Label 717e Blacktop - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

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 Custom Shop D 1935 Sunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

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

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

#10

⭐ 4.8/5 (21 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

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

Gibson Margo Price J-45, HCS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.5/5 (10 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

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 D Jr E LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.5/5 (11 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

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

Martin Guitar GPE Inception Maple - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.8/5 (34 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

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

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

#14

⭐ 4.9/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

6/10

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 Cream - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.6/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

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

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.

Related Best Lists

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Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars for Singer Songwriter 2025

Martin Guitar D Jr E StreetMaster LH New

Martin Guitar Custom Shop D Ambertone 1933

Taylor Legacy 914ce

Taylor Gold Label 517e SB Firestripe

Taylor Gold Label 717e SB Firestripe

Gibson J-45 Standard Natural Gloss

Martin Guitar D Bioshpere III

Taylor Gold Label 717e Blacktop

Martin Guitar Custom Shop D 1935 Sunburst

Martin Guitar Custom Shop D Black Walnut

Gibson Margo Price J-45, HCS

Martin Guitar D Jr E LH

Martin Guitar GPE Inception Maple

Breedlove Discovery S Dreadn Conc CE EB

Taylor Gold Label 717e SB Cream

How to Choose the Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying dreadnought acoustic guitars?

How much should I spend on dreadnought acoustic guitars?

Are expensive dreadnought acoustic guitars worth the investment?

What are the best brands for dreadnought acoustic guitars?

Should I buy dreadnought acoustic guitars online or in-store?

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