AudioFu

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars Under $1,000 2026

Affordable dreadnought acoustic guitars under $1,000 - great value without compromising quality

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-X2E Rosewood - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Martin Guitar D-X2E Rosewood

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

Martin Guitar D-X2E RosewoodAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: DreadnoughtTop: SpruceTop and sides: Rosewood...

⭐ 4.7/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 581140
$989
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar DJr-10E StreetMaster LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Martin Guitar DJr-10E StreetMaster LH

by Martin Guitar
Campfire Sessions Folk Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• Rich bass response
✓ PROS
  • • Powerful projection and volume
  • • Rich bass response
✗ CONS
  • • Can overpower fingerpicking
  • • Large body may be uncomfortable

Martin Guitar DJr-10E StreetMaster LHAcoustic Guitar with PickupLeft-handed modelType: Dreadnought - D Junior-14...

⭐ 4.6/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 556139
$956
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar DX2E-02 Mahogany - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Martin Guitar DX2E-02 Mahogany

by Martin Guitar
Rock Singer-Songwriter Country
Key Feature:
• Classic dreadnought tone
✓ PROS
  • • Rich bass response
  • • Classic dreadnought tone
✗ CONS
  • • Can overpower fingerpicking
  • • Large body may be uncomfortable

Martin Guitar DX2E-02 MahoganyAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: DreadnoughtTop: SpruceBack and sides: Mahogany...

⭐ 4.4/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 556223
$879
Buy at Thomann View Details
Takamine GD37CE PW - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Takamine GD37CE PW

by Takamine
Singer-Songwriter Campfire Sessions Rock
Key Feature:
• Rich bass response
✓ PROS
  • • Powerful projection and volume
  • • Great for strumming
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good playing technique
  • • May lack upper-mid clarity

Takamine GD37CE PWSteel-String GuitarDreadnought with cutawayTop: Solid spruceBack and sides: MapleSet-in neck:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 608458
$879
Buy at Thomann View Details
Framus Vintage Hootenanny 6 SB Satin - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Framus Vintage Hootenanny 6 SB Satin

by Framus
Rock Campfire Sessions Folk
Key Feature:
• Rich bass response
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced across all frequencies
  • • Great for strumming
✗ CONS
  • • Can overpower fingerpicking
  • • Requires good playing technique

Framus Vintage Hootenanny 6 SB SatinSteel-String GuitarType: Round Shoulder DreadnoughtBack and sides: Solid...

⭐ 4.8/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 610269
$989
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar D Jr E - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

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
Guild D-140 Cherry Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Guild D-140 Cherry Burst

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

Guild D-140 Cherry Burst; acoustic guitarSteel-String GuitarType: DreadnoughtTop: Solid spruceSitka spruce...

⭐ 4.9/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 565183
$869
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar DX1EL Mahogany LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Martin Guitar DX1EL Mahogany LH

by Martin Guitar
Campfire Sessions Rock Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Rich bass response
✓ PROS
  • • Rich bass response
  • • Powerful projection and volume
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good playing technique
  • • Can overpower fingerpicking

Martin Guitar DX1EL Mahogany LHSteel-String Guitar with PickupLeft-handed modelType: DreadnoughtBack and sides:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 581102
$835
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar DX2E Ziricote Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Martin Guitar DX2E Ziricote Burst

by Martin Guitar
Rock Bluegrass Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• Classic dreadnought tone
✓ PROS
  • • Great for strumming
  • • Balanced across all frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Less comfortable for smaller players
  • • Can overpower fingerpicking

Martin Guitar DX2E Ziricote BurstAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: DreadnoughtTop: SpruceBack and sides: High pressure...

⭐ 4.4/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 585376
$967
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar D-X2EL Rosewood LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Martin Guitar D-X2EL Rosewood LH

by Martin Guitar
Country Rock Folk
Key Feature:
• Classic dreadnought tone
✓ PROS
  • • Rich bass response
  • • Great for strumming
✗ CONS
  • • Large body may be uncomfortable
  • • Requires good playing technique

Martin Guitar D-X2EL Rosewood LHSteel-String Guitar with PickupLeft-handed modelType: DreadnoughtTop: SpruceBack and...

⭐ 4.5/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 581145
$967
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar D-X2E Mahogany - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Martin Guitar D-X2E Mahogany

by Martin Guitar
Campfire Sessions Folk Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Powerful projection and volume
✓ PROS
  • • Powerful projection and volume
  • • Great for strumming
✗ CONS
  • • Large body may be uncomfortable
  • • Can overpower fingerpicking

Martin Guitar D-X2E MahoganyAcoustic GuitarStyle: DreadnoughtTop: SpruceBack and sides: Mahogany high-pressure laminate...

⭐ 4.6/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 581131
$967
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar DX Johnny Cash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Martin Guitar DX Johnny Cash

by Martin Guitar
Bluegrass Rock Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• Powerful projection and volume
✓ PROS
  • • Great for strumming
  • • Rich bass response
✗ CONS
  • • May lack upper-mid clarity
  • • Less comfortable for smaller players

Martin Guitar DX Johnny CashAcoustic Guitar with PickupJohnny Cash Special EditionStyle: D - DreadnoughtTop:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 556229
$824
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar D-X2E Mahogany LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Martin Guitar D-X2E Mahogany LH

by Martin Guitar
Country Folk Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• Great for strumming
✓ PROS
  • • Classic dreadnought tone
  • • Powerful projection and volume
✗ CONS
  • • Less comfortable for smaller players
  • • May lack upper-mid clarity

Martin Guitar D-X2E Mahogany LHSteel-String GuitarLeft-handed modelType: DreadnoughtTop: SpruceBack and sides: Mahogany...

⭐ 4.9/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 581137
$967
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Highway Dreadnought MAH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Fender Highway Dreadnought MAH

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

Fender Highway Dreadnought MAHSteel-String Guitar with PickupType: Dreadnoughtback and sides: Solid mahoganyNeck:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 571481
$911
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar DX1E Mahogany - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Martin Guitar DX1E Mahogany

by Martin Guitar
Rock Singer-Songwriter Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Powerful projection and volume
✓ PROS
  • • Great for strumming
  • • Balanced across all frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Less comfortable for smaller players
  • • Can overpower fingerpicking

Martin Guitar DX1E MahoganyAcoustic GuitarType: Dreadnoughtback and sides: Mahogany high-pressure laminateNeck: Rust...

⭐ 4.7/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 581105
$857
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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