The 6 Best Acoustic Guitars for Country Music (Top Picks)
When it comes to country music, the acoustic guitar is the first thing veteran players can imagine.
There are types of guitars that can beat an acoustic one in different music genres. However, acoustic guitars rule the world of folk and country music for its warm and earthy tones.
For the specific sound, choosing the best acoustic guitar for country music matters.
Among the best acoustic guitar brands, Zager makes some of the best quality professional acoustic guitars. Some of them are amazingly great for country music. There are Fender, Taylor, Takamine, and Gibson guitars are also suitable as well.
However, if you have a plan to buy a new comfortable guitar for playing country-style soothing music, we have your back.
Today, we’ll discuss some of the best options in this category.
The 6 Best Acoustic Guitars for Country Music
- ZAD50CE Solid African Mahogany Acoustic Guitar
- Zager Parlor Size Solid African Mahogany Acoustic
- ZAD50CE Solid Spruce/Mahogany Vintage Sunburst
- ZAD50CE Solid Spruce/Mahogany Acoustic Electric
- Gibson Acoustic J-45
- Taylor 224ce-K DLX
- Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat
Best Acoustic Guitars For Country Music – Our Honky Tonk Options
Not all acoustic guitars are good for country music and that’s a particular reason, you shouldn’t go for just any acoustic guitar if you have an intention to use it for composing country-style honky-tonk music. Well, here are the 6 affordable acoustic guitars for country music:
1. ZAD50CE Solid African Mahogany Acoustic Guitar
Let’s start with the people’s favorite acoustic guitar by Zager. The ZAD50CE Solid African Mahogany Acoustic Guitar is very popular among country musicians and enthusiasts because of its ergonomic design and soothing tones.
However, this one comes with a well-defined tonal spectrum that’s perfect for country music’s dynamic range and emotive storytelling. Its dreadnought size and Venetian cutaway ensure comfortable access to higher frets. As you know, this is very essential for creating intricate chord progressions and melodic runs that are like parts of country compositions.
You must know that the mahogany top is always the best fit for honky-tonk music. This guitar has an exceptionally sturdy Mahogany top that ensures perfect projection and punchy tone for low overtone content like country music.
Specifications
- Scale length: 25.5 inches long for perfectly melodic runs.
- Construction: Solid wood construction with a Mahogany top for better projection.
- Dimensions: 41 inches height, 20 inches box length, 15.5 inches widest bout, 11 inches waist, and 4.75 inches depth.
- Design: Venetian cutaway design, comfortable hand positioning, and chord access near the sound hole.
- Compatible with: Almost any type of amplifier and PA systems.
- Finishing: High-quality ultra-thin high gloss finish for soothing and deeper sound
- Suitable for: Country musicians and both pros and beginners.
By any chance, if you are looking for an affordable acoustic guitar, check out 7 Best Acoustic Guitars Under $2000.
2. Zager Parlor Size Solid African Mahogany Acoustic
Even though parlor-size guitars are not always recommended for country music, this one is phenomenal. The 38-inch Parlor Size Solid African Mahogany Acoustic Guitar by Zager is an exceptional choice for country musicians who prefer both comfort and rich, resonant sound.
This one is designed with meticulous attention to detail so that it can offer a perfect balance of playability and tone. That’s what makes it an ideal companion for small players, older players, and seasoned professionals alike. They used solid African mahogany to ensure a consistently rich and warm sound.
The hand-carved bracing enhances the movement of the soundboard and ultimately results in a fuller, more dynamic sound. With a slim neck design and custom string spacing, you’ll find cording easier on this guitar. Besides, its soft touch frets reduce finger fatigue.
Backed by a lifetime warranty and a 100% money-back guarantee, the Zager Parlor Series is a good option for country players who often need to travel. It’s because carrying this guitar is easy for its compact size.
Specifications:
- Design: Parlor size design for easy playability and rich sound.
- Dimension: 38 inches height, 19 inches box length, 14.75 inches widest bout, and 4 inches depth.
- Scale: 23.5 inches long, lengthier enough for country music production.
- Construction: Solid African Mahogany construction for exceptional tone and resonance.
- Bracing Style: Hand-carved style for enhanced soundboard movement.
- Truss rod: Easy to adjust and perfect for personalized action adjustment.
3. ZAD50CE Solid Spruce/Mahogany Vintage Sunburst
The ZAD50CE Solid Spruce/Mahogany Vintage Sunburst guitar is my next commendation. If you don’t like the parlor-size guitar, this one can be a nice option for soothing honky-tonk music. As a senior guitarist, you must like both the craftsmanship and performance of this guitar especially when playing country music.
Built with professional-grade quality, this guitar comes at an accessible price point. Some of its core features like hand-carved bracing, a slim neck design, and custom string spacing are good enough to use for professional purposes.
Its full-size dreadnought design combines the traditional warmth of solid wood construction with modern features like a Venetian cutaway box. This feature creates effortless access to higher frets. Also, it reduces pain and scratches on your fingers. Because of its built-in Fishman Presys electronics, you can use it for versatile amplification options.
Wait a minute! If you are planning to buy a 12-string guitar, check this comprehensive guide on 9 Best 12-string Guitars That Money Can Buy.
The rich melodic sound of this guitar is like a representation of Zager’s commitment to innovation and value. Finished with exquisite details like ivory binding and abalone inlay, the ZAD50CE is full of elegance and sophistication.
Specifications:
- Construction: Solid Spruce/Mahogany construction for timeless tone and durability.
- Dimension: 41 inches height, 20 inches box length, 11 inches waist, 15.5 inches widest bout, and 4.75 inches depth.
- Box Design: Venetian cutaway box design, good for access to higher frets.
- Compatibility: Built-in Fishman Presys, suitable for different amplification and tuning.
- Finishing: Super smooth and ultra-thin high gloss finish.
- Mechanism: Genuine Grover tuning machines for precise and reliable tuning.
- Suitable for: Veteran players and both beginners and professionals.
4. ZAD50CE Solid Spruce/Mahogany Acoustic Electric Guitar
You can also use the ZAD50CE Solid Spruce/Mahogany Acoustic Guitar if you don’t like the vintage style outlook of the previous one. The details are almost the same here with slight improvement.
For veteran guitarists who love to play low-tone honky-tonk music, this one is specifically recommended for some genuine reasons.
This one is dubbed the “OM,” or the Orchestra model which stands as a testament to Zager’s commitment to quality and affordability. Once you play this playable guitar, you will appreciate its ability to rival guitars and double its price as it combines exceptional playability with soother melodic sound.
Crafted with solid spruce and mahogany, this one will give you the same vibe as Martin’s 000 and other high-end competitors. Besides, it has a comfortable fit and balanced tone which are quite essential for country music.
With its built-in Fishman Presys electronics and hand-carved bracing, the ZAD50CE is a versatile workhorse both on and off the stage. That’s why we can confidently mark it as a good investment in a lifetime of musical enjoyment.
Specifications:
- Design: “OM Size” Orchestra Model design for comfortable playability.
- Construction: Solid Spruce/Mahogany construction that can create a louder tone.
- Dimension: 40 inches height, 19 inches box length, 9.5 inches waist, 15.5 inches widest bout, and 4.25 inches depth.
- Compatibility: Built-in Fishman Presys electronics package.
- Scale length: 25.5 inches long, pretty suitable for low-tone melodic music.
- Top Design: Sitka Spruce style top helps create a louder sound.
- Suitable for: Any adult Guitarist, especially professionals.
5. Gibson Acoustic J-45
Aside from the phenomenal country music-expert acoustic guitars from Zager, you can try The Gibson Acoustic J-45 as well. This one is popular for creating unparalleled durability and versatility. Whether in the studio or on stage, this instrument delivers exceptional performance, especially for veteran musicians.
Built with a round-shoulder dreadnought body shape, this guitar ensures balanced music with a complete expression. Like the previous one, this guitar also has a Sitka Spruce top and Mahogany back and sides. That’s a specific reason it produces a rich, warm tone with excellent projection.
Designed for the discerning musician, it features an LR Baggs VTC Active Pickup System. This feature effectively enhances the guitar’s natural acoustics with a low-profile transducer and onboard amplifier.
Besides, this one is built with a dedicated Onboard amplifier and a removable volume control system in the soundhole for convenient adjustments.
Specifications:
- Construction: Solid wood construction with Mahogany Neck and Rosewood Fingerboard.
- Design: Round Shoulder Dreadnought style, good for making a louder tone.
- Strings: 6 Strings, made of stainless steel.
- Scale length: 24.75 inches long and good for low-toned music.
- Suitable for: Onstage rockers, veteran musicians, and songwriters.
Before you move to the next one, read “Classic Guitar For Beginners – A Guide by Zager Guitars” if you are looking for a beginner-friendly guitar.
6. Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat
Another popular brand is Fender and if you want to buy one from them for country music composition, try The Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat. This one is good at offering a versatile blend of acoustic warmth and modern electronic capabilities. Regardless of your music type, if it’s a low-tone melodic one, this one is good to go.
With a solid mahogany top and solid mahogany back and sides, it delivers a rich and resonant tone. It’s like a complement to the genre’s traditional sound. However, the onboard electronics of this guitar are powered by Fishman. It provides enhanced recording options with richer tones and dynamics to your music.
Well, its bass may lack warmth compared to some counterparts. Also, in comparison to the other options, this one is pretty expensive. Besides, it’s particularly not a guitar for beginners. Still, its natural sound reproduction and reliable preamp performance make it an ideal companion for country recordings and performances.
Specifications:
- Construction: Solid Mahogany construction with Maple wood neck.
- Design: Concert-style body shape, good for versatility and comfort.
- Scale Length: 25.3 inches is suitable for smoother melodic runs.
- String: Stainless steel-made 6-string style.
- Suitable for: Different recording options for both professional adults and veteran players.
By the way, have you ever been confused about classical or acoustic guitar? If yes, check on Classical Vs. Acoustic Guitar: Which One Should You Choose?
What Should You Check For In An Acoustic Guitar For Country Music?
As I have mentioned earlier, not all acoustic guitars are suitable for playing country music. Beginners often make the mistake of buying acoustic guitars like travel guitars or ones that can’t produce louder tones. But, these facts truly matter for country music.
Now the question is how to choose the right acoustic guitar for this music type. Well, here are some factors you should check while choosing the right one:
- Body type
Generally, Dreadnought and concert-style body types are considered the best fits for country music. Guitars with these types of body shapes are good at producing bold and full tones which are suitable for country music.
- Woods
Mahogany wood is certainly the best wood type for guitars to play for country music. It’s because this type of music is required to create Cedar and Spruce. For that, a warmer and darker tone is essential that mahogany wood can create in the best way.
- String Style
Generally, most acoustic guitars come with either Steel or Nylon strings. For country music, the steel-made one is more suitable. It’s because this type of string can make louder and powerful volume which is essential in this case.
Alongside the following facts, you should consider the right type of neck size, scale length, and construction quality. You should also determine a budget for the guitar before you choose one.
Check Out All the Zager Guitars’ Available Sizes
| Guitar Sizes | Models |
|---|---|
| 41″ Full-Size Dreadnought | – ZAD20 – ZAD20E – ZAD50CE – ZAD80 – ZAD80CE Aura – ZAD900 – ZAD900CE |
| 40″ Orchestra Model (OM size) | – ZAD50 OM – ZAD50CE OM – ZAD80 OM – ZAD80CE OM – ZAD900 OM – ZAD900CE OM |
| 38″ Parlor Size | – Parlor Size Mahogany – Parlor Size Mahogany Electric |
| 36″ Travel Size | – Travel Size Mahogany – Travel Size Mahogany Electric |
Frequently Asked Questions
Guitars with Mahogany wood contributions with larger boxes are particularly suitable for playing country music. They are good at making louder tones which makes country music more resonant and melodic.
Dreadnought-shaped guitars are the best for country music. This type of guitar can produce bold tones which is good for both fingerstyle and strumming play like in country music.
Acoustic guitars are the best options for country and folk music. On the other hand, electric guitars are the better fit for rock, blues, or jazz-style music.
Let The Country Music Play Through Your Acoustic Guitar
For country music, acoustic guitars, made of Mahogany wood with a Dreadnought shape and steel strings are the best options. This type of guitar should be bigger to create a louder tone that will be melodic and harmonic at the same time.
You have already checked the best acoustic guitar for country music. Now, recheck the details to select your best fit. Make sure to consider your playing style, sweet spot, and budget while choosing the guitar.
Also, don’t move backward if the guitar you choose is a little expensive because your investment won’t make you regret it if it’s the best option for you.
