Top 5 Best Dreadnought Guitars: Expert Reviews & Buying Guide
The dreadnought body shape is the most loved guitar shape ever made. This shape is loved for its rich and loud sound.
This design was so popular that other guitarists quickly adopted this guitar shape. Other manufacturers also took up this design with their iterations like Gibson with its Hummingbird and Martin with their D-41.
Dreadnought guitars have a large body, relatively larger than any other popular shapes like the concert or parlor. The large body gives it its powerful sound with high volume and great bass.
If you are looking to get a dreadnought guitar, check out these great options available to you!
A Quick Look At The Top 5 Best Dreadnought Guitars
- Zager ZAD900
- Zager ZAD80
- Zager ZAD50
- Yamaha FG800
- Sigma DM-15
Why Should You Get A Dreadnought?
There are many reasons why someone might want to buy a dreadnought guitar.
So here are five reasons why you should go with a dreadnought.
- Great Sound Projection: The larger body size allows the guitar to sound louder than others ideal for live performances.
- No Need For Amplification: The size also contributes to a deeper bass response. In most use-case scenarios, a dreadnought can be played without an amp
- Player Build: If you have a big build, a dreadnought can be more comfortable to play than smaller concert or parlor guitars
- Less Rhythm, More Solos: if you are anything other than a rhythm guitarist, a smaller guitar with a cutout may be what you need. Dreadnought is great for rhythm guitarists but if you play solos or fingerpick, it might be a little difficult.
- Smaller Build: If you have a smaller build, dreadnought guitars may be too big for you.
5 Best Dreadnought Guitars You Should Definitely Try
There are many dreadnought guitars in the market to choose from but only a few balance between affordability and great sound.
1. Zager ZAD900
The Zager 900 Series acoustic guitar brings back the classic dreadnought style with a deep resonant sound. This fine model Crafted by Denny Zager himself has all the core features of the ZAD900. This dreadnought guitar does not have a built-in amp and you do not need one either! This dreadnought is the ultimate guitar for the purists looking for a true acoustic instrument.
The ZAD 900 Series is made from a full-size solid Sitka Spruce top with Indian Rosewood back and sides. The combination of these tonewoods gives it a rich and dynamic sound profile. The guitar has a special bracing system that makes sure the soundboard moves freely. This enhances the guitar’s sound projection. That is uncommon in guitars in this price range.
The ZAD900 also has maple bindings and a full abalone and pearl inlay. Its high gloss finish not only protects the guitar but also adds to the guitar’s signature sound. Along with these the Zager 900 is marketed as” easy to play”, a standard with all Zager guitars. For a dreadnought, it has a slim neck design and custom string spacing reducing finger fatigue.
The Zager 900 Series acoustic guitar is a premium dreadnought guitar ideal for guitar enthusiasts. It combines powerful sound and great playability making this guitar a standout choice for all types of guitarists.
Specifications
- Body Style: Full-size dreadnought
- Top Material: Solid Sitka Spruce
- Back and Sides: Indian Rosewood
- Binding: Curly Maple
- Inlay: Full Abalone and Pearl
- Bracing: Zager’s Special Hand-Carved Design
- Neck: Slim
- Truss Rod: Adjustable
- Finish: Ultra-thin High Gloss
- Nut and Saddle: Hand-carved bone
- Tuners: Genuine Grover
- Additional Features: Custom string spacing, Zager soft touch frets
2. Zager ZAD80
The Zager ZAD80 is another great dreadnought guitar to have for seasoned guitarists. This guitar is constructed from East Indian rosewood and red cedar. This duo is known for producing a rich layered sound. Just like spruce and mahogany, rosewood is also a premium tonewood. They are more cost effective to source so it helps keep the price low while ensuring great sound quality.
Zager’s hand-scalloped bracing further refines its tone. The guitar also has the classic abalone inlays and pearl fret markers synonymous with all Zager Guitars. The ZAD80 is fitted with high-quality Grover tuners, The finish on the ZAD80, an ultra-thin high gloss, protects the guitar while enhancing the natural vibrations of the tonewood.
The Zager ZAD80 is also a great choice for beginners who are looking for a great dreadnought at a more affordable price. For the price you not only get a premium build but a lifetime warranty from Denny Zager himself!
Specifications
- Top Material: Solid Red Cedar
- Back and Sides: East Indian Rosewood
- Bracing: Hand-carved scalloped design
- Finish: Special ultra-thin high gloss
- Neck Design: Slim profile
- Fretboard Inlays: Pearl cross fret markers and full abalone inlay
- Binding: Ivory binding with a detailed zipper stripe on the back
- Tuning Machines: Genuine Grover tuners
- Nut and Saddle: Hand-carved bone
- Truss Rod: Adjustable
- String Spacing: Custom-designed for speed and accuracy
- Electronics: Optional Fishman Presys Blend system
3. Zager ZAD50
The Zager ZAD50 is often compared to guitars twice its price. The guitar uses materials and fittings that are usually found on expensive instruments, packaged at an affordable price. It has a solid wood construction, which enhances sound quality as it ages. With hand-scalloped bracing, the guitar has a robust and powerful sound.
This guitar also features a slim neck design for comfortable playability and hand-filed frets. Additionally, the ZAD50 is equipped with high-quality Grover tuning machines. These tuning machines are known for their reliability and precision.
The custom string spacing and the ultra-thin high gloss finish further improve playability and sound depth. The guitar’s construction is a prime example of great craftsmanship at an entry-level price.
Users of the ZAD50 love the guitar for its rich sound and ease of play. Like all models from Zager guitars, the ZAD50 is backed by a 100% money-back guarantee and a lifetime warranty. Overall, the Zager ZAD50 offers exceptional value for its price. This makes it an excellent dreadnought guitar for all types of musicians, especially beginners.
Specifications
- Body Type: Dreadnought
- Top Material: Solid Spruce
- Back and Sides: Mahogany
- Bracing: Hand-scalloped
- Neck Material: Mahogany
- Neck Shape: Slim design
- Fretboard Material: Rosewood
- Frets: Hand-filed
- Inlays: Pearl fret markers and abalone rosette
- Tuning Machines: Genuine Grover tuners
- Nut and Saddle: Hand-carved bone
- Finish: Ultra-thin high gloss
- String Spacing: Custom designed for greater accuracy and comfort
- Truss Rod: Adjustable
- Binding and Detailing: Ivory binding with a unique zipper stripe on the back
4. Yamaha FG800
The Yamaha FG800 has established itself as a great guitar to have for beginners. It features a solid spruce top that significantly enhances the guitar’s sound. You can expect to get a clearer and more articulate sound. The dreadnought shape has a robust sound with a strong bass.
Another key feature of the FG800 is its scalloped bracing. This design tweak promotes more top movement increasing the bass response and overall projection. This feature, coupled with the solid top, gives the FG800 a full-bodied sound popular in all dreadnought guitars.
Despite being in the affordable range, the guitar has a classic look with a natural finish with a nato back and sides. It also has a well-finished neck that is comfortable for beginners and experienced players alike. You get die-cast tuners with the Yamaha and rosewood bridge that adds to its reliability.
Specifications
- Top Material: Solid Spruce
- Back and Sides: Nato/Okume
- Bracing: Scalloped
- Neck Material: Nato
- Fretboard Material: Rosewood
- Bridge: Rosewood
- Tuning Machines: Die-cast
- Finish: Gloss (Natural)
5. Sigma DM-15
The Sigma DM-15 is another great budget-friendly dreadnought guitar to have. It is praised for its all-mahogany construction that promotes the classic dreadnought sound. This model is inspired by the classic Martin dreadnoughts great for blues and folk musicians.
The DM-15 has a solid mahogany top paired with laminated mahogany back and sides. The mahogany construction enhances the guitar’s aesthetic with its rich, dark hue. With mahogany you also get sonic depth making it ideal for a wide range of musical styles. It has a traditional X-bracing that adds great volume and sound projection.
The neck is also made from mahogany and topped with a Micarta fingerboard. The dreadnought shape, coupled with a well-crafted neck, allows for easy playability. This is particularly great for players who enjoy strumming and easy chord access. Despite its size, the guitar is designed to be accessible to players of all skill levels.
It also comes equipped with Grover tuners for stable and reliable tuning. Its robust build quality makes it an excellent choice for beginners and experienced players alike. If you’re looking for a reliable guitar at an entry-level price, the Sigma DM-15 is a top choice.
Specifications
- Body Shape: Dreadnought
- Top Material: Solid Mahogany
- Back & Sides: Laminated Mahogany
- Neck Material: Mahogany
- Fingerboard: Micarta
- Bracing: X-Bracing
- Tuners: Grover
- Finish: Natural
3 Things To Check Before Buying A Dreadnought Guitaralter
When shopping for a dreadnought guitar, keep this buying guide in mind before making a decision.
- Overall Size
Dreadnought guitars generally follow a standard size, but there can be slight variations. If you have a small build, the standard size may be a little difficult to maneuver.
The guitar’s size must match your comfort level. If the standard size is too big you can look for alternative sizes. You have the option of scaled-down versions like the 7/8 or 3/4 sizes. They retain the typical dreadnought sound qualities but in a smaller more manageable size.
- Tonewood
The choice of wood can affect how well a dreadnought can sound too. When looking for dreadnoughts, try to get a guitar constructed from the following materials for the best sound.
- Spruce: Often used for the top, known for its clarity and responsiveness.
- Mahogany: Used for the back and sides, provides a warmer tone.
- Ebony: Used for fretboards, known for its smooth playability and durability. High-quality woods like Sitka spruce or mahogany can make the guitar sound more rich.
- Solid or Laminate: Solid woods vibrate better resulting in a great sound. But that can drive up the cost of a guitar. On the other hand, laminates can reduce sound quality but make the guitar more affordable. Try to look for a guitar with a solid top at least as that is the most important part of the guitar. You can still work with laminated sides if it is made just right.
- Additional Features
Here are some additional features that you can look for in a dreadnought guitar.
- OnBoard Electronics: Some dreadnoughts come equipped with electronic pickups and preamps. This can be useful for amplifying the guitar if you require it.
- Adjustable Truss Rod: Although it comes standard with any guitar, look for one that has an adjustable truss rod. This allows you to adjust the neck’s curvature to suit your playing style and set string action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dreadnought guitars are loved for their full tone. This makes them great for both strumming and fingerstyle playing. Singer-songwriters love the Dreadnought for this reason alone as you can be a solo act if needed. The dreadnought is the ideal guitar to have for live performances and recordings.
If you have a small build, you might find playing a dreadnought guitar to be more challenging. The larger size is less comfortable to maneuver as you might require more reach for upper frets. In such cases, you can opt for a scaled-down dreadnought that keeps the design intact coming in a smaller frame.
There is no right answer to this question. It boils down to what each player wants from a guitar. Dreadnoughts are great for rhythm guitarists. Cutaways are great for easier access to upper frets. If you play solos, a cutaway design is what you need.
Some dreadnoughts can come with a cutaway option. This combines the benefits of both designs. Although this takes away from the original dreadnought sound, the differences are minimal. You have to be a legend to be able to tell the difference.
So, Which Dreadnought Guitar Are You Planning To Get?
This concludes our list of the best dreadnought guitars available in the market now. We carefully picked each of them to give you a balance of price, quality, and sound. While options like the Yamaha and Sigma give you great sound, the Zagers offer the same with a premium build. Ultimately, the choice is yours as a guitar sound should not make it the top choice. How easy you find playing it is a big deciding factor too!
