What is a Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar? The Main Differences
If you think of iconic guitar bodies, then the dreadnought shape falls on the top rank simply due to the heritage it carries. The Dreadnought has a large body which gives this body type its signature deep sound. It is the top choice for rhythm guitarists due to this feature alone.
Today we will deep dive into everything there is to know about the dreadnought acoustic guitar body shape.
A Quick Look At Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars
- The first dreadnought guitar was made for the Oliver Ditson Company.
- The traditional Martin dreadnought measures approximately 15-5/8 inches across the lower bout.
- A standard dreadnought is iconic for its X-bracing pattern
- Premium dreadnoughts come with ebony or rosewood fretboards
- dreadnoughts use solid spruce for the soundboard.
Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar: A Detailed Discussion
History Behind Dreadnought Guitar
This body shape was named the “Dreadnought” after a fleet of British warships named the HMS Dreadnought. The first iterations of this body shape did not have the best sound. Over time with thousands of improvements, we now have the classic rich sound of a dreadnought. The guitars made before them did not have the best sound.
C.F. Martin & Company introduced the large-bodied acoustic guitar in 1916. These early models had a 12-fret neck and slotted headstocks. Although the design was great, the Ditson-branded dreadnoughts had poor sales.
However, in 1931, Martin revisited the dreadnought design with the D-1 and D-2 models. These models had bodies made of mahogany and rosewood with a 14-fret neck design for better access to the upper frets. The redesign was an instant hit among folk and bluegrass musicians.
Throughout the mid-20th century, Martin dreadnoughts became a staple for all types of musicians. Its loud yet balanced projection is ideal for intricate picking and vocal styles of bluegrass and folk music. Iconic musicians such as Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul, and Mary, and bluegrass legend Tony Rice played a big role in popularizing this iconic guitar.
Seeing this success from Martin, another manufacturer quickly joined the bandwagon. Gibson had its round-shouldered Jumbo in 1934. They had their iconic J-45 and Hummingbird. They rivaled the classic dreadnought shape prompting even more manufacturers to make their shape.
Today, the dreadnought remains one of the most popular acoustic guitar shapes. Martin, Gibson, Taylor, Zager, and many others release new models almost every year. Each new iteration improved the design while keeping the original framework intact.
What About The Size?
The dreadnought guitar’s size is one of its most defining characteristics. The first dreadnought guitar was significantly larger than other guitars of the era. This increased size made it more resonant and gave it its powerful sound.
It has a body depth of 4-7/8 inches at the endpin to 3-7/8 inches at the neck. The large body size gives it high volume and a deep bass response.
In 1934, the original dreadnought’s design was improved to give it a more squared-off shoulder. The bridge was also moved slightly closer to the neck. This adjustment now hosted a 14-fret neck, a standard for most dreadnought guitars today. It made playing the guitar easier as all frets now have easy access.
In response to Martin, Gibson introduced their Jumbo guitar. This featured a similarly large body but with rounded shoulders. The Jumbo and its successors, the J-45 and Hummingbird, also became highly popular. They sounded a little different but maintained the powerful sound projection of a large-body guitar.
Despite its size, the dreadnought’s design has been refined over the years. These changes improved the overall comfort and playability. Modern dreadnoughts have ergonomic changes, such as contoured edges and slimmer neck profiles.
Check Out Zager Guitars by 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 |
Construction: Superior Build
Dreadnoughts have a few characteristics that define this body type.
X-bracing
The X-bracing pattern was developed by Martin in the 19th century. The bracing system has two main braces forming an “X” shape beneath the soundboard. It strengthens the frame to support steel strings while allowing the top to vibrate freely. This design gives the dreadnought its deep tone and sound projection.
Dreadnoughts also have tone bars and additional braces to fine-tune the instrument’s sound. Pre-1945 Martin dreadnoughts featured scalloped braces. Selected areas of the braces were reduced to enhance the guitar’s responsiveness and tone. This construction technique further improves the sound quality of the guitar.
Gibson’s Jumbo models, for example, use a similar X-bracing pattern but with rounded shoulders and different tonewoods.
Tonewood
Traditional Martin dreadnoughts use solid spruce for the soundboard. This is paired with rosewood or mahogany for the back and sides. Spruce is loved for its strength-to-weight ratio which translates to a clear and bright tone. Rosewood promotes bass and clear treble, while mahogany offers a warmer pronounced midrange frequency.
In the late 1960s, Martin made several changes to their dreadnought construction. They switched from Brazilian rosewood to Indian rosewood and enlarged the bridge plate.
Although these changes were due to the need for more durable wood, some players preferred the sound of the older Brazilian rosewood.
Gibson, on the other hand, uses mahogany and maple in their dreadnoughts. This gives it its unique warm, balanced tone with a strong midrange.
Neck Joint
The Dreadnought guitar body features a dovetail neck joint. This ensures a strong and stable connection between the neck and the body. A dovetail neck joint helps transfer vibrations from the neck to the body more seamlessly. This enhances the guitar’s overall sustain giving it its signature sound.
Flawless Playability
Despite its large size, the dreadnought has been redesigned over the years to ensure it is comfortable and easy to play.
Neck Design
Most modern dreadnoughts come with a 14-fret neck for better access to the upper frets. This makes playing complex chord shapes and solos a walk in the park for most musicians. The neck profile has options ranging from a slim, modern profile to a more substantial vintage feel.
Scale Length
The scale length of a dreadnought is typically around 25.4 inches. This scale length balances between string tension and playability which makes fretting more comfortable. The longer scale length makes the guitar sound more powerful with high sustain. This sound profile makes it suitable for various playstyles like fingerpicking and aggressive strumming.
String Action
Well-setup dreadnoughts have a comfortable action that makes them easy to fret. This also ensures the guitar has low to no string buzz. The action can be adjusted to suit the player’s preference by adjusting the truss rod.
Body Shape and Weight
The large body shape and size of a dreadnought have been refined over the years to ensure comfort. The wide waist and deep body help the guitar rest comfortably on a player’s lap. The squared-off shoulders also add an ergonomic touch to improve comfort while playing. Some modern dreadnoughts also feature contoured edges and ergonomic body shapes.
Dreadnought guitars are generally heavier than smaller-bodied guitars. However, research on lighter materials and construction techniques has reduced the overall weight. This is done without compromising on sound quality or durability.
This makes modern dreadnoughts more manageable and comfortable to play.
Fretboard Material and Electronics
Premium dreadnoughts come with ebony or rosewood fretboards. This provides a smooth surface that makes fast playing seamless. The fretboard finish is also well-polished and free of rough edges.
Many dreadnoughts come equipped with built-in pickups and preamps for you to easily plug them in. Cutaway designs provide easier access to the upper frets should you choose to access the higher notes.
What Are The Dreadnought Genres?
The dreadnought acoustic guitar solidified its place in various genres of music. Its large body and distinctive tone make it the perfect guitar body shape to have for most genres.
Bluegrass
In Bluegrass, the dreadnought’s deep bass response makes it a match made in heaven. Bluegrass music often features fast-picking patterns and powerful strumming. The guitar can cut through the mix and provide a strong rhythmic foundation.
Aside from the guitar, Bluegrass incorporates banjos, fiddles, and mandolins. Many bluegrass musicians, like the legend Tony Rice, love the dreadnought for its sound and versatility.
Folk
In folk music, musicians often use guitars for solo performances. This makes the dreadnought the perfect instrument to have for its rich sound. Bob Dylan and Joan Baez are just two of many artists who used dreadnought guitars in their recordings.
Country
Dreadnoughts in country music project the genre’s crisp and clear chords. The guitar’s strong bass and bright treble tones perfectly deliver the twangy style of country music.
Rock
Rock musicians often appreciate the dreadnought’s ability to project sound without any amplification. It is great for live performances and recording sessions. A dreadnought can be used for gentle ballads to energetic rock anthems. Rock musicians like Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen used dreadnought guitars in most of their hits.
Contemporary Pop
Contemporary pop artists love the warm, organic sound of dreadnoughts. Whether used for strumming chords or fingerpicking, the dreadnought’s sound can complement a wide range of pop styles. You can hear a dreadnought in many Bruno Mars and Jon Bon Jovi hits!
Differences Of The Dreadnought Body with Other
The Dreadnought guitar shape has a few key differences in comparison to other body shapes. Let’s look at how they differ from some popular shapes in the market now!
| Dreadnought Guitar Vs Regular (Standard Six-String) | ||
| Features | Dreadnought Guitar | Regular (Standard Six-String) |
| Body Size | Larger, with a length of around 20 inches, and width of 15-16 inches, depth of 4-5 inches | Smaller, varies by model (e.g., Concert, Parlor) |
| Tone | Bold, resonant, full-bodied with deep bass and powerful mids | Bright, varied depending on body type and materials |
| Playability | Can be challenging for smaller players; more suited for larger arms | Generally easier for players of all sizes |
| Best Suited For | Strumming and fingerstyle in genres like country, rock, folk | Varies by model; common in many genres |
| Volume | High volume, strong projection | Varies; smaller guitars tend to have lower volume |
| Typical Scale Length | 25.4 inches | Varies; 24.7 to 25.5 inches common |
| Dreadnought Guitar Vs Cutaway | ||
| Feature | Dreadnought Guitar | Cutaway Guitar |
| Body Size | Larger, with no cutaway; traditional dreadnought shape | Similar in size to a dreadnought but with a cutaway |
| Tone | Bold, resonant, full-bodied | Slightly less resonant due to reduced body mass |
| Playability | Less upper fret access | Easier upper fret access due to cutaway design |
| Best Suited For | Strumming and fingerstyle, traditional acoustic genres | Versatile; good for genres requiring high fret access |
| Volume | High volume, strong projection | Slightly reduced volume compared to non-cutaway |
| Typical Scale Length | 25.4 inches | Similar, around 25.4 inches |
| Dreadnought Guitar Vs Classical | ||
| Feature | Dreadnought Guitar | Classical Guitar |
| Body Size | Larger body, around 20 inches in length, 15-16 inches in width | Smaller body, around 19 inches in length, 14 inches in width |
| Strings | Steel strings | Nylon strings |
| Neck Width | Narrower neck | Wider neck |
| Fingerboard | Radiused | Flatter fingerboard |
| Tone | Bright, twangy, loud | Soft, mellow, warm |
| Playability | Can be more demanding due to steel strings and larger size | Easier for fingerstyle due to wider neck and softer strings |
| Best Suited For | Folk, rock, country, bluegrass | Classical, flamenco, certain folk and jazz styles |
| Volume | High volume, strong projection | Moderate volume, more intimate sound |
| Typical Scale Length | 25.4 inches | 25.6 to 26 inches |
| Dreadnought Guitar Vs Concert Guitar | ||
| Feature | Dreadnought Guitar | Concert Guitar |
| Body Size | Larger body, typically 20 inches in length, 15-16 inches in width | Smaller, around 18 inches in length, 13-14 inches in width |
| Tone | Bold, resonant, deep bass, powerful mid-ranges | Brighter, more articulate, less bass |
| Playability | Can be difficult for smaller players | More accessible, and comfortable for all sizes |
| Best Suited For | Strumming and fingerstyle in genres like country, rock, folk | Fingerpicking, genres requiring note articulation |
| Volume | High volume, strong projection | Lower volume, clarity, and brightness |
| Typical Scale Length | 25.4 inches | 24.7 to 25.5 inches |
| Dreadnought Vs Orchestra Model | ||
| Feature | Dreadnought Guitar | Orchestra Model (OM) Guitar |
| Body Size | Larger body, typically 20 inches in length, 15-16 inches in width | Slightly smaller, around 19 inches in length, and 15 inches in width |
| Tone | Bold, resonant, deep bass, powerful mid-ranges | Balanced tone with clear highs, pronounced mids, and controlled bass |
| Playability | It can be difficult for smaller players | Comfortable for a wide range of players, slightly smaller and easier to handle |
| Best Suited For | Strumming and fingerstyle in genres like country, rock, folk | Fingerstyle, light to moderate strumming, suitable for a variety of genres |
| Volume | High volume, strong projection | Moderate volume, good projection with a balanced sound |
| Typical Scale Length | 25.4 inches | 24.9 inches |
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use a dreadnought guitar in many different genres of music. The most popular genres that use dreadnoughts are rock, folk, bluegrass, and country music. Dreadnoughts are loud with a deep and rich sound that mixes perfectly with these genres.
A dreadnought is generally a great guitar for beginners. They have a great sound that you can play unamplified. However, if you have a smaller build, you might find it hard to maneuver due to its size.
A dreadnought guitar is identified primarily by its body shape. They usually have a squared shoulder shape that adds to their signature sound. The design was first launched in 1916 by Martin Guitars.
Jumbo guitars have a slightly larger body that is more rounded off than a dreadnought. They have more depth to the sound with great bass. The dreadnought, on the other hand, has a more balanced tone with a strong midrange and decent bass.
Dreadnought Guitars: The Premium And Portable
Dreadnought guitars are the ultimate guitars to have simply due to the majestic sound they produce. They might be too big for smaller players at first, but with time and practice you can get a grip on the size. The sound is perfect for rhythm guitarists and fingerpickers making it the perfect companion for a singer-songwriter!
Many great acoustic guitars come in the dreadnought body shape nowadays. Be sure to test one out before you make your purchase. Even if you are not comfortable with the size, you must try one out once in your life!
