The first time someone mentioned dreadnought, I thought it had to do with food — or maybe lunch was just on my mind... I later realized it had to do with something even better: guitars!
Dreadnought acoustic guitars can be easily differentiated by their larger body size, square shoulders, and wider lower bout that gives them their distinct resonance and powerful sound. Although, the dreadnought has seen some refinements and changes over the years, they’re still one of the most popular acoustic guitar body styles for musicians.
Rise of the Dreadnought
The first of the dreadnought guitars was drastically different from traditional acoustics at the time. C.F. Martin & Co. introduced the first edition of these large-bodied guitars in 1916. Actually, the HMS Dreadnought warship was credited as the source of inspiration for its name.
Originally made for the Oliver Ditson Company, the first round of dreadnought guitars didn’t bring the amount of success that was intended. Due to its poor sales performance, C.F. Martin revisited the design in 1931 and expanded the original 12-fret neck to a 14-fret neck (which is where the neck meets the body). These were labeled as part of the D-1 and D-2 models. Folk and bluegrass musicians took a liking almost immediately.
Fast forward a few years to 1934. Gibson hopped on the dreadnought train and made their version of bigger-bodied guitars with the J-35. By 1942, Gibson came out with the J-45, which would stack up against C.F. Martin’s dreadnoughts and prove to be a legitimate contender in the world of acoustic guitars. The Gibson J-45 was coined as “The Workhorse” for its ability to cover just about any style.
The “Golden Age of Dreadnoughts” lasted from the 1930s-1950s. However, dreadnoughts would still stand the test of time, even if it called for some minor adjustments. The 1960s sparked change in C.F. Martin’s and Gibson’s catalogs. The Gibson Hummingbird was introduced and drew popularity instantly for its gorgeous aesthetics and incredible playability and tone, making it one of the legendary models that belong to the dreadnought family. The hummingbird print on the soundboard and the cherry sunburst color visually sets it apart from others. Beautiful… right? I know!
Many famous guitarists took a liking to the dreadnought model, making it easily recognizable on album covers, stage performances, all the way down to campfires and coffeehouses. Below are some great picking guitarists that utilized this kind of instrument in their career:
- Tony Rice
- Peter Yarrow
- Jim Croce
- Kris Kristofferson
- Johnny Cash
These are just a few of the many names that have shaped the soundscape of music history. As you can probably tell by now, [CR1] the Dreadnought has easily become one of the most popular, if not the most popular, acoustic guitar shapes out there.
Send the Deets
It’s easy to spot a dreadnought acoustic guitar. It’s probably the biggest thing in the room! Dreadnoughts have square shoulders, a wide waist, large radius curve, and 14-fret neck.
Traditional dreadnought models feature solid spruce for the soundboard and rosewood or mahogany for the back and sides. The solid spruce allows the treble to come through, while the rosewood and mahogany balance it all out with a mellow and darker quality of sound.
Most dreadnoughts feature a scallop-brace style that was intended to remove the weight of the internal bracings and allow the guitar to vibrate and resonate better. Unless you have one of the originals, today’s standard will most likely give you a 14-20 fret neck, which gives you freedom to access the higher register. Some modern dreadnoughts have a cutaway which make it easier to reach for beyond the 12th fret, however, not every model will feature this.
Dreadnought acoustics are beloved for their boomy tone and incredible projection. They were initially created to reach the back of the room without a microphone — and they’re damn good at it! They also have amazing warmth in the bottom than other guitar models, no matter when, how, or what it’s made with. Just the shape itself, gives breath to the lower frequencies, while still giving presence and depth to the higher frequencies. They’re an amazing do-it-all acoustic guitar.
Popular Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars
There are tons and tons of dreadnoughts out there. Most manufacturers have at least one dreadnought acoustic guitar in their lineup. Let’s take a look at examples of some dreadnoughts that are considered ideal for any player’s wheelhouse:
Pros and Cons of Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars
Now that we’ve delved into the nitty gritty of the dreadnought roots, let’s highlight the strengths, downsides, and see how it stacks up against its opposing forces.
Strengths:
- Bottom-end, middle focused tone with points of clarity
- Versatile for various styles
- Loud sound projection, ideal for all room types
Weaknesses:
- Oversized body might not be comfortable for all players
- Not every model has a cutaway, making it more demanding for higher fretboard work
Every instrument will have its advantages and disadvantages, and determining how the dreadnought fits into your family will ultimately depend on what and where you’ll be using it for.
Final Thoughts on Dreadnought Acoustics
If you’re looking for a guitar that can cover a variety of styles and project well into an audience, you’ll like what the dreadnought has to offer. From a guitar model that has been around for over 100 years now, you can trust what the other folks say about it and know that it’s got the longevity to stand up to it all too.
Need a little help while you begin your quest for the perfect dreadnought? Send a ring over to the AMS Customer Service crew at 800-458-4076. Our experts can help walk you through all the steps on what to look out and listen for on your search. In the meantime, you can browse our website for more details, models, ideas and exclusive offers. You can’t go wrong with a dreadnought on your side!
