Dreadnought Guitars

Dreadnought Guitars are a type of acoustic guitar body produced by American business C.F Martin & Company in response to demand for louder, richer tones from listeners who favoured them over the more gentle sound produced by classical guitars with more petite bodies like those found on Jazz instruments or Acoustic Singers.

What is a dreadnought guitar?

A dreadnought guitar or simply dreadnought is a large-bodied and strong-toned acoustic guitar style developed in the early 1900s by noted American luthier Martin Guitars. The word “dreadnought” means “fearless” or “undaunted” in terms of its capabilities as a musical instrument, and it is now commonly used to refer to acoustic guitars of all sizes.

How big is a dreadnought guitar?

A dreadnought guitar typically measures around 16 inches (41 cm) from the body to the headstock and around 19.25 inches (49 cm) in total width at its widest point – measured across the lower bout. It is a large, deep-bodied guitar with a wide neck – usually 1 3/4 inches (45 mm) – which allows it to handle bass notes well and produce a clear tone with plenty of volumes. The body size is usually chosen for its full-bodied or richer sound quality rather than visual appearance.

What is the difference between a dreadnought and regular guitar?

The difference is in size. Dreadnought guitars are much bigger than regular 6-string acoustic guitars. The dreadnought body shape provides a deep sound and gives off rich harmonics. This type of guitar can handle bass notes very well due to its larger size. A dreadnought guitar provides lower frequencies, making it the perfect choice for the bass guitar (bass) player who wants to expand their sound.