In an era when tropical tonewoods such as mahogany and rosewood have become increasingly regulated and scarce, it makes perfect sense to make a guitar entirely from North American woods. The Model America 1 is based on the stalwart D-18, but with tonewoods that can be found in Martin’s—or maybe even your own—back yard.
This rejuvenated version of Guild's classic D-55 dreadnought captures many of the details of the original while offering a few enhancements.
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The dreadnought is big. Outside of its portly proportions, this form remains a top-seller a century after its birth.
If I hadn’t had their spec sheets in front of me, I might not have known that a pair of new Taylor guitars were affordable instruments. The new Taylor Academy 10e dreadnought and 12e Grand Concert each sell for well under a grand with a deluxe padded gig bag. Both…
This slope-shouldered dreadnought sports Adirondack spruce bracing, a compound-curve top that increases structural integrity, an Indian rosewood fingerboard, a compensated TUSQ saddle, a custom-polished finish, a double-function truss rod, and a set-neck system that resists warping and changes due to climate.
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The D-1 is one of the latest members of Martin’s Authentic lineup, in which the company recreates its prewar designs in highly accurate detail
C.F. Martin & Co. has added three new models to its popular 16 Series.
The Thompson has a huge velocity of sound and great clarity, whether strummed or fingerpicked
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Nothing is more traditional than a dreadnought-sized guitar, but add a slim-neck profile, an elegant Venetian cutaway, and an innovative pickup system that accurately represents the true acoustic nature of the guitar in an amplified setting, and you have the Taylor 410ce-R, a modern acoustic guitar that speaks to a wide spectrum of players.
Fender Guitars, long known for its iconic Strats and Teles, may turn a few heads with the flame-maple-topped, dreadnought-sized T-Bucket 400CE, which is not only good looking, but sounds good and, most importantly, is affordable.
The Guild D-40 has a long history of producing an iconic sound. Much of the desirable tone heard on 1960s folk-revival recordings is compliments of a Guild D-40, which was introduced in 1963.
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The CS-Bluegrass-16's sound is nicely split between robust fundamentals and shimmering overtones. It’s everything a fine dreadnought should be—and then some.
Though the actuator is the main selling point of the LL-TA, the instrument is a nicely made guitar by any yardstick, built entirely from solid woods.
With a street price of just under a grand, this Macassar is one of Martin’s least expensive guitars, but it’s not an inferior instrument. A solidly built guitar with a winning personality and Fishman Sonitone electronics, it’s a smart choice for a beginner or a cost-conscious pro.
It’s not just one of the best Hummingbirds I’ve played, but an excellent flattop by any yardstick—one as graceful and nimble as its name suggests.
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Some skeptical guitarists might see phrases like “thermally cured” and “hide glue” as mere marketing tools, but there’s no denying that the J-45 Vintage has a full, rich voice with excellent definition and note separation. When I play it in the Carter style, I’m struck both by the depth of the bass notes and the crispness of the chordal accents. When I pick some G runs, I’m taken with the string-to-string balance and the thickness of the single notes.
With its high-quality build and lovely sound, the Fat Lady definitely recommends itself as a fine modern acoustic-electric dreadnought.
A Vintage Guitar That Never Existed Creates a Cool Blend of Influences
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This special guitar is one of Martin’s finest D-35s to date
With a cedar soundboard and limited lifetime warranty it's almost inconceivable that this is a $250 guitar.
In late 2013, Keith Richards told the Wall Street Journal how he came up with the right textures for one of the Rolling Stones’ most famous riffs: the intro to “Street Fighting Man.” He’d been experimenting with open tunings, recording his ideas on the fly on an early Philips cassette…
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The instrument has vintage looks, classic Texan sound, great playability, and easy-to-use electronics.
The DCPA4 Siris’s feel reflects its fusion of traditional and contemporary specs.
Luckily for those unable to afford a D-28, Martin recently unveiled the DRS1—a guitar with many similarities to the American-made D-15, but built in Martin’s Mexican facility.
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One of the noteworthy aspects of the A3R is its playability. Our review guitar arrived strung with light-gauge strings that feel as close to the ebony fingerboard as the strings do on a typical electric guitar. I found the mahogany neck to be very playable in all positions and it was easy to bend strings.
