It can be difficult looking for the best acoustic guitars for blues. You may not know exactly what to look for. This guide to the best acoustic blues guitars should help you out. All of these instruments here would make excellent options.
Blues is my favorite genre of music. I was introduced to blues as a young teenager. My favorite artists include Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and all the other greats. To play this music, you need a great acoustic guitar.
Quick Look: Best Acoustic Guitars for Blues
★ #1 Best Acoustic Guitar for Blues Overall: Gibson HS ★
- Best Beginner Acoustic Guitar for Blues: Guild D-240E
- Best Intermediate Acoustic Guitar for Blues: Yamaha Storia III
- Best Professional Acoustic Guitar for Blues: Martin HD-28
- Best Cheap Acoustic Guitar for Blues: Fender FA-115
- Best Acoustic Guitar for Blues Under $1,000: Taylor 210ce
- Best Acoustic Guitar for Blues Under $500: Yamaha FG840
- Best Dreadnought for Blues: Guild D-240E
- Best Dreadnought Cutaway for Blues: Taylor 210ce
- Best Acoustic-Electric Guitar for Blues: Martin D-18E
- Best Resonator Acoustic Guitar for Blues: Gretsch G9200
You’ll find something in this guide whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or an advanced player. There are guitars for everyone and all playing levels. Let’s dig in and have a closer look.
About Acoustic Guitars for Blues
Blues is an old form of music. It was first developed in the 19th and 20th centuries. It’s the genre that gave birth to most modern music today, such as rock and roll.
This guide to the best acoustic guitars for blues will help you find something that works for what you want to play. Whether it’s a slide, chords, or blues bass solos, you’ll find a guitar that meets your needs.
About Blues Music
Blues is one of the most popular genres of music. Many famous artists helped define this genre. Famous blues musicians include Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, and Joe Bonamassa.
Acoustic guitars are often used for roots blues music. In this style, a slide is often used, or there may be a lot of fingerpicking involved. Acoustic guitars are perfect for this type of music.
Types of Acoustic Guitars for Blues
There are several different acoustic guitars that you can use for blues music. It will all depend on what you want to play. Here are the main types of instruments that you want to consider.
Dreadnought Acoustic
The first type of instrument is the dreadnought acoustic. This basic acoustic guitar will give you the sound you want for playing blues or other types of music.
Dreadnought Cutaway
Another instrument you might want to consider is the dreadnought cutaway. This is a standard dreadnought, but it has a space below the fretboard where it meets the body of the guitar. This allows easier access to the higher frets so you can play blues-based solos.
Acoustic-Electric Guitar
The next type of instrument is the acoustic-electric guitar. This is a standard acoustic that has a pickup system installed. This makes it easy to play on stage or do you some recording on your own.
Acoustic Resonator Guitar
The acoustic resonator is a regular acoustic guitar with a round metal piece in the middle of the guitar. This resonates when you pluck the strings and gives it a distinct tone. This guitar is perfect for blues music.
Top 10 Best Acoustic Guitars for Blues
This guide to the top 10 best acoustic guitars for blues should help you find an excellent instrument. These guitars are all perfect choices. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, there’s something here for you.
1. Guild D-240E
- Scale length: 25.5″
- Fingerboard radius: 16″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: AP-1 electronics
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- Included in the box: Guitar, documentation
- Material & finish: Mahogany, spruce, gloss finish
- Best for: Beginner or intermediate players that want an easy-to-play guitar
The Guild D-240E is a well-built guitar for any beginner or intermediate player. It has an excellent electronic system, is made with solid wood, and has the tone you want for playing blues guitar.
✅ Great tone
✅ Easy playing
✅ Smooth finish
✅ Good pickup
❌ No case
❌ No extras
Why I Recommend It
The D-240E is an excellent instrument for anyone who’s just getting into playing blues guitar and doesn’t have a lot of money. You get an excellent tone and reliability, plus you can plug it into an amplifier and play right away.
2. Yamaha Storia III
- Scale length: 25″
- Fingerboard radius: 15″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: Piezo
- Body shape: Small dreadnought
- Included in the box: Guitar, documentation
- Material & finish: Mahogany, walnut, gloss finish
- Best for: Intermediate blues players that need a simple guitar
The Yamaha Storia III is the perfect option for the intermediate player. It has a smaller body size, so it’s comfortable when you’re sitting down. It has a great piezo pickup, so you can plug it into your amplifier and get the tone you want.
✅ Solid wood
✅ Pickup
✅ Great finish
✅ Solid tuners
❌ No case
❌ May be small for some
Why I Recommend It
This is an excellent mid-range guitar. The Yamaha Storia III has a great neck, smooth finish, and easy playability for an intermediate guitar player.
3. Martin HD-28
- Scale length: 25.4″
- Fingerboard radius: 16″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- Included in the box: Guitar, documentation, case
- Material & finish: Ebony, rosewood, mahogany, spruce, gloss finish
- Best for: Advanced players that need a reliable guitar for blues
The Martin D-28 is an exceptional guitar for blues and other music. It has a great playing neck, incredible tone, smooth finish, and a solid construction. It’s everything you could want in a high-quality guitar.
✅ Bone nut and saddle
✅ Solid tuning pegs
✅ Great tone
✅ Hardshell case
❌ Expensive
❌ No extras
Why I Recommend It
The D-28 is the right choice for anyone that wants to play blues guitar. I’ve always loved the sound of a Martin, and this particular model shines in many different ways. It has an exceptional tone and reliability.
4. Gibson Hummingbird Standard
- Scale length: 24.75″
- Fingerboard radius: 12″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: L.R. Baggs VTC
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- Included in the box: Guitar, documentation, case
- Material & finish: Rosewood, mahogany, sitka spruce, nitrocellulose lacquer
- Best for: Advanced players that want an outstanding guitar for blues
The Gibson Hummingbird is the perfect guitar for any professional. It has an amazing tone, a great pickup, and a unique look and sound. This is one the best acoustic guitars for blues at this price point.
✅ Hardshell case
✅ Great pickup
✅ Huge tone
✅ Great look
❌ High cost
❌ Some may not like the color
Why I Recommend It
You’ll spend a lot on the Gibson Hummingbird, but you’ll have a guitar that’s reliable for many years to come. There isn’t much that this guitar can’t do. It’s perfect for fingerpicking, playing chords, and so on.
5. Taylor 210CE Cutaway Dreadnought
- Scale length: 25.5″
- Fingerboard radius: 15″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: Under saddle
- Body shape: Dreadnought cutaway
- Included in the box: Guitar, documentation, case
- Material & finish: Mahogany, ebony, rosewood, gloss finish
- Best for: Intermediate players that need a great guitar for blues solos
The Taylor 210ce is an exceptional mid-range guitar. It has a wonderful time, excellent finish, nice cutaway, and great pickup system. It’s suitable for any intermediate player that wants to get into blues playing.
✅ Cutaway
✅ Good pickup
✅ Nice neck
✅ Solid wood
❌ Controls a bit hard to access
❌ No hardshell case
Why I Recommend It
Some instruments cost a lot of money, but the Taylor 210ce is a great bargain. I like the deep cutaway so you can access all of the higher frets. This instrument has the tone and reliability that you need for playing blues.
6. Gretsch G9200 Roundneck
- Scale length: 25″
- Fingerboard radius: 15.75″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Resonator style
- Included in the box: Guitar, documentation
- Material & finish: Mahogany, rosewood, metal, gloss finish
- Best for: Intermediate players looking for a resonator guitar for blues
One of the best intermediate guitars for blues is the Gretsch G9200 Roundneck. This resonator guitar has an excellent tone, a smooth wood finish, and a playable neck. It’s ideal for those who want to get into playing slide blues.
✅ Excellent tone
✅ Great finish
✅ Solid tuning machines
✅ Traditional F-hole design
❌ No case
❌ Takes some getting used to
Why I Recommend It
The Gretsch G9200 has everything you want in a resonator guitar. It won’t cost you a lot, yet it has the tone you need to play blues guitar, especially slide guitar. Pick this one up and start playing blues now.
7. Fender FA-115
- Scale length: 25.3″
- Fingerboard radius: 12″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- Included in the box: Guitar, documentation, accessories
- Material & finish: Spruce, laminated mahogany, gloss finish
- Best for: Beginners looking for their first guitar
The Fender Fa-115 is the best beginner acoustic guitar for blues. The reason for this is that the price is low and you get plenty of added accessories. The guitar is easy to play, and it sounds great.
✅ Good tone
✅ Accessories included
✅ Easy to play
✅ Beginner friendly
❌ Some accessories aren’t that good
❌ May need initial setup
Why I Recommend It
I like the Fender FA-115 package because it comes with picks, strings, a guitar strap, and a free trial subscription to Fender Play, an online lesson service. This guitar is an ideal choice for any beginner.
8. Yamaha FG840
- Scale length: 25.6″
- Fingerboard radius: 15.7″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: N/A
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- Included in the box: Guitar, documentation
- Material & finish: Spruce, maple, gloss finish
- Best for: Beginner or Intermediate players that want a reliable guitar
The Yamaha FG840 is a solid guitar for blued based music. It has a great finish and tone, good machine heads, and a comfortable neck. It’s suitable for any beginner or intermediate player.
✅ Good machine heads
✅ Nice tone
✅ Comes in several colors
✅ Scalloped bracing
❌ No case
❌ No extras
Why I Recommend It
The Yamaha FG840 is a good guitar for the blues or any other style of music. I like the neck on this one and the smooth finish. It’s reliable, and that makes it the best guitar for blues under $500.
9. Martin D-18E
- Scale length: 25.39″
- Fingerboard radius: 16″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: Fishman
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- Included in the box: Guitar, documentation
- Material & finish: Mahogany, spruce, gloss finish
- Best for: Advanced players that want a solid guitar
The Martin D-18E has a robust tone for many styles of music. It’s a solid option for fingerpicking blues, as it has a balanced sound and an easy-to-play neck. It costs you a lot, but it has that reliable Martin sound you want.
✅ Huge tone
✅ Smooth finish
✅ Hardshell case
✅ Pickup
❌ Expansive
❌ No cutaway
Why I Recommend It
The Martin D-18E is an amazing guitar for blues. You’ll get a big tone out of this instrument. I like the Fishman pickup and the solid tuning machines on the guitar. You’ll have a guitar you’ll love to play for a long time with this Martin.
10. Taylor 414ce-R V-Class Bracing
- Scale length: 25.5″
- Fingerboard radius: 15″
- Frets: 20
- Pickup type: Taylor ES2 electronics
- Body shape: Dreadnought cutaway
- Included in the box: Guitar, documentation, case
- Material & finish: Mahogany, rosewood, gloss finish
- Best for: Advanced players that want a reliable guitar
The Taylor 41ce-R is a solid guitar with a deep cutaway and an amazing tone. It has a nice pickup system and a well-built neck for easy playability. This is a guitar you can rely on for blues or other musical styles.
✅ Smooth neck
✅ Cutaway design
✅ Great pickup
✅ Solid construction
❌ Expensive
❌ Controls a bit hard to access
Why I Recommend It
The Taylor 414ce-R is a well-built guitar with a big tone and volume. It’s ideal for fingerpicking blues as it has a deep cutaway. The rosewood body gives a nice balanced resonance and a sound that you’ll love.
5 Best Acoustic Guitar Brands for Blues
There are several excellent acoustic guitar brands that you should consider as your go-to choices when looking for an instrument. These manufacturers have been in business for a long time, and they produce high-quality acoustic guitars.
Martin
One of the best manufacturers of acoustic instruments is Martin. They manufacture high-end acoustic instruments, and many of them are perfect for blues guitar. They’ve been manufacturing instruments since 1833.
Taylor
If you want to play amplified acoustic blues guitar, Taylor Guitars is your go-to choice, as many of their instruments have pickup systems and easy access cutaways. They have been in business since 1974.
Gibson
Gibson is known for their electric instruments, but they also make a wide range of high-quality acoustic guitars perfect for playing blues. Gibson has been making instruments since 1902.
Guild
Guild has been in business since 1952. They make a wide range of acoustic instruments. You’re sure to find an excellent instrument for playing blues when you purchase a Guild guitar.
Yamaha
Yamaha makes a wide range of instruments, including acoustic guitars. They have instruments for beginners through advanced players. They’ve been in business since 1887.
Things to Consider When Choosing an Acoustic Guitar
There are a few things you need to consider when looking for a guitar for playing blues. Here are a few points that you need to consider:
- Playing level: You want to purchase an instrument that matches your playing level. You could end up spending more money than you need to. There are instruments available for all playing levels.
- Style: Consider the types of blues music you want to play. If you want to do a lot of fingerpicking, you might want to pick up a resonator or an instrument that’s more comfortable to hold.
- Wood: You need to be aware of the wood choice for your instrument. Higher-end guitars cost more, but they have better-quality wood. A lower-cost instrument won’t sound as great.
- Budget: Have a good idea of your budget before purchasing your guitar. There are instruments available at all price ranges. You should plan to spend at least a couple hundred dollars for a decent instrument.
Level of Experience
Your level of experience in guitar plays a role in the type of instrument you should purchase. Here’s what you should know about the various playing levels before buying a guitar.
Beginner Acoustic Guitars for Blues
You’ll find a wide range of instruments for beginners. This type of instrument will have lower quality wood, sound, and performance. You’ll still get a decent tone and sound, but it’s not at the top level.
Intermediate Acoustic Guitars for Blues
At the intermediate level, you’ll find more choices on the market. Many of these instruments have a pickup system installed, and they use higher quality wood. These guitars also have a better tone and playability.
Pro Acoustic Guitars for Blues
At the professional level, you can buy whatever you want. These instruments have the best wood, sound, playability, and performance that you need as a professional. They command top dollar but are worth the extra price.
Size
Most acoustic blues guitars are full-sized. Students and younger children may use 3/4 or 1/2 size guitars, as these are comfortable for them to play and easier to hold. Most adults will want a full-size instrument.
Wood
There are several different types of wood used to make acoustic guitars. Here is a rundown of some of the basic tonewoods you can expect to find when you purchase an acoustic guitar.
- Mahogany: This wood provides a brilliant sound. It’s often used in the sides and back of acoustic guitars.
- Spruce: This is often used for the top of a guitar, as it has a great tone.
- Sapele: This is another wood that’s used to construct acoustic guitars. This wood has a great mid-range and low-end presence.
- Rosewood: Many acoustic guitars feature rosewood back and sides as well as a rosewood fretboard. It has great resonance and tone.
- Laminated: Lower-cost guitars may use laminated wood. This is a combination of several different tonewoods.
Finish
There are several different finishes used to make acoustic guitars. Here are some of the common ones you need to know about.
- Shellac: Offering a brilliant shine, shellac has been used for a long time in the construction of musical instruments.
- Oil and wax: These finishes bring out the natural color of the wood grain.
- Nitrocellulose lacquer: This finish offers great protection for an acoustic guitar. It’s a durable finish that’s used on many high-end guitars.
- Polyester: This finish dries quickly and produces a brilliant shine as well as plenty of protection.
Color
Most acoustic guitars for blues are the color of the natural wood. You may find a few that are sunburst, black, or a few other colors, but in general, they’re natural wood colors.
The Overall Tone & Sound
Your acoustic guitar’s sound and tone will all depend upon the wood that it’s made with. An instrument that costs a lot more will have a better sound. What sounds great to you may not sound the same to someone else.
Price
There are different prices in terms of guitars for beginners through advanced players. This short section below will give you an idea of what you should expect to pay for your instrument.
Budget Acoustic Guitars for Blues
A budget blues guitar will cost you from around $200 to $400. This will give you a basic instrument for learning on. You’ll still get a decent tone and sound, but you can’t expect anything outstanding.
Midrange Acoustic Guitars for Blues
At the mid-range price, you’ll find a lot more options available. These instruments sound better and are easier to play, and they’ll be a better choice for playing blues. You can expect to pay anywhere between $400 and $1,500.
Top-End Acoustic Guitars for Blues
At the top end of the spectrum, you have the best wood choice, best sound, and more options available to you. These instruments cost a lot, and you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000 and up.
Extras
When you purchase a guitar, there may be a few things you may want to pick up to complement your new instrument. Here are a few of the things you might want to consider:
- Picks: You probably want to get some extra picks.
- Strings: Try to have a few sets of strings on hand. Thinner strings break more often, so have more of those.
- Case: Your instrument may or may not come with a case. I recommend a hardshell case and not a gig bag, as it offers full protection for your guitar.
- Stand/chair: Get a good music stand for your guitar books. You might also want to have a comfortable chair for practicing.
- Amplifier: If your guitar has a pickup, you’re going to want an acoustic amplifier. You can’t use a regular electric guitar amplifier. You have to use an acoustic one.
New vs Used
I recommend that you buy your instrument new. If you’ve never played before, this will be your best option. If you have some experience, you can go with a used instrument because you know what to look for.
Acoustic Guitar Parts & Accessories
This section will introduce you to the parts of your acoustic instrument. Some guitars may not have all of these parts. It all depends on the make and model that you buy.
Headstock/Neck
All acoustic instruments have a neck and headstock. On the headstock are the tuning pegs that you wind the strings around. The headstock also has the nut slot for the strings. The neck of the instrument has the frets.
Body
The body of an acoustic instrument is hollow. On top of the body is the soundhole, which projects the sound of the guitar. Also on the top is the bridge, which holds the bridge pins that hold the strings.
Resonator
If your instrument is a resonator, then there will be a round metal piece in the guitar’s middle. This projects the sound and gives this type of instrument its distinct tone.
Electronics
Some acoustic guitars may have a preamp and a pickup system. This is usually located on the side of the guitar or inside the soundhole. A 9-volt battery powers the system.
Strap Buttons/Pickguard
Acoustic instruments have one or two strap buttons. Some of them also feature a plastic pickguard on top of the guitar, which protects the instrument from pick scratches.
What’s in an Acoustic Guitar Box?
When you purchase an instrument, there will be several things that you can expect inside the box. This will all depend upon the make and the model that you have bought.
Tags/Documentation
Your instrument may be marked with a tag. This indicates that the guitar has been checked either in the manufacturer’s factory or at a guitar store. You may also find a manual included in the box.
Case/Gigbag
If your instrument is shipped with a case or gig bag, this should be in the box.
Allen Wrenches
You may also find a few allen wrenches. You can use these to adjust the truss rod on your acoustic guitar.
Accessories
If you bought a guitar kit, you might find several accessories. This may include picks, strings, a lesson book, a tuner, and so on. The accessories that you get will depend upon the kit that you have bought.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here are some answers to some commonly asked questions about acoustic guitars for blues.
How Much Do Acoustic Guitars for Blues Cost?
There are instruments for all playing levels. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player. There’s something out there for you. Here’s the average price that you can expect to pay at each one of these levels.
- Beginner: $200-$400
- Intermediate: $400-$1,500
- Advanced: $1,500+
What Are the Best Acoustic Guitars for Blues?
Here are three of the top choices of acoustic guitars for blues-based music. All of these would make excellent choices. There is something here for you no matter what your playing level.
Martin HD-28: Best for Advanced Players
This is a solid and well-built dreadnought guitar. It has the tone that you need for playing blues guitar. I like the finish and the easy-playing neck. You can’t go wrong with a Martin acoustic for blues.
Yamaha Storia III: Best for Intermediate Players
The Yamaha Storia III won’t break your bank account, and it has a big tone and is easy to play thanks to the smaller body. The guitar also has a nice finish and solid tuning machines.
Fender FA-115: Best for Beginners
The Fender FA-115 is a good choice for a beginner. The package comes with a solid guitar as well as several accessories. You also get a trial of Fender Play, which is a subscription service for music lessons.
Where Are the Best Acoustic Guitars for Blues Made?
Most of the best instruments for acoustic blues music are made in the United States. Manufacturers such as Gibson, Guild, and Taylor make a wide range of excellent guitars for this type of music.
What Is the Best Sounding Acoustic Guitar for Blues?
The Martin D-28 is a solid guitar that you can rely on. You’ll enjoy playing this guitar, and the sound is outstanding. It’s the ideal dreadnought for blues and other styles of music.
Where to Buy Acoustic Guitars for Blues
There are several places where you can buy acoustic guitars. Most people will probably want to buy online because you have a wide selection and you can get excellent guarantees.
Amazon
I always like to shop on Amazon because they have an excellent price. You can read reviews, you have a money-back guarantee, and they have a wide selection of instruments for you to choose from.
Online Music Retailers
There are several great online retailers besides Amazon where you can buy guitars. I like to shop at Guitar Center or Sweetwater. Both of these companies have excellent products and money-back guarantees.
Your Local Music Store
You may also want to shop at your local music store. This is ideal if you have one close by. Take someone with you that understands acoustic instruments if you’ve never bought one before. If you don’t have a local store, shop online.
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Table of Contents
- Acoustic Guitars By Music Type
- About Acoustic Guitars for Blues
- About Blues Music
- Types of Acoustic Guitars for Blues
- Top 10 Best Acoustic Guitars for Blues
- 5 Best Acoustic Guitar Brands for Blues
- Things to Consider When Choosing an Acoustic Guitar
- Acoustic Guitar Parts & Accessories
- What’s in an Acoustic Guitar Box?
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- In Conclusion
In Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this guide to the best acoustic guitars for blues. There are plenty of excellent instruments on the market for beginners, intermediate, or advanced players. The guitars listed here are all excellent options.
Thanks for stopping by and reading my article. I welcome you to leave comments or ask questions about musical instruments. I look forward to hearing from you. Have fun playing the blues and enjoying your new guitar.
