Do you love bluegrass music?
If so, you need to check out the best bluegrass guitars on the market today!
These guitars are perfect for anyone who wants to play this style of music.
They have a unique sound that is perfect for bluegrass fans everywhere.
In this blog post, we will discuss the best bluegrass guitars on the market and why you should consider buying one!
What is Bluegrass Music?
Bluegrass music is a style of American roots music.
It blossomed and came to prominence in the 1940s in the United States.
The name is derived from you guess it BLUEGRASS!
This is a type of grass that is found in the Appalachian Mountains.
Bluegrass music’s unique sound is due to its use of instruments such as the banjo, fiddle, and guitar, as well as its fast tempo and often complex melodies.
The genre has been described as “one of America’s most important and original art forms”.
Let us now take a look at some of the best guitars for bluegrass available.
Who Invented Bluegrass Music?
The first bluegrass band was formed by Bill Monroe in the 1940s.
He is often referred to as the “Father of Bluegrass”.
Monroe’s band, The Blue Grass Boys, helped to popularize the genre and establish it as a distinct style of music.
While Monroe is credited with inventing bluegrass music, other artists have also contributed to its development and evolution.
These include Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, and Jimmie Rogers.
Best Overall Bluegrass Acoustic Guitar
MARTIN D-28 DREADNOUGHT ACOUSTIC GUITAR
Our top overall pick comes from none other than Martin!
The Martin D-28 Dreadnought acoustic guitar is an American classic!
It offers today’s players the utmost in playability, tone, and performance while remaining faithful to the rich Martin Guitar heritage.
This Martin D-28 dreadnought acoustic guitar is an excellent choice for dedicated Bluegrass musicians.
Its East Indian rosewood body and solid Sitka spruce top create a balanced and articulate sound, perfect for any genre.
The 25.4″ scale select hardwood neck ensures smooth playability, while the ebony modern belly bridge provides the optimum resonance and sustain.
Nickel open-geared tuners with butterbean knobs make tuning a breeze, and the included hardshell case keeps your instrument safe during transport.
With its iconic looks and smooth sound, the D-28 is a workhorse favorite for the very best in music.
The Martin D-28 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar blends the best of old and new, giving you a superbly playable dreadnought with modern appointments.
The forward-shifted bracing improves top vibration, while the High-Performance neck taper provides a more comfortable feel.
This to me is one of the crown jewels of acoustic guitars and thus it’s why it sits at the top of our list.
Pros
Pros:
- American classic that offers today’s players the utmost in playability, tone, and performance.
- Rich Martin Acoustic Guitar heritage.
- East Indian rosewood body and solid Sitka spruce top create a balanced and articulate sound.
- 25.04″ scale select hardwood neck ensures smooth playability.
- Ebony modern belly bridge provides the optimum resonance and sustain.
- Nickel open-geared tuners with butterbean knobs make tuning a breeze.
Cons
Cons:
- Some may find the price tag to be on the high end.
- May not be suitable for beginners who are just starting to learn how to play guitar.
Best Bluegrass Guitar on a Budget
RECORDING KING RPS-9-TS DIRTY 30S SERIES
If you are on a budget, then you might want to look at this guitar!
The Recording King RPS-9-TS Dirty 30s Series guitar is perfect for anyone who wants an easy-to-carry guitar with amazing sound.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, this baby is sure to impress.
With its spruce top and dreadnought scale length, the RPS-9-TS puts out a big volume for its small size.
The warmth and closeness of a small body with the increased volume and bass response of a dreadnought.
This is a great guitar for bluegrass music because of its small body size and big sound.
The solid Sitka spruce top and cross lap bracing create a warm, full tone that is perfect for this genre of music.
Additionally, the bone nut and saddle add to the overall clarity and resonance of the instrument.
This guitar is also easy to carry around, which is important for musicians who are constantly on the go.
Overall, this is a great option for anyone looking for a high-quality, affordable guitar that sounds great in any setting.
Pros
Pros:
- Affordable.
- Great sound quality.
- Small body size.
- Sitka Spruce top.
- Easy to carry around.
- Perfect for bluegrass music.
Cons
Cons:
- Some may find the sound to be too “tinny.”
- It may not be suitable for larger hands.
TAKAMINE GD51 ACOUSTIC GUITAR
The TAKAMINE GD51 acoustic guitar is perfect for players who want all the big, bold tones they expect from a dreadnought.
With its solid spruce top and rosewood back and sides, this guitar delivers plenty of warmth, depth, and projection.
The slim mahogany neck and 12”-radius bound rosewood fingerboard to provide a great feel and playability.
The unique design of the rosewood bridge provides superior intonation.
When you are playing those leads in Bluegrass you will really be able to hear it.
Other great features include a synthetic bone nut and bridge saddle, rosewood head cap, abalone rosette, mother-of-pearl dot inlays, gold die-cast tuners, and a gloss natural finish.
Pros
Pros:
- Big, bold tones.
- Solid spruce top.
- Rosewood back and sides.
- Slim mahogany neck.
- 12”-radius bound rosewood fingerboard.
- Synthetic bone nut and bridge saddle.
Cons
Cons:
- Goes out of tune easily.
Best Bluegrass Guitar Under $500
EPIPHONE HUMMINGBIRD STUDIO FADED
Epiphone’s Hummingbird Studio Acoustic/Electric is perfect for the player who wants the rich sound of a solid spruce top acoustic.
The body and neck are made from select mahogany for a warm, complex tone that only gets better with age.
The SlimTaper D profile neck is attached to the body with a glued-in dovetail joint, providing hours of comfortable playing.
The Pau Ferro fingerboard has pearloid parallelogram inlays and 20 medium frets for precise note placement.
Best of all, this guitar comes equipped with Epiphone’s Shadow Sonic™ preamp system which gives you complete control over your sound.
With a single-ply white binding around the neck and sloped dove wing headstock, this guitar has an elegant look that will stand out on stage.
The body top has 5-ply white and black binding, while the back has single-ply white binding like vintage originals.
The reverse belly rosewood bridge has a compensated saddle for smooth action and intonation, making it perfect for all styles of music.
The Epiphone Hummingbird Studio Faded is a great acoustic guitar for the bluegrass player.
Featuring a Sonicore pickup and Sonitone sound-hole preamp, this guitar is perfect for those who want to be able to adjust their sound on the fly.
The active preamp is powered by a single 9-volt battery, making it easy to keep this guitar sounding great.
Pros
Pros:
- Equipped with Epiphone’s Shadow Sonic preamp system.
- Has a single-ply white binding around the neck.
- The body and neck are made from select mahogany for a warm, complex tone.
- Pau Ferro fingerboard has pearloid parallelogram inlays.
- Comes with a reverse belly rosewood bridge.
- High quality at a great price.
Cons
Cons:
- Some may want more brightness in tone.
FENDER TIM ARMSTRONG HELLCAT ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC GUITAR
Take a step back in time with the Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat Acoustic-Electric Guitar.
The Tim Armstrong Hellcat acoustic-electric guitar is based on the classic instrument that Armstrong himself used to write all of his songs for the punk band Rancid.
This guitar has been updated with high-quality onboard electronics, giving you sweet sounds for pop, rock, folk, and more.
Pearl “Hellcat” logo fret markers on the 3rd, 5th, and 7th frets add some modern flair, while a pair of skulls at the 12th fret give it an extra bit of edge.
Plus, a Fender FTE3-TN preamp with a built-in tuner ensures accurate tuning no matter where you’re playing.
Pros
Pros:
- Has been updated with high-quality onboard electronics.
- Gives you sweet sounds for pop, rock, folk, and of course Bluegrass.
- Pearl “Hellcat” logo fret markers on the third, fifth, and seventh frets add some modern flair.
- Pair of skulls at the 12th fret give it an extra bit of edge.
- A built-in tuner ensures accurate tuning no matter where you’re playing.
- Durable construction.
Cons
Cons:
- May not be a Tim Armstrong/Rancid fan so the signature model may not appeal to you.
Best Bluegrass Guitar Under $700
GUILD DS-240 Westerly: Memoir Collection
A brand that I feel goes under the radar is Guild.
The GUILD DS-240 Westerly: Memoir Collection is a beautiful, retro-styled slope shoulder dreadnought.
It’s built with a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides and has a sleek, glossy finish.
The vintage-inspired mother of pearl rosette and Guild Script Logo add a touch of class to this instrument.
The DS-240 has a warm, clear, and inviting sound that will make any musician feel right at home.
Delivering immediate warmth and character, this is a great guitar for Bluegrass style music.
The instrument rosette and Guild Script Logo nod to classic 1920s styling.
Pros
Pros:
- Solid Spruce Top.
- Mahogany Back and Sides.
- Vintage-Inspired Mother of Pearl Rosette.
- Great for strumming and fingerstyle.
- Warm, Clear Sound.
- Inviting Tone.
Cons
Cons:
- Maybe too mellow sounding for some bluegrass players.
BREEDLOVE SIGNATURE CONCERTINA COPPER CE ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC GUITAR
Breedlove is a brand that over years I hear more and more people are owning and loving!
The Signature Concertina Copper CE is the perfect choice for small-body acoustic-electric guitars.
The concertina body is crafted from African mahogany and topped with a solid piece of torrefied European spruce, giving it a rich, warm sound.
The copper burst high gloss finish is stunning, and the 25″ scale African mahogany neck is both comfortable and playable.
The Indian Laurel fretboard adds a touch of class, and the Breedlove Natural Sound pickup means you can plug in and play without sacrificing tone. T
he Indian Laurel bridge and 1.69″-width nut make this guitar easy to play, and the premium
Breedlove chrome tuners with black buttons keep it in tune no matter what. If you’re looking for
Its soft bout and sustainably-sourced wood give it a sweet, punchy sound that will make you fall in love with playing guitar all over again.
With its easy playability and short-scale neck, the Signature Concertina Copper CE is perfect for players of all levels.
This affordable instrument features a stylish soft bout, sustainably-sourced wood construction, and easy playability that makes it perfect for any musician looking to expand their expression.
Pros
Pros:
- The concertina body is crafted from African mahogany giving it a rich, warm sound.
- The copper burst high gloss finish is stunning.
- The neck is both comfortable and playable.
- Indian Laurel fretboard.
- Breedlove Natural Sound pickup means you can plug in and play without sacrificing tone.
- Its soft bout and sustainably-sourced wood give it a sweet, punchy sound.
Cons
Cons:
- Some people might want more brightness in tone.
Blueridge BR-43 Contemporary Series
You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a great guitar.
The Blueridge BR-43 Contemporary Series guitars deliver super-traditional sound and feel with a modern look and low price.
These guitars are crafted with a solid spruce top, hand-carved braces, mahogany backs, and sides.
They also have a traditional dovetail neck joint – usually found on more expensive instruments.
It has beautiful pearl inlay work on the headstock and a 000-sized body making it easy to play with.
The choice of Santos rosewood fingerboard ensures a smooth, satisfying playing experience.
This guitar is great for any acoustic-based music.
Pros
Pros:
- Solid spruce top.
- Hand-carved braces.
- Mahogany back and sides.
- Traditional dovetail neck joint.
- Pearl inlay work on headstock.
- Smooth playing experience.
Cons
Cons:
- Some people might want a brighter sound for a bluegrass guitar.
Best Bluegrass Guitar Under $1000
TAYLOR 214CE ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC GUITAR
Next Martin (in my opinion), Taylor is the next best of the big brands that you can look into.
This model is a great option for a Bluegrass guitar.
The Taylor 214ce Acoustic-Electric Guitar is a versatile and powerful tool for any musician.
Made with layered Indian rosewood back and sides, and a solid Sitka spruce top.
This guitar produces vibrant highs and warm lows, making it perfect for any style of music (and in this case Bluegrass).
It also features a Venetian cutaway for easy access to the higher notes on the fretboard, as well as ES2 electronics and a gig bag.
It also has a 25.5″ scale tropical mahogany neck with a West African ebony fretboard, Taylor Expression System 2 electronics, and die-cast chrome tuners.
Plus, it comes with a gig bag for easy transport.
Whether you’re a hard strummer or light and delicate player, this guitar will meet your Bluegrass needs.
Pros
Pros:
- A versatile and powerful tool for any musician.
- Made with layered Indian rosewood back and sides, and a solid Sitka spruce top.
- Produces vibrant highs and warm lows.
- Features a Venetian cutaway for easy access to the higher notes on the fretboard.
- ES-II electronics allow you to plug into an amplifier or PA system.
- Comes with a gig bag for easy transport.
Cons
Cons:
- The pickup could have been a higher grade considering the price of the guitar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do people enjoy bluegrass music?
People enjoy bluegrass music for many reasons.
Some people appreciate the unique sound of this type of music, while others enjoy the traditional lyrics and themes.
For many, bluegrass music is a way to connect with their roots and the history of the United States.
What are some of the best bluegrass songs?
Some of the best bluegrass songs include “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow,” “Rocky Top,” and “Orange Blossom Special.”
These classic tunes are sure to get your foot tapping and have you singing along in no time.
What is the difference between bluegrass and country music?
Bluegrass and country music are both genres of American folk music.
However, bluegrass is typically faster-paced and features more complex instrumentation than country music.
Bluegrass songs often tell stories of love, loss, and heartache, while “today’s” country songs tend to focus on more light-hearted themes such as dancing and drinking.
Why is bluegrass music not as popular as other genres?
It is possible that bluegrass music is not as popular as other genres because it is seen as too traditional or “old-timey.”
In a world that is constantly changing and evolving, some people may find comfort in the familiar sounds of bluegrass music.
Others may simply not be exposed to this type of music as often as they are to other genres.
Whatever the reason, bluegrass music continues to be enjoyed by many people all over the world.
Are folk and bluegrass the same style of music?
There is much debate over whether folk and bluegrass are the same styles of music.
While many would argue that they are fundamentally different, others might claim that they have more in common than their differences might suggest.
From a musical standpoint, arguably one of the most important distinctions between these two genres is that bluegrass tends to focus more on intricately-arranged instrumental pieces.
On the other hand, folk often features simple acoustic melodies accompanied by vocal harmonies.
However, these styles both derive from early American roots music and share many key elements, such as reliance on stringed instruments like the guitar or banjo.
Therefore, it could be argued that folk and bluegrass are two distinct subcategories within a broader genre of Americana music.
Ultimately, the debate over this question will likely continue for many years to come, but no matter how you spin it, both styles deserve their place in the sun as outstanding examples of true American ingenuity.
After all, some of the best bluegrass guitars have been hand-built right here in the USA!
So whether you’re into traditional folk ditties or fingerpickin‘ banjo solos, rest assured that there’s no shortage of great musical options to keep your toes tapping and your fingers moving.
What makes a good bluegrass guitar?
Many factors go into making a good bluegrass guitar. Perhaps most important is the quality of the instrument’s construction.
All guitars need to be made from high-quality materials, with sturdy hardware, tight seams, and well-glued joints.
In addition, the strings and pickups should be carefully set up so that they produce clean, clear tones with minimal buzz.
Beyond these technical aspects, a good bluegrass guitar should also have a warm, rich tone that helps to create the full, resonant sound that is characteristic of this type of music.
Ultimately, it is this blend of craftsmanship and sound that makes a good bluegrass guitar stand out from the crowd.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many great bluegrass guitars on the market.
When it comes to finding the best bluegrass guitars on the market, there are a few essential key features.
Sound
The first is sound quality.
High-quality pickups and construction materials allow these instruments to produce bright, clear notes that cut through even the most demanding mix.
Playability
Another important feature is playability.
This can be achieved through ergonomic design elements like curved necks or lightweight body styles.
Versatility
Finally, versatility is also an important consideration when shopping for bluegrass guitars.
These instruments typically have extended range capabilities and multiple pickup configurations, allowing musicians to create a wide variety of tones and styles.
Whether you’re just starting or performing with seasoned professionals, a top-quality bluegrass guitar is sure to take your playing to the next level.
If you’re looking for an instrument that is built to last, with a warm, rich tone and plenty of volumes, then any one of these options would be a great choice.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article.
Let us know if you have any questions in the comments below and remember to always HAVE FUN!
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