Do you love country music?
In this article we will be looking at the best acoustic country guitar options that are available.
“When we think of country music, what comes to mind?
Many guitarists find themselves in the situation of deciding which guitar to purchase for their specific needs.
There are many factors that go into choosing the right instrument, but this article will help guide you through some of the most important considerations when considering a guitar.
It’s not always easy to choose between all the different guitars available on the market today.
You may be wondering which one would be best suited for playing country music?
There are plenty of options out there and each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages depending on your preferences and style.
You won’t need to look any further if you’re trying to find the best acoustic country guitar!
Best Overall Guitar For Playing Country
Martin Guitar DX Johnny Cash Signature Edition
Legendary country icon Johnny Cash was known for his deep, distinct voice.
Martin’s new DX Johnny Cash signature edition guitar is modeled after the original custom dreadnought he had made just for him.
With this fantastic instrument, it will be easier than ever to recreate that sweet sound of “The Man in Black.”
The Johnny Cash Signature Edition Studio Acoustic-Electric guitar is the perfect collector’s item for any music lover or guitarist looking to play country.
Whether you’re a country crooner, rocker with claws, or smooth rockin’ crooner, these guitars will let you achieve your musical desires.
This model comes with Fishman MX electronics and a soft gig bag embroidered with the “CASH” logo.
It’s strung with Martin’s Authentic Acoustic Lifespan 2.0 strings for an authentic sound that will have you on your feet – or sitting in awe at how great playing this guitar is!
With its ergonomic design and durability features that sound just as good as they look – your journey begins here – The Martin Guitar DX Johnny Cash Signature Edition!
Pros
Pros:
- Johnny Cash signature model.
- Comes with a gig bag.
- Great for folk and country.
- Sleek looking matte finish.
- Embroidered “Cash” logo.
- High quality craftsmanship.
Cons
Cons:
- May need a proper set up.
Best Budget Acoustic For Country
Epiphone PRO-1 Acoustic, Vintage Sunburst
This guitar is designed for comfortable playing and delivers a powerful, elegant tone.
The PRO-1 has a 25″ scale length and a dreadnought profile to easily produce serious volume while still maintaining some tonal balance.
Whether you’re new to the acoustic world or a seasoned professional looking for your next tour guitar, the PRO-1 will not disappoint.
This guitar offers incredible volume and tonal range with classic dreadnought profile and select spruce and mahogany woods.
Lower body depth for easier playing.
The Epiphone PRO-1 Acoustic is a total package of classic tonewoods, innovative features for minimal finger fatigue, and feel that feels “worn in” or broken in on your fingers.
A sunburst top coupled with chambered mahogany design puts out a clear yet rich tone that will enchant crowds.
18:1 tuning gears guarantee the perfect pitch every single time, while Graphtech NuBone saddles make it easier to break strings due to high tension.
The EZ-String Bridge also comes included to help you save on string pins by giving unprecedented access without having pins get stuck or lost when riffing at game changing speeds during performance.
Pros
Pros:
- Budget friendly.
- Dreadnought style.
- Smaller scale for easy play.
- Great for country music.
- Cool sunburst finish.
- Rich and vibrant tone.
Cons
Cons:
- Not a full scale guitar.
Best Country Guitar Under $350
Washburn 6 String Acoustic-Electric Guitar
When music lovers are looking for an acoustic-electric guitar that’s gorgeous, well-designed, and affordable, this Washburn String Acoustic-Electric Guitar is their best bet!
This guitar is great for those looking for that country style strumming!
With one look, it’s clear that this guitar is WAY cooler than any guitar you’ll find in the typical big box store.
The back and sides are constructed with high-quality walnut wood (it can be hard to see how good these materials are by looking at them).
What helps really make this instrument stand out is its Charcoal Burst spruce top finished in gloss.
The ebony fingerboard features an exotic wood vine design for extra flair, while the Barcus Berry LX4 pickup system lets this baby go acoustic or electric!
This guitar accommodates for tight lows, focused mids, and clear highs with its full 25.5″ scale length that will leave you feeling pleasantly acquainted with your guitar of choice after just one strum or chord progression.
The enhanced C profile on the neck is smooth and cozy-feeling in your hands while still maintaining an elegant natural look (though we can’t imagine why you wouldn’t want to show off the exquisite wood grain).
Pros
Pros:
- Spruce top.
- Charcoal burst finish.
- Black hardware.
- Walnut back and sides.
- Clear and audible tone.
- Comfortable cutaway design.
Cons
Cons:
- Bridge seems to be delicate.
Takamine GD11MCE-NS Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar
When it comes to acoustic guitars, this Takamine delivers a sound that is perfect for playing country.
With an all mahogany body and tone that’s balanced, this dreadnought really offers a warm tone for those intimate moments.
And with its smooth cutaway design, you’ll feel very comfortable and at ease playing this sitting down or standing up.
Tthis guitar has an all natural finish which beautifully displays its wood grain.
Imagine yourself, somewhere out in nature. There’s sunshine on your skin and leaves rustling overhead.
The scenery is perfect, but it would be so much better with some music! You pull this lovely Takamine guitar from its case, the mahogany richly glowing against the earthy landscape.
Maintaining total control of her instrument through tight fingertips and never ending strumming movements, she ignites acres of contentment with just one song – you’ll only want to listen more!
Play along at home with this guitar that features a nice deep dreadnought body made for acoustic guitars.
Your ears will never tire as you practice chords or slip into tunes thanks to this guitar.
Pros
Pros:
- Great for strumming or fingerpicking.
- Low-gloss natural satin finish.
- Clear and dynamic tone.
- Easy to hold and play.
- Cost effective.
- Built-in tuner.
Cons
Cons:
- Action is a little high.
Best Country Guitar Under $600
Yamaha 6 String Series AC1M Small Body Cutaway Acoustic-Electric
The Yamaha 6 String Series AC1M packs a lot of punch. Iit’s naturally bright sound is perfect for those country tunes.
With the solid sitka spruce top and scalloped bracing combined, you can feel the warmth seeping through your fingers when strumming this guitar because it has excellent projection.
Yamaha’s original SRT piezo pickup provides premium plugged-in performance for your favorite amp to really bring out the deep lows that are persistent throughout this small body acoustic guitar.
You’ll be able to get lost enjoying hours of play surrounded by an experience that is both comfortable and deep.
The concert cutaway design allows easy stretch access to upper frets for an added dynamic range without any loss of strong mids or highs – you will enjoy the overall vibe of this guitar.
Crafted from the ground up to be perfectly suited for durability, the Yamaha AC1M Small Body Cutaway Acoustic-Electric gives you a reliable and playable guitar that can perform on stage.
With its natural plugged-in tone and simple yet elegant design, this is a great cutaway series of acoustic guitars.
The neck profile makes your playing experience more comfortable by alleviating pressure on your fingers as you play, leaving them feeling more rested over time so they won’t feel too tired from all those hours of practice.
The AC1M features Elixir bronze light strings which give it a rich warm tone that sounds great both live and in recordings – perfect for any gigging musician or novice player looking.
Pros
Pros:
- Comfortable and easy to play.
- Simple design.
- Bright tone.
- Comes with Elixir bronze light strings.
- Solid Sitka Spruce top.
- Rosewood bridge and fingerboard.
Cons
Cons:
- Nut may be small depending on finger size.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of guitar is best for country music?
Great question as country music and playing it on the guitar has a very distinctive sound.
It’s played with fingerpicking or strumming and it can evoke feelings of happiness, sadness, or nostalgia in the listener.
If you are looking for a traditional sound, the acoustic guitar is the way to go.
Do you want something with power and volume?
Then an electric guitar might be just what you need and in particular a Telecaster model.
A semi-acoustic could also be used for country music.
You are going to want to stay away from the Nylon string guitars if you are trying to play more modern country. Take a look at our next answer with regards to this.
I personally feel that a steel string acoustic guitar is best for playing country music because its metal strings produce more volume than nylon strings and give off more ringing tones when played.
If you want your song to have a deep bass sound then a steel string guitar is also great for you!
What are the traits of country music?
When we think of country music, what comes to mind? Is it the steel guitars and fiddles that make up a classic country sound?
The big hair and cowboy boots worn by singers like Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks?”
To some people, the idea of a country is an old-fashioned one.
Country music is more than just your average country song.
It’s a genre of Americana that has been around for decades and will continue to be popular in the future.
Country music is defined by many traits. It’s often characterized as having a simple, old-time sound and being made for rural people with a strong connection to the land.
It is most commonly played on acoustic guitars or fiddles, but can also be played on banjos and mandolins.
The lyrics of country music are usually about love, heartbreak, disappointments in life, patriotism and working-class life.
Can I play Country music on a classical guitar?
The legendary Willie Nelson used a classical guitar.
Willie Nelson is one of the most iconic musicians in America, and he has been playing his guitar for over 50 years!
Willie’s signature guitar is named “Trigger” and has always been by his side.
The world of the classical guitar is one that you can explore to your heart’s content.
Unlike steel strings, nylon ones won’t cause pain and frustration for beginners learning how to play–though these strings will take longer before they become comfortable enough so as not to cramp up fingers!
The wider neck also makes it easier on hands/eyesight since there are no sharp ends pressing into them like with thinner gauge metal wire used in other types of guitars.
Do you fingerpick or strum the guitar for coutnry music?
That is a tough question, but I would say it depends on the song.
Fingerpickin’ is a great way to get that authentic, old-timey sound.
It’s also beneficial if you’re playing with another guitarist, because it allows one player to provide accompaniment while the other plays solos.
Strumming has its advantages too – namely that it’s easier than fingerpicking, so beginners can start out on this method before they try anything more difficult.
This will lead you to playing your favorite country songs sooner.
For lifetime country music listeners, you may not realize that there were different styles of playing the guitar that could be used for different types of songs.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoy the list of acoustic guitars we’ve put together for you with country music in mind.
There is no perfect instrument – each guitar has its own strengths and weaknesses – but hopefully this article will help guide your decision if country music is your preferred genre of play!
With so many options available, it can be hard to find the perfect guitar for your needs.
If there are any questions about these instruments, please feel free to comment below and our team will be happy to answer them as best they can. Thank you for taking the time to read this article and remember to always HAVE FUN!
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