Whether you grew up listening to Doc Watson and Dan Grier or are inspired by modern stalwarts like Jordan Tice, Molly Tuttle, and Sean Watkins, you know that your instrument is a trusty companion that will walk into the sunset with you.
In theory, a well-made guitar will transcend genres. One could argue the notion of a 'best bluegrass guitar.' But bluegrass guitar playing is unique and has a distinctive style in its own right. It is characterized by intricate cross-picking patterns, fluid slide playing, and flamboyant licks across the guitar neck.
The genre demands an instrument with a specific tone, loud projection, and the ability to cut through the mix. After all, you have to compete with belligerent mandolins and lightning-fast fiddle players eager to drown out your sound. It mandates a top-notch guitar that can square up to the needs and challenges of the genre.
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From hinterland Americana to big-city styles infused with folk sounds, I'm talking about guitars built for Flatpicking mayhem but equally equipped to romance warmth as you venture into fingerpicking styles. And, I know some of them that do a mighty fine job at it.
The Epiphone Dove PRO and Blueridge BR-40CE are excellent choices for beginners, hobbyists, and those with a low budget. The Seagull Artist Mosaic is my pick for among the mid-market instruments. The Martin D-28 is the 'go-to' guitar for bluegrass for professionals or anyone who can justify the price.
The BR-40 belongs to the Blueridge Contemporary Series that features some stellar big-bodied acoustics. It’s a bluegrass workhorse with a powerful tone and big sound. The dreadnought guitar is famed for its easy playability, classic styling, and full-voiced sound. It’s a slope-shouldered dreadnought that fits folk, country, and bluegrass genres like a glove.
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The BR-40CE features a Solid Sitka spruce top with mahogany back and sides, and a 25.5 scale length. The mahogany neck seats a Rosewood fingerboard with Mother of Pearl inlays. The non-cutaway design allows easy access up to the 14
Under the hood, the Blueridge guitar sports an authentic hand-carved prewar bracing pattern. Other notable features include bone nut/saddle, butterbean open-back tuners, ornamental purfling on the headstock, dark mahogany fingerboard, custom Kluson-style tuners, and multi-ply body binding give it a vintage appeal to match its classic sound. The design also features prewar bracing that adds to the great tone and volume.
The CE version has Fishman electronics with a preamp and tuner, which is at par with the competition in this price range. It does a great job of reproducing the balanced tone of the instrument. The lows are tight with a snap as opposed to rounded and boomy.
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The top-end zing is peppy and pleasant, without any strident or sharp-sounding nuisance. It's a great guitar for strumming passages, and the picked notes are tasty and distinct. All in all, it is a cost-effective instrument that sounds more expensive than what you pay for it.
The Blueridge BR-40CE is our wallet-friendly choice. I’m not suggesting it a professional-grade alternative to the big dogs. But for the asking price, you get a feature set that has fantastic tone, volume, and balance. It’s a good option for songwriters and country/bluegrass musicians looking for a reliable gigging instrument.
Let's discuss the Epiphone Dove Pro as a cost-effective option before I recommend a Gibson, and everyone is up in arms about the steep price. The Gibson Dove (the flagship model) has been around since the 1960s. The Epiphone was released to make the legendary design accessible to a wide part of the population.
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The Dove Pro features a solid Spruce top with a layered maple back and sides. It sports a unique violin burst finish with Gibson Dove-like graphics. The D-profile maple neck seats a rosewood fingerboard (12-inch radius) that hosts 20 frets. The neck is highly playable but non-cutaway, which means you won't use the higher register with the same ease.
Other notable features include parallelogram inlays, Grover tuners, a compensated nut/saddle (imitation bone), and a tortoiseshell pickguard. For a guitar under $400, it delivers excellent build quality with inimitable looks. It's bulky but feels comfortable and well balanced as you play sitting or standing.
Tone-wise, the Dove Pro sounds full, fat, and balanced. It’s a dream dreadnought for those who love a warm but resonant sound with full potential to sound jangly while strumming cowboy chords. The overall tone is loud and natural, although the sustain pales in comparison to solid-wood guitars.
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Plugged in, the Dove Pro does an equally impressive job thanks to the Fishman Sonicore electronics system. The battery life promises 100+ hours of play, and the bass/treble/volume knobs give you enough juice to sculpt the tone as per the context.
The Epiphone Dove Pro shines in solo songwriter-style music and cutting the mix while playing with a livewire band. The modern electronics, the iconic looks, and the full, big-bodied sound make it an excellent option for those who aren't ready or willing to pay big bucks for a Gibson.
Your first instinct as a bluegrass player may reject a Chinese-built Yamaha as your main instrument. But the exceptional quality and mid-level pricing of the LL6 ARE urges you to make an exception. I found it to be a performance-ready acoustic guitar with the legacy ins and outs for the genre.
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The Yamaha acoustic guitar features a resonant solid Engelmann Spruce top combined with a cost-effective laminated body to remain in the reach of aspiring students and up-and-coming musicians. The natural finish with a gloss coat luxuriously highlights the natural beauty.
The slim, low-profile neck is highly playable and designed in tune with the needs of a modern bluegrass guitarist. The tuning is steady, the neck alignment is perfect, and the intonation is on the money. Overall, the guitar delivers excellent build quality with tasteful styling.
The LL16 Are delivers a bold sound with powerful projection. The close-grained solid top offers a tonne of volume. The tone of the instrument is rich in low-mids and open-sounding. The SRT Zero Impact pickups sound fantastic when the guitar is amplified. It lacks a control panel to tweak the tone, but you can remedy that with a preamp. Plus, the plugged-in tone is so balanced and poised that you may not even need it.
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The Yamaha LLD16D achieves an excellent balance of playability, tone, and affordability. The pricing is within the means of semi-pro and professional musicians. If nothing else, it’s a mighty fine guitar for cutting your teeth as you venture into the heart of American roots music.
Taylor 214CE is more inclined to serve songwriters or bluegrass players who are into fingerpicking. That's not to say it can't sound big. It does a swell job at flatpicking and cowboy chords, but the body shape isn't designed to compete with big body acoustics. It's not affordable if you are a casual enthusiast or hobbyist. However, it is one of the most 'affordable' Taylor acoustic guitars that could work for bluegrass players.
Taylor 214CE features a solid Spruce top with Rosewood back and sides. The guitar has a 25.5 scale-length and X-bracing with a Venetian Cutaway design to access all of its 20 frets. It also features a cutaway and Taylor's proprietary ES2 electronics system.
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The Grand Auditorium body shape is poles apart from slope-shouldered dreads. It won't give you the same oomph in the low-end unless you opt for heavier bass strings. Alternately, you could adjust your playing style (right-hand attack) to accentuate the bass notes.
ES-2 electronics includes an under-saddle pickup and corresponding preamp. It is featured in several Taylor guitar models, famed for its plug 'n play sound and individually calibrated pickup sensors. The ES-2 responds beautifully to strumming passages and fingerstyle playing. It's capable enough for all your stage and studio needs.
The Taylor impresses with its rich, classic look and well-balanced tone. The highs chime like nobody's business. The guitar is a perfect middle-ground for fingerpicking and strumming. It has an instantly likeably sound and can be the ideal 'all-purpose' workhorse for pro and semi-pro musicians.
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The Artist Mosaic EQ is a part of Seagull’s Artist line of acoustic guitars. It's solid-wood, all-natural, full-bodied dreadnought that has a vibrant and resonant tone. This Candian beauty flies under the radar despite its modest price and superior build quality. But it has all the hallmarks and features to be considered as one of the best guitars for bluegrass.
The Artist Mosaic (AM) is an all-solid wood acoustic with a Spruce top and Mahogany back and sides. It sports a mahogany neck with 1.72 nut width and 22 frets with a seagull inlay at the 12th fret. The neck profile is slim and shaped for ease of playing and comfort.
The nut width will please committed acoustic players but can accommodate those who primarily play electric guitars. The guitar is extraordinarily comfortable, especially if you are of smaller stature. It retains the essence of the big acoustic tone without quacking mids, razor-sharp highs, or low-end that is lost too easily.
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The tone is a little mellow but instantly likable. Plus, there is plenty of volume and projection to be hard when you work the strumming. With the right
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