The Best Acoustic Guitars for Folk Music

If you’re looking for the best acoustic guitars for folk music, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll recommend some of the best acoustic guitars for folk music, so you can choose the perfect one for your needs.

Introduction

The best acoustic guitars for folk music are those that are able to provide a clear and balanced sound. There are many factors to consider when choosing an acoustic guitar, such as body size and shape, wood type, string type, and so on. In this article, we will introduce some of the best acoustic guitars for folk music, based on our findings.

What to Look for in an Acoustic Guitar

Acoustic guitars are a staple in folk music. They are known for their warm, rich sound and their ability to be played unplugged. When choosing an acoustic guitar, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, you will want to decide what size guitar you need. Smaller guitars are easier to travel with and are more comfortable for smaller players. You will also want to think about what kind of wood you want your guitar to be made of. Different woods will give your guitar a different sound.

Body Size

Body size is one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing an acoustic guitar. The body of the guitar produces the sound, so a larger guitar will have a louder sound while a smaller guitar will have a softer sound. Guitars are generally categorized by their body size:
-Parlor: 12 frets to the body, narrow waist
-Concert: 14 frets to the body, waist is wider than a parlor
-Auditorium: 16 frets to the body, wider than a concert
-Grand Auditorium: 18 frets to the body, similar to an auditorium but with a longer neck

Top Material

When looking for an acoustic guitar, one of the first things you’ll want to consider is the top material. The top, or soundboard, is the largest part of the guitar and it’s what emits the majority of the sound. Common materials used for acoustic guitar tops are spruce, cedar, and mahogany.

Spruce is the most popular material for acoustic guitar tops. It has a well-balanced tone and it’s very versatile, making it a good choice for a variety of genres. Cedar is a softer wood, which gives it a warmer sound. It’s often used for folk and classical guitars. Mahogany is a denser wood, which gives it a fuller sound. It’s often used for blues and rock guitars.

The type of top material you choose will have a big impact on the sound of your guitar, so it’s important to choose wisely. If you’re not sure which material is right for you, try out different types of guitars at your local music store to get an idea of how they sound.

Bracing

The guitar’s top, also known as the soundboard, is responsible for a large portion of the instrument’s overall sound. To ensure that the soundboard can withstand the pressure of the strings while still vibrating freely, it must be reinforced with a system of braces. The type and placement of these braces can have a significant impact on an acoustic guitar’s tone.

There are two main types of braces used in acoustic guitars: X-bracing and fan bracing. X-bracing, which is named for its X-shaped pattern, is the most common type of bracing used in steel-string acoustic guitars. It offers a good balance of strength and flexibility, and it allows the top to vibrate more freely than it would with other types of braces. As a result, X-braced guitars tend to have a louder, richer sound than those with other types of bracing.

Fan bracing, on the other hand, is often used in classical and flamenco guitars. This type of bracing gets its name from its fan-shaped pattern, which helps to evenly distribute the tension from the strings across the entire soundboard. This results in a slightly thinner tone that lacks some of the richness found in X-braced guitars

Neck Material and Joint

An acoustic guitar’s neck is either made from mahogany, maple, or rosewood. Mahogany necks are durable, but not as stiff as maple necks. Rosewood necks are the stiffest and will last the longest, but they’re also the heaviest. The neck joint is where the neck meets the body of the guitar and it’s an important factor in determining the tone of your guitar.

Acoustic guitars with a dovetail joint will have a warmer tone because it allows the body of the guitar to vibrate more freely. Guitars with a bolt-on neck have a brighter tone because the lack of a dovetail joint prevents some of the vibrations from reaching the body of the guitar.

The best acoustic guitars for folk music have a mahogany neck with a dovetail joint.

Fretboard Material

One of the things that will have the biggest impact on your sound is the material used for the guitar’s fretboard. The most common materials used are rosewood and maple. Each has its own distinct sound.

Rosewood is a hardwood that gives off a warm, full sound. It’s often used for fingerstyle playing because it provides a lot of sustain.

Maple is a bit brighter sounding than rosewood. It has a snappy attack that works well for strumming and rhythm playing. If you want a guitar with a little more “jangle,” maple might be the way to go.

Nut and Saddle Material

When choosing an acoustic guitar, one of the most important factors to consider is the material used for the nut and saddle. These two parts play a big role in determining the overall sound of the guitar.

The nut is the small piece of material at the top of the neck, where the strings come through. It determines the spacing of the strings and affects how easily the strings can be fretted. The saddle is the small strip of material that runs along the bridge, where the strings rest. It determines how well the strings vibrate and affects both the volume and tone of the guitar.

There are a few different options for nut and saddle material, but some are better than others for folk music. For example, bone is a popular choice for acoustic guitars because it promotes clear note definition and sustain. Other good choices include synthetic materials like Graph Tech’s TUSQ or Corian, which offer similar benefits to bone.

Scale Length

The scale length of an acoustic guitar is the distance from the nut to the saddle, and it affects how easy the guitar is to play, how well it stays in tune, and how it sounds. Guitars with a longer scale length have a richer, fuller sound because the string tension is higher. They are also easier to play because the strings are under more tension. Guitars with a shorter scale length have a brighter, thinner sound because the string tension is lower. They are also more difficult to play because the strings are under less tension.

There is no right or wrong scale length, and different people prefer different lengths depending on their playing style. If you’re not sure which length to choose, it’s best to try out different guitars in person to see which one feels and sounds best to you.

Pickups

One of the most important factors in choosing an acoustic guitar is whether or not it has pickups. Pickups allow you to amplify your sound, which is especially important if you play live shows or perform with a band. Not all acoustic guitars have pickups, and not all guitarists need them, but if you think you might want to play plugged-in at some point, it’s worth considering when making your purchase.

There are two main types of acoustic guitar pickups: piezo and magnetic. Piezo pickups work by converting the vibrations of the strings into an electrical signal, while magnetic pickups use a coil of wire wrapped around a magnet to do the same thing. Both types have their pros and cons, so it’s worth doing some research to see which one would be best for your needs.

In general, piezo pickups are known for being more accurate in replicating the sound of an acoustic guitar, while magnetic pickups tend to add a bit more “color” to the sound. There are also hybrid pickup systems that combine both types of technology, so again, it’s worth doing some research to see what would work best for you.

The Best Acoustic Guitars for Folk Music

If you’re looking for the best acoustic guitar for folk music, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll recommend three of the best acoustic guitars for folk music. We’ll also provide a buyer’s guide to help you choose the right guitar for your needs.

Martin D-28

The Martin D-28 is one of the most popular and iconic acoustic guitars in the world. First introduced in 1931, the D-28 quickly became beloved by folk, country, and bluegrass musicians for its powerful projection and rich, round sound. Though it has undergone several changes over the years, the D-28 remains largely unchanged from its original design and is still considered one of the best acoustic guitars for folk music. If you’re looking for an acoustic guitar that will give you all the power and projection you need for folk music, then the Martin D-28 is a great option.

Gibson J-45

The Gibson J-45 is one of the most popular acoustic guitars ever made, and for good reason. It’s versatile enough to be used for any style of music, but it has a particularly rich and warm sound that works especially well for folk and country. The J-45 has a large body size, which gives it plenty of volume and projection, and its Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides give it a warm, rounded tone. It’s also one of the most durable acoustic guitars on the market, so it can withstand years of heavy use without any problems.

Taylor Builder’s Edition 324ce

Taylor’s Builder’s Edition 324ce is an outstanding acoustic guitar for folk music. It’s built with a Sitka spruce top and rosewood body, and features Taylor’s V-Class bracing, which delivers unbeatable projection and tone. The guitar also has a Expression System 2 pickup system, which gives you excellent amplified sound. If you’re looking for an acoustic guitar that sounds great unplugged and plugged in, the Builder’s Edition 324ce is a great choice.

Guild F-50

The F-50 is a Vintage model from Guild and was introduced in 1954. It was the first dreadnought guitar that the company produced and is considered by many to be the best acoustic guitar that Guild ever made. The F-50 has a Spruce top with Mahogany back and sides. It has a 25.5” scale length and 20 frets. The guitar has a tonality that is well balanced and very versatile. It is perfect for folk music but can also be used for other genres such as country, rock, and blues. The F-50 is a rare find and can be quite expensive, but it is worth the investment if you are looking for a high-quality acoustic guitar.

Yamaha LL6

Yamaha’s LL6 is a versatile, great-sounding acoustic guitar that is perfect for folk music. With its solid Sitka spruce top and rosewood back and sides, the LL6 has a rich, full sound that is perfect for fingerpicking or strumming. The guitar also features Yamaha’s A.R.T. (Acoustic Resonance Transducer) pickup system, which gives the guitar a natural, acoustic sound when amplified. The LL6 is a great choice for folk musicians who are looking for a high-quality, versatile acoustic guitar.

Conclusion

When it comes to choosing the best acoustic guitar for folk music, there are many factors to consider. Body size and shape, top material, and bracing all play a role in the overall sound of the instrument. If you’re looking for a specific type of sound, it’s important to try out different guitars and find the one that feels and sounds best to you. With so many great options on the market, there’s sure to be an acoustic guitar out there that’s perfect for your needs.