Bluegrass is a genre of music named after a band of famous Bill Monroe, the Bluegrass Boys. This is a type of American old roots music highly influenced by the Appalachia music and a bit of jazz and gospel.
In the 18th century settlers from Ireland and Britain brought their music to Appalachia, so, accordingly, there are some elements of English, Irish and Scottish traditional music involved as well.
The instrument that is mostly used in this type of music is the acoustic flat top guitar. Here, you will find some of the guitars that are very well suited for making this kind of music, so whether you are an experienced bluegrass player, or just looking for something new, give a look at our list of Top Bluegrass Guitars, and you just might find something to your liking.
What are the Best Bluegrass Guitars to Buy?
2) Jasmine S35 Acoustic Guitar
- Affordable
- Best Seller
- Great Value for the Money
- Satin Finish
1) Fender Acoustic Guitar Bundle
- High Quality
- Popular Choice
- Rosewood Fingerboard
- Laminated Spruce Top
3) Yamaha FD01S Acoustic Guitar
- Reputable Brand
- Outstanding Tone
- Comfortable Playing
We do hope that you will find the perfect guitar for yourself.
Bluegrass Guitars – The Buying Guide
When looking to buy a new guitar, there are always some things on which you should pay some extra attention to. It is all the same with bluegrass guitars. But we have some tips for you that might come in just helpful. So no worries, give a look at our list:
- Do a research – You are already online, so why not do a little research on the models, specifications, types of wood, and brands.
- Patience is the key – You should definitely take some time when buying a guitar. After you have done your research, go to different stores, try out different models, try and find something that you like and that suits your needs.
- Take someone knowledgeable – If you are new to this world, consider taking someone who knows a lot and whom you can trust. Dealers in music stores will surely help you, but it would be the best if you have a friend come with.
- Ask someone else to play it – It is good to try it out yourself, but it is very important to hear it from another perspective
- Comfort – Try finding a guitar that is comfortable. If it doesn’t suit you, you wouldn’t want to play it. So find something that is comfortable and that grabs you with its sounds.
15 Best Bluegrass Guitar Reviews and the Best Bluegrass Guitar Brands
1) Fender Acoustic Guitar Bundle with Gig Bag
One of the Fender piece that will swipe you of your feet we have here.
This is a very nice rosewood piece of instrument that is well suited for any of your tastes. Not only that it is beautiful, but it is of prime quality as well. With just a bit of tuning, it can be a perfect piece for your needs.
And you will get everything you need right out of the box. Picks, tuner, bag, and all the rest of the essentials.
Pros and advantages:
- Additional materials – With this guitar you will get some additional things that you will need. They might not be of the finest quality, but they are sure something to start with.
- Full and vibrant tone –With this Fender piece, you are sure to get nice and full vibrant sound that will shake your feet with awe.
- Dot inlay on 20 fret fingerboard – If you are a beginner you would want to have this kind of guideline.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Bag – The bag that comes with this guitar is not of the finest quality. It serves its purpose, but if you want to really save your instrument, you might need to think about investing in a better bag.
2) Jasmine S35 Acoustic Guitar, Natural
This is one really well-built guitar that will leave you loving it. It is made of fine, high-quality materials that are durable and produce amazing sound.
Also, if you are looking for a gifted guitar for a beginner, this easy to play guitar is a perfect choice.
Pros and advantages:
- High potential – This is another guitar that seems cheap and not so amazing at first, but if you are willing to invest a little bit more at setting it up by a professional, changing the strings, and a few minor additional adjustments, you will have a nice piece of instrument.
- Satin finish – Not only quality in sound, but in the looks as well. Beautiful piece.
- Frets – Frets on this guitar are just amazing and tuning is made easy.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Strings – The first string that you will get with this guitar might not suit it and you perfectly, so you would want to invest a little more in good quality strings when going with this one.
3) Yamaha FD01S Solid Top Acoustic Guitar
This one is another fine piece from Yamaha that will satisfy your wishes here. High-quality materials that this guitar is made of, like the top of solid spruce, and good manufacturing, will all add up to the quality of this piece of instrument. You will love it.
The only additional thing that you ought to get for this one is a case. It is very important to take good care of your instrument, and if you have this fine one, it is sure worth spending a bit more on its safety.
Pros and advantages:
- Both bright and deep sound – This guitar is very good at bluegrass picking and it can produce both very deep and bright sounds according to your liking and the music you are playing.
- Good for the price – Even though you do not get any additional props with this guitar, it is definitely worth the money you are paying for it.
- Very good to begin with – If you are new to playing guitar this will come in handy for you. Also, it is very light.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Bridge pins – This is something that you should pay additional attention to. The bridge pins might not be perfectly placed, so you will need a bit more time to put your string in place the way you want them to be.
4) Fender FA-100 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar with Gig Bag
Fender is another amazing manufacturer that found its way to our list, and for a good reason.
This guitar is made of high-quality materials that are used to make this guitar not only sound amazing and rich but last for long as well. If you are looking to spend your money on something that will last and that will give you all the enjoyment of playing an instrument, it is this piece that you should invest in.
Pros and advantages:
- Bag included – If you decide to go with this piece, you will get a nice black bag included, so you will not have to worry about additional costs for that matter.
- Strap buttons –If you like to be a real star and stand, sing and dance while playing you will need those solid strap buttons.
- Warranty included –If you have any doubts about this piece, you shouldn’t. There is a warranty included for your protection.
Cons and potential flaws:
Hard strings –This piece of an instrument comes with strings that are a little bit hard, so you might want to change them to make playing more pleasurable, or just give it some time to get used to it.
5) Yamaha FG800 Solid Top Acoustic Guitar
This Yamaha’s piece is something that everyone who puts their hands on it will like or even love.
It is well suited both for beginners and more advanced players, so it will not be a mistake if you choose to go with this one, no matter the stage you are in.
It is made of spruce and rosewood that are well-known materials in the world of guitar manufacturing.
Pros and advantages:
- Well suited for beginners – This is one of the guitars that are well suited for someone who is just beginning their journey into the world of music.
- Warm sound – If you are looking for a guitar that has nice deep and warm sound, then this is the one that can produce exactly what you are looking for.
- Strings close to frets – Strings are close to frets on this piece of instruments, so it makes it easy to play even if you are a beginner.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Size – The size of this guitar can be too big for someone, so you should definitely give a look at the measures before buying.
6) Yamaha JR1 FG Junior 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitar with Gig Bag and Legacy Accessory Bundle
We all very well know the name of Yamaha. Well, this is another outstanding piece of an instrument from the famous manufacturer that will suit all your needs. The top is made of spruce, bridge, and fingerboard of rosewood and meranti sides and back. These high-quality materials are something that will add up to the very quality of the instrument that you are looking into.
It is a little bit smaller in size, so if you are looking to get it for your child, it will be a bull’s eye.
Also, with this guitar, you will not have to worry about all the additional cost that you would have to make to get everything you need, like a tuner, bag, picks, etc. All of this is included in the package, and much more.
Pros and advantages:
- For Beginners – This guitar is one of the best ones to start your practicing with. It is well suited for the beginners.
- Differently sized picks – With this guitar, you will get a few props, among which are different sized picks, that you can try all out and find what suits you the best.
- Small in size –This guitar is somewhat smaller than the standard size, so it can be very well suited for a child to start playing on it.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Thick neck – The neck of the guitar is very thick, so it can be a little bit difficult for a child to learn how to play with it.
7) Rogue RA-090 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Natural
The first thing that you will notice on this guitar is its price. You might think that it is for beginners that do not want to spend much on their first instrument in the case they give up on playing. But we assure you that this guitar is very good for experienced players as well.
This guitar is solidly built but it is light, so you will have no problems carrying it around and showing off your talent to anyone interested.
Pros and advantages:
- Good quality to price ratio –This guitar might seem a little bit cheap to be good, but trust us, it is all that you will need, and especially for this price.
- Durable – With this guitar, you will not have to worry about it getting old. It is very durable, so you can use it for ages before you need a new one.
- Comes in three different colors –This is something that will come in handy for all of you that want to express tour own style, and not in music and playing this time.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Easily gets out of tune – This is the only thing that you can find out of place with this piece. It can easily get out of tune due to the temperature changes and so on, so you need to tune it, again and again, every now and then.
8) Blueridge BR-180A Historic Craftsman Series Dreadnought Guitar with Deluxe Hardshell Case
High-quality materials and a slim neck is something that will grab you and never let you go.
This guitar is made to last, and with a neck this thin, it will allow you for better gripping and stability.
It is easy to play, the tone is rich, and you get a hard shell case to protect it. Give a good thought to this one.
Pros and advantages:
- Hard-shell case –Investing in this guitar will not leave you needing to invest in a lot more essentials; hard-shell case included
- Playable – This guitar is easy to play and you will love how it lays in your arms.
- Rich tone – This is something that you are for sure looking for your guitar, and it is guaranteed that you will get it here with this one.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Gaudy inlay – Someone will like it, for sure, but it is not everyone’s aesthetics.
9) Blueridge BR-140 Historic Series Dreadnought Guitar with Deluxe Hardshell Case
Another amazing guitar from this manufacturer made to your liking.
It will last for long, it will make amazing music, and you will enjoy having it in your hands.
Pros and advantages:
- High-quality materials – Expensive wood and other materials were made in producing this piece of instrument.
- Hard case – Hard-shell case to protect your guitar from all the factors that might harm it.
- Keeping it in tune – Nickel-plated tuners are there to keep you in tune at all the times.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Buzzing – It might just so happen that it will buzz a little, but if you change the strings to heavier ones it should get rid of it.
10) Taylor 214ce Deluxe Grand Auditorium w/Electronics – Sunburst
Another famous manufacturer has its guitar on our list of Top Bluegrass Guitars.
It has a cheerful sound that will make you want to sing to it. It also has electronic components, but they do not work for everyone.
Anyway, it is good to know that you have that option as well, so try it and find what you like the most.
Pros and advantages:
- Rich, classic look – By the very look of it you will know that you will like it. It looks so rich and it would be a shame if the sound didn’t follow.
- Cutout –The cutout on this guitar will make it easier for you to reach all the frets, so it will be easier to play it.
- Deep singing sound – Just as we mentioned, it would be a shame if a guitar this beautiful didn’t sound rich as well. So, the manufacturers made sure that the sound followed the appearance of it.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Not good with electric option – If you like to play it like this, it might not be the best solution. It is the best if you stayed acoustic with this guitar.
11) Martin D-28 – Natural
This amazing piece of an instrument made of solid East Indian rosewood and Sitka spruce will produce the sound so deep, and rich, that anyone would just wish to never stop playing.
If you want to invest in a real good instrument, this is the one that you should consider.
Pros and advantages:
- Volume in sound – This guitar has high volume sound due to the sound box that is very deep, so the tome is rich and well balanced.
- High-quality materials – The guitar is made of high-quality materials that will make it sound amazing and last for long
- For professionals – If you are a professional guitar player you will not make a mistake with this one. You might need to save for it a bit, but it is something that you will love.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Strings far away from frets – If playing is new to you, you might not want to go with this one since strings are far away from the frets and it might hurt your fingers.
12) Taylor 314ce-L Sapele Grand Auditorium Acoustic Guitar , 6-String, CE, Lefty
Mahogany, ebony, rosewood, spruce, and all the fines quality materials were used to make this guitar.
If you are someone who really loves music, and wants to invest in a long-lasting instrument, this one is just the right for you.
Pros and advantages:
- Solid wood – This guitar is made of solid wood of high quality.
- Sounds better with age – As it is made of good wood, it sounds better with age and never loses its quality.
- Materials – As mentioned above, solid wood and high-quality materials were used to make this beauty.
Cons and potential flaws:
- For professionals – This guitar is something that might be a little difficult for someone who had just started learning how to play.
13) Yamaha FG840 Solid Top Acoustic Guitar, Flamed Maple
This fantastic Yamaha’s guitar that you will love having in your hands is here on our list.
It is very rich in sound, and the better you get, the better sound will be. It is made to last, and the materials it is made of are there to prove it.
Pros and advantages:
- Adjustable truss rod – You can adjust the truss rod to your liking.
- Sound – Nice bass, ample mids, and crisp highs and balanced tone on this guitar.
- Durable – With this guitar, you can forget about getting a new one. It will last for ages.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Beginner and semi-pro – However great this guitar is, it is not recommended for professional use.
14) Yamaha FG830 Solid Top Folk Acoustic Guitar
Here is a guitar that you are sure to like.
If you are looking for a guitar to give as a present to a beginner, or just to treat yourself, this is the one for you.
However, if you are willing to make a big step towards professional playing, then this is just the right one to start with.
Pros and advantages:
- Traditional body – You are sure going to like the traditional body and looks of this beautiful guitar.
- Rich tones – Even as a beginner, you will get to hear the rich sound that this guitar produces, and you will be proud of yourself for making it.
- Full kit – You will not have to worry about spending too much on an additional thing like spare strings, picks, tuner, bag, etc. It is all included in this price.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Not for professional use – If you are still learning, this is a guitar for you. However, if you are a professional guitar player, you might give a look at something else from our list.
15) Martin Standard Series D-42 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
Another guitar from Martin has made its way to the top.
This piece, this beauty, will take your breath away. It is made of spruce and rosewood with ebony bridges and fretboard. No wonder it is recommended for professional use.
So, have in mind, if you are playing professionally, or striving for it, this will not be a mistake, and you can safely invest in it.
Pros and advantages:
- High-quality material – This is yet just another piece from this manufacturer that is made of such prima material that brings up to the quality of the whole experience
- Durability – All the materials that are used to make this beauty also make it last for so long that you can just forget about getting a new one soon.
- Rich sound – Just another something that is helped by the materials that are used in producing the instrument. The rich sound is something that we are all looking for, and with this piece, you are sure to get it.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Only for professional use – This is a guitar that is made for professionals. If you are new at this, we would recommend going with something a little easier.
Choosing the Best Bluegrass Guitar from the Best Bluegrass Guitar Brands
And now that we have covered all the guitars mentioned above, we hope that it will be a little bit easier for you to decide what guitar to get for yourself or as a perfect gift for someone else, whether you are a beginner or a real pro, or just striving for it, not to exclude anyone.
2) Jasmine S35 Acoustic Guitar
- Affordable
- Best Seller
- Great Value for the Money
- Satin Finish
1) Fender Acoustic Guitar Bundle
- High Quality
- Popular Choice
- Rosewood Fingerboard
- Laminated Spruce Top
3) Yamaha FD01S Acoustic Guitar
- Reputable Brand
- Outstanding Tone
- Comfortable Playing
Make sure to pay attention to your needs and liking, and all the things listed above, and compare it to the specifications of each individual instrument, and you can show off with your new instrument and skill.
Now that you have all the information that you need, you are ready to sail into the world of bluegrass music, and to start practicing your perfect style and technique. We would sure love to hear you play on your new piece of the instrument and to know how well it suited you.