dreadnought

Breedlove’s new USA-made travel-sized companion guitar is taking center stage.

Read MoreShow less

The brighter side of the mahogany equation.

Bold voice for a small-bodied, all-mahogany flattop. Great value. Excellent build quality.

Strong midrange could prove too strident for some.

$899 street

Godin Fairmount Composer QIT
godinguitars.com

4
4.5
4.5
4.5

I'm a big believer in the all-mahogany, small-body acoustic formula. In the studio, through a nice microphone and signal chain, a mahogany concert-, grand-concert-, or auditorium-sized guitar can make the sweetest sound you ever heard. And in a good fingerstylist's hands they can exhibit a lovely dynamic range—albeit usually within what you'd call the "mellow" spectrum.

Read MoreShow less

Some may wish for more nuanced plugged-in sounds, but—whether you attack it or finesse it—lovely, vintage-like acoustic tones abound in this all-solid, short-scale dread.

Dynamic, lovely, lived-in acoustic tones borne of all-solidwood construction. Feels great.

Boxy plugged-in tones. Distressed look not for everyone. Some may prefer an ecofriendly wood fretboard to the paper composite.

$699

Martin DJR-10E StreetMaster
martinguitar.com

3.5
4.5
4.5
4

Featuring a solid-sapele top, back, and sides, a Richlite composite fretboard, and Fishman Sonitone electronics, the DJR-10E brings Martin's famous dreadnought shape to a 24"-scale instrument that's remarkably rewarding to play. The Mexico-made flattop's interior bracing and kerfing are incredibly neat and clean for this price range, and the 16"-radius fretboard combines with the compact dimensions to make the guitar super comfy whether you're in classical position or reclining on the sofa.

Read MoreShow less