Dreadnought guitars are renowned for their bold, balanced tone and versatile performance, making them a top choice for players across all genres. Fortunately, you don’t need to break the bank to own a quality dreadnought. The market is filled with impressive options under $500, offering great sound, craftsmanship, and value for both beginners and seasoned musicians.
Now it’s your turn to weigh in! Cast your vote for the best dreadnought guitars under $500 and share your thoughts in the comments. Whether you’ve found your perfect budget-friendly model or have tips for others, your input can help guide fellow players toward their ideal dreadnought.
1. Epiphone Hummingbird Studio
Back and sides: Mahogany.
Top: Solid Spruce.
Neck: Mahogany.
Fretboard and bridge: Pau Ferro.
Electronics: Fishman Sonitone.
2. Fender CD-60S All Mah
Back and sides: Mahogany.
Top: Solid Mahogany.
Neck: Mahogany.
Fretboard: Walnut.
3. Yamaha FG830
Back and sides: Rosewood.
Top: Solid spruce.
Neck: Nato.
Fretboard and bridge: Rosewood.
4. Ibanez AW54CE
Back and sides: Okoume.
Top: Solid Okoume.
Neck: Nyatoh.
Fretboard and bridge: Ovangkol.
Electronics: Ibanez T-bar undersaddle with AEQ-TP2 Preamp.
5. Takamine GD11MCE
Back & Sides: Sapele.
Top: Sapele.
Neck: Mahogany.
Fretboard: Laurel.
Electronics: Takamine TP-4T.
6. Yamaha FGX800C
Back & Sides: Nato/Okoume.
Top: Solid Spruce.
Neck: Nato.
Fretboard and bridge: Walnut.
Electronics: Yamaha System-66.
7. Alvarez AD30CE
Back & Sides: Sapele.
Top: Solid Sitka Spruce.
Neck: Mahogany.
Fretboard and bridge: Techwood.
Electronics: Alvarez SYS250 with Tuner.
8. Epiphone Dove Studio
Back & Sides: Laminated Maple.
Top: Solid Spruce.
Neck: Hard Maple.
Fretboard and bridge: Indian Laurel.
Electronics: Fishman SoniTone + Fishman Sonicore pickup.
9. Epiphone J-45 EC Studio
Back & Sides: Mahogany.
Top: Solid Sitka Spruce.
Neck: Mahogany.
Fretboard and bridge: Indian Laurel.
Electronics: Fishman Presys Preamp with Tuner.
10. Fender CD-140SCE
Back & Sides: Laminated Ovangkol.
Top: Solid Spruce.
Neck: Mahogany.
Fretboard and bridge: Walnut.
Electronics: Fishman CD-1 Preamp.
11. Ibanez PF54CE
Back & Sides: Meranti.
Top: Meranti.
Neck: Meranti.
Fretboard and bridge: Nandu.
Electronics: Ibanez AEQ-2T (preamp), undersaddle (pickup).
12. Yamaha FGX820C
Back and sides: Mahogany.
Top: Solid spruce.
Neck: Nato.
Fretboard and bridge: walnut.
Electronics: Yamaha System-66 + SRT Piezo Pickup
13. Guild D-240E
Back and sides: Mahogany.
Top: Solid Sitka Spruce.
Neck: Mahogany.
Fretboard and bridge: Pau Ferro.
Electronics: Guild/Fishman AP1 with Sonicore pickup.
14. Takamine GD20
Back & Sides: Okoume.
Top: Solid Cedar.
Neck: Mahogany.
Fretboard and bridge: Ovangkol.
15. Washburn Deep Forest Burl D
Back & Sides: Okoume.
Top: Poplar Burl.
Neck: Mahogany.
Fretboard: Siris.
16. Fender Redondo Player
Back and sides: Sapele.
Top: Solid Sitka Spruce.
Neck: Nato.
Fingerboard: Walnut.
Electronics: Fishman Flex.
17. Guild D-340
Back and sides: Mahogany.
Top: Solid sitka spruce.
Neck: Mahogany.
Fretboard and bridge: Rosewood.
18. Ibanez Alstar ALT30FM
Back and sides: Sapele.
Top: Flamed Maple.
Neck: Maple.
Fretboard and bridge: Walnut.
Electronics: Ibanez AEQ-2UT with Tuner + Undersaddle Pickup.
19. Recording King RD-G6-CFE5
Back and sides: Mahogany.
Top: Solid Spruce.
Neck: Mahogany.
Fretboard and bridge: Revebond.
Electronics: Fishman Presys I.
20. Takamine GLD12E
Back & Sides: Okoume.
Top: Spruce.
Neck: Mahogany.
Fretboard: Jatoba.
Electronics: Takamine TP-3G.
21. D’Angelico Premier Bowery LS
Back and sides: Mahogany.
Top: Mahogany.
Neck: Mahogany.
Fretboard and bridge: Torrefied Merbau.
Electronics: D'Angelicoo MG-30 Preamp with Tuner.
22. Gretsch G5024E Rancher
Back & Sides: Laminated Mahogany.
Top: Solid Spruce.
Neck: Mahogany.
Fretboard: Laurel.
Electronics: Fishman Sonicore Pickup and Isys + Preamp System.
23. Harley Benton CLD1048SCE
Back and sides: Sapele.
Top: Solid spruce.
Neck: Okoume.
Fretboard and bridge: Pau Ferro.
Electronics: Fishman Presys-II preamp
24. Ibanez AAD50CE
Back and sides: Sapele.
Top: Solid Sitka Spruce.
Neck: Okoume.
Fretboard: Purpleheart.
Electronics: Ibanez AEQ-TP2 Preamp + Ibanez T-Bar Undersaddle pickup.
25. Ibanez PF15ECE
Back & Sides: Okoume.
Top: Spruce.
Neck: Nyatoh.
Fretboard and bridge: Laurel.
Electronics: Ibanez under-saddle pickup with AEQ2T preamp.
26. Washburn Apprentice AG40CE
Back & Sides: Flamed Maple.
Top: Select Spruce.
Neck: Mahogany.
Fretboard: Engineered Wood.
Electronics: Barcus-Berry LX4.
27. Yamaha GigMaker Standard
Back & Sides: Sapele.
Top: Laminated Spruce.
Neck: Nato.
28. D’Angelico Premier Lexington LS
Back and sides: Mahogany.
Top: Mahogany.
Neck: Mahogany.
Fretboard and bridge: Torrefied Merbau.
Electronics: D'Angelicoo MG-30 Preamp with Tuner.
29. Harley Benton D-120CE
Back and sides: Mahogany.
Top: Spruce.
Neck: Mahogany.
Fretboard and bridge: Roseacer.
Electronics: Pickup with pre-amp, volume control and 4-band EQ.
30. Luna Wabi Sabi
Back and sides: Mahogany.
Top: Spruce.
Neck: Mahogany.
Fretboard and bridge: Pau Ferro.
31. Recording King Series 11
Back & Sides: Solid African Mahogany.
Top: Solid Sitka Spruce.
Neck: Mahogany.
Fretboard and bridge: Padauk.
Electronics: Fishman Sonitone.
32. Yamaha GigMaker Deluxe
Back & Sides: Nato.
Top: Solid Spruce.
Neck: Nato.
Fretboard and bridge: Rosewood.
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