Acoustic Guitar: Dreadnought vs. Folk and other Body Styles

Subject: Dreadnought & Acoustic
Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2004 10:07:46 -0400

What or is there a difference between a dreadnought and an acoustic guitar? Does it matter what strings are used?

Both are one and the same instrument. Any guitar that does not have a pick-up system, is addressed as acoustic. A Dreadnought is always addressed as an acoustic guitar...there are also acoustic guitars that have transducers (pick-up systems) installed...and these are addressed as acoustic/electric guitars. All of your solid body electric guitars are addressed as electric...along with archtop semi-hollow bodied guitars.

Yes, it does matter waht type of strings are used on each type of guitar. An electric, with magnetic pick-ups, require electric-type strings that can transmit a signal to the magnetic type pick-ups...such as nickel wound strings. Electrics cannot use a bronze-wound acoustic-type guitar strings...since it's not conductive for magnetic pick-up systems.

Now, an acoustic guitar can use nickel-wound strings...only, they will not bring out the resonant qualities of the wood...whereas, a bronze-wound acoustic-type guitar string will have lots of brightness and resonance on an acoustic guitar (which what this type of string is designed for)...

Hope this helps...Mickey

Date: Fri, 11 Jun 2004 06:10:37 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: What is the difference between dreadnaught and folk body?

I have seen several guitars that I like at a good price, but I notice that in looking at modest price accoustic guitars, mainly Alverez, there are some that are folk body and some that are dreadnaught. The dreadnaught I am familiar with, but I don't know about the folk body style. From what I have seen they are made from extacly the same materials mohagany back and sides, with rosewood finger board and spruce top. I suppose without being able to play them in person it would be hard to decide? Thanks for any information.
Kevin Corbett

Greetings Kevin,

I'm not too sure what you might mean by "folk" body...there are a lot of brands that refer to some of their models as "folk guitars"...and, even some of these may have a dreadnought body. I believe most brands have two classifications: Folk and Classical...and these classifications are referencing the types of strings on the instrument. A "folk" guitar usually means that it uses steel strings; a classical one means that it uses nylon strings. Both of these guitars are approached differently when played. A classical guitar is usually played in a fingerstyle approach applied within classical settings...while a steel string can be played, and usually is, within a fingerstyle or flatpicking medium, and is usually applied within popular styles...country, rock, folk, bluegrass, etc.

Now, there are a wide array of body styles offered by steel strings guitars (folk guitars). For instance the dreadnought...of which is very popular in bluegrass settings...or the concert size, 000-size, jumbo size, and so on...depending on the style and approach to your guitar, each body style would have its designated place.

Let me know how else I might assist you in selecting the perfect body style for your needs...for instance, let me know what style of music you like and if you plan on flatpicking or fingerpicking.

Mickey