Country music is mainly American music born in the southern Appalachian Mountains in 1920. Jimmie Rodgers is known as the โFather of Country Musicโ There are some characteristics of country music and the reason why they are so popular. String instruments like guitar, banjo, and fiddle are mostly used in country music. Today we are going to discuss the 5 best acoustic guitars for country music.
If you want to play an acoustic guitar for country music you must consider some points while buying an acoustic guitar. Because every guitar doesn't suit every genre and chances are you may spend your money on the wrong thing. The first thing to consider is the size of the guitar. Choose the size which will give a loud and deep tone. For this purpose, a dreadnought size guitar is a good choice.
Various strumming styles and fingerpicking patterns are included in country music that's why resonance is a point you must consider for the desired sound quality. The spruce top and mahogany neck and the fingerboard is the perfect combination that gives enough resonance and punchy tone.
Another important point is playability. A guitar should be easy to play. Choose the guitar which is suitable for your arm size. the too large or too small size of guitar may cause discomfort while playing the guitar. I hope these few words will help you to choose an acoustic guitar you are looking for the country music. Without adding more words let's go for my list of the 5 best acoustic guitars for country music.
Gibson SJ-200
The first acoustic guitar on our list is Gibson SJ-200. SJ stands for super jumbo. This guitar is called the King of the Flat-Tops. many people are confused between SJ-200 and J-200. Let me tell you that both are the same model with the name change. SJ-200 looks awesome and sounds beautiful. It's a combination of performance and appearance.
Sj-200 has a 25.5" scale length with a jumbo body and tight waist. Its lower bout is big. My arms could feel it. The size of the guitar gives you an overall idea of the sound. The bass is super responsive and punchy. SJ-200 is a combination of solid Sitka Spruce top with a flame maple side and back. It has Hand-Scalloped X-Bracing. The combination of wood looks appealing to the eyes.
On the top, it has a rosewood fingerboard with Mother of Pearl Graduated Crowns inlays. The bridge material is rosewood which has a mustache shape. This mustache shape gives a unique look to the guitar. It has LR Baggs Anthem Under Saddle Pickup.
What is so special in LR Baggs Anthem pickup? This system combines a microphone as a primary sound source with the crossover circuit that gives loud and natural sound. It's almost like noise-canceling used in headphones. Except for its cost, I found it's one of the best acoustic guitars for country music.
Gibson SJ-200
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Martin D-28
Let me first tell you that D stands for the dreadnought. I am sure you guessed the size of the D-28. Yes! it's a dreadnought size guitar with a 25.4" scale length. 28 indicates the style and level of appointments for this model. Coming back to the build and design of the Martin D-28 It's Sitka Spruce top with the East Indian rosewood back and side delivers a clear tone with the deep bass. The reason D-28 gives this soothing tone is a solid spruce top.
D-28 is originally made in 1928 and it is one of the favorite acoustic guitars of many legendary guitarists for its rich tonal quality. Just like many other Martin guitars D-28 has excellent playability. It has a modified low oval neck shape which is good for the various playing styles. That doesn't mean D-28 has no cons. First of all, it's an expensive Martin model with no pickup system. Though you have various electronic options these aren't included in the price of $3199.
Overall its build quality is good, design is also good with rich tonal quality and excellent playability. A decent choice for you if you are looking for an acoustic guitar for the country music D-28 standard is a good choice. D-28 deluxe is slightly better than the D-28 standard but that also costs more. If budget isn't a constraint for you think about the D-28 deluxe.
martin D-28
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Yamaha A5R ARE
Yamaha made its A series with all premium features and build quality is also premium. A5R means the A5 model made with rosewood back and sides. R stands for rosewood. You get the powerful sound with the A5 series guitars of Yamaha. Talking about this particular model A5R has a Sitka spruce top with A.R.E. and Scalloped Bracing.
Something which you need to know about ARE technology. ARE means acoustic resonance enhancement. In this technology, Yamaha changes the structure of wood on a molecular level by controlling temperature, pressure, and humidity. You will get better bass to sustain with the ARE series Yamaha guitars. Not only this but you will get better sound quality in mids and highs too. Yamaha A5 ARE is the best choice if you want to rock on the stage. It's a great choice for performing as well as for casual playing.
Yamaha A5R ARE
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Epiphone EJ-200SCE
When I first saw the Epiphone EJ-200SCE for the first time I thought it was just a copy of the Gibson SJ-200 which is already included on the top spot in our list. Gibson 200 is an expensive model and I thought Ej-200SCE is a cheaper copy of Gibson but no! there is a difference. Both the guitars have jumbo bodies, Spruce tops with maple back, and mustache-shaped bridges.
despite having these similarities price is the major difference between these 2 models. Gibson SJ-200 costs $5299 and Epiphone EJ-200SCE costs $549. The most important difference between these 2 guitars is their build. Gibson SJ-200 has a solid build. Solid spruce top with solid back and sides of flame maple. whereas Epiphone EJ-200SCE has a solid spruce top with laminated back and sides. It doesn't have scalloped bracing like Gibson SJ-200.
Though it looks like SJ-200 it doesn't sound like Gibson at all. resonance is poor due to the construction. The excellent resonance that you get with the Gibson SJ-200 but Epiphone EJ-200SCE isn't even near to that. of course the price matters a lot. if you just look at both the models they look similar but when you touch both you will feel the difference and you are paying for this difference.
I would suggest choosing other better options than EJ-200. It just looks like SJ-200 but doesn't sound like it. yes! it sounds good. playability is also good considering the price. but when you compare the Gibson SJ-200 and EJ-200 the comparison looks unfair. you can compare EJ-200 with any cheaper guitars but not with Gibson-SJ200
Epiphone EJ 200 SCE
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Fender CD60s
Are you a beginner, songwriter, or intermediate guitar player? Are you looking for a decent combination of good tonal quality, playability, and affordable price? if your answer is yes! Fender CD-60S is the right choice for you. This guitar is a kind of surprise package for you.
If you compare the build, sound, and design of this $200 guitar with other expensive guitars you will be surprised. a solid spruce top with scalloped x-bracing is rare in this price category. Laminated Mahogany's back and sides make CD-60s a durable instrument with no compromise in tonal quality.
It has a comfortable neck with a 12" fingerboard radius that is enjoyable to play even for beginners. Nice projection with balanced sound is another pro that makes fender CD-60s a perfect guitar for beginners. at this price point, you shouldn't expect perfection in sound. overall it's a nice choice for beginners. Can you ignore the average looks of it?
Fender CD60s
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Conclusion
Some of you might be surprised how did I include these 5 guitars. guitars like Gibson SJ-200 and martin costs $5299 and $3199 respectively. and other guitars like fender CD-60s and Epiphone EJ-200CSE costs less than $500. cost wise these shouldn't be included in the same list but here we are looking for the 5 best acoustic guitars for country music and these instruments fulfill the need. all 5 guitars do well according to their price points.
Yamaha A5 ARE has something unique called acoustic resonance enhancement is an appreciable characteristic and you should also consider this guitar for your final decision. The first step toward buying is deciding your budget and then comparing each model. Fender CD-60s, Yamaha A5 ARE and Gibson SJ-200 are my favorites on this list. what's your favorite?