A short history of the Dreadnought guitar

The Dreadnought guitar is one of the most iconic and popular acoustic guitar shapes, known for its large body and powerful sound. There’s something for most budgets from a Martin & Co. original to a cheap Dreadnought clone.

Here’s a brief history of the Dreadnought:

Origins from 1916-1930s

The Dreadnought guitar was originally introduced by C.F. Martin & Company in 1916 and named after the Royal Navy’s HMS Dreadnought, one of the largest and most powerful battleships of the time, so it seemed fitting name for a guitar designed with similar principals.

Initially, Martin designed the dreadnought for the Oliver Ditson Company in Boston and was initially intended to appeal to folk and country musicians.

These early models didn’t gain widespread popularity until later and were discontinued in the 1930s by Ditson.

Wider Success 1930s-1940s

In 1931, Martin began producing the Dreadnought under its own brand, introducing the D-1 and D-2 (later renamed D-18 and D-28).

The dreadnought’s larger body produced more volume and bass, making it very popular with bluegrass and folk musicians, and it became ‘the’ guitar for rhythm and flatpicking styles.

Post-War Era to Modern Day

In the 1950s and 1960s, the dreadnought became the dominant style of acoustic guitar, thanks to artists in country, folk, and rock music.

Today, manufacturers, such as Gibson and Taylor, produce their own versions of the dreadnought, but Martin’s D-18, D-28 and D-35 remain iconic models.

The dreadnought is celebrated for its bold sound and versatility, and it continues to be a favourite among musicians worldwide.