Types of Acoustic Guitars: Body Shapes, Sizes and Which One Suits You
Acoustic guitars come in a handful of body shapes, and the shape changes the sound and the comfort more than most beginners expect. Here is what each one does.
The first two stages of Fretwork are free for as long as you like. No card needed.
In this guide
The main types of acoustic guitar are defined by body shape: the dreadnought (big and bassy, the classic strummer), the concert and grand auditorium (narrow-waisted, balanced and comfortable), the parlor (small and focused), the jumbo (the largest and loudest), and travel or 3/4 size guitars. For most beginners, comfort matters more than anything else on this list.
This guide covers steel-string acoustic guitars. For nylon-string guitars, see classical vs acoustic guitar.
Body shapes at a glance
Body widths below are measured across the widest part, the lower bout, and vary a little between makers.
| Shape | Lower bout (approx.) | Sound | Comfort | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parlor | About 13 in | Focused, midrange, intimate | Very comfortable, small | Fingerpicking, blues, couch playing |
| Concert | About 15 in | Balanced, clear | Comfortable | Fingerstyle, smaller players |
| Grand auditorium | About 16 in | Balanced, versatile | Comfortable waist | All-round: strumming and picking |
| Dreadnought | About 15.6 in, deep body | Loud, strong bass | Bulky for some players | Strumming, bluegrass, singing along |
| Jumbo | About 17 in | Biggest volume and boom | Large | Big strummed sound, stage |
| Travel / 3/4 | Smaller than parlor | Thinner, quieter | Very portable | Travel, children, practice |
A dreadnought is not much wider than a concert guitar, but its body is deeper and its waist is wide, which is why it feels bigger under your arm.
Dreadnought
Designed in the early twentieth century to be loud, the dreadnought is still the most common acoustic shape. It has square shoulders, a wide waist and a deep body. Strummed with a pick, it has a powerful low end that fills a room and supports a singer. Picked lightly, it can sound a little boomy. If you are average height or taller and mostly want to strum, it is a safe choice.
Concert and grand auditorium
These have a pronounced waist, so the guitar sits snugly on your leg and your strumming arm does not have to reach over a deep body. The sound is more even across bass, mids and treble, so single notes and fingerpicked patterns come through clearly. The grand auditorium has become hugely popular as an all-rounder.
Learn this inside a guided path, free
Fretwork's first two stages are free for as long as you like, with no card needed. You get a guided first day, short lessons and a practice plan that tells you what to play today.
Parlor
Small, light and often with a longer body relative to its width, the parlor guitar was the standard size in the 1800s. It sounds focused and dry rather than boomy, records well, and is very comfortable to play sitting down. It is a lovely choice for fingerstyle and blues, and for players who find bigger guitars awkward.
Jumbo
Jumbos have a very wide, rounded lower bout. They are loud, rich and dramatic when strummed. They are also the hardest to hold for smaller players, so try one before buying.
Travel and 3/4 size
Travel guitars and 3/4 guitars have smaller bodies and often a shorter scale, so the frets are slightly closer together. They are ideal for children, for taking on trips, and as a second guitar, but they sound thinner and quieter than full-size guitars. For a child's size by age, see guitar for kids.
Other features to know
- Cutaway: a scoop in the upper body that lets your hand reach the high frets. Useful for lead lines; it removes a little body volume.
- Acoustic-electric: any shape with a built-in pickup and preamp, so you can plug into an amp or PA. Worth it if you plan to play live.
- 12-string: six pairs of strings for a huge, chorus-like shimmer. Harder to play and tune; not a first guitar.
- Solid top vs laminate: a solid wood top usually sounds richer and opens up with age; laminate is tougher and cheaper. Many good beginner guitars have a solid top with laminate back and sides.
How to choose
- Hold it. Sit with the guitar and check that your strumming arm rests comfortably over the body and your fretting hand reaches the first fret without stretching.
- Check the playability before the shape: low enough action and a straight neck matter more than any body style. See buying your first guitar.
- Match the music. Strumming and singing: dreadnought or grand auditorium. Fingerpicking: concert, grand auditorium or parlor.
Thinking about electric instead? See electric guitar for beginners or the comparison in acoustic vs electric guitar.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common acoustic guitar shape?
The dreadnought. It is a large, square-shouldered body with a loud, bass-heavy sound that suits strumming, and it is the shape most people picture when they think of an acoustic guitar.
What size acoustic guitar is best for a beginner?
The one that is comfortable to hold. Many adults are fine with a dreadnought; smaller players often find a concert or grand auditorium body easier to reach around. Children usually need a 1/2 or 3/4 size guitar.
What is the difference between a concert and a grand auditorium guitar?
Both have a narrower waist than a dreadnought. The concert is smaller; the grand auditorium is a little larger, close to a dreadnought in width but with a defined waist. Both are balanced and comfortable, and good for fingerpicking and strumming.
Does body size affect the sound?
Yes. In general, bigger bodies give more volume and bass, and smaller bodies give a more focused, midrange sound with less boom. Wood, bracing and construction also matter.
Pick up the guitar today. Pay nothing.
- Stages 0 and 1 free for as long as you like
- No credit card, no trial countdown
- A daily plan that tells you exactly what to practice
- Built-in tuner, metronome and chord library
- Left-handed mode included
Upgrade later only if you want the full path. Plans from $7.50 a month, billed yearly. See pricing