Why You Need a Dreadnought | TNAG Feature with Lindsay Straw

[@hangdogit]

I got my first "dread" in 1972 -- a Martin D-28 made in 1969. I didn't know it at the time, but luckily, it was one of the last Brazilian Rosewood models made by Martin -- because Martin switched to East Indian Rosewood later that year. The difference is a big deal with collectors and guitar luminaries. It is a great-sounding guitar with fine workmanship and easy to play..

[@Last_one_before_I_go]

Congratulations. Treasure it, and play it like you stole it.

[@johnreidroberts2838]

Fantastic writing, narration and pickin’ Lindsey! Please keep these “Why you need…” videos coming! With Gratitude, JR North Carolina

[@cartervintagebackstage]

Thank you kindly!

[@johnreidroberts2838]

You are welcome!

[@loaf233]

I'm a fairly small person (5'3) who bought a dreadnought as my first guitar. I knew it would be more of a challenge to get comfortable with but something about the style speaks to me and I love it!

[@kevinraimond7658]

I've only been playing for about five months. Started out with a yamaha apx500. Easy to play but sounds rough acoustically. Got a Dreadnought and struggled to adjust to it but hung in there. Glad I did. Sound is awesome.

[@nathanmarineau3993]

Yeah, once I got used to mine, I didn't want to go back. But it was a beast at first. 😂

[@barbmelle3136]

I only owned dreadnoughts for 45 or so years. With the life reality of shoulder pain, I bought and really enjoy a Concert sized guitar. I really do not miss the volume. I would say a person needs both!

[@davidheenan7432]

I don’t need anyone to convince me why I need another guitar. I just need more money.!

[@krismcreynolds984]

I hear ya brother!

[@MCPerez]

Same bru

[@tomerlevy1000]

😂😂😂❤

[@nathanmarineau3993]

Call me crazy, but I really enjoy playing finger style on a dread. They're very warm and comfortable once you get used to them. And when I want to use a pick with other musicians, I don't get lost in the mix.

[@tenor9216]

I also play fingerstyle on my dreadnought all the time! I mostly use it to accompany myself while singing, and since I have a fairly powerful voice (I’m classically trained and dabble in other styles), a guitar with a lot of volume and a strong low end was what I needed. I ended up buying a Furch cedar/mahogany dreadnought and I’m still very happy with it, but I might be tempted to look into getting an OM as well soon!

[@realgoodmind]

One of my favorite vids so far. Love deep looks at models and lots of options.

[@cartervintagebackstage]

Thanks so much, we're glad to hear that!

[@jjgalletta66]

I’m buying everything this woman recommends. Not a cringe comment. Lindsay just knows her stuff and inspires confidence. 👍

[@el34glo59]

I think dreads are great for finger-picking and I never understand when people say they aren't. I love the warm sound

[@claylippert7203]

I agree. Maybe it’s because I’ve always played dreads I find them the most comfortable. With smaller guitars I tend to hunch over.

[@blessedwithchallenges9917]

Olson started with dreads. They are amazing. James Taylor liked his SJ which he is now famous for...basically all major players have one. But his dreads still have Olson's immaculate attention to detail and craftsmanship - hand built - second to none.

[@Richard_Lush]

Great job Lindsey. I love your channel. Great players and an excellent look at various guitars. Very professional 👍

[@cartervintagebackstage]

Thanks so much!

[@jomoanderson5596]

Beautiful arpeggios to these relative simple chord progressions. Love to see a different channel on some tutorial material. Thanks well in Advance.

[@feilog]

Just ordered a Guild D150ce. This will be my 7th dreadnought. I'm freakin' hyped, I love these guitars.

[@alexwoolridge94aw]

I discovered why after owning 2 Taylors. Martin HD28 Custom Shop for the win. My Martin honestly still blows me away

[@skyemoz6559]

Great video. I do finger style in dadgad or g tuning and I love a dreadnaught. Have several models from 55’ J 50 to a recent D 18 and others. Just depends on your ear and what you prefer

[@scourneene]

I'm so torn between a Takamine New Yorker or the Dreadnought in the same "G" series with is their affordable line. As a older player I like the smaller body, as I have neck and shoulder issues. The New Yorker has very nice mid and treble but I find it not to great for strumming (at least not to hard, i find it needs to be feathered or it blends into itself gets messy sounding), it lacks the low end that the Dreadnought has, however it has a preamp which I brought up the bass on and played it through my bass amp, it actually improved decently as long as I don't strum too hard. With the Dreadnought obviously volume is less an issue and I open up more on strumming, low end is there but as I mentioned the smaller New York size fits my frame with less pain issues maybe I can work around somehow. I believe both nut widths are around 42.5mm. Good for my smaller hands. Any insights...I know it's a very personal choice to make.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

I have owned many guitars over the years and finally narrowed it down to 0000-1 and a 00-18V. This takes care of my fetish for smaller bodied guitars and long association with dreadnoughts. In the dreadnought family there is my all time favorite, 12 fret slot heads. My favorite of these was my 1969 D-35S. An incredible instrument made in my preferred era. Mine was Sitka topped, East Indian backs and sides with the back center piece in Brazilian Rosewood. The big 12 fret slopers fit better on me; because of the shape they are easier to play. The sound and playability is unparalleled for my finger picking style. The 1 13/16ths nut width is the bonus. Sadly this one was sold in a fit of poverty. Of the bunch in your video, the Collings CJ45 Traditional would be my choice. Excellent video. Always informative and entertaining. Thanks

[@thomaspurcell4359]

Lindsay, I’m still saving for the 00 you said I needed on an earlier video. Now it’s a Dreadnought that I need? Well, fortunately I have a few already. In 1916 there were no electronics or pickups available, so the larger bodied Dreadnought filled the auditorium and cut through the mix of banjos, mandolins and fiddles where the smaller guitars could not be heard. Today, Eric Clapton and others have opted for the 000 and OM models with electronics to fill the room with sound. Still, you can’t beat a D-45 or D-28, used by Tony Rice and many other greats. Thanks.

[@cartervintagebackstage]

The "need" in the title is for clickbait ;) Depends on what you're using it for, as you've noted!

[@thomaspurcell4359]

@@cartervintagebackstage Right you are mate. So many choices and beautiful tools for varied applications. Thanks for all you do to support artists and the artistry of music. And, special thanks to Lindsay for sharing her extensive knowledge and beautiful playing ability. She makes every guitar a star. 🙏❤️😎

[@softsouthernknight]

I personally think the 12 Fret dreadnoughts with light guage strings sound the best.

[@MiguelGebremedhin]

I think a lot of the younger generation (including me) seem to be shifting over to smaller. l think of John Mayer, Ed Sheeran, and even some worship music artists. There's an endearing quality to the OM to 00 shapes and sonically, they have the best balance of many playing styles. The angle in which your wrist and hand meets the soundhole is right around the "sweet spot," which is why I prefer it despite being 6'3. I used to think volume was primarily why you'd wanna have a dread around, but I find that the projection of the smaller guitars (especially the open-slot kind) are enough for me. Who knows though, trends tend to recycle, so the 1930s sized guitar that's making a resurgence might be replaced again in 20 years.

[@kamarienedwards1757]

You’ll like the Martin j40 if you need a bigger body guitar!!!

[@firecrackerheart]

fantastic "why you need a..."! thx, lindsay & co .. .

[@PhillProbst]

Curious that you failed to mention the original 12 fret configuration of the Dred as created by Martin. The 14 fret version came later and, while it is today the dominant version, the 12 fret style is still around ... I have one in my stable ... a D12-35.

[@RohitSguitar]

Really love these "Why you need a" videos. The dreadnought is not for me (mainly for comfort reasons), but this video was fascinating, informative and well put together. Thanks for sharing! 🙂

[@nicolen.9642]

Same here. I have a 000-15m Martin. Dreds are pretty cumbersome.

[@j.b.8767]

There's naught to dread in this great video.... Thanks, Lindsay!

[@sharp_guitars2417]

I have a Boucher Om hybrid and dreadnaught really the only 2 guitar’s I need ….. but I WANT more 😎

[@cartervintagebackstage]

Don't we all!

[@Dukiedukester]

The 0000 is the perfect compromise.

[@realgoodmind]

Was starting to think we wouldn't see any flat picking but luckily there was some.

[@glenguldbeckmusic3410]

Great video, Lindsey!! I love smaller guitars, in general. But earlier this year I bought a Collings CJ45 (Adi top) and it's glorious. It handles my fingerstyle playing beautifully and is a very versatile instrument. Cheers!!!!!

[@cartervintagebackstage]

Thanks, Glen! The CJ45 is so great, right? Glad you’re enjoying it!

[@glenguldbeckmusic3410]

@@cartervintagebackstage Yes, indeed!!! Killer tone…..

[@jonnyonthespa5153]

thank you!!!!

[@lhvent]

Interesting video. All my guitars are dreadnought style

[@hollowbodymusic]

For solo live performances, there is no substitute for me.

[@texhaines9957]

Lindsay, what about the new Martin Super D or one of the Iris offerings. Think I might use one. Wonder what Kim has hiding around there. She has helped a lot. Tell her I said hello.

[@paulkielty3800]

I need all of them.

[@startreker8591]

Got 2 Dreads one GPC…Martin Guild Martin respectively…it match my voice…got om y classical guitars a solid wood euro made studio piano( with some medals awards); electric axes tele etc…y Korg piano/keyboard weighted keys y mouth organs in keys of GDC…got Martin backpacker y guild m20 om size

[@hitnorcal]

Great video. I reason you don't need a dreadnought is that you have small arms and can't play over the entire sound hole. That is me. I sold my Martin dread because it hurt my arm and I was only able to play it close to the bridge which affected the tone and made it less dynamic. I wish I could have an OM with a dread sound. That would be epic.

[@cartervintagebackstage]

Many would argue that dreads in particular should actually be played closer to the bridge! But it’s all about what tone you’re after. It’s possible for one person to find the sound of playing over the soundhole to be warmer and mellow, while others might think it muffled. If you’re after a bigger sound in an OM shape, look out for 0000s or OM Grands - they’re as wide as dread but not as deep, and still have the tighter OM waist.

[@hitnorcal]

@@cartervintagebackstage Hey thanks for that insight. I will try one of those out for sure.

[@ivogarza9339]

Martin makes jumbos and Ms that might be easier to reach over.. The J18 Ady sinker is magic.

[@brunolalanne9106]

If you like dread tones, don't let comfort put you off and get a dread back. Unless going to extremes, bodies can learn to adapt to tools time after time / I now find my 17 inches guitars confortable which was not the case upfront.

[@tudorverde]

What about Takamine? Martins are very expensive.

[@michaelnannestad7399]

London misses,The North American Guitar shop.😢Please come back...

[@musik102]

Well, today so many so-called "acoustic" players plug in but for me, most of time, plugged in instruments sound dreadful! I come from the folk music club tradition of the UK where, thank heavens, the majority of clubs do not have any amplification what so ever. And, love that! Its seems crazy to me to buy a beautifully crafted acoustic instrument and then plug in. Just hearing the sound of an unplugged guitar is so delicious. Now, I know, there are lots of professional music situations where plugging in is virtually the only option. However I see plugged in acoustics as almost a different - new - instrument. Clearly, lots of modern acoustic guitar techniques - tapping and percussive effects - lose a lot of their "magic" when played a un-plugged guitar ( even when using a microphone). Also, I wonder if the ability to plug in will lessen guitar makers desire to experiment at producing louder guitars. For example, going back to th purely acoustic UK folk music clubs, I tend to feel that if guitars were even 25% louder their ability to "move" an audience would be greatly enhanced.

[@acousticpsychosis]

One of my dream guitars is the little '66 Gibson 3/4 scale B25-N (with the real skinny waist), love the look, but they dont sound that great. Fortunately, until then, I have a '99 Bourgeois Slope-D...it doesnt get much better for dreadnoughts.

[@Dad-Gad]

I just bought a used dreadnought off Reverb , and it's so loud !!!!! But it's great for heavy handed strummers like me 👍

[@regienaldlucero3238]

Can i use gauge 10 string for dreadnought? How it sounds like?

[@brunolalanne9106]

Yes, with a lighter touch, unless your guitar is heavily build.

[@richardjacobs7632]

Any thoughts on Zagar EasyPlay guitar.

[@writereducator]

Yes. Buyer beware!

[@grtntgod]

Convincing!

[@mt-nv4jd]

I don't need a dread. In answer to the comfort issue, if you play in Classical posture, it is not an issue.

[@gins8781]

I seriously wish I had kept my 1976 Epiphone Dreadnought. It was so big it was uncomfortable for my small stature. But I developed strength with the high action. I should have kept it. It was a beautiful limited edition. Live and learn.

[@cartervintagebackstage]

It happens to us all - the ones that get away!

[@lewisshepard1065]

had one, it outgrew me!

[@robertoclemente449]

WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@shred5]

Now you should do why you need a jumbo.

[@ZionForman]

I like this ,

[@Ravenscaller]

D's are perfect for playing standing up. Look at the video and how out of balance your shoulders are. I still own a D that I can no longer play because my shoulders gave out before the guitar did. They have an unmatched sound for strumming and flat picking. I yes you can finger pick but in my opinion short scales are easier and sound more natural in that style. I would never advise anyone to begin with a D as well. If you mostly play sitting on the couch or anywhere else give you're body a break. Buy a smaller guitar. If you insist on a boomy sound buy a small amp to plug it into and us the tone controls to make it sound however you like. I've even figured out how to use my very good computer sound as a guitar monitor.

[@blakebruner6173]

Try placing the guitar between your legs in the 45° angle as classical guitar players do. You should find it much more comfort-able.

[@tbeau6663]

💜❤💚

[@stephensmith60]

I can't even afford to pay attention, much less own one of these guitars.

[@Jay-vt2so]

👏😎🔥💪🔥💪🔥😎👏

[@tellstarrsixtwo7120]

Is there a "Why You Need a Jumbo" episode 😄? Cause I really think I need one after one of your vids 😀: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6CqhWiVZ7d9ftE

[@no59do56]

With today's Acoustic guitar AMPS AND PICKUPS you can easily get by with less. .with that said in a unplugged gig uh yeah.

[@john15333]

To me, its the most uncomfortable guitar out there. Nothing else sounds as good for flat picking or power strumming though. I definitely appreciate the sound.

[@ZoltarWOT]

nah, I think I need a battleship instead

[@Michael-Ray]

I guess size DOES matter 😉

[@3mangt]

No,I do not need a dreadnought.shenanigans.

[@el34glo59]

Lol what