Acoustic Guitar Body Shapes Guide | Dreadnought, Jumbo, OM & Travel Sizes Explained...
Find your perfect guitar at Guitar Brothers!
Choosing the right acoustic guitar body shape is one of the most important decisions you can make as a player. The body style directly affects tone, comfort, projection, and how the guitar responds to your playing style.
Here at Guitar Brothers, we help players every day find the right acoustic guitar for their needs, whether they are beginners or experienced musicians upgrading their instrument.
Whether you’re shopping for your first guitar or upgrading, understanding the differences between body styles like Dreadnought, Jumbo, Orchestra (O), and Travel guitars will help you make a smarter purchase.
At Guitar Brothers, we often see players gravitate toward a shape before they even realise why - and this guide breaks down exactly what each style offers.
A Brief History of Acoustic Guitar Design
In the early 1900s, Martin & Co introduced a new, larger body shape, originally designed for greater volume and projection in accompaniment settings. The design became a global standard and influenced nearly every acoustic guitar that followed.
Martin helped standardise what we now call the Dreadnought body shape. Originally designed for louder projection (especially for vocal accompaniment), the Dreadnought became the industry benchmark due to:
- Large body size for volume
- Strong low-end response
- Versatility across genres
The name “Dreadnought” came from British battleships — reflecting its powerful, commanding sound.
This design became the foundation for most modern acoustic guitars and is still the most popular shape today.
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Dreadnought Guitars
The Industry Standard
Sound Profile
- Strong volume and projection
- Deep bass response
- Balanced midrange suitable for strumming
Best for
- Players wanting versatility
- Singer-songwriters
- Most genres of music!
Pros
- Extremely versatile
- Widely available across all price ranges
- Strong stage and acoustic performance
- Huge volume and projection
- Widely available and affordable
- Works in almost any genre
Consider
- Larger body size can feel bulky for smaller players
- Less detailed fingerstyle response compared to smaller bodies
If you’re unsure what to buy, a Dreadnought is usually the safest starting point.
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Guitar Brothers Editor’s Choice: Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
Beginner: Yamaha F310P
Professional/Intermediate Players: Maton SRS70C
Both reliable all-round dreadnoughts that balances tone, comfort, and value, ideal for beginners and progressing players.
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Jumbo Guitars
Big Sound, Big Presence
Sound Profile
- Very high volume
- Deep bass response
- Wide and powerful tonal projection
Best for
- Strummers who want maximum volume
- Country and blues players
- Stage performers needing projection
Pros
- Maximum acoustic output
- Rich, full-bodied tone
- Excellent for big open chords
Consider
- Large physical size
- Less comfortable for smaller players or long practice sessions
- Can overpower vocals if not balanced well
Jumbo guitars are powerful, but not always practical for smaller players or long practice sessions.
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Guitar Brothers Editor’s Choice: Jumbo Acoustic Guitar
For players wanting the classic and the best: Gibson SJ-200
Budget friendly alternatives: Sigma and Guild, both offer excellent value Jumbo-sized instruments.
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Orchestra / OM / O-Size Guitars
Balanced and Articulate
* NOTE: This guide covers Orchestra, OM, 000, 00, and 0-size guitars as one family of smaller-bodied acoustics. Generally, the fewer “0’s” in the model name, the smaller and more compact the guitar becomes, with OM/000 being larger in the group and 0-size being the smallest.
Sound Profile
- Balanced tonal response
- Clear mids and detailed note separation
- Responsive to fingerpicking dynamics
Best for
- Fingerstyle players
- Studio recording musicians
- Players who want clarity over volume
Pros
- Comfortable mid-sized body
- Excellent articulation
- Great recording guitar
Consider
- Less bass than dreadnought and jumbo models
- Lower overall volume
O-size guitars are often favoured by more advanced players who prioritise nuance over raw power.
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Guitar Brothers Editor’s Choice: Orchestra/OM Acoustic Guitar
A versatile OM guitar offering excellent balance and comfort for detailed playing styles.
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Concert Guitars
Modern All Rounder
Sound Profile
- Balanced tone with slightly brighter mids
- Clear articulation for strumming and fingerpicking
- Controlled bass response
Best for
- Versatility & comfort
- Beginner to intermediate players
Pros
- Comfortable mid-sized body
- Balanced sound across styles
- Increasingly popular for live use
Consider
- Less low-end power than larger guitars
- Not designed for heavy bass-driven strumming
Modern concert guitars are ideal for players wanting comfort, balance, and versatility.
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Guitar Brothers Editor’s Choice: Concert Acoustic Guitar
Beginner Option: Cort AF510
Performance Ready & Australian Made: Pratley PRC-SE
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Parlour Guitars
Vintage Tone, Intimate Sound
Sound Profile
- Warm midrange-focused tone
- Lower bass response
- Highly expressive at lower volumes
Best for
- Blues, folk, songwriting
- Players who prefer a compact, expressive instrument
Pros
- Extremely comfortable and portable
- Vintage tonal character
- Great for home recording
Consider
- Limited projection
- Less bass and volume than larger bodies
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Guitar Brothers Editor’s Choice: Parlour Acoustic Guitar
A compact parlour guitar with vintage tone character and strong expressive response.
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Travel (and 3/4 Size) Guitars
Compact and Portable
Sound Profile
- Focused midrange tone
- Reduced bass response
- Surprisingly strong projection for size
Best for
- Travelling musicians and beginners
- Players needing portability
- Young beginners in need of something smaller
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to transport
- Ideal for travel and practice
- Beginner friendly
Consider
- Limited low-end depth
- Smaller fret spacing
Need to travel? This is the perfect, snack size instrument!
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Guitar Brothers Editor’s Choice: Travel Acoustic Guitar
A portable, comfortable travel guitar designed for convenience without sacrificing playability.
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Modern Acoustic Innovations
While traditional shapes remain dominant, modern manufacturers are refining comfort, playability, and onboard electronics.
Cole Clark Angel Series
Australian manufacturer Cole Clark introduced the highly regarded Cole Clark Angel series, which blends traditional acoustic design with modern innovation.
The Cole Clark Angel features:
- Slim ergonomic body design
- Advanced pickup systems for natural amplified tone
- Excellent feedback resistance for live performance
- Sustainable tonewood construction
This design sits between traditional acoustic shapes and modern stage-focused instruments.
Tanglewood Superfolk Series
British brand Tanglewood developed the Tanglewood Superfolk series, which reflects a growing demand for slimmer, more comfortable acoustic guitars.
The Tanglewood Superfolk features:
- Thinner body depth for comfort
- Balanced tone suitable for multiple styles
- Strong value for intermediate players
It reflects the shift toward comfort-focused modern acoustic design.
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Acoustic Guitar Body Shape Comparison
| Shape | Volume | Bass | Comfort | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dreadnought | High | Strong | Medium | All round players |
| Jumbo | Very High | Very Strong | Lower | Stage performers |
| OM O-Size | Medium | Balanced | High | Fingerstyle and studio |
| Concert | Medium | Balanced | High | Modern versatile players |
| Parlour | Low | Mid focused | Very High | Blues and songwriting |
| Travel | Low to Medium | Light | Very High | Travel and practice |
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Which Acoustic Guitar Should You Buy
- First guitar - Dreadnought, a safe and reliable choice.
- Balanced versatility - OM O-Size or Concert, comfortable.
- Maximum stage volume - Jumbo
- Comfort and songwriting - Parlour
- Portability - Travel guitar
- Modern live-performance & designs - Slim body models like Angel or Superfolk styles
Guitar body shape is one of the most important (and often overlooked) parts of choosing the right instrument. While brands like Martin & Co established the foundation with iconic designs like the Dreadnought, modern builders like Maton, Cole Clark, Cort and Tanglewood continue to evolve what an acoustic guitar can be.
The best guitar isn’t the biggest or most expensive — it’s the one that feels right in your hands and matches your playing style.
Find Your Perfect Acoustic
at Guitar Brothers
At Guitar Brothers, we help players choose guitars based on feel, tone, and real-world use rather than guesswork.
Every guitar we sell is professionally checked before it reaches the customer, ensuring it is ready to play straight away.
Browse our range or visit us in-store for personalised recommendations - any questions, we're more than happy to help!
www.guitarbrothers.com.au