In this guide, we’ve rounded up ten of the most inspiring acoustic guitars for blues players—from vintage-style small bodies and 12-fret beauties to stage-ready resonators and signature models with serious roots. Whether you’re a front-porch picker, a slide player or just looking for an acoustic that knows how to groan and growl when you dig in, these guitars have the mojo.
Long before Muddy Waters plugged in and electrified the world, the blues lived solely in the hands, voice and wood (or brass and steel) of an acoustic guitar.
From the raw intensity of Charley Patton and the haunting lyricism of Blind Lemon Jefferson, through the shadowy mystique of Robert Johnson and the gentle poetry of Skip James, the acoustic blues tradition was forged in hardship, storytelling and soul.
Whether it was Mississippi John Hurt’s delicate fingerpicking or the warm, modern phrasing of contemporary blues artists like Keb’ Mo’, the acoustic guitar has remained the blues’ most faithful companion—portable, honest and endlessly expressive.
While the genre has evolved, the need for a responsive, soulful instrument hasn’t changed. Today’s best-selling and most popular acoustic guitars for blues honor that lineage while offering modern reliability and versatility.
Headstocks Left to Right: Martin 000-28EC, Gretsch G9201 and Gibson Keb' Mo' J-45
Table of Contents
Comparing the Best Acoustic Guitars for Blues
The Top 10 Acoustic Guitars for Blues
Message from the Country
Comparing the Best Acoustic Guitars for Blues
Pictured: Gibson Keb' Mo' 3.0 12-Fret J-45 Signature Acoustic-Electric Guitar Soundhole Label
|
Model |
Top/Back & Sides/Neck Materials |
Fretboard |
Neck Shape |
Tonal Characteristics |
Price* |
|
Nickel-plated Bell Brass/Mahogany |
Padauk |
Medium V |
Bright, metallic, resonant |
$839.99 |
|
|
Mahogany/Mahogany/Mahogany |
Ebony |
Round |
Loud, metallic, slide-friendly |
$4,500.00 |
|
|
Thermally Aged Sitka Spruce/Mahogany/Mahagony |
Rosewood |
Custom Keb’ Mo’ Profile |
Warm, rich, articulate |
$4,299.00 |
|
|
Thermally Aged Sitka Spruce/Mahogany/Mahogany |
Rosewood |
SlimTaper |
Crisp, focused, vintage tone |
$2,999.00 |
|
|
Adirondack Red Spruce/Mahogany/Mahogany |
Indian Rosewood |
Historic V |
Warm, dynamic, responsive |
$3,399.00 |
|
|
Sitka Spruce/Mahogany/Mahogany |
Ebony |
GE Modified Low Oval |
Balanced, articulate, clear |
$2,899.00 |
|
|
Mahogany/Mahogany/Mahogany |
Indian Rosewood |
Modified Low Oval |
Warm, woody, vintage tone |
$1,999.00 |
|
|
Sitka Spruce/East Indian Rosewood/Mahogany |
Ebony |
Modified V |
Rich, balanced, expressive |
$3,999.00 |
|
|
Engelmann Spruce/Guatemalan Rosewood/Mahogany |
Ebony |
Low Profile |
Lush, detailed, premium tone |
$18,499.00 |
|
|
Torrefied Sitka Spruce/Indian Rosewood/Neo-tropical Rosewood |
Ebony |
GS Mini Profile |
Compact, bright, versatile |
$899.00 |
Pricing as of December 2025*
The Top 10 Acoustic Guitars for Blues
Pictured: Martin 000-28EC Eric Clapton Signature Auditorium Acoustic Guitar in Natural
Gretsch G9201 Honey Dipper Round-Neck Resonator
The Juke Joint Jive: Brass-bodied and built to bark, this resonator turns every open tuning into a back-porch sermon.
Things to Consider:
- Bell brass body and biscuit bridge cone offer sharp attack and snappy decay
- Round-neck design works equally well for fretting and slide
- Classic f-hole styling and aged finish deliver vintage vibes
Shop Now: Gretsch G9201 Honey Dipper Round-Neck, Brass Body Biscuit Cone Resonator
The Gretsch Honey Dipper isn’t shy. With its brass body and biscuit bridge, it throws notes like gravel—loud, metallic and immediate. It’s built for players who want to explore open tunings, fingerpicking textures and gritty slide work without breaking the bank. Whether you’re playing solo Delta blues or laying down swampy rhythm tracks, this one cuts through the mix with style and bite.
National El Trovador Resonator
The Juke Joint Jive: With deep mahogany warmth and the bite of a biscuit cone, this wood-body National sings the blues with fire and finesse.
Things to Consider:
- Large 4”-deep all-mahogany body delivers rich, punchy projection
- 9.5” single-cone resonator with internal soundwell for focused response
- Designed in collaboration with blues great Mike Dowling
Shop Now: National El Trovador Resonator Guitar in Natural
While country blues legend Bukka White—interestingly a cousin of B.B. King—made blues history with his metal-bodied Tri-Cone, the National El Trovador offers a wood-body alternative that carries the same emotional weight and sonic bite. Originally released in 1932, this single-cone biscuit-bridge model is reissued in collaboration with Mike Dowling. The 4"-deep mahogany body brings warmth and roundness to the bite of the biscuit-bridge resonator voice. The result is a guitar that cuts when you need it to but still wraps your notes in richness—ideal for solo blues, roots and fingerstyle storytelling. If you want National tone with a little more wood and soul in the mix, this one’s got it.
Gibson Keb' Mo' 3.0 12-Fret J-45
The Juke Joint Jive: This 12-fret slope-shoulder J-45 blends old-school warmth with modern singer-songwriter sensitivity.
Things to Consider:
- 12-fret neck joint shifts the bridge for rounder, fuller tone
- Thermally aged spruce top adds vintage-style responsiveness
- LR Baggs VTC electronics make it stage-ready with no fuss
Shop Now: Gibson Keb' Mo' 3.0 12-Fret J-45 Signature Acoustic-Electric Guitar in Vintage Sunburst
The Gibson Keb’ Mo’ signature model isn’t just a namesake—it’s a deliberate evolution of the classic J-45 sound. The 12-fret design lends a looser, more vocal midrange that’s perfect for fingerstyle or mellow slide work, while the slope-shoulder body retains the signature Gibson thump. Whether you’re digging into a Delta groove or laying down introspective roots folk, this guitar keeps the focus on the player’s voice—both literally and musically.
Gibson L-00 Standard
The Juke Joint Jive: Small-bodied but full of swagger, the L-00’s tight punch and quick response make it a blues favorite for a reason.
Things to Consider:
- Solid Sitka spruce and mahogany give it vintage sparkle and bark
- Comfortable compact body for couch playing or street busking
- Fishman Sonitone system keeps the look clean and the tone honest
Shop Now: Gibson L-00 Standard Acoustic-Electric Guitar in Vintage Sunburst
Since the 1930s, the Gibson L-00 has been a go-to for blues players looking for balance, focus and a little attitude. With its compressed low end and quick decay, it’s ideal for thumb-picked bass lines and upper-mid cut—the kind of sound that stands up to a raw voice and doesn’t need much help from a mic. It’s a songwriter’s guitar, a fingerpicker’s friend and a blues box through and through.
Gibson Nathaniel Rateliff LG-2 Western
The Juke Joint Jive: Built on Gibson’s historic LG-2 frame but voiced for modern roots music, this signature model carries serious vintage soul.
Things to Consider:
- Adirondack spruce top delivers clarity and dynamic punch
- Historic V neck profile gives it an old-school feel in the fretting hand
- Subtle cowboy styling hints at tradition without going full rhinestone
Shop Now: Gibson Nathaniel Rateliff LG-2 Western Acoustic-Electric Guitar in Vintage Sunburst
The Gibson Nathaniel Rateliff Signature LG-2 isn’t just a throwback—it’s a working blues guitar designed to handle the range between whisper and wail. The LG-sized body makes it intimate, but the Adirondack top adds unexpected headroom and projection. It’s a nod to the 1940s, filtered through the sound of today’s roots revivalists, like Denver-based Rateliff's soulful sounds—blues-inflected, folk-literate and ready to rumble.
Martin 00-18 Standard
The Juke Joint Jive: A small-bodied workhorse with a balanced voice, the 00-18 has enough midrange punch to hold its own in any acoustic blues setting.
Things to Consider:
- Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides provide warmth with clarity
- Short scale and 14-fret neck make it both playable and articulate
- Understated elegance with classic Martin tone
Shop Now: Martin 00-18 Standard Grand Concert Acoustic Guitar in Natural
The Martin 00-18 is a reminder that you don’t need a big guitar to make a big statement. With a crisp, woody voice that lends itself to both fingerpicking and light flatpicking, it shines in open tunings and mid-tempo blues. The smaller body helps the notes bloom quickly and fade cleanly—perfect for the call-and-response phrasing that defines traditional acoustic blues.
Martin 000-15SM
The Juke Joint Jive: With its 12-fret neck, slotted headstock and all-mahogany construction, this guitar oozes vintage blues character from every grain.
Things to Consider:
- Solid mahogany top, back and sides for mellow mids and dry tone
- 12-fret neck enhances bass response and roundness
- Wide nut and slotted headstock give it a prewar feel under the fingers
Shop Now: Martin 000-15SM Auditorium All-Mahogany Acoustic Guitar in Natural
If you’re after that earthy, haunting tone you hear on old field recordings, the Martin 000-15SM gets you closer than most modern acoustics. It’s perfect for open tunings, delta slides and late-night porch sessions when only the essential tones matter. This is a guitar that doesn’t shout—it testifies.
Martin 000-28 Eric Clapton Signature
The Juke Joint Jive: Inspired by Slowhand’s own acoustic journey, this signature model turns blues phrasing into fine art.
Things to Consider:
- East Indian rosewood back and sides add depth and richness
- Modified V neck suits both flatpicking and fingerstyle
- Includes scalloped X-bracing for added responsiveness
Shop Now: Martin 000-28EC Eric Clapton Signature Auditorium Acoustic Guitar in Natural
Inspired by the 000-42 Clapton used for his MTV Unplugged set, the Martin 000-28EC Signature is one of Martin’s most revered signature acoustics. It’s a natural choice for blues—voiced for intimacy but capable of cutting through a mix when needed. Whether you’re channeling Robert Johnson or reworking your own 12-bar truth, this Martin responds with nuance and grace.
Martin OM-45 John Mayer Signature
The Juke Joint Jive: A modern bluesman’s dream machine—equal parts handcrafted detail and expressive dynamic range.
Things to Consider:
- Premium Engelmann spruce and Guatemalan rosewood for shimmering highs and rich lows
- Full-body gloss finish in Gray Sunburst makes it a visual standout
- Low-profile neck with full-scale length suits Mayer-style phrasing
Shop Now: Martin Limited-Edition OM-45 John Mayer Signature Acoustic Guitar in Gray Sunburst
The Martin OM-45 John Mayer Signature may be the most luxurious guitar on this list, but it earns its spot with tone as deep as its price tag. Designed for expressive solo work, it was designed to capture every slide, slur and snap of Mayer's expressive right hand with hi-fi clarity. Whether you’re leaning into a soulful ballad or modern alt-blues textures, this OM delivers complexity without ever sounding busy.
Taylor GS Mini-e Rosewood Sunset Blvd
The Juke Joint Jive: Big soul in a small package—this limited-edition Mini is built for the road but ready for the blues.
Things to Consider:
- Scaled-down Grand Symphony body fits comfortably in any hands
- Layered rosewood back and sides add depth and shimmer
- ES-B electronics with built-in tuner for plug-and-play ease
Shop Now: Taylor GS Mini-e Rosewood Sunset Blvd Acoustic-Electric Guitar in Sunset Edgeburst
Don’t let the size fool you—this Taylor GS Mini-e Sunset Blvd has enough low-end warmth and midrange cut to handle fingerstyle blues, slide or a back-pocket Delta shuffle. It’s a perfect companion for traveling songwriters or front-porch pickers who don’t want to sacrifice tone for portability. The Sunset Edgeburst finish brings a little extra flair, but the sound is all business—focused, fun and full of fire. And, if you want to learn more about Taylor's Sunset Blvd Collection and its connection to Guitar Center's legendary Hollywood store, check out our guide to the entire collection, plus an exclusive interview with Taylor's Andy Powers.
Message from the Country
Pictured: Gretsch G9201 Honey Dipper Round-Neck, Brass Body Biscuit Cone Resonator
Blues may have gone electric in Chicago, but it was born on back porches, under open skies and in the hands of players armed with nothing but a voice, a story and a wooden box with six strings. Acoustic blues guitars carry that legacy forward—not as museum pieces, but as living instruments that still inspire new songs, new voices and new players every day.
Whether you’re drawn to the metallic snap of a resonator, the warmth of a 12-fret mahogany body or the balanced tone of a classic spruce and rosewood combo, the right acoustic guitar doesn’t just play the blues—it knows it. If you're looking to electrify your blues playing, check out the Top 10 Electric Guitars for Blues.
Each of these instruments brings its own take on a timeless tradition. And if you’re still searching for yours, your personal Gear Adviser and the knowledgeable associates at your local Guitar Center are always ready to help you find your sound.
The truth of the blues isn’t in the gear—it’s in how you use it. But with the right guitar under your fingers, that truth gets a little easier to tell.