The acoustic guitar has a long and storied history dating back hundreds of years. From its origins as a classical instrument to its rise in popularity across many music genres, the acoustic guitar has evolved into one of the most iconic instruments in music. Many of the most famous and influential guitar models are acoustics, shaping the sound of genres like folk, country, blues, and rock. Iconic acoustic guitars have left an indelible mark on music history.

Acoustic guitars first rose to prominence in the mid-19th century as guitar makers started producing more affordable and higher quality instruments. Models from C.F. Martin & Company and Gibson Guitar Corporation set the standard for acoustic guitars that would influence luthiers for generations. As music genres like folk, country, and blues gained popularity in the early-to-mid 20th century, the acoustic guitar sound defined the core of American roots music. The Martin D-28 and Gibson J-200 became quintessential models used by legends like Hank Williams and Lead Belly.

While the electric guitar may have exploded in popularity in the 1950s and 1960s, the acoustic guitar still played a pivotal role. Folk music surged in the 1960s, led by stars like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez playing iconic acoustics like the Martin D-28 and Gibson J-200. Singer-songwriters like Neil Young and James Taylor made acoustic guitars like the Martin D-45 staples of 1970s soft rock. Even genres like rock, pop, and metal have been shaped by the iconic dreadnought acoustics made by Martin, Gibson, Guild, and Taylor. From the delta blues legends to the Laurel Canyon icons to today's biggest pop stars, the acoustic guitar continues to be a versatile, expressive, and iconic instrument at the heart of music.

Early Acoustic Guitars

The acoustic guitar originated as a descendant of lute-like instruments, evolving from the Arabic oud introduced to medieval Spain. These early guitars were smaller bodied instruments with gut strings and a brighter tone. Key innovations in acoustic guitar design emerged during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

One influential early model was the baroque guitar, with a rounded body shape and gut strings arranged in pairs. The baroque guitar was used extensively for accompaniment in both classical and folk traditions.

A major breakthrough came in the early 19th century with the advent of fan bracing and steel strings. Fan bracing provided improved structural support, allowing steel strings with higher tension and louder volume. Steel strings also gave the guitar a fuller tone compared to traditional gut strings.

Early pioneers of the steel-string acoustic include C.F. Martin Sr., who founded Martin Guitars in 1833. Martin specialized in guitars built for steel strings, helping drive their popularity. Other luthiers optimized bracing and body designs to better handle steel strings. This key innovation transformed the acoustic guitar into the fuller-bodied, steel-string instrument recognizable today.

The Martin Acoustic Guitars

C.F. Martin & Company has been a leader in acoustic guitar innovation and craftsmanship since 1833. The company was founded by German immigrant Christian Frederick Martin in New York City. Martin revolutionized guitar design in the mid-1800s by pioneering the X-bracing system. This new bracing pattern allowed for a louder and more robust tone compared to ladder bracing used at the time.

Some of the most iconic acoustic guitars played by famous musicians have come from the Martin factory. Models like the D-28, HD-28, D-45, and 000-28 have been go-to choices for bluegrass, folk, and country players. The Martin Dreadnought shape became the blueprint for big, booming acoustics.

Legendary artists who have played Martin guitars include Hank Williams Sr., Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Eric Clapton, Paul Simon, John Mayer and Ed Sheeran. The Martin name is synonymous with premium build quality and beautiful warm, resonant tone woods. From the small workshop to the huge Nazareth, Pennsylvania headquarters, Martin acoustic guitars have helped shape the landscape of American music.

Gibson Acoustic Guitars

The Gibson Guitar Corporation revolutionized the acoustic guitar market in the early 20th century. Founded in Michigan in 1902, Gibson became renowned for its innovation in archtop and hollow body guitar designs.

In the 1920s, Gibson introduced guitars with arched tops that enhanced their volume and projection. This allowed Gibson acoustics like the L-1 to be widely adopted by orchestras and jazz bands in the pre-electric era.

By the 1930s, Gibson was firmly established as a leading acoustic brand. Their guitars featured premium tonewoods and high-quality craftsmanship that produced full, balanced sound.

Among Gibson's most iconic acoustics is the J-45 model, first introduced in 1942. With its round-shoulder dreadnought body, the warm and bright J-45 became a staple among folk and country musicians. Artists like Emmylou Harris, Townes Van Zandt, and Ryan Adams propelled the J-45's popularity.

Other popular Gibson acoustics include the Hummingbird with its decorative pickguard, and the Southern Jumbo - an ornate jumbo guitar ideal for bluegrass playing. Gibson's rich history and innovation consistently produces acclaimed acoustic guitars to this day.

The Fender Acoustics

While Fender is best known for its iconic electric guitars like the Stratocaster and Telecaster, the company has also made some important contributions to the world of acoustic guitars.

Fender entered the acoustic guitar market in the mid-1960s. At a time when big jumbo acoustics were popular, Fender went against the grain and produced acoustic guitars with slimmer, more electric-style necks. This made their acoustics appeal to electric players looking for an easy transition.

Some of Fender's most popular acoustic models include the Kingman, Malibu, Villager, and Redondo. Models like the Kingman featured innovative electronics that allowed acoustic players to plug in and amplify their sound. Fender also introduced acoustic models with cutaways, providing easier access to upper frets.

Fender acoustics have been used by many top musicians over the years. Johnny Cash often played a Fender acoustic, preferring their feel and balance to larger bodied guitars. Other famous Fender acoustic players include David Gilmour, Elvis Costello, and Neil Young.

While classic Martin and Gibson acoustics are more coveted by collectors, Fender made quality, affordable acoustics with trademark stylings appealing to working musicians. Fender's acoustic innovations brought new options to players and expanded the diversity of acoustic guitar shapes and sounds.

Taylor Guitars

Taylor Guitars was founded in 1974 by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug and has become one of the leading acoustic guitar manufacturers. Based in El Cajon, California, Taylor brought innovative new designs and manufacturing techniques to the acoustic guitar market.

Some of Taylor's key innovations include the use of tropical tonewoods like koa and maple, the patented Taylor neck design, and the Taylor Expression System electronics. Bob Taylor pioneered the use of computer-controlled milling machines for guitar-making, allowing greater precision and consistency.

The Taylor Dreadnought and Grand Auditorium body shapes have become industry standards. Iconic Taylor acoustic guitar models include:

• Taylor 810 - One of the first acoustic-electrics featuring onboard pickups and preamp. The 810 has a rosewood back and sides paired with a spruce top.

• Taylor 412ce - Featuring a Grand Concert body shape with a cutaway and Taylor Expression System electronics. The 412ce often utilizes tonewoods like mahogany or koa.

• Taylor 714ce - An acoustic-electric with a Grand Auditorium body shape. The 714ce is known for its balanced tone across all frequencies.

• Taylor 914ce - A higher-end Grand Auditorium model with a solid spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides. The 914ce delivers a rich low end with crisp highs.

• Taylor K24ce - An all-koa model with a Grand Auditorium cutaway body. The K24ce has a warm, balanced tone and impressive sustain.

Through continuous innovation and craftsmanship, Taylor has become a leading force in the acoustic guitar world, producing acclaimed instruments played by professionals and amateurs alike.

Other Notable Acoustic Brands

Over the years, a number of other acoustic guitar brands have made their mark in music history through innovative designs and high-quality craftsmanship. Some of the most prominent include:

Guild - Founded in the 1950s, Guild has produced many noteworthy acoustic models like the D-40 and the F-30. They were known for their crisp tone and articulated bass response. Artists like Joan Baez, Nick Drake and Paul Simon have used Guild guitars.

Takamine - This Japanese brand became hugely popular in the 1970s and 80s for combining traditional construction with modern electronics. The Takamine EF360S and EF341SC models were used by top musicians like Bruce Springsteen, Bruno Mars and John Mayer.

Seagull - Founded in Canada in the 1980s, Seagull focused on handcrafted designs made from premium tonewoods. The Seagull Artist Series guitars are still highly regarded today. Famous players include Elvis Costello and James Taylor.

Washburn - With roots dating back to 1883, Washburn is known for quality acoustics like the EA20 and WD10S. The brand has been associated with Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney and many country musicians.

Ovation - This innovative company designed the first production acoustic-electric guitars with rounded polymer backs in the 1960s. Ovation guitars became synonymous with Glen Campbell who helped popularize them.

With their unique identities and musician followings, these brands have all left an important imprint on the world of acoustic guitars. Their high-quality instruments continue shaping the music landscape today.

Iconic Acoustic Guitars

Some of the most iconic and famous acoustic guitars have become intertwined with legendary musicians and the history of popular music. Certain models have achieved an almost mythical status.

Eric Clapton's Martin D-45 is one of the most famous and coveted acoustic guitars. Clapton used the classic rosewood Dreadnought during his historic 1992 MTV Unplugged performance. The rich sound and incredible playability made the Martin D-45 a favorite of Clapton and many other iconic guitarists. Originally produced in the 1930s, the D-45 exemplifies Martin's legacy of premium craftsmanship.

Bob Dylan's 1964 Martin 00-21 is known for its association with Dylan's rise during the folk revival of the 1960s. The distinctive round-shouldered 00-21 produced Dylan's early acoustic masterpieces like "The Times They Are a-Changin'" and "It Ain't Me Babe." Dylan even featured the 00-21 on the cover of his landmark 1964 album The Times They Are a-Changin'.

Woodie Guthrie's "This Machine Kills Fascists" guitar carries both historical significance and artistic expression. The iconic message Guthrie scrawled across his humble Martin 000-18 conveys his fiery passion for justice and equality. The guitar itself fueled Guthrie's creative spirit through thousands of miles of travels and performances. To this day, Guthrie's acoustic guitar symbolizes the power of music and free speech to enact social change.

These and other models have earned a permanent place in music lore. Their stellar craftsmanship produced genre-defining recordings, while their association with culture-shifting artists made certain acoustic guitars true icons. Models like the Martin D-45, the Bob Dylan 00-21, and Woodie Guthrie's "This Machine" represent the pinnacle of acoustic guitar achievement.

Acoustic Guitar Shapes and Features

Acoustic guitars come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each with their own unique tones, playing feel, and aesthetics. Some of the most popular acoustic guitar body shapes include:

Dreadnought

The dreadnought is the most iconic acoustic guitar body shape. First made by C.F. Martin & Company in 1916, the dreadnought features a wide lower bout, sloping shoulders, and a larger body that produces a bold, booming tone perfect for aggressive strumming. Famous dreadnought models include the Martin D-28 and Gibson J-45.

Orchestra

Also sometimes called an auditorium guitar, the orchestra model has a rounded lower bout and a smaller upper bout compared to a dreadnought. The orchestra guitar offers a balanced, nuanced tone and comfortable playing feel. Notable orchestra guitars include the Taylor 414ce and Martin OM-28.

Parlor

Parlor guitars have a small, compact body size well-suited for fingerstyle playing. Their smaller build gives parlor guitars a focused voice and mid-range emphasis. Vintage parlor guitars by Martin and Gibson remain highly prized. Modern builders like Taylor offer their own parlor models.

Beyond body shapes, acoustic guitar construction elements also impact tone and playability. Solid wood tops made from quality tonewoods like spruce and cedar vibrate more freely for better volume and resonance compared to laminate tops. The neck joint where the neck attaches to the body influences sustain and tonal transfer. X-style bracing patterns allow for more top movement while still providing strength and stability. These and other build decisions all contribute to an acoustic guitar's unique acoustic profile.

Conclusion

Acoustic guitars have come a long way since their early origins, evolving immensely over the centuries. From the gut string guitars of the Baroque era to the steel string flat tops of Martin and Gibson, acoustic guitars have been integral in shaping music history. Their bright, resonant, organic sound captivated audiences and musicians alike.

Legendary models like Martin's D-28 and Gibson's J-200 left an indelible mark across diverse musical genres. Their tone and playability made them prized instruments for country, folk, blues and rock legends. Even as amplified and electric guitars gained prominence, the pure sound of a finely crafted acoustic continued to be cherished.

Acoustic guitars endure as one of the most popular instruments thanks to their versatility, full-bodied tone and strong songwriting heritage. Today's performers, from Ed Sheeran to Taylor Swift, continue the acoustic guitar's legacy - penning chart-topping hits on both vintage and modern models. Though amplified options abound, the acoustic guitar's stripped-back, unadorned sound still strikes a universal chord.

These iconic instruments have come to represent the very voice of numerous musical movements. Their resonant tones have given wings to artistic expression across generations. Even centuries later, acoustic guitars retain their timeless appeal and influence. Their legacy is sure to inspire many more generations of musicians, luthiers and music lovers alike.