Top Blues Guitars - Reviews of the Most Popular Bluesy Models

Last Updated: March 7, 2019 This blues-focused article was in need of a few tweaks, so we removed several older models to freshen things up. In their place we added four new models, comprising the excellent Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster and Godin 5th Avenue CW (Kingpin II), as well as two nice blues acoustics in the Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy Flat Top and LH-204 Brownstone from The Loar.

What’s that soulful sound? That’s the sound of the blues! What makes a blues guitar? That’s not such an easy question to answer. In fact, blues guitar is one of the most dynamic music styles with so many sub-genres – jump blues, blues rock, boogie-woogie, Delta blues… the list goes on. This means defining ‘the best guitar for blues’ is a difficult one indeed. Some players want electric, some want acoustic. Some want solid bodies, some want hollow. Some want resonators for slide, some want them for fingerstyle. However, as we’ve shown in our chart below, there are certainly some models which are incredibly well-suited for blues playing. Check out our selections – a mix of electric, acoustic and resonators – for a little inspiration.

Top 10 Blues Guitars:

What Makes A Good Blues Guitar?

As we’ve mentioned, there’s no one-size-fits-all blues guitar. But good blues guitars will share some characteristics. With hollow and solid-bodied blues guitars, power and articulation is important, although you don’t want something too extreme – nobody is playing great blues on a modern shredder with searing-hot active pickups. Generally, something with a vintage feel in both look and tone will give you a good blues sound. As for acoustic guitars, blues will always sound better on something with a bit of warmth, preferably on the twangy side. Look for models featuring mahogany or cedar and preferably with a solid top, which will open up with warmth as it ages. Any good-quality resonator can be a good choice too, especially if you’re looking at playing with a slide. Needless to say, we always want our instruments to be durable, reliable and the best value for money we can find. If you have the budget for an expensive guitar then go for it! But, as we’re about to see, you can also find some brilliant blues tones on a guitar that costs well under $500.

The Final Word

This brings us to the end of our little blues journey, but for you it’ll only be the beginning! We hope you’ve enjoyed the read and taken a little inspiration when looking for a great blues guitar to accompany you as you embark on this exciting genre. If you are at the other end of the spectrum and prefer heavy rock and metal… then what are you doing on this page anyway?! Go check out our article on the best electric guitars for metal. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and, if you have any questions, drop a comment in the section below. Good luck with the hunt for your ideal blues partner!