The dreadnought is a type of acoustic guitar body developed by American guitar manufacturer C.F. Martin & Company. The style, since copied by other guitar manufacturers, has become the most common for acoustic guitars.

What does the name dreadnought mean?

A dreadnought is a battleship equipped with large guns of the same caliber. ... It was named after the HMS Dreadnought, which set sail in 1906. However, the word goes back to the late 17th century when it meant a fearless person (who dreaded naught — nothing).

Is a dreadnought a full size guitar?

A dreadnought acoustic guitar and a Les Paul electric guitar are both full-size guitars, but they both have different scale lengths, different total lengths, and feel very different to play.