Gold Tone GT-Dread-BR All Solid Wood Acoustic-Electric Dreadnought Guitar – Tobacco Burst

When Gold Tone set out to build the Dread, they weren’t interested in cutting corners to hit a price point. This is an all-solid-wood instrument — solid Sitka spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides — and that distinction matters enormously. Laminate guitars can sound decent when new, but solid-wood instruments open up and improve as they’re played, developing more complexity and resonance over time. The dreadnought body shape has been the workhorse of American folk, bluegrass, and country music for almost a century, and the Dread captures everything that made it iconic: powerful projection, deep bass response, and a clarity in the upper register that sits beautifully in a mix whether you’re playing around a campfire or on a stage. At $699.99, I can tell you honestly that genuine all-solid construction at this price is genuinely rare, and Gold Tone has delivered it without compromise.

The slim “C” profile mahogany neck with a 1-11/16″ nut width is comfortable for a wide range of hand sizes, and the 25-5/8″ scale length gives the strings just the right tension for a full, responsive feel under your fingers. The rosewood fingerboard with pearloid dot inlays is clean and easy to read, and Grover open-gear tuners provide the kind of tuning stability you’d expect on instruments costing considerably more. The ebony bridge is a premium touch — ebony is denser and harder than rosewood or synthetic alternatives, which translates to better note transfer and sustain. Gold Tone also equipped the Dread with a Fishman pickup with individual tone and volume controls, so your plugged-in sound is an honest representation of the guitar’s natural acoustic voice. D’Addario strings (.012–.054) come standard, which is exactly what I’d put on it myself. The tobacco burst finish adds warmth and visual depth to the all-solid mahogany body, and cream ABS binding frames it with a classic, understated look that suits the instrument’s traditional character perfectly.

Every instrument receives a professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida before it ships — checking neck relief, action at the nut and saddle, intonation, and tuner function. Most guitars at this price point ship straight from a warehouse with factory action that can make them frustrating to play. Yours won’t. It will arrive dialed in, comfortable, and ready to go.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means every instrument we sell comes with full manufacturer warranty support and is the real thing — not a gray-market or unauthorized unit. I’ve been in the stringed instrument business for over 45 years. I co-own Watch & Learn in Atlanta, I wrote Banjo Primer (widely recognized as the top-rated beginner banjo method on the market), and I’ve co-designed instruments with Gold Tone directly — so when I say the Dread is a serious value, I’m speaking from genuine experience with what good construction looks and feels like at every price level. We want you to love what you receive, and if you have questions before or after your purchase, you’re talking to people who actually play and teach these instruments. Financing is available with no hassle: use PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, or our 3, 6, 12, or 24-month plans — no late fees, ever.

Gold Tone GT-Dread-BR Specifications

Top	Solid Sitka Spruce
Back & Sides	Solid Mahogany
Neck Material	Mahogany
Neck Profile	Slim C
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Inlay	Pearloid ABS Dot
Bridge	Ebony
Nut Width	1 11/16″
Frets	20
Scale Length	25 5/8″
Truss Rod	Two-Way Adjustable
Tuners	Grover Open Gear
Tuner Buttons	Nickel
Pickup	Fishman with Tone and Volume Control
Strings	D’Addario .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .054
Tuning	EADGBE (Standard)
Binding	Cream ABS
Finish	Tobacco Burst Satin
Bag	Included

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Dread suitable for a beginner, or is it better suited to an intermediate player?

Honestly, it works well for both. The slim C neck profile and 1-11/16″ nut width make it accessible for newer players, and the professional factory setup ensures the action is comfortable right out of the box — which makes a real difference in the learning experience. At the same time, all-solid-wood construction and a Fishman pickup mean an advancing player isn’t going to outgrow it anytime soon. It’s a guitar you can genuinely grow into.

Can I use the Dread unplugged, or does it really need to be amplified?

The Dread is a fully acoustic instrument first. The dreadnought body with solid spruce and mahogany produces plenty of volume and projection for practice, songwriting, and even small acoustic performances without plugging in at all. The Fishman pickup is there when you need it — for open mics, band situations, or larger rooms — but it’s an addition to the acoustic voice, not a replacement for it.

What does the included bag offer in terms of protection?

The gig bag included with the Dread provides solid everyday protection for transport and storage — it’s suitable for carrying the guitar to lessons, rehearsals, or casual gigging. If you’re traveling by air or need heavy-duty protection, I’d recommend upgrading to a hardshell case, but for most players’ day-to-day needs the included bag does the job well.

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