The 5 Best Guitars for the Flatpicking Play Style

top rated guitar for flatpicking

In recent times, we have witnessed massive growth in the guitar market as there have been new guitar launches in different price ranges. We have also experienced a broad leap in the quality of guitars. So frankly speaking, it is quite hard for everyone to pick a lousy guitar these days from the market. And especially when you are sticking to some specific brands.

But the best and worst thing about today’s guitar market is that there are just too many options or too many good options. So it’s quite obvious for you to get confused, especially when you are a beginner. In this guide, we will be exploring some of the best guitars for flatpicking.

Image Product Features Price
Fender FA-100 Fender FA-100

Best for low price

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Dean AX-DCE Dreadnought Guitar Dean AX-DCE Dreadnought Guitar

Durable guitar

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Yamaha FG840 Yamaha FG840

Warm and clear tones

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Seagull S6 Original Seagull S6 Original

Acoustic-electric guitar

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Martin DRS2 Martin DRS2

Premium guitar for flatpicking

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What Is Flatpicking?

Flatpicking is a term used for when a guitarist strikes the guitar strings with a standard guitar pick, also known as a plectrum. When the guitar player is flatpicking, they shall be holding the guitar pick in between the thumb and one or two of their fingers.

This method of guitar playing first appeared during the 1930s in American Music, and soon it became very popular among all guitarists worldwide.

However many people argue that flatpicking is just a way of playing the guitar and it does not require any special equipment or the guitar itself. But there are still so many things that can add to the sound of the guitar if you know how to pluck the strings right.

The 5 Top-Rated Guitars for Flatpicking

Here’s the list of the most recommended guitars that you can use if you’re into the flatpicking technique. Apart from flatpicking, several other guitar techniques have been discovered including fingerpicking and tapping the guitar frets.

1. Fender FA-100 Acoustic Guitar

fender guitar for flatpicking

This is one of the most sold products by Fender. This guitar has been a priority for most acoustic guitar lovers. Fender FA-100 is a great option for you if you are planning to play the guitar using a pick, but you don’t have heavy pockets to spend too much money.

As per the looks and design, Fender FA-100 is one of the best-known guitars in this price range. The black pickguard keeps the body safe from getting scratched accidentally and also adds complements to the finish. The guitar has got a supernatural Basswood finish that shines pretty well through the glossy finish.

Using Basswood as a tonewood is a choice that Fender has probably made just to ensure the lower prices for this guitar’s model. But it still retains a good quality; not the best choice but still it works. However, there is also a fact that that we need to consider that Fender has used X bracing with its budget models and that makes them worth trying.

One thing that makes Fender FA-100 really so special that it can be played so easily. The strings are just set to a good height and it just feels awesome when you play it with your own hands. Considering all the things, we can say that maybe this can be the cheapest guitar that every beginner guitarist should try.

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2. Dean AX-DCE Dreadnought Guitar

dean ax mah dreadnought

Dean is best known for its famous electric guitar line. They generally do not offer any acoustic models, and if they do they always fall far behind the line as per the quality terms and standards. But the Dean AX-DCE is a great example of craftsmanship. This model draws so much attention because of its design.

The Dean AX-DCE guitar is an affordable steel-string guitar with full bright sound and some of the best-looking wood. Talking about the design, the lack of contrast in this guitar definitely provides it a unique look. The fingerboard is made of rosewood and blends pretty well into the body made completely of mahogany, giving this guitar an overall sleek look.

With a rocking dreadnaught design, this model is made to deliver some value and presence for the music for sure.  And because it is made using mahogany completely, the guitar is rich in warmth and sounds so natural. The guitar has got sharp but clear highs, which makes it perfect for flatpicking as well as strumming.

The guitar is sturdy and solid. The finishing seems like half-done at some points, but that doesn’t create any problems. So if you are looking for a good guitar as a beginner who wants to learn flatpicking, then this might be a good deal for you at such an affordable price.

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3. Yamaha FG840 Acoustic Guitar


When searching for a good guitar as an experienced player, going with Yamaha is not a bad choice. Yamaha FG 840 is a very good guitar with a durable build, which is perfect for flatpicking. Generally, all the good guitars are not as affordable as people want, they are quite expensive. But this Yamaha guitar manages to provide almost all the features and specifications for musicians that they would need at an affordable price range.

This model provides you an option for custom tonewood. This model is built using both mahogany and rosewood for tonewood, so you can choose any of them at your convenience, depending on your personal preferences and needs. No matter which tonewood you will choose, you will get amazing quality and durability.

In this model, Yamaha has included their new scalloped technique. And that means that the FG840 delivers a supernatural tone and has a sturdy build as well. The guitar offers two choices when it comes to body size and type.

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4. Seagull S6 Original Acoustic Guitar

seagull acoustic electric guitar

Seagull S6 is a great example of an acoustic-electric flatpicking guitar that will surely meet all the expectations that everyone has. If you are looking for a guitar that you can play as a lead guitarist with a band, then this one’s perfect for you.

This guitar is also an excellent choice if you simply need one to run through an amplifier. Having a dreadnought body and design, it is supposed to have some serious projection and volume. The tonewood in this guitar is of wild cherry, making its audio signature unique and stable.

The wood on top is pressure tested solid Cedarwood, which makes it sturdier and the guitar is supposed to last for a long time. The neck of the Seagull S6 guitar is made of standard choice silver leaf maple wood.

All this makes the Seagull S6 a very simple and easy to play guitar, which makes it more suitable for beginners. The most important feature of this guitar is the sustainability it offers to players. The 4-Band EQ in this guitar lets the player tune the right sound without touching the amp.

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5. Martin DRS2 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

martin drs2 flatpicking guitar

Martin is one of the best acoustic guitar manufacturers in the guitar market. They are responsible for the best acoustic guitar models available in the market so far. The Martin DRS2, which is a relatively bit extra expensive when compared with other products on the list.

Martin guitars come in a premium quality finish which you can feel by touching. Only the best quality of wood is used for manufacturing. The dreadnought style body of this guitar is coupled with the bracing of X style. It also includes a solid Sitka spruce on top for the top-notch playing experience for the players.

The sides and backs are made of solid Sapele, which adds uniqueness to the tone. This Martin DRS2 just sounds like a completely professional guitar. The complete range has a crisp sound, the highs having a slight and tasteful boost.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best guitar for flatpicking?

If you want a guitar for learning flatpicking, then you need durable and high-quality strings along with it. Having a sturdy guitar body can also prove to be a better choice. From our list of products, the Martin DRS2 and the Fender FA100 guitars are the best guitar if you’re someone who wants to pick strings on their guitar.

What is flatpicking on a guitar?

Flatpicking is a guitar play style in which the guitarist plucks the strings using a pick, which is held in between the thumb and the index finger. The player repeatedly strikes the strings to create notes. Striking multiple strings at a time is known as strumming a guitar.

What is the difference between flatpicking and fingerpicking?

Plucking the strings is common in both flatpicking and fingerpicking. The only difference is what the guitarist uses to pluck the strings. In flatpicking, guitarists use a plectrum, while in fingerpicking, the strings are plucked using fingers.

Learning Flatpicking With Your New Guitar

As we have discussed different options for the best Guitar for Flatpicking, now it’s up to you which guitar you want to buy. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly guitar, consider going for the Fender FA100 or the Dean AX guitar. If price is not an issue, and you want a “state of the art” quality guitar, then the Martin DRS2 guitar is an excellent choice.

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