Best 25" Scale Dreadnought Guitars in 2024

Here you'll find the best 25" scale Dreadnought style guitars. This is the scale found in most PRS guitars, and it's right between the length of most Stratocasters and Les Pauls.

The scale length will affect the separation of the frets, the string tension, and even the tone of the guitar. The longer the scale, the more separated the frets are, which makes it a bit harder to move fast on the fretboard. Also, the higher tension of the strings will make them feel stiffer, so bending will require more strength. However, a longer scale also allows you to lower the action of the strings and make them closer to the fretboard, which makes them easier to press. Finally, the tone will also sound brighter with a longer scale.

A 25'' scale makes all of this feel right between a Stratocaster (longer scale) and a Les Paul (shorter scale).

Don't forget that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge.

After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.

There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.

1. Alvarez DY1TS

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Alvarez DY1TS
FIND IT ON:
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Playability 77
Sound 85
Build quality 87
Value for money 73
Overall Score 83
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  • From Alvarez's 2021 Yairi series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AA Western Red Cedar top
  • East Indian Rosewood back
  • East Indian Rosewood sides
  • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
  • Rosewood with 12th Abalone Fret Inlay fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
  • Rosewood Direct Coupled bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh Gold tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • From Alvarez's 2021 Yairi series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AA Western Red Cedar top
  • East Indian Rosewood back
  • East Indian Rosewood sides
  • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
  • Rosewood with 12th Abalone Fret Inlay fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
  • Rosewood Direct Coupled bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh Gold tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Alvarez DY1TS
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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    2. Yamaha FGX5

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    Yamaha FGX5
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
    Playability 77
    Sound 88
    Build quality 82
    Value for money 77
    Overall Score 82

    What our users think

    • Neck access to high frets: Easy (2 votes)
    • Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
    • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (2 votes)
    • Weight: Lightweight (3 votes)
    • Neck profile shape: C (14 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (15 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
    • 3 Prices - New from $1,649.99 >
    • From Yamaha's 2019 FG/FS Red Label series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25"'' scale
    • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Sitka Spruce top
    • Solid Mahogany back
    • Solid Mahogany sides
    • African Mahogany neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Atmosfeel (Undersaddle Pickup + Contact Sensor + Mic) (Preamp/Active)
    • Ebony bridge
    • Acoustic C Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Open-Gear Chrome (Y1D) tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 3 Prices - New from $1,649.99 >
    • From Yamaha's 2019 FG/FS Red Label series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25"'' scale
    • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Sitka Spruce top
    • Solid Mahogany back
    • Solid Mahogany sides
    • African Mahogany neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Atmosfeel (Undersaddle Pickup + Contact Sensor + Mic) (Preamp/Active)
    • Ebony bridge
    • Acoustic C Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Open-Gear Chrome (Y1D) tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Yamaha FGX5
    • Made in Japan
    • Expensive Wood
    • Bone Nut
    • Electronics
    • Bone Saddle
    • Solid Top Wood
    • Solid Side Wood
    • Solid Back Wood
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • No Top Brand Pickups
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock

    All Prices

    3. Yamaha FG5

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    Yamaha FG5
    FIND IT ON:
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    Playability 77
    Sound 85
    Build quality 77
    Value for money 80
    Overall Score 80

    What our users think

    • Tuning stability: Not bad (1 vote)
    • Neck profile shape: C (14 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (15 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoReverb logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
    • 5 Prices - New from $1,449.99 >
    • From Yamaha's 2019 FG/FS Red Label series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25"'' scale
    • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Sitka Spruce top
    • Solid Mahogany back
    • Solid Mahogany sides
    • African Mahogany neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: (/)
    • Ebony bridge
    • Acoustic C Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Open-Gear Chrome (Y1D) tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 5 Prices - New from $1,449.99 >
    • From Yamaha's 2019 FG/FS Red Label series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25"'' scale
    • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Sitka Spruce top
    • Solid Mahogany back
    • Solid Mahogany sides
    • African Mahogany neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: (/)
    • Ebony bridge
    • Acoustic C Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Open-Gear Chrome (Y1D) tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Yamaha FG5
    • Made in Japan
    • Expensive Wood
    • Bone Nut
    • Bone Saddle
    • Solid Top Wood
    • Solid Side Wood
    • Solid Back Wood
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • No Top Brand Pickups
    • No Electronics
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock

    All Prices

    4. Yamaha FGX3

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    Yamaha FGX3
    FIND IT ON:
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    Playability 77
    Sound 85
    Build quality 69
    Value for money 82
    Overall Score 77

    What our users think

    • Neck profile shape: C (14 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (15 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoReverb logoAmazon logo
    • 3 Prices - New from $989.99 >
    • From Yamaha's 2019 FG/FS Red Label series
    • Made in China
    • 6 strings
    • 25"'' scale
    • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Sitka Spruce top
    • Solid Mahogany back
    • Solid Mahogany sides
    • African Mahogany neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Atmosfeel (Undersaddle Pickup + Contact Sensor + Mic) (Preamp/Active)
    • Ebony bridge
    • Acoustic C Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Open-Gear Chrome (Y1D) tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 3 Prices - New from $989.99 >
    • From Yamaha's 2019 FG/FS Red Label series
    • Made in China
    • 6 strings
    • 25"'' scale
    • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Sitka Spruce top
    • Solid Mahogany back
    • Solid Mahogany sides
    • African Mahogany neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Atmosfeel (Undersaddle Pickup + Contact Sensor + Mic) (Preamp/Active)
    • Ebony bridge
    • Acoustic C Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Open-Gear Chrome (Y1D) tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Yamaha FGX3
    • Expensive Wood
    • Electronics
    • Solid Top Wood
    • Solid Side Wood
    • Solid Back Wood
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • Made in China
    • No High-Quality Nut
    • No Top Brand Pickups
    • Low-Quality Material Saddle
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock

    All Prices

    5. Yamaha FG3

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    Yamaha FG3
    FIND IT ON:
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    Playability 77
    Sound 83
    Build quality 65
    Value for money 80
    Overall Score 75

    What our users think

    • Neck profile shape: C (14 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (15 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
    • 3 Prices - New from $879.99 >
    • From Yamaha's 2019 FG/FS Red Label series
    • Made in China
    • 6 strings
    • 25"'' scale
    • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Sitka Spruce top
    • Solid Mahogany back
    • Solid Mahogany sides
    • African Mahogany neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: (/)
    • Ebony bridge
    • Acoustic C Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Open-Gear Chrome (Y1D) tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 3 Prices - New from $879.99 >
    • From Yamaha's 2019 FG/FS Red Label series
    • Made in China
    • 6 strings
    • 25"'' scale
    • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Sitka Spruce top
    • Solid Mahogany back
    • Solid Mahogany sides
    • African Mahogany neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: (/)
    • Ebony bridge
    • Acoustic C Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Open-Gear Chrome (Y1D) tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Yamaha FG3
    • Expensive Wood
    • Solid Top Wood
    • Solid Side Wood
    • Solid Back Wood
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • Made in China
    • No High-Quality Nut
    • No Top Brand Pickups
    • No Electronics
    • Low-Quality Material Saddle
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock

    All Prices

    6. Yamaha FG820-12

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    Yamaha FG820-12
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
    Playability 80
    Sound 80
    Build quality 60
    Value for money 83
    Overall Score 73

    What our users think

    • Fret edges: Smooth (2 votes)
    • Tuning stability: Not bad (2 votes)
    • Weight: Lightweight (2 votes)
    • Neck profile shape: C (14 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (15 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
    • 5 Prices - New from $399.99 >
    • From Yamaha's 2016 FG / FGX series
    • Made in China
    • 12 strings
    • 25"'' scale
    • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Mahogany back
    • Mahogany sides
    • Nato neck
    • Rosewood or Walnut fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: (/)
    • Rosewood or Walnut bridge
    • Acoustic C Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Die-Cast Chrome (TMW28) tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 5 Prices - New from $399.99 >
    • From Yamaha's 2016 FG / FGX series
    • Made in China
    • 12 strings
    • 25"'' scale
    • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Mahogany back
    • Mahogany sides
    • Nato neck
    • Rosewood or Walnut fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: (/)
    • Rosewood or Walnut bridge
    • Acoustic C Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Die-Cast Chrome (TMW28) tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Yamaha FG820-12
    • Expensive Wood
    • Solid Top Wood
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • Made in China
    • No High-Quality Nut
    • No Top Brand Pickups
    • No Electronics
    • Low-Quality Material Saddle
    • Laminated Side Wood
    • Laminated Back Wood
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock

    All Prices

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