Last Updated on February 14, 2021 by GuitarsCamp

Acoustic or Electric Guitar

If you are a total Beginner Guitarist you might be wondering about how to choose between an Acoustic or Electric guitar.

I will give you some tips And Pros and Cons that will help you decide between starting on an acoustic or electric guitar.

The first thing that I usually tell people, when they are trying to decide between an acoustic and an electric guitar, is to choose the one that they like the most.

Choosing a guitar that goes with the style of music that you enjoy listening to is a great way to pick out a guitar. If you pick a guitar that fits the style of music that you are in to it, probably you will like it more and get better faster.

Read: GUITAR LESSONS: Acoustic vs. Electric Guitar

Acoustic Guitar

Designed to be played without the need for an amplifier.

Acoustic guitar is hollow, and almost always has a “sound hole” — a round hole in the face of the guitar. When the strings vibrate, they cause the soundboard to vibrate. This resonates in the guitar body, creating a fuller, woody tone.

Pros

  • No equipment needed ( Amplification or cables headphones, optional effects, etc.) )
  • Pick it up and it’s ready to play anytime!!
  • Bring it anywhere.
  • No need to fuss with electronics.
  • Fewer playing techniques.
  • Can often be purchased at a lower price than electric guitars.
  •  If you are able to play a piece on an acoustic guitar, you will more than likely be able to play it on an electric guitar as well due to the higher amount of technique required. This cannot be said for the electric guitar.
  • An acoustic guitar has a tone that is naturally soothing and calm compared to the distorted tone experienced on an electric guitar.
  • If you can play something on a steel-string acoustic guitar, you’ll be able to play it without any problems on an electric.
  • Acoustic tends to be slightly harder work on the fingers – the action is often a bit higher to minimize string buzz – which in turn makes electric feel very easy when you get to it.

 

Cons

  • You basically only have that one sound to work with.
  • Strings, Wider neck and playing action can be harder on the fingers.
  • More string buzzing due to the harder strings.
  • More brittle than electric guitars.
  • Considered to be more fragile compared to electric.

Related Post: Acoustic Guitar Anatomy

Electric Guitar

These type of guitars are named for the fact that they require electric amplification in order to produce sound. They work via the use of magnetic pickups. These are, very simply, magnets with coils of wire wrapped around them, which sit beneath the strings. When the strings vibrate, it causes a disturbance in the magnetic field around the pickup, which the coil of wire turns into an electrical signal.

Pros

  • Electric guitars are physically easier to play than their acoustic counterparts. This is due to the fact that they have smaller bodies, thinner necks and have gauges that are lighter than those on acoustic guitar.
  • A wider range of techniques.
  • Access to new genres.
  • Louder. ( Amplification)
  • Can play “unplugged” or amps tend to feature a headphone input, allowing you to practice in near silence.
  • Have a different role in music than acoustic guitars.
  • Incorporating effects with an electric guitar can keep things fresh.
  • Learning to play barre chords is easier on the electric because of the lightness of the strings.

 

Cons

  • More complicated to set up.
  • Not as portable.
  • Require to purchase an amplifier and this can be costly for most beginners.
  • Finding the right tone is not that easy for beginners who know nothing about electric guitars and amps, and a bad sounding guitar might put them off.
  • Being able to play something on an electric will not mean that you can play it on the acoustic guitar as well.

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