Acoustic vs Electric Guitar

15 May

Ever since George Beauchamp patented the electromagnetic guitar pickup in 1937, the acoustic vs electric guitar argument has raged on. Some prefer the natural sound of an acoustic guitar, while others enjoy the pedal effects and heavier tones of electric.

So which is better, acoustic or electric guitar? And which guitar is best for beginners? In this guide I'll look at the pros and cons of each, before comparing the difference between acoustic and electric guitar to decide once and for all which is best.

If you're trying to decide between learning acoustic vs electric guitar, hopefully this explainer will give you a good place to start. If you're still not sure, please feel free to get in touch and I can help you to choose which type of guitar to learn.

Overview of Electric Guitars

One thing all electric guitars have in common is those electromagnetic pickups, which were first developed almost a century ago. It's a simple scientific principle: when you pluck or strum an electric guitar string, it vibrates in a magnetic field in the pickup. This generates an electric current which is sent to the amplifier, which in turn boosts the volume to create that unique electric guitar sound.

Critics might argue that the sound you hear is not 'real' because it's generated by the electromagnetic induction inside the pickup. But all guitars are amplified one way or another, as the hollow body of an acoustic guitar allows the vibrations of the string to resonate and produce a louder sound.

There are lots of different shapes and types of electric guitar, as well as different types of electric guitar pickups:

Single-coil pickups use only one electromagnet and produce a bright tone popular in country music.
Double-coil pickups (also known as 'humbuckers') combine two coils, helping to reduce background noise. They have a warm tone well suited to jazz, and greater output ideal for genres like rock where distortion is actually desirable.
P90 pickups are an in-between option with medium warmth and output, a good match for blues and softer rock.

If you are just starting to learn electric guitar, the type of pickup you have is probably not important. But if you're interested in learning a specific genre and want to get the best pickups for your beginner electric guitar, just ask and I'll be happy to help.

Pros and Cons

So what are the pros and cons of electric guitars?

Pro: Amplified output is better for noisy environments and to match the rest of your band or orchestra.
Pro: Output can be manipulated using pedals to produce different sounds, effects, and desirable feedback and distortion, especially in rock music. Learn more on this page.
Pro: Wide variety of guitars, pickups, pedals and amps cater for all different genres and have transformed modern music.

Con: Cannot be played properly without being connected to an amplifier which needs a power supply.
Con: More equipment to transport if travelling to a performance or going to practise your guitar playing somewhere.
Con: Some beginners feel daunted by the electronic equipment and cable connections needed to set up your guitar.

Overview of Acoustic Guitars

Say the word 'guitar' and most people will think of an acoustic guitar. There are a few different types of acoustic guitars, including classical nylon-string guitars, steel-string acoustic guitars, and electro-acoustic guitars that produce an acoustic sound, but can be hooked up to an amplifier for louder volume.

The iconic hollow body with its figure-8 shape also comes in different styles and sizes, with names such as Parlor, Orchestra, Grand Auditorium and Jumbo. Most people's idea of an acoustic guitar is a Dreadnought, one of the larger body sizes with slightly flattened shoulders.

When you play an acoustic guitar, the sound you hear is produced directly by the vibration of the strings. There's no electronics involved (except when amplifying an electro-acoustic guitar) so you're hearing 'authentic' analogue output, amplified by the natural resonance of the vibrations inside the guitar's hollow body.

A lot of people feel an affinity for analogue music - see the enduring popularity of vinyl records, which can also be played without any electronics at all - so there's a lot of love out there for acoustic guitars.

Pros and Cons

With all of the above in mind, what are the pros and cons of acoustic guitars?

Pro: Can be played almost anywhere with no cables, power supply or electronics required - just start strumming for instant acoustic audio!
Pro: Easy to replace broken strings, tune your guitar, and retune to a different tuning system e.g. Open G for beginners and blues guitar players.
Pro: Very affordable for beginners and available in lots of different sizes so you can find a beginner guitar that's easy to hold.

Con: Can be seen as less exciting by children when starting to learn guitar, and steel strings can hurt if you practise for too long.
Con: Often cannot adjust the height of the strings above the fretboard, an important part of a more personalised guitar setup.
Con: No amplification means you may have to play harder to produce the volume of sound that you want.

Overall, acoustic guitars are less versatile, as you're restricted to the natural sound of the guitar. However, they can be more convenient for school group classes, with less setup and electronics required, and open tuning systems like Open G make it easier to learn chords.

Reasons why Electric is Better

Now we know the difference between electric guitar and acoustic guitar, let's talk about the reasons why electric is better. No sitting on the fence here - in the century-old battle of acoustic guitar vs electric guitar, electric comes out on top.

The choice of electric vs acoustic guitar for beginners is less obvious, as the simplicity of acoustic guitars can be tempting. But learning electric guitar can be much easier once you know how to set up a beginner guitar amp.

In fact, at every stage from learning as a child, to starting guitar as a grown-up, to performing professionally or with friends, electric is head and shoulders above acoustic.

Here’s a video of Bryan performing a solo instrumental piece on the electric guitar.

Benefits of Electric Guitar vs Acoustic Guitar

Just some of the ways electric guitar kicks acoustic to the kerb include:

Better volume in a band - not just louder, but also easier to adjust in a soundcheck.
Low volume when practising - you can even practise on headphones almost silently!
More versatile - including effects like distortion that acoustic guitars cannot perform.
New tech all the time - amps are smaller, lighter, more portable and even wireless.
Variety of sizes - smaller electric guitars suit younger players, with thinner strings and a thinner neck all easier for small, untrained hands to practise on.

Don't get me wrong - acoustic guitars will always have their place and sometimes, that authentic analogue sound is exactly what's needed. But electric guitars are even getting better at replicating a realistic acoustic tone, putting them even further in the lead as time goes by.

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