If you are a beginner, then one of the common questions that hits your mind from the moment when you thought of learning guitar is, whether you learn acoustic guitar and electric guitar. Whatever you decide or whatever suggestions you get, none of them are going to wrong or right. The best way to know which is the right for you is to know about both the guitars first. When you have at least some knowledge about them, you will be able to make the right choice easily.
So, let us get started by comparing some of the important features of both the guitars to get an idea…
- Body
The first point to compare is the body of the guitar. In an acoustic guitar, it comes with a hollow body or semi-hollow body. When the strings are moved, they vibrate the guitar and pass into the body of the guitar. These vibrations are amplified naturally, and sound is produced. This sound exits from the hole on the guitar. When it comes to the electric guitar, electricity is required for the amplification, and the sound is produced.
- Neck
In the acoustic guitar, the neck is thick, and the strings will look away from each other. If it is a classical guitar, then the strings are farther from each other. But in an electric guitar, the neck is thin, and hence strings will look very close to each other.
- Weight and size
The sound waves are amplified inside the body of the acoustic guitar, and hence the body has to be large enough for the waves to be amplified. So, the size of the acoustic guitar is large, but they are very light in weight. But when it comes to electric guitar, they are small in size but are heavier than the acoustic guitar.
- Strings
The acoustic guitar needs to vibrate well to amplify the sound wave, and heavy steel strings are used in its making. They are also hard to hold, as well. If a lead guitarist is using an acoustic guitar, then it can be a bit tough to implement the techniques. These acoustic guitars also come with nylon strings. These Nylon strings are soft when compared to the steel strings and hence soft on your fingers. When it comes to electric guitars, the strings are also made of steel, but they are thin. Your fingers will not get hurt as they are thin. You don’t need thicker strings as they get amplified through electricity. They are perfect for using lead guitar techniques.
- Music
If you want to play some clean and crisp acoustic sounds, you can go for acoustic guitars. As the sound waves created by the strings is amplified naturally, the kind of music that you can play will be limited only. But when it comes to an electric guitar, you will be able to play almost all kinds of music. Folk and classical music may not be possible on electric guitar, which are possible with an acoustic guitar.
Advantages of Acoustic guitars
- Acoustic guitars come with thicker steel strings. If you get used to these strings and play anything on them, then you can easily play the same music on an electric guitar without any worries. But when you look at the reverse, it may not be possible.
- If you are practicing more at home, then people from your house will love the acoustic guitars only as the sound from them is calming and soothing to the ears and mind. But the amplified and distorted electric guitar sounds are not preferred by people in your house.
- You don’t need an amplifier or cables for playing acoustic guitar.
Advantages of Electric guitars
- You can easily hold the chords down with an electric guitar. That is because it comes with a thin neck and the strings are close to each other.
- When you look at the strings of the electric guitar, they are very smooth and thin. That makes it simple to play with fingers itself. It does not hurt your fingers too much.
- The strings are thin and light, and hence you will be able to learn the barre chords very easily. You will be able to hold all the strings at a time. Most of the time, beginners avoid learning barre chords as they cannot hold all the strings in an acoustic guitar as they are thick.
- If you are worried about the sound disturbing the people in the house, then you need not have to worry at all. You can wear headphone to avoid that loud and distorting sound.
Disadvantages of Acoustic guitar
- The strings are thick and hence tough on the fingers. The beginners face a lot of problems to get used to these thicker strings.
- Barre chords are just next to impossible with such thick strings.
- The fretboard is wider, and beginners find it difficult to use.
- They are delicate compared to the electric guitar.
Disadvantages of Electric guitar
- Guitars are expensive in general, and electric guitars are more expensive.
- You will need cables, for which you will have to spend extra money.
- Things that you play on an electric guitar are not easy to play on acoustic guitar.
Which is the best for you?
Now that we have knowledge about both acoustic and electric guitars, it is now your turn to compare them. Basically, the type of guitar you will need will depend on the type of music that you like the most. All kinds of music cannot be played on both the guitars. If you are metal and rock guy, then you should choose electric guitars. But if you are someone who likes classical and country music, then it is good to try acoustic guitars only, even if they are a bit hard to play.
If you are still confused, then it is always good to start with an acoustic guitar as a beginner because when you play on an acoustic, you can easily play on electric guitar. You will automatically develop an interest in it.
