Acoustic + Electric

Hey Guys,

Just joined the forums a couple days ago. I was wondering what the difference between acoustic and electric (other than the sound).

Some of my friends told me to learn on acoustic and then move up to electric once you can play. Should I just stay with acoustic for a year or so?

I really like electric and and acoustic so I have been looking for an electric to buy.

WallsOfJarrow

A lot a people recommend starting with the acoustic because it builds more strength and the guitar are cheaper.

There's no real date set in stone. It's really up to you.

I think the toughest thing to do on an acoustic are clean barre chords. If you can play those in sequence with other chords and they all sound clean, give the electric a shot :)

I, personally, would recommend starting on acoustic. I did, and I think the benefits far out weigh the downfalls. As stated previously, the main benefit is that you develop more dexterity and strength. The biggest thing that I took away from the acoustic is that it forces you to learn how to play cleanly and accurately. With an electric you can always hide behind distortion. The acoustic is the purest form of guitar. It's guitar playing in it's metaphorical birth day suit.

I think it helps build the all important discipline that it takes to approach the guitar seriously. That's my opinion though... and in no way do I expect it to heavily dictate your decision. It's your choice in the end.

Rock on!

If you are confused on which one to get and have the cash, heck go for broke and get an acoustic electric. Then you can have best of both worlds. Yet just like everything else it all depends on the person and situation. I work off-shore, so all I have to do is plug headphones into my amp and play to myself all I want and not bother anyone. I recieved a Fender as a Christmas present, so I'm not complaining at all.

Electrics are far more versatile, heaps of fun and easier to play

I started on an acoustic and tend to agree with the others. It really does force you to learn clean technique. Once you have some time on an acoustic under your belt, going to an electric is a dream.

as stated by the rest above.....acoustics can have a real nice sound and versatility...not to mention practicality as well....u can always bring an acoustic to a party and play some fun songs with friends and whatnot...with a little imagination you can use the body of an acoustic to produce beats as well...as my mentor once said....playing on an acoustic would be like skating on ice on the electric...especially when it comes to scales and bends, barre chords...

very nais...i like

If you can afford it, I say go for both. Each has it's own strong points and makes you more versatile in techniques required to master them.
Like Asch mentioned, you can hide behind distortion, which to me is sometimes a good thing to keep your interest by having a little fun while building up the discipline required for your journey......
It's very difficult to jam a little SRV on Acoustic.
Not to mention the awesome power of SUSTAIN............................
Good Luck

Yep... get an electric and play both...

I don't play acoustic much any more, but it's nice to know I can. A friend of mine plays crazy lead on an electric strung with 8's... you should see the faces the dude pulls when he's trying to play an acoustic... :)

The strength element will serve you well, but the sort of things I play just work better electric.... If you stay with guitar, you'll end up having (probably more than) one of each anyway....