Acoustic Electric vs. Electric

Hi all,

I'm new to the guitar and having fun learning. I picked myself up an Epiphone acoustic / electric guitar (PR4E) to learn on. I figured that it would be the most flexible option and let me experiment with different things while I learn.

After watching the introduction to stratocaster videos, I'm beginning to wonder if there are any technical differences in the output between it and a dedicated electric? I get that there's only one set of (invisible) pickups and I can't switch between them, but do they work on the same principle?

I've also inherited an Korg AX1G effects pedal from a friend - while I don't really know what I'm doing with it yet, it's kind of fun to play around with the various distortions. Some of them sound pretty subtle though and I wonder if there's any difference between plugging it in to an acoustic electric vs. an electric?

Finally.. I'm a bit of a technology nut. I've seen a USB adapter from Behringer (UCG102) that looks pretty interesting. Would it work OK with an A/E?

Thanks!

P.S. - I think I may have just asked the same question three times in different ways. :)

Wow, I must have asked this question in a really weird way - no responses yet. :)

Basically I just want to know if and how the functionality of the pickups on an acoustic/electric combo differs from an electric only.

I'm currently making my way through Ralph Deyner's Guitar Handbook.. it looks like it might eventually lead me to an answer. Will post if I ever figure it out.

I'm new to guitars myself and am starting to learn on an acoustic/electric I got from my grandfather. I was also wondering the same thing on the sound vs an electric, I will keep watch on this topic and hopefully find out :confused:

I think this is what you're looking for
Wiki on pickups

I notice it's hard to get replys on threads here sometimes, so I'll try to help. If I'm wrong or mistating facts, I'm sorry :p

Pick ups can have diffrent out put depending on the windings and magnet strength. The stronger the magnets, or more wire density will increase the out put, or "hotter" the pick up will be. Basically the metal string vibrating through the magnetic field crates a charge thats then translated into sound by the amplifier.

I'm not sure if acoustic pick ups are the same, since I've noticed some are not placed directly under the strings so I suspect they may work more like a microphone, which picks up sound by a mebrane vibrating a coil of wire around a magnetic pole. Esentially the same end result just a diffrent means. But would mean the pick up may be more dependant on the guitars resonance and not as responsive to the strings actual movement.

Sorry I'm not an expert, but hope thats useful.

As for the pedal, it most probably will sound diffrent with an electric guitar, just because acoustics have their own distinct sound, their bodies are designed to amplify the sound of the string vibrations. Especially if the pick up is what I suspect, a microphone type. Where as electrics depend on almost completely on the pick up to amplify the sound of the vibrating strings.

I don't know about the USB thing you mentioned. Have never tried to connect my guitar to my computer.

~sigh~ I really wish you guys would learn to use the Search feature...

Looky >here< at Post #5.