Acoustic or Electric


joshs_3
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joshs_3
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02/28/2013 11:36 pm
I took one semester of beginning guitar in college and my instructor was adamant about learning on an acoustic guitar vs an electric. Is that the preferred philosophy for most teachers? Is there a preference here at Guitar Tricks?
# 1
Neal Walter
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Neal Walter
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02/28/2013 11:46 pm
I learned on acoustic and I think it's a good way to go, but I wouldn't insist on it for anyone. The most important thing when you're beginning is to stay motivated and moving forward and if playing electric helps than it's a good thing.
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davidson12
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davidson12
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03/05/2013 5:30 pm
I agree with Neal. Which guitar would motivate you to play and practice more? There are also physical size considerations. Some people have difficulty with full sized steel string acoustics (and even electric solid bodies) -- especially as beginners.

There are 3/4 sized acoustics available. Another option is to clamp a capo at the 2nd or 3rd fret of a full sized guitar. This makes the neck shorter and the strings easier to push down on. When you get more experience built into your "guitar playing muscles" you can stop using the capo.

Good guitar playing to you!
# 3
maggior
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maggior
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03/05/2013 5:58 pm
I learned on an acoustic too. That was mainly due to cost. Back in the day, things like strat starter kits that included the guitar, amp, tuner, etc. for $99 didn't exist.

I agree that whatever motivates you...go with it.
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rjgbourque
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rjgbourque
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03/21/2013 8:51 am
Hi Josh, All,
You may also want to consider your finger strength. An acoustic (especially an inexpensive one) is going to be more difficult to fret. That's one of the reasons that I was told to practice with an acoustic early on, but it can be frustrating as well. With that in mind, majority opinion that you want to play what keeps you playing holds!
# 5
maggior
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maggior
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03/21/2013 12:07 pm
Originally Posted by: rjgbourqueHi Josh, All,
You may also want to consider your finger strength. An acoustic (especially an inexpensive one) is going to be more difficult to fret. That's one of the reasons that I was told to practice with an acoustic early on, but it can be frustrating as well. With that in mind, majority opinion that you want to play what keeps you playing holds!


The 3/4 acoustics are amazingly easy to play. Last weekend I took my daughter to guitar center to pick out an acoustic guitar for her birthday. All of the ones we tried (Mitchell (she chose this), Laguna, and Yamaha) were amazingly easy to play. The sound leaves a bit to be desired to my ears, but that's not hugely important to start with.

Beginner guitars have come a long way.
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Jahan Honma
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Jahan Honma
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04/02/2013 9:05 am
Yes. I agree that 3/4 size acoustics are much easier to handle. I also think that if you have no desire to play acoustic guitars or do not plan to be a guitar teacher, you can just play electric exclusively. Or you can do what I did which is totally crazy but you can put electric guitar strings on an acoustic guitar. Hahaha! It makes the strings much easier to press. ;)
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paceinc
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paceinc
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04/02/2013 3:39 pm
I play both but try to learn everything on Acoustic, all be it a bit more difficult I think it forces you into really good technique which at our early stages is good. I try to learn all Neals licks on acoustic and some are really challenging, but worth the effort. A riff or lick a day keeps the doctor away.

Mike
# 8
Neal Walter
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Neal Walter
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04/03/2013 3:27 pm
"A riff or lick a day keeps the doctor away." hmmm..I might have to steal that one, Mike!
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# 9
Jahan Honma
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Jahan Honma
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04/04/2013 6:22 am
Hahaha. Nice one, Mike.
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# 10
Jacqs
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Jacqs
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04/18/2013 1:30 pm
Hi joshS, I am learning on a semi-acoustic (Epiphone PR5E). As a woman, my hands are a little smaller than many men's, this one has a slightly narrower neck than many acoustics, but it has an awsome sound when plugged in. However, I have been learning for a little over a year, and it has taken me until the last couple of months to be able to clamp a barre chord on it, moving between them. I am assuming I'm a little slow on this?!, Or it's symptomatic of my guitar strings / action and size for my hands. I have ordered myself an SG for my birthday, and am keen to find out the difference in playability.

good luck with whatever you choose / have already chosen.
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maggior
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maggior
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04/18/2013 2:17 pm
Hi Jacqs -

In general, an electric is easier to play than an acoustic. Typically an electric guitar will have lighter guage strings and be setup for lower action.

Taking a year to be able to comfortably do barre chords I think is not a long time...especially on an acoustic guitar. That's a huge hurdle...congrats!!! I remember the pride I felt when I was first learning when I mastered barre chords.

Based on what you said, I think the SG will be a good choice for you. Compared to Fender guitars (strats in particular), les pauls and SGs have a shorter scale length and slightly narrower neck. I'm of smaller stature and I find my les paul to be more comfortable to play than my stratocaster.
# 12
thegloor
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thegloor
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04/18/2013 4:39 pm
For me this descision is mainly about how I want to use the guitar.

With an electric guitar you can play almost every style you want but you need an amp for it. Playing tears in heaven... then turn a few switches and kill some poor rock song :)

With an accoustic or western guitar you are a bit more limited in playing hard rock stuff. But you can take it with you everywhere to play and sing.

From a teachers point of view (and I'm none ;)) I'd go with an electric guitar. So much more you can do with it. Also the students learn what all the nobs on the amps and guitars do. On an accoustic guitar there are no such additional knowledge to spread.
# 13
TravisWright
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TravisWright
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04/18/2013 5:13 pm
In a short answer...

There are pros and cons to both... they are two different beasts. I agree with what most have said... follow your heart. Whichever one you love!

PROS...

Acoustic
- Hand and finger strength develop faster...
- ease of travel, no electricity
- you can always buy an acoustic that plugs in so you can use effects n pedals 2
you can have it both ways...
- the 'woo' factor

Electric
- dexterity usually develops first since most beginners drift toward licks/shredding... hard to resist driving fast in a race car
- the effects and pedals and amps to pair with your electric are endless
- electrified music is more prevalent today than ever so your options are more.. acoustic punk rock hasn't exactly taken the world by storm yet

CONS

Acoustic
- smaller niche
- gentle nature makes it perceived as less bad ass and less exciting on the whole.. it may seem less thrilling ( not my opinion but many see it like that )
- if you electrify it, most won't know the difference but it is an acoustic

Electric
- have to have power source, cannot take it just anywhere
- more money invested... now come amps, pedals, effects, etc
- can distract/overwhelm you needing to know so much more just to play
- amp factor with neighbor factor, they are a bit more ferocious and like a race car, you wanna drive fast and loud... be respectful and get good headphones then. That way you can practice all you like at any time day or night

Hope this bit helps as well
# 14
thegloor
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thegloor
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04/19/2013 2:05 pm
Originally Posted by: TravisWright
Acoustic
...
- if you electrify it, most won't know the difference but it is an acoustic


One reason I don't like to electryfy my western guitar much is that you still hear the sound it does make, so you have to put the amp quiet loud to drown the accoustic made sound, wich conflicts with my neighbour ;)

So the neighbour factor also favors the elctric guitar as you can play them almost noiseless with the headphones.
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ShortBtwnHdset
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ShortBtwnHdset
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05/04/2013 7:00 am
I really believe in having both. There are times it's just so much simpler to pull out my acoustic and get a few minutes practice in, without having to worry about warming up my tube amp, finding my cords, setting up the right tone for my amp and pedals, etc. Also, my acoustic is a very intimate friend at times, really just speaks to me.

My electric takes a lot more preparation, and unfortunately I have five room mates, so have to use headphones, adding yet another cord tangle. But there is a lot of material I can't do on an acoustic, especially full step bends, and I can play a lot longer and faster on my electric without getting hand fatigue.

Getting geared up for electric is a lot more expensive!!!
# 16
Jacqs
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Jacqs
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05/06/2013 7:31 pm
Okay, in the debate I earlier mentioned my new SG I was buying myself, well it's arrived! Okay, been playing semi-acoustic for a little over a year, and was enjoying it, but got stuck a few times. I didn't know why, but I couldn't do things the instructors asked. The SG is so easy!! I can switch barre chords so much easier, my fingers are not so indented and red raw sore after playing a couple of hours. I can also bend strings, and it seems so much more responsive than the semi-acoustic. . I love my old guitar, and will continue to play it. However, I'm a big believer in "different music for different needs", and now beleive that holds true for the guitars too.
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luckycanine
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luckycanine
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05/10/2013 1:33 am
Originally Posted by: rjgbourqueHi Josh, All,
You may also want to consider your finger strength. An acoustic (especially an inexpensive one) is going to be more difficult to fret. That's one of the reasons that I was told to practice with an acoustic early on, but it can be frustrating as well. With that in mind, majority opinion that you want to play what keeps you playing holds!


Lower end guitars can be set up for easier playing as well, by luthier or in some cases, depending on the problem(s), the player. In most cases its not rocket science, and guitar forums can help, as well as general online searches for particular problems.
# 18
frankht
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frankht
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05/17/2013 2:31 am
I have and like both. I'm a beginner and find myself doing most of my practice on my acoustic because I believe it builds my finger strength faster.

I love the sound of the electric guitar and like some posters have said there are some sounds you can only get with an electric. Sometimes however, it can get a little overwhelming because the electric is all about getting a specific tone with amps and processors and being a beginner I don't want the extra learning curve to interfere with the time I have just to practice the basics.
# 19

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