If you’re choosing between acoustic versus electric guitar, there’s a pretty significant difference between them. But which one is right for you? Many people choose one over the other because they believe there are notable benefits to each. So let’s take a closer look at each, and see which one you’ll enjoy most.
Price
For new guitar players, the obvious difference is the price. Acoustic guitars cost more than electric ones, because they are made of heavier wood, and because they need to be left outdoors in the weather. However, there are some benefits to learning acoustic sooner rather than later. The main advantage for beginners to learning to play the acoustic is that it requires less effort and less time out of your day to master.
The only major drawback of learning to play the acoustic is that you won’t start out playing awesome lead riffs like you would with an electric guitar. For beginners, this may not be a problem. You can start out by strumming with a few simple chords and slowly building up your rhythm guitar part until you can hold down some solid chords and a good rhythm. Electric guitars give you a lot more freedom to really create some awesome riffs. You’ll still need to learn the basic chord patterns, but you can try some advanced techniques with the frets of your acoustic.
Strings
Another difference between the two is that acoustic guitars usually require a heavier gauge string. Strings have a diameter that corresponds with the size of the strings. If you get a heavy gauge string (such as a ten-hole nylon string), you’ll find that acoustic guitars are harder to hold down. It’s also harder for you to keep the weight of the strings down because the strings are much heavier.
This isn’t a big deal for most new guitarists. However, if you’re a beginner and struggling with your strumming, an acoustic might be a better option for you. This will help you learn how to control the speed at which you strum so that you don’t get frustrated. Once you know how to strum on the acoustic, you can move on to the new electric. But remember, it’s always better to start out with an acoustic.
Tremolo bars
Some acoustic guitars, such as the Epiphone models, also have tremolo bars. These allow you to do things like double and triple tremolo on one single string. Electric guitars, on the other hand, have none at all. Because of this, some people believe that playing an acoustic guitar gives you a more “organic” sound.
The only real difference here is that you’ll have to strum the strings with fewer fingers. This may take some time to get used to but once you do, it makes playing the rhythm guitar part so much easier. It’s definitely a step up from using all 12 strings. But as you get more experienced and become a very fast strummer, then maybe switching to an electric would be a better option.
Finally
Keep in mind that electric guitars are more expensive to buy new. Acoustic guitars are cheaper and you can often find used ones for a lot less money. If you shop around, you’ll probably be able to find a good used one for next to nothing. This is a great way to be able to start out with your own musical instrument, practice with it, and build up your skills without breaking the bank. As always, you need to make sure that you do your research so that you get one that’s exactly right for you!