Ever played an acoustic guitar and wished you could hear it clearly in a loud band? Maybe you love the warm, natural sound of an acoustic but dream of plugging it into an amp for bigger shows. That’s where the electric acoustic guitar steps in! It offers the best of both worlds, blending traditional acoustic feel with electric power.
But choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Do you need a built-in tuner? What about different pickups? Many players get stuck trying to balance great sound, comfortable playability, and budget. Finding the perfect crossover instrument shouldn’t feel like a puzzle.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down everything you need to know—from understanding preamps to finding the best body shape for your style. By the end, you will confidently know exactly which electric acoustic guitar fits your musical needs.
Let’s dive in and explore the fantastic world where wood meets wire!
Top Electric Acoustic Guitar Recommendations
- AN AMERICAN ORIGINAL 130 years of history is at the root of our foundation building high quality instruments. Many of the biggest names in music have played Washburn and some of the most significant trendsetting songs has been played on a Washburn
- THE GO-TO COMPANION The Washburn WA90CE dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar is a go-to companion for the living room, the campfire or the stage, with a solid balance of stability, tone and aesthetics
- BODY & FINISH The cutaway makes it easy to reach the uppermost frets. It has Okoume wood back and sides, and Transparent Black Burst color with gloss finish. The WA90CE is ideal for strumming, playing some blues or bluegrass flat picking
- BARCUS BERRY ELECTRONICS The Barcus Berry LX4 preamp with built-in tuner means you’ll always be ready to plug in and in perfect tune. Bass, Middle, Treble, Presence, Volume, Tuner on/off controls makes this perfect to take anywhere and play anytime!
- ALL-IN-ONE ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC GUITAR KIT: No need to purchase any additional accessories, this all-inclusive set comes with an amplifier, gig bag, strap, pick set, and more
- ULTIMATE BEGINNERS & INTERMEDIATE GUITAR: Experiment with the sound settings to better fit your genre and style; adjust the treble, bass, middle, tone, and volume from the guitar's body and amplifier
- PLAY ACOUSTIC OR ELECTRIC: This classic guitar can be plugged into an amplifier for a customizable electric tone, or played without one for an acoustic sound. A headphone jack in the amplifier lets you practice privately without disturbing those around
- FIT FOR ALL AGES: Playing guitar is easy for beginners and experienced players alike with 11 accessories including a pick-guard that keeps your guitar body scratch-free
- SOLID SPRUCE TOP TONE: The spruce top delivers clear, articulate sound with strong projection, while basswood back and sides add warmth and balance for versatile playing
- MODERN REDONDO BODY SHAPE: Fender’s Redondo cutaway design offers a bold look, comfortable feel, and easy upper-fret access for smooth strumming and lead playing
- SMOOTH WALNUT FRETBOARD: The walnut fretboard provides a natural, responsive feel, supporting effortless chord changes and comfortable extended practice sessions
- STAGE-READY ELECTRONICS: Built-in pickup system enables easy amplification for live performances, rehearsals, and recording use
- DREADNOUGHT BODY WITH CUTAWAY: The Fender FA Series guitar features a cutaway design, providing easy access to higher frets while maintaining the bold, full-bodied tone of a traditional dreadnought
- FENDER FE-A2 ELECTRONICS WITH ONBOARD TUNER: Equipped with Fender FE-A2 electronics, this guitar features a built-in tuner and an easy-to-use preamp system, delivering great amplified sound and convenient tuning on the go
- ALL-LAMINATE CONSTRUCTION: Built with an all-laminate body, this guitar offers enhanced durability and resistance to environmental changes, making it a reliable choice for various playing conditions
- SEALED-GEAR TUNING MACHINES: The sealed-gear tuning machines provide stable tuning and precise adjustments, ensuring your guitar stays in tune for longer playing sessions
- ALL-IN-ONE ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC GUITAR KIT: No need to purchase any additional accessories, this all-inclusive set comes with an amplifier, gig bag, strap, pick set, and more
- ULTIMATE BEGINNERS & INTERMEDIATE GUITAR: Experiment with the sound settings to better fit your genre and style; adjust the treble, bass, middle, tone, and volume from the guitar's body and amplifier
- PLAY ACOUSTIC OR ELECTRIC: This classic guitar can be plugged into an amplifier for a customizable electric tone, or played without one for an acoustic sound. A headphone jack in the amplifier lets you practice privately without disturbing those around
- FIT FOR ALL AGES: Playing guitar is easy for beginners and experienced players alike with 11 accessories including a pick-guard that keeps your guitar body scratch-free
- UNIQUE DESIGH: The 6 strings 41-inch acoustic electric guitar uses cutaway design: a cut at the junction of the body and neck makes the treble frets easier to reach when playing. The matte black combined with the distressed effect makes this guitar look unusual. Smooth and coherent high-bass switching coupled with eye-catching appearance will make you the most dazzling star at a party or on stage.
- COMPLETE ACCESSORIES KIT: The all-in-one acoustic electric guitar kit includes an 15W amplifier, clip-on tuner, guitar bag, strap, picks, cable, spare strings and a wrench. You don't need to buy any additional accessories. It is convenient for beginners who can use it right out of the box.
- CONSIDERATE FEATURES: In addition to the on-board 4-band EQ with low-battery-display which can freely adjust bass, mid-range, treble and presence, the beginners guitar also has an inbuilt tuner. Just install 1 9V battery (not included) on the bottom of the guitar and it's ready to use. The 18: 1 gear and chrome tuning pegs make tuning efficient.
- FABULOUS SOUND: The acoustic guitar with basswood body, maple wood neck and laurel wood fretboard provides excellent sound effects and atmosphere for playing. Phosphor bronze strings make the guitar's timbre crisper and brighter.
- ♫ WHY CARBON FIBER - Nova Go SP1 is made of carbon fiber composite material, which means it's impervious to temperature and humidity change. Taking it on travels, to chill on a beach with the hot bright sun up above, or to a hiking trip deep in a mountain, or even further to shoot some beautiful Instagram posts in a snow land, this Nova Go SP1 carbon fiber acoustic-electric guitar would stay stable, with no warp nor cracks. That's the definite edge of carbon fiber guitars.
- ♫ WHERE THINGS GET INTERESTING - The absolute differentiator of this guitar is that it’s equipped with the SP1 pickup system. It gets you reverb, delay, and fusion effects on your bare guitar, unplugged. No pedals nor amps are needed. There’s a little speaker inside the body of the guitar, which produces these effects sound, and it can be also used for music playback via Bluetooth.
- ♫ A PRODUCTIVITY WORKHORSE - SP1 pickup system not only allows you to have tons of fun unplugged. But if you plug it into an amp or PA, this Nova Go SP1 carbon fiber acoustic-electric guitar becomes a workhorse for you to gig with. What’s more, SP1 comes with USB On-The-Go connectivity. You can plug it directly into your phone or PC to record any creative ideas without needing an audio interface.
- ♫ SOLID BUILD & EASY TO PLAY - The body of this Nova Go SP1 carbon fiber acoustic-electric Guitarra is 1/2 sized (35 in.), molded all in one piece, meaning that the bridge is a cohesive part of the top, not glued upon like traditional acoustic guitars. It would never snap or fall off. Meanwhile, we've put a truss rod into the neck, giving your more adjustability for the string action, even though the factory setup is already optimum. Also, the Zero Fret feature is added for smoother tuning.
- Acoustic-electric Guitar with White Siris Top
- Nandu Fingerboard - Open-pore Natural
- White Siris Back Sides
- Meranti Neck
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Your Electric Acoustic Guitar
Choosing an electric acoustic guitar can feel tricky. You want the warm sound of an acoustic but the option to plug in and rock out. This guide breaks down what you need to know so you buy the perfect instrument.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, focus on these important parts:
1. The Pickup System
This is what makes an acoustic “electric.” Pickups capture the string vibrations and send them to an amplifier. Look for systems with built-in tuners and tone controls (like bass, mid, and treble). A good preamp (the control panel) gives you better sound control live.
2. Body Shape and Size
Acoustic guitars come in different shapes. Dreadnoughts are big and loud, perfect for strumming. Concert or Grand Auditorium shapes are smaller and more comfortable for fingerpicking or smaller players. Consider how the guitar feels in your lap.
3. The Cutaway
Many electric acoustics feature a “cutaway”—a scoop taken out of the lower bout (the bottom part of the body near the neck). This feature lets you easily reach the higher frets. If you plan to play solos high up the neck, a cutaway is essential.
Important Materials Matter
The wood used in a guitar greatly affects its tone and price.
- Top Wood (Soundboard): This is the most important piece. Solid Spruce tops produce the best, richest sound that improves over time. Laminate (layered) tops are cheaper and tougher against humidity changes, but the sound isn’t as deep.
- Back and Sides: Mahogany gives a warm, focused sound. Rosewood provides deep lows and bright highs, offering a rich, complex tone.
- Neck: Most necks use Mahogany or Maple. A good neck feels smooth and holds tuning well.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Quality isn’t just about the name on the headstock. Pay attention to construction details.
What Improves Quality:
- Solid Wood Construction: Guitars made with solid tops (even if the back and sides are laminate) offer superior sound projection.
- Good Tuners: Quality machine heads (the pegs you turn to tune) hold pitch reliably.
- Comfortable Action: The “action” is the height of the strings above the fretboard. Low, comfortable action makes playing easier.
What Reduces Quality:
- Cheap Electronics: Poorly made pickups introduce unwanted noise or a thin, weak amplified sound.
- Laminate Everything: A guitar made entirely of laminate wood usually sounds flat.
- Poor Fretwork: If the edges of the frets feel sharp, it means the manufacturer rushed the finishing process.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about where and how you will use your guitar.
For Beginners:
Look for a guitar with a narrower neck profile and a cutaway. These features make learning easier. A built-in tuner saves you money on accessories.
For Stage Performers:
Reliable electronics are key. You need a guitar that sounds good plugged straight into a PA system without much fuss. Dreadnought shapes usually offer the best volume when playing unplugged with a group.
For Home Practice/Recording:
Focus more on the acoustic tone. A solid wood top will shine when you record directly, giving you a beautiful, natural sound that electronics can only try to copy.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Electric Acoustic Guitars
Q: What is the main difference between an acoustic and an electric acoustic guitar?
A: An electric acoustic guitar has built-in electronics (pickups and preamps) that let you plug it into an amplifier or sound system. A standard acoustic guitar cannot do this easily.
Q: Do electric acoustics sound as good unplugged as regular acoustics?
A: Generally, yes, especially if the guitar has a solid wood top. The body shape and wood are what create the acoustic sound; the electronics only change the sound when you plug in.
Q: What is the role of the preamp?
A: The preamp boosts the signal from the pickup and gives you controls to shape the tone (like adjusting the bass or treble) before the sound goes out to the amp.
Q: Should I buy a guitar with a solid top or a laminate top?
A: If your budget allows, always choose a solid top. Solid wood vibrates better, creating a richer, louder, and more nuanced tone over time.
Q: What is “action,” and why is it important?
A: Action is the height of the strings above the fretboard. Low action means you press the strings down easily, which is great for beginners and fast playing.
Q: Do I need an amplifier to play an electric acoustic guitar?
A: No, you can play it just like a regular acoustic guitar without plugging it in. The electronics only matter when you need more volume.
Q: How does body size affect the sound?
A: Larger bodies (like Dreadnoughts) usually produce a louder, bass-heavy sound perfect for strumming. Smaller bodies sound quieter but are often clearer for fingerpicking.
Q: What does a cutaway do for me?
A: The cutaway is a scoop near the neck. It lets your fretting hand reach the higher notes on the strings more easily for solos.
Q: Are expensive brands always better?
A: Not always. Many mid-range brands offer fantastic quality, especially in their solid-top models. Focus on the materials and how the guitar feels to you.
Q: How do I keep my electric acoustic guitar in good shape?
A: Keep it away from extreme heat or cold, which can damage the wood and electronics. Change the strings regularly, and wipe down the body after playing.
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