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
- ♫ 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.
- [Well-Balanced Tone]: The acoustic-electric guitar features a spruce top with mahogany sides and back, creating a rich, balanced, and bright sound. The dreadnought body of the full-size acoustic-electric guitar, enhanced X-bracing, and high-quality finishes ensure stability while minimizing sound loss
- [User-Friendly Design]: With a type C profile neck and smooth fret ends, you can navigate frets quickly without fear of injury. The low string action design of the electric acoustic guitar reduces pressure, making it perfect for beginners and those practicing for extended periods
- [Stage-Ready Features]: The built-in 4-Band EQ (Bass, Middle, Treble, and Presto) and volume control allow you to connect to acoustic amps, mixers, or PA systems, making it ideal for live performances and studio recordings
- [Fast Tuning & Stability]: Equipped with 18:1 ratio gears, this acoustic electric guitar offers precise tuning compared to standard 15:1 gears. The sealed nickel-plated tuning pegs are durable and anti-dust, ensuring you stay in tune longer and tune up easily
- One right-handed Fender California Debut Redondo CE acoustic guitar – a perfect beginner guitar for all ages
- Designed by the most trusted name in guitar and backed by a 75-year legacy of quality and craftsmanship
- This beginner guitar comes with a 30-day subscription to Fender Play that includes lessons with thousands of instructional videos to build your skills by playing the songs you love, all with no additional cost
- The California Debut Redondo Series Acoustic Guitar features the iconic 6-in-line Fender headstock shape and dreadnought body shape with a reslient laminate construction for durability
- 【Acoustic-Electric】: Built-in passive guitar pickup for amplified use, with volume control ranging from 0 to 100 and tone adjustment from ±10, allowing for various tonal preferences
- 【Slim Body with Rich Sound】: Equipped with a spruce top and slim body design, it offers portability, elegance, and comfortable playability, delivering a richer, brighter sound with a balanced tone and a full mid-range
- 【Full-Size Cutaway Design】: The 41-inch acoustic electric guitar with a cutaway body provides a full and vibrant tone, versatile for all styles of music
- 【Easy Playability】: Classic all-wood cutaway gloss body with highly translucent paint and high-precision polishing process, showcases delicate wood grain for a comfortable feel and exquisite craftsmanship 【Note: Due to the high-precision polishing process, color and wood grain may vary under different lighting conditions】
- FULL SCALE GUITAR LENGTH: 41” size guitar best for students 12 years and older. Lessons, recitals, band rehearsals, performances, or practicing at home. It has spruce body style great for beginners and children learning to play guitar
- ELECTRIC EQ HARDWARE: Plug it into an amplifier and go electric. This electric-acoustic guitar is equipped w/ 4-band equalizer which includes onboard digital tuner, volume bass middle treble & presence control, low-battery display
- CUTAWAY W/ NATURAL MATTE FINISH: Handcrafted construction with spruce plywood body w/ linden plywood at the back & sides, natural matte finish w/ white ABS & celluloid inlays binding, X-shape bracing, 2-way truss rod, and full die-cast machine head
- STEEL STRINGS: Provide brighter crisper sound than nylon alternatives. Total Length: 30”; Scale Length: 20.3”; Body Length: 14.6”; Fingerboard Material: high-density man-made wood; Frets:20; Body Material: Spruce plywood, Linden plywood
- Thin-line cutaway Body design for exceptional playability
- 25" Scale Length and narrower string spacing for Enhanced comfort
- New scalloped bracing pattern for increased bass response
- Abalone sound hole rosette
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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