Have you ever heard an acoustic guitar that sounds amazing unplugged, but then it gets lost when you try to play it through an amplifier? That’s a common problem for musicians! Many guitarists love the warm, natural feel of an acoustic guitar, but they also need the volume and versatility to play live shows or record in a studio. This is where the electric acoustic guitar steps in, offering the best of both worlds.
Choosing the right electro-acoustic can feel overwhelming. Do you need a built-in tuner? What about different pickup types, like under-saddle or soundhole magnetic? Getting these details wrong means you might end up with a guitar that sounds thin or artificial when plugged in, defeating the whole purpose!
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what makes a great electro-acoustic guitar, explaining the technology in simple terms. By the end, you will know exactly what features matter most for your playing style and budget. Get ready to find the perfect instrument that sounds incredible both acoustically and electrically!
Top Electric Acoustic Guitars 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
- 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
- Spruce Top
- Rosewood Fingerboard & Bridge
- System 68 Pick-Up
- Gig bag Included
- 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
- 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.
- Solid Sitka Spruce Top
- Nato Back & Sides
- Rosewood Fingerboard & Bridge
- Diecast Tuners
- 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
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Electric Acoustic Guitars
Thinking about buying an electric acoustic guitar? That’s exciting! These guitars let you play unplugged like a regular acoustic, but you can also plug them into an amplifier to play loud. This guide helps you choose the best one for you.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop, certain parts make a big difference in how the guitar sounds and feels. Focus on these key features:
- Pickup System: This is the most important part for plugging in. Look for systems like Piezo pickups (under the bridge) or magnetic soundhole pickups. Better systems capture a clearer sound.
- Preamp/Onboard Controls: A good preamp lets you adjust the sound directly on the guitar. Look for volume, EQ (treble, mid, bass), and sometimes a built-in tuner. A built-in tuner is super handy!
- Body Style: Do you want a big, deep sound or something thin and easy to hold? Dreadnoughts are big and loud. Concert or Auditorium styles are smaller and often more comfortable for beginners.
- Cutaway: A cutaway is a scoop taken out of the body near the neck. This feature lets you reach the highest frets easily. If you plan to play solos high up the neck, get a cutaway model.
Important Materials Matter
The wood used in an acoustic guitar deeply affects its tone (how it sounds). Quality materials usually mean better sound over time.
Top Wood (Soundboard)
The top wood vibrates the most, so it’s crucial. Solid tops are always better than laminated (plywood) tops. Solid Spruce or Cedar are the most common and offer bright, clear sounds.
Back and Sides
Mahogany gives a warm, woody tone. Rosewood often provides richer overtones and a deeper bass sound. These woods contribute to the guitar’s overall voice.
Neck and Fretboard
Most good guitars use Mahogany for the neck and Rosewood or Ebony for the fretboard. A solid neck resists warping better, keeping the guitar in tune longer.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all electric acoustics are made equal. Some simple things really affect the quality you receive.
Things That Improve Quality:
- Solid Wood Top: This lets the guitar “open up” and sound better as you play it more.
- Good Tuning Machines (Tuners): Metal gears that hold tuning well mean less frustration.
- Proper Setup: A professional setup ensures the strings are the right height off the fretboard (called the “action”). Low action makes playing much easier.
Things That Reduce Quality:
- Laminated Tops: These guitars sound fine when plugged in, but the unplugged acoustic sound is often flat.
- Cheap Electronics: Poor quality pickups produce a noisy, thin sound when amplified.
- Poor Finish Work: Rough edges or sloppy paint jobs suggest the builders rushed the job.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about where and how you want to use your new guitar.
For Beginners:
Look for a comfortable body size (like a Concert size) and a good built-in tuner. A guitar with lower action saves your fingers pain while you build calluses. You do not need the most expensive electronics yet.
For Stage Performers:
Stage players need reliable electronics. Look for guitars with professional-grade preamps that offer feedback suppression (stops that annoying howling sound when you play loud). A cutaway is almost essential for accessing higher notes during solos.
For Home Recording/Songwriters:
Focus heavily on the quality of the wood and the pickup system. Since you are recording, the pure acoustic tone matters as much as the plugged-in sound. A solid top will give you the best recording results.
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) that let you plug it into an amplifier or sound system. A regular acoustic guitar does not.
Q: Do electric acoustic guitars sound good unplugged?
A: Yes, they do! They function just like a standard acoustic guitar when you do not plug them in. However, guitars with solid wood tops usually sound better acoustically.
Q: What does “action” mean?
A: Action is the height of the strings above the fretboard. Low action means the strings are closer, making the guitar easier to press down and play.
Q: Should I buy a guitar with a cutaway or without?
A: If you want to easily play notes on the very top part of the neck (the highest frets), choose a model with a cutaway. If you mostly play chords near the headstock, you don’t need one.
Q: What is a preamp on an acoustic guitar?
A: The preamp is the control unit built into the side of the guitar. It boosts the signal from the pickup and lets you adjust volume and tone before the sound goes to the amp.
Q: Are laminated tops bad?
A: Laminated tops are cheaper and more durable against humidity changes. They are fine for beginners, but solid tops offer superior acoustic tone quality.
Q: How much should I expect to spend on a decent beginner model?
A: You can find very playable beginner electric acoustic guitars starting around \$200 to \$350. Better quality usually starts around \$400 and up.
Q: Do I need to buy an amplifier right away?
A: No, you do not need an amp immediately. You can play it just like a regular acoustic guitar until you are ready to practice with others or perform.
Q: How do I keep my electric acoustic guitar in good shape?
A: Keep it away from extreme heat or cold. Change the strings regularly, and try to keep the humidity stable in the room where you store it.
Q: What is feedback, and how do I stop it?
A: Feedback is that loud, howling noise that happens when you play loud through an amp. Good preamps have built-in controls to reduce this noise, or you can stand farther away from your amplifier.
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