Acoustic or Electric Guitar: Which One Is Best for You?

If you want to start playing guitars, you are probably facing the dilemma of choosing between acoustic and electric models. The internet has plenty of good (and bad) advice on the better choice of the two.

In this guide, we discuss both options to help you make an informed decision before starting your lessons. Below are the factors that can help you choose between electric and acoustic guitars.

Preferred Type of Music

Your preferred type of music should be the first consideration factor when shopping for a guitar. If you like folk music, acoustic guitars are the better choice. For lovers of rock music, electric guitars are the ideal option.

Learning rock music on an acoustic guitar doesn’t feel right and produces terrible sounds. This is because classical guitars can make distorted tunes.

Similarly, it can be frustrating to play folk songs on electric guitars. Regardless of this ease of playing, the sound output will be disappointing if you don’t choose a type that suits your preferred genre.

Mobility and Accessibility

One advantage of acoustic guitars over electric models is their mobility. After you finish playing, all you need to do is place them in a case.  This makes them ideal for people who desire to play beside a campfire or while walking on the street. 

With electric guitars, mobility is challenging. This is because you need an amplifier, power supply and a set of cables. Because of this additional gear, you will need more room if you want to play your electric guitar.

Regarding accessibility, acoustic guitars are the better option. You can start playing by picking up your equipment from its case. With electric guitars, you have to spend minutes setting up the connections.

Lap Comfort

As the name suggests, lap comfort is the amount of stress a guitar places on your guitar while playing. The size of a guitar determines how a guitar feels on your lap when in use.

Electric guitars offer more comfort than their acoustic counterparts because they have a slim and contoured design. Acoustic guitars are less comfortable since they are usually bigger and bulkier.

That said, lap comfort is not a significant concern to adult players. However, it is an issue for shorter adults and children, as it can influence sound output quality. For instance, a child might find it challenging to reach the fretboard when playing a full-size acoustic guitar. 

Finger Playability

Another difference between acoustic and electric guitars is how they feel under your fingers when playing. One of the reasons I prefer acoustic guitars is that they have nylon strings that feel comfortable under your fingers.

The string tension in acoustic guitars is lower than in electric guitars. This means that you don’t have to press down hard when playing a note.

It is worth noting that everyone feels discomfort when starting. This makes it unwise to choose a guitar based on finger playability alone. Whatever you choose, your fingers will toughen up over time.

Conclusion

As seen above, each type of guitar has its advantages and disadvantages. The most crucial factor to consider when choosing a guitar is the genre of music you want to play. Then, you can move on to other factors like comfort and ease of playing.

Also Read- Guide to Buy Classical Guitar String