I have had a few people ask me on my acoustic-electric guitar buyers guide what is an acoustic-electric guitar. So I figured I would do an article giving a brief explanation on what does an acoustic-electric guitar mean.
The term acoustic-electric comes from the style of guitar and the use of electronic pickups with this style of guitar. The style is acoustic as opposed to a solid-body electric guitar. The electronics used with the guitar make it designated electric. Sometimes people call this type of guitar an electro-acoustic guitar.
An acoustic-electric guitar is a hybrid instrument that combines the best of both worlds – the natural, mellow sound of an acoustic guitar, and the power and projection of an electric guitar.
- Section 1: What Is The Main Difference Between An Acoustic And Electric Guitar?
- Section 2: How Does An Acoustic-electric Guitar Work?
- Section 3: What Are The Advantages Of An Acoustic-electric Guitar?
- Section 4: What Are The Disadvantages Of An Acoustic-electric Guitar?
- Section 5: What Makes An Acoustic-Electric Guitar Unique?
- Section 6: History Of The Acoustic-Electric Guitar
- Frequently Asked Questions About Acoustic-Electric Guitars
- Conclusion:
- Sources:

Section 1: What Is The Main Difference Between An Acoustic And Electric Guitar?
A standard acoustic guitar is made up of a body and neck with strings that are played with fingers. An electric guitar has a hollow body and electric pickups that are used to create the sound. There are many differences between an acoustic and electric guitar, but the main one is that an acoustic guitar is played without any electronic amplification, while an electric guitar can be amplified to create a louder sound.
Section 2: How Does An Acoustic-electric Guitar Work?
An acoustic-electric guitar is a type of electric guitar that uses an acoustic body and an electric Piezo pickup to create an electric guitar sound. Acoustic-electric guitars are popular because they allow players to retain the natural sound of an acoustic guitar, without the need for an amplifier.
Section 3: What Are The Advantages Of An Acoustic-electric Guitar?
An acoustic-electric guitar is a type of guitar that uses an electric pickup to amplify the sound of the acoustic guitar. Acoustic-electric guitars are popular because they allow players to mimic the sound of an electric guitar without having to purchase an electric guitar. Additionally, acoustic-electric guitars are versatile and popular instruments that can be used for a variety of genres.
Section 4: What Are The Disadvantages Of An Acoustic-electric Guitar?
There are a few disadvantages of acoustic-electric guitars. First, they are not as portable as their acoustic counterparts. They also tend to be more expensive than acoustic guitars. Lastly, they don’t produce as much sound as normal acoustic guitars.
Section 5: What Makes An Acoustic-Electric Guitar Unique?
1. The size and shape of the body
An acoustic-electric guitar typically has a size and shape similar to that of a traditional acoustic guitar, but with an electronic pickup system installed. Some acoustic-electric guitars may have a single electric pickup, while others may have multiple pickups. Most acoustic-electric guitars have a body made of wood or other material, with a neck made of wood or other material. Just like their acoustic counterparts, they also project sound out of a soundhole.
2. The type of wood used
Acoustic-electric guitars are typically made of alder wood, a hard, light wood that is well-suited to the construction of an acoustic guitar. Other popular woods used for acoustic-electric guitars include maple, mahogany, and basswood. along with spruce for the solid spruce top.
3. The type of bridge
An acoustic-electric guitar has a bridge that transfers the vibrations from the strings to the body of the guitar. This bridge may be a fixed bridge or a tremolo bridge. A fixed bridge has no moving parts and does not allow the strings to vibrate freely. A tremolo bridge, on the other hand, has a series of springs that allow the strings to vibrate up and down, creating a vibrato effect.
4. The guitar pickups
Acoustic-electric guitars use pickups to convert the vibration of the strings into an electrical signal. These pickups can be either internal or external and can be either a single-coil or double-coil magnetic pickup, piezoelectric pickup, or a condenser mic pickup.
5. The guitar tuners
The guitar tuners are essential to keeping your guitar in tune. They use a small gear that turns the tuning pegs on the guitar. The gear can get dirty over time, so it’s important to keep it clean and lubricated.
6. The guitar strings
Guitar strings are typically made of nylon, copper, or steel. The type of string a guitar is equipped with will affect its sound. Acoustic guitars typically use nylon strings, while electric guitars use either copper or steel strings.
7. The power source
Most acoustic-electric guitars need a power source to power the guitar pickups. This is usually done with a 9v battery.
8. The volume Control
Acoustic-electric guitars also have electronic components such as volume control and possibly a couple of eq tone controls as well.
Section 6: History Of The Acoustic-Electric Guitar
The acoustic-electric guitar is one of the types of guitars that is plugged into an amplifier to make it louder. It was first invented in the 1930s.
The History of the Acoustic-Electric Guitar
The acoustic-electric guitar was invented in the early 1900s and was originally used as a regular acoustic guitar replacement for the electric guitar. Over time, the acoustic-electric guitar has evolved into its own distinct genre of music. Today, the acoustic-electric guitar is used primarily as a solo instrument, but it can also be used in duo and band settings.
The Benefits of the Acoustic-Electric Guitar
The acoustic-electric guitar is a type of guitar that uses an electric guitar pickup to convert the vibrations of the strings into electric signals that can be processed and played through an amplifier. Acoustic-electric guitars are popular because they offer the benefits of an electric guitar without the need for a separate amplifier and battery. Acoustic-electric guitars are often used in genres such as country, blues, and rockabilly. They are also useful for beginners because they are easier to learn than traditional electric guitars.
The Different Types of Acoustic-Electric Guitars
There are many different types of acoustic-electric guitars, each with its own unique features and capabilities. Some of the most common types of acoustic-electric guitars include the classical guitar, the steel-string acoustic guitar, and the electric guitar. Each of these guitars has its own unique sound and capabilities and can be used to create a variety of different sounds.
It was in the 1950s that Gibson Guitars first attempted to produce an acoustic-electric guitar. However, it did not provide a very good acoustic sound.
It wasn’t until Country Music legend Glenn Campbell, who recently passed away after battling Alzheimer’s Disease asked Ovation Guitars to make him an acoustic-electric guitar that the modern version of the acoustic-electric guitar was born and is used in live performances around the world.
Watch Glen Campbell Play The William Tell Overture On An Acoustic-Electric Guitar
If anything can show you what does an acoustic-electric guitar mean it is Glen Campbell playing the William Tell Overture
Frequently Asked Questions About Acoustic-Electric Guitars
What is an acoustic-electric guitar vs acoustic?
An acoustic-electric guitar is a type of guitar that combines the sound of a normal acoustic guitar with the standard electric guitar’s amplified sound. Acoustic-electric guitars are typically made of wood and can be played like an acoustic guitar, or they can be plugged into an electric guitar amp and played like an electric guitar. You can even get acoustic-electric classical guitars.
What is a good amp for an acoustic-electric guitar?
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing an amp for acoustic-electric guitars. The type of guitar, the player’s experience, and the music they want to play all need to be considered. However, some general tips to follow include choosing an amp with a lot of headroom and plenty of volume, as well as one that has a variety of features to help the player customize their sound.
What is a preamp on an electric acoustic guitar?
Preamps are electronic devices that are used on electric acoustic guitars to boost the signal before it is sent to the amplifier. A preamp system can make the acoustic guitar sound brighter and fuller-sounding.
Can you play an acoustic-electric guitar without plugging it in?
Yes, you can play an acoustic-electric guitar without plugging it in. However, doing so may result in poorer sound quality.
Is acoustic-electric guitar good for beginners?
If you’re a beginner looking for your first guitar, acoustic-electric guitars can be a great option. They’re generally easier to play than traditional acoustic guitars, and they often have more variety of sounds and styles available. Acoustic-electric guitars are also typically less expensive than traditional electric guitars, making them a good option for beginner guitarists looking for the right guitar for them.
Do acoustic-electric guitars sound good?
Acoustic-electric guitars are a type of guitar that uses an electric pickup to amplify the sound of the acoustic guitar. They are often used in genres such as blues, country, and rock. Acoustic-electric guitars can either have a single or double-cutaway design, and they come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. Some acoustic-electric guitars have a hollow body design, which gives them a brighter sound. The sound of the guitar is usually best when either plugged into an acoustic amp or a pa system.
Conclusion:
An acoustic-electric guitar may be the best choice for anyone who wants the best of both worlds. It’s perfect for acoustic gigs, where you need the natural sound of an acoustic guitar, and for electric gigs, where you need the power and projection of an electric guitar.
Thank you for reading our article on what is an acoustic-electric guitar!