Acoustic or Electric Guitar – Which Guitar is Best for a Beginner?

Making the choice on what type of guitar to start with as a beginner is a common question we are asked here at George’s Music.  In one corner, you have artists that exclusively use acoustic guitars, and on the other artists that are strictly known for their electric guitar prowess.

And the vague answer is – there is no clear cut answer for what is ‘best’ for a rising star.  There are, however, many things to consider that might make the choice easier.

The Advantages of starting with an Acoustic Guitar:

If you want to learn the basics and become a singer/songwriter, strumming is more conducive with an acoustic guitar.  Acoustic guitars offer the freedom of just picking it up and playing – no need for power or instrument cords.

Another thing to consider is price. Acoustic guitars are generally a bit more affordable than electric guitars and take less ‘gear’ to operate. There are certainly exceptions to this, but overall if you’re just starting out, the investment with an acoustic guitar is typically less than an electric guitar.

The Advantages of Electric Guitar:

Simply based on its design, the electric guitar is great for beginners.  For anyone starting out, finger and hand strength are obstacles and here is where the electric guitar shines – it requires less effort to play and saves your hands from that initial ‘hurt’.  They are considered easier to play because the strings are thinner and not as tough to push down.  Also, the body of the electric guitar is smaller in nature than an acoustic and is, in some cases, easier to hold.

Used with an amplifier, the electric guitar generates the sound for the player, helping them create a more constructed sound with less effort.  And who doesn’t like a little overdrive with their playing to conjure up images of Jimi Hendrix?

So, is there really a better choice for beginners?  Use this advice as you begin your musical journey:

Go with your desires and what you believe will be most fun for you.  Base your decision on what suits your taste better – strumming on the deck with a few friends, you can’t go wrong with an acoustic.  Jamming out like Eddie Van Halen, the electric is the way to go.  The bottom line is we here at George’s Music will help you try both acoustic and electric guitars out so you make the right choice when starting out. 

And if you can’t decide, get one of both!

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