What's the Difference Between an Electric Guitar and an Acoustic Guitar?

Electric guitars are designed to capture the vibration of the strings using a magnetic sensor called a “pickup,” which converts the vibration into an electrical signal that is then output through an amplifier. Many electric guitars are “solid-body” models, meaning they are made from a single piece of wood without any hollow chambers inside the body. As a result, when played unplugged, the natural sound is very faint—nothing more than a faint “rattle.”

However, the greatest strength of the electric guitar lies in its ability to freely manipulate the sound due to this conversion to an electrical signal. By using Effectors to distort the sound (distortion) or add spatial depth (delay or reverb), the possibilities for sound design are endless. Furthermore, since the character of the sound changes dramatically depending on the type of pickup (such as single-coil or humbucker), the combination of electronic components—not just the type of wood—has a significant impact on the tone.

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Acoustic guitars, on the other hand, are designed to amplify sound by utilizing the resonance of the guitar body itself—a phenomenon known as “body resonance.” The interior of the body is hollow, and sound radiates out through the soundhole in the top. The vibrations created when the strings are plucked are transmitted through the bridge to the top, causing the entire body to act as a speaker and produce a rich, natural sound.

Due to this structure, the type of wood used (such as spruce, mahogany, or rosewood) and the shape of the internal bracing directly influence the tone of an acoustic guitar. Extremely subtle nuances—such as the strength of the player’s picking or the angle of their fingernails—are directly reflected in the volume and warmth of the sound. While this leaves no room for hiding imperfections, it also gives acoustic guitars a raw expressiveness that is uniquely their own.Another unique charm of acoustic guitars is the ability to enjoy the process of the wood drying out over time and the sound maturing as the instrument is played for many years.

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With an electric guitar, you can’t enjoy its true sound with just the instrument itself. At a minimum, you’ll need a cable (shielded cable) to connect the guitar to an amp, as well as a guitar amp. Furthermore, if you start adding Effectors to shape your sound, it’s realistic to expect initial costs of around 10,000 to 30,000 yen on top of the price of the guitar itself.

However, electric guitars offer a significant advantage when it comes to the practice environment. By connecting headphones to your amp, you can enjoy loud, distorted rock sounds even at night without disturbing those around you. Recently, it has become common to use an audio interface that connects directly to a smartphone or PC, allowing you to practice and record while simulating the sound of an amp using software.Given modern housing conditions, it’s safe to say that electric guitars allow you to practice without worrying about sound leakage to your neighbors. You’ll gain a flexible practice environment that’s well worth the effort of setting up the necessary equipment.

The biggest advantage of the acoustic guitar is how lightweight the equipment is. As long as you have the guitar itself, a pick, and a tuner, you can start playing right away, wherever you are. Being able to take it outdoors—to places like parks or campgrounds where there’s no power source—and play while singing is a unique charm of the acoustic guitar.

However, that rich, natural sound can sometimes be a drawback in a practice setting. When playing a standard acoustic guitar with a strong strumming technique, the volume can reach about 80 to 90 decibels—equivalent to a loud TV or a vacuum cleaner. As a result, practicing at night is extremely difficult in apartment buildings and other multi-unit residential complexes.While there are alternatives, such as muting devices that cover the soundhole or silent guitars, you need to consider whether “you can’t practice loudly anytime, anywhere” in relation to your lifestyle before making a purchase.

Electric and acoustic guitars differ in the material and gauge of their strings. Typical electric guitars are strung with thin strings (.009–.042 or .010–.046 gauge) made from soft materials like nickel. Because the strings are thin, their tension is lower, allowing you to press them down onto the frets with minimal effort. As a result, even beginners can learn to fret chords relatively quickly.

On the other hand, acoustic guitars are strung with thick strings made of hard materials such as bronze or phosphor bronze (typically .012–.053 gauge). This is because strong tension is required to produce a loud, natural sound and rich sustain (the length of time a note continues to ring).Compared to electric guitars, it takes nearly twice as much finger strength to press down the strings, which can be a hurdle as your fingertips tend to get sore until you get used to it. However, it is precisely this high tension that creates the overwhelming sound pressure and exhilarating sensation when you strum chords with force.

The neck thickness and the curvature (radius) of the fingerboard also differ between the two.Since electric guitars are designed for complex lead playing—such as fast picking and bending (a technique where you push the string upward to change the pitch)—many models feature a thin, narrow neck. This design makes it easy to grip even for people with small hands and helps prevent fatigue during long playing sessions. A body cutaway, which facilitates access to the high positions (high register), is also common.

Acoustic guitar necks are generally slightly thicker than electric guitar necks and have a solid, “kamaboko”-shaped profile to achieve rich resonance and withstand the strong tension of thicker strings. This design is well-suited for the style of singing while playing, where you firmly grip low chords (basic chords near the headstock).The different neck shapes are not a matter of “which is superior,” but rather the result of historical evolution based on the question, “What kind of music is this instrument meant to play?” When looking for a neck that feels comfortable in your hand, we recommend actually holding and comparing different models in a store.

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Staff Comments

Even though we simply call them “acoustic guitars,” your options vary greatly depending on your genre and the sound you want to achieve!
Each one is packed with elements that, once you get hooked, you won’t be able to put down—it’s a lot of fun! If you’re just
vaguely thinking, “I’d like to try playing an acoustic guitar,” we recommend starting with a folk guitar!

For those who have enjoyed playing acoustic guitar—such as accompanying their own singing—for many years, the first things that can be confusing when switching to an electric guitar are “right-hand muting” and “the subtlety of picking.” If you strum all the strings vigorously like you would on an acoustic guitar, the sound will come out as nothing but a mass of noise when played through an amp. You’ll need to master the technique of carefully muting the strings you don’t want to sound, using either your right or left hand.

For experienced acoustic guitarists, we recommend semi-acoustic guitars or models with a hollow-body construction. Because these have a hollow interior, they offer a resonance similar to an acoustic guitar, allowing the nuances of your picking to come through naturally—making the transition feel seamless. Additionally, since you’re already accustomed to a thick neck, models with a slightly thicker neck—such as a Les Paul—will likely feel comfortable in your hands.If you want to make the most of your acoustic strumming style, a Telecaster—which excels at crisp, snappy cutting—is also a strong contender. When searching for a new companion, be sure to include used electric guitars that are easy for acoustic guitarists to play; you might just stumble upon an unexpected gem.

For players accustomed to electric guitar lead playing and power chords, the biggest hurdles when switching to acoustic guitar are “string stiffness and string height.” If you play an acoustic guitar with the same technique you use for frequent bending on an electric, you’ll likely be surprised by the strain on your fingers. Additionally, since playability in the higher frets isn’t as good as on an electric guitar, you’ll need to adjust how you construct your phrasing.

For electric guitarists looking to switch to acoustic, we recommend smaller-bodied “OM (Orchestra Model)” or “000 (Triple-O)” guitars. Compared to larger bodies like the Dreadnought, these are easier to hold, and their necks are often relatively thinner, making the transition from electric guitar much less stressful.Furthermore, choosing a model with a cutaway—which makes the higher frets easier to play—or an Electric Acoustic guitar (an acoustic guitar that can be plugged into an amp) will make it easier to integrate into a band ensemble. Selecting a used acoustic guitar made from wood that has been properly seasoned and has already developed a rich tone from the start is also a wise choice unique to experienced players.

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Staff Comment

When choosing an acoustic guitar, the time spent considering specifications like materials and body shapes can be both a headache and a lot of fun!
The points above are merely general trends—there’s no rule stating that a particular guitar “can’t be used for this genre” or “isn’t suitable.” Don’t overthink
it—it’s perfectly fine to just pick up a guitar that catches your eye!

Working backward from your preferred music genre is the most reliable way to choose.

・You want to form a band and play
rock, pop, metal, etc. ・You want to cover solos (such as fast-paced playing) by your favorite guitarists. ・You want to enjoy creating various sounds using
Effectors.

If any of these apply to you, go ahead and choose an electric guitar without hesitation. Only an electric guitar can deliver the versatile sounds that let you take center stage in a band ensemble.

On the other hand,

• If you want to sing and play songs like Yuzu or Aimyon • If you want to try
solo guitar (a style where you play the melody and accompaniment at the same time) • If you want to enjoy the acoustic sound anywhere—whether at a
campsite or outdoors

then an acoustic guitar is the perfect choice. The warmth unique to an unamplified instrument and the convenience of being able to create a complete musical experience with just one instrument are irreplaceable charms.

If you’re equally interested in both, choosing based on your current living situation is a good approach. For working professionals and students living in condos or apartments who can only find time to practice at night, an electric guitar—which allows you to practice almost silently with headphones—is by far the best choice. The stress of being unable to practice because of noise concerns ranks among the top reasons people give up on playing the guitar.

Conversely, acoustic guitars are ideal for those who live in a single-family home with few noise restrictions, or for those who find it a hassle to assemble various pieces of equipment and just want to start strumming as soon as they pick up the instrument. Since the initial cost is lower and there’s no hassle with wiring, you can enjoy music intuitively. By looking for a well-maintained used guitar—a reliable choice even for beginners—you can get an instrument that’s a step above your budget.

Find a used guitar that’s been adjusted for easy playability

Staff Comment

Scale length, nut width, and neck shape are crucial factors that affect both playability and sound! It would be counterproductive to prioritize
sound characteristics over playability and end up with a guitar that’s hard to play, so we recommend starting by finding a combination that feels comfortable for you!

Electric and acoustic guitars differ in many ways—from their construction and required accessories to their playability and sound. If you’re looking for versatile tone-shaping options and the ability to practice at night, an electric guitar is recommended; if you prioritize the warmth of an acoustic instrument and the convenience of being able to play anywhere,
an acoustic guitar is the better choice. Find the perfect guitar that suits your playing style and lifestyle, and enjoy a fulfilling musical journey!

Author: Mochizuki (Advance Guitars Staff)

In my personal life, I mainly play electric guitar. Drawing on my boundless love and interest in the instrument—so much so that I keep playing even during work breaks—I share the appeal of acoustic guitars using some of Advance Guitars’ finest strumming techniques.

Qualifications and Experience: 4 years as a musical instrument appraiser

▶︎Read my other articles here
: The Secrets of the Ovation Adamas
, The Legend of Terry Nakamoto, and Yamaha’s Four Heavenly Kings