Acoustic vs. Electric Guitar - Which Should You Start On?

https://youtu.be/VCZAi4FSBFo

Walk into any music store as a first-time guitar buyer and you'll immediately understand why so many people feel overwhelmed. There are hundreds of guitars on the walls, dozens of brands, multiple body styles, and price tags ranging from $100 to several thousand dollars. And that's before you've even decided whether you want acoustic or electric.

Here's the good news: choosing the right guitar doesn't have to be complicated. It really comes down to four questions. Answer these honestly and you'll have a much clearer picture of what you're looking for. You’ll also avoid wasting time and money on the wrong instrument.

Question 1: Do You Want to Play Acoustic or Electric?

This is the big one, and it's where most people get tripped up by well-meaning advice.

You've probably heard that you should always start on acoustic. The thinking goes that acoustic is harder to play, so if you can handle that, electric will feel easy. There's some truth to that. Acoustic guitars typically have higher action and heavier strings, which does build finger strength. But I don't think it's the right way to make this decision.

Here's what I actually believe: the best guitar to start on is the one you're most passionate about. Because that's the one you'll actually pick up and practice.

If you buy an acoustic but your heart is set on playing Stevie Ray Vaughan style blues, you're going to feel a little disappointed every time you pick it up. That disappointment is a silent progress-killer. On the other hand, if you love James Taylor or Jim Croce and you end up with an electric, you might find yourself wishing for that warm, resonant acoustic sound every time you sit down to play.

Think about what you actually picture yourself doing with the guitar.

If you can see yourself pulling it out around a campfire, strumming along at church, or playing songs for your kids or grandkids, acoustic is probably your answer. It's portable, it doesn't need an amplifier, and it's the natural choice for the kind of intimate, real-life moments most people are working toward when they pick up a guitar.

If you picture yourself playing in blues jams or a rock band, electric is likely the better fit. The lighter strings and lower action make some techniques, bending, vibrato, lead playing,  much more accessible, and the sound is simply what those styles call for.

If you want to play in a cover band or on a church praise team, you'll need to think about the style of music and the context. Some cover bands need an acoustic, some need an electric, some need both. A church praise team might use either depending on the style of worship music they play.

One thing worth clarifying: there is no difference between an acoustic guitar and an acoustic-electric guitar. An acoustic-electric is simply a regular acoustic guitar with a pickup installed so you can plug it into an amplifier or PA system when you need more volume. It plays and sounds exactly like an acoustic when unplugged.

Question 2: How Much Do You Want to Spend?

Setting a budget before you start shopping is one of the most practical things you can do for two reasons. First, it keeps you from making an emotionally driven purchase you'll regret. Second, it dramatically narrows your options, which actually makes the decision easier.

My recommendation is to spend as much as you can reasonably afford. A nicer instrument will generally last longer, stay in tune better, and inspire you to play more. That said, you don't need to spend a fortune to get a great beginner guitar. You can find an excellent brand new guitar starting at around $200, and if you're open to buying used, you can get even more for your money.

I've seen students spend $800 on their first guitar and quit within three months. And I've seen students spend $200 on a used Yamaha and never look back. The price of the guitar doesn't determine whether you stick with it, your connection to the instrument and your commitment to practicing does.

Set your budget before you walk into the store or start browsing online, and stick to it.

Question 3: What Kind of Music Do You Like?

The music you love is one of the best guides to the type of guitar you should buy. Your favorite artists and genres point naturally toward certain instruments, and starting on something that connects to the music you actually want to play will keep you motivated through the early stages.

Here are some general guidelines to get you in the right ballpark:

If you love Stevie Ray Vaughan, you'll probably want a Fender Stratocaster or something similar. If you're into B.B. King style blues, a Gibson Les Paul or semi-hollow body is the natural choice. If you love James Taylor or Jim Croce, an acoustic guitar is almost certainly what you're after. Metal players typically gravitate toward Ibanez or ESP style guitars. Country players often reach for a Fender Telecaster. Jazz players tend to play hollowbody or semi-hollow body electrics.

In terms of sound character, Fender guitars generally have a brighter, snappier tone while Gibson guitars tend to be warmer and fuller. On the acoustic side, Taylor guitars are known for a bright, clear sound while Martin and Gibson acoustics typically have a warmer, richer tone.

When in doubt, look up videos of your favorite guitar players and see what they're playing. You don't need to buy the exact same guitar. There are affordable versions of almost every style out there, but it's a great starting point and genuinely inspiring to play something in the same vein as your musical heroes.

Question 4: How Big Are You?

This question gets overlooked more than any other, and it's a shame because the physical fit of a guitar has a real impact on how comfortable and sustainable your practice sessions are.

The size of the guitar can make or break the experience, especially with acoustic guitars. A guitar that's too large for your body will create tension in your arm, shoulder, and back that makes playing uncomfortable over time. A guitar that's too small might feel easy to hold but could limit your sound.

The four basic acoustic guitar sizes from smallest to largest are Parlor, Concert, Dreadnought, and Jumbo.

My wife Chelsea is petite and prefers smaller guitars like her Taylor GS Mini. It puts less pressure on her back and shoulders and is much more comfortable for extended playing. My dad is a taller guy and loves the sound and feel of his full-size Dreadnought Martin. Neither is right or wrong, it's about what fits your body and feels good in your hands.

The same principle applies to electric guitars, though the size differences are generally less dramatic. The main thing to be aware of with electrics is hollow body and semi-hollow body guitars, which are somewhat larger than standard solid body guitars. Most people refer to these as jazz guitars. If you're a smaller player, they can feel a bit unwieldy at first.

The best advice I can give you here is to actually hold and play as many guitars as possible before you buy. Pay attention to how each one feels against your body, how comfortable your strumming arm feels, and whether the neck feels manageable in your fretting hand.

One More Thing: Get Your Guitar Set Up

Once you have your guitar, whether it's brand new or bought used, acoustic or electric, take it to a professional guitar tech and have it set up.

A guitar setup typically costs $40–70 and involves adjusting the action (string height), intonation, and neck relief to make the guitar as comfortable and easy to play as possible. A guitar that hasn't been set up can be unnecessarily difficult to play, which makes learning harder and more frustrating than it needs to be.

Most guitars that come straight from a factory, even good ones, benefit from a professional setup. It's one of the best investments you can make in your guitar playing at any level, and especially as a beginner when every bit of playability counts.

Ready to Start Playing?

Once you have your guitar, the next step is learning how to actually play it, and that's exactly what Guitar Foundations is designed for. It's our free beginner course that takes you from holding a guitar for the first time all the way through playing your first complete real song.

Get started for free here:

https://www.guitarfam.com/guitarfoundations

And if you have any questions about choosing your first guitar, drop them in the comments. We'd love to help you make the right call.

Happy strumming.

Nate