If you’ve just decided that you want to learn guitar, one of the most exciting things you now need to do is purchase your guitar. So, what will it be, acoustic or electric? Sure, you can learn on both and there are some similarities, but there’s a lot to be compared between the two so let’s explore the differences and factors that’ll impact your decision.

WHAT MUSIC ARE YOU INTO?

• Yes, what kind of music are you into? If you routinely find yourself listening to Def Leppard and Guns N’ Roses for hours on end, an acoustic guitar probably isn’t going to be very useful to you. Then again, if you catch yourself jamming out to acoustic remixes or that new Ed Sheeran song, an electric guitar might not be the way to go.

• Purchasing a guitar that aligns with your musical tastes is super important in keeping motivated and will only increase the likelihood that you stick with guitar in the future. Besides, there’s nothing more rewarding than playing your favourite music on the guitar and if you can’t do that, it’ll be pretty discouraging.

GUITAR PLAYABILITY

• Most beginners find it easier to play electric guitars due to a thinner neck, lower action (the distance between the fretboard to the bottom of the strings) and more forgiving strings These three factors can make your experience on electric feel more seamless and forgiving.

• Acoustic guitars feature thicker necks and steel strings, which can make it a bit more difficult and painful to play your favourite tune or practice that scale.

GUITAR FEEL

• The hollow body of an acoustic guitar feels light in your lap. From full-body dreadnoughts to parlors, they come in multiple shapes and sizes and range in sound from a bright and cheerful smaller guitar to a dreadnought that brings out the bass.

• Electrics are significantly heavier and far thinner than acoustic guitars. Like acoustics, they come in several different shapes in sizes. From the Gibson SG popularized by Angus Young of AC/DC to John Mayer’s PRS Silver Sky, there’s a shape out there for anybody.

Pro Tip: Always visit your local music store to see how a guitar feels and plays in your hands before purchasing

ELECTRIC GUITAR ESSENTIALS

• If you’ve chosen the electric guitar to start your musical journey, you’ll need to purchase a few things before you can begin playing.

• Once you’ve decided on a guitar shape and brand (it may be tough, there are so many out there) you’ll need to purchase an amp. This will allow you to hear the music you play. If you want to get even fancier, check out your local music store’s selection of pedals to distort, bend and warp your sound to your liking.

• An amazingly versatile option for beginners is the Fender Stratocaster. It’s a jack of all trades and can give you a crisp, clean tone or the gritty sound you want for playing your favourite rock songs.

• My second pick would be the Gibson Les Paul. These are absolutely beautiful guitars and a staple for musicians like Slash from Guns N’ Roses. These guitars have a tone more conducive to rock music.

ACOUSTIC GUITAR ESSENTIALS

• The beautiful thing about acoustic guitars is that all you need is, well, the guitar. The only other thing that you should probably get are a few picks to make strumming a whole lot easier.

GUITAR PRICE POINTS

• All in all, it’ll cost you less to get set up with a brand-new acoustic guitar. Electric guitars demand much more in terms of gear, like an amplifier, to get started.

• With both instruments, you’ll need picks and a case to protect your investment. If you’re looking for some budget-friendly acoustic options, make sure to check out this article.
• If you’re looking for budget-friendly electric options, visit this article.

WRAP UP

Choosing between an acoustic and electric guitar can feel overwhelming and like you’re making a decision that’ll decide the fate of the music you play but it isn’t like that at all. I started with classical and acoustic guitars but purchased two electrics years later and I still have fun going back and forth between both types.

So don’t stress out too much about it. Make the best decision you can right now and there’ll always be room to make the switch to the other side later in life if you choose.