What’s better, acoustic or electric for a first guitar?

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Playing guitar is the fun, fulfilling, challenging and is simply never ending in discovery. If guitar interests you as a hobby, chances are you experienced to some kind of guitar music that influenced and moved you at some point in your life. This must be true, or you wouldn’t be reading this blog.

Back in the day, there was a cost delineation between purchasing an acoustic guitar versus an electric guitar. The purchase of an electric guitar inherently exposed people to more pieces, parts and accessories beyond the guitar that would raise the price of entry. It’s not that way anymore. Yes there are pieces, parts and accessories that go along with an electric guitar yet the cost of these entry-level items has come down significantly. The real question is based on the earlier conversation within this blog. Chances are, your interest in music is based upon what you’ve experienced in styles. What resonates with you and what style needs to come out. Are you in 80s big hair rocker? Are you old school country? Are you a death metal head? Are you James Taylor folk music? Are you indie pop? Are you classical? The next question is why you want to play? Do you want to play for your own enjoyment? You want to play with the band? You want to get involved with your worship team at church? Do you want to be a gigging weekend warrior? Is your head spinning yet with all the questions? The purpose of all the questions is to show that music is all about you and who you are. Music is a learned ability, and if we dream a little bit, we can reach any of our musical goals.

Let’s talk about the differences between the two types of guitars you might want to start with. Some of these points are self-evident. Let’s begin with acoustic guitars. We believe that all guitars have personality and speak to people differently. This is why it is so important to come into the store and experience the guitars in person. The look and appearance of any guitar will be your first encounter. You need to be able to connect with the instrument. There are essentially two types of acoustic guitars: steel string and nylon string classical. What’s the difference? Steel string acoustic guitars commonly use bronze or phosphor bronze strings that are more rugged on your fingers. This can be tough on a beginner yet not impossible. These instruments tend to be louder in sound. Nylon string classical guitars utilize a softer string that is easier on your fingers. The neck width is wider. The overall tone is softer including the volume of sound. The work classical is an identifier. You can play any style of music on a classical guitar. Prices between steel string and nylon string instruments are comparable. Acoustic guitars are portable and do not need an amplifier. Our recommendation is that you choose an acoustic guitar if it fits the type of music you’re interested in playing.

Electric guitars allow you to procure sounds that you cannot get on an acoustic guitar. Electrics guitars can be easy to play as the string gauge is less which translates to ease on your fingers. Teamed with a digital practice amp, you can quickly begin to sound like a rockstar. There are essentially three popular body styles for electric guitars: telecaster, Stratocaster, and Les Paul. Each have different feels, sounds and capabilities. There are other innovative guitar body styles out there. It’s important to find the one that speaks to you by visiting store. Electric guitars use pickup configurations on the instruments to capture the vibration of strings. Different combinations lend themselves to certain styles of music and playing. Stratocaster’s use three single coils great for blues playing like Stevie Ray Vaughn. Telecaster’s are bright sounding great for country and chicken picking like Brad Paisley. Les Paul’s use humbucking pickups for big sounds and great output to play like Slash from Guns and Roses. Once you purchase your initial rig, you can then add to it later with pedals and other multi-effects processors to expand your sound.

In conclusion, it all depends on you. Are you feeling earthy or do you want to rock. The beauty is, over time, you can do both. No matter what guitar you start with, you will eventually gravitate toward the other over time. There are fantastic entry-level guitars between $200 and $500. Electric guitar amp combinations safely begin around $250. Our store offers a rent to own program for guitars as well to ease the cost of entry. A guitar is an extension of who you are. This is why it is so important to come into the store and experience them. Every guitar sounds and plays differently even if it’s the exact same make and model. We encourage everyone to take the instruments for a test drive to see if you connect with them or not. At Wickham Road Music we are here to fit you with a guitar that’s perfect for you.

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