Acoustic vs. Electric Guitar: Choosing the Right One for You

If you have been trying to find your way out of the “acoustic guitar vs. electric guitar” turmoil, trust me, you’re not the only one. Every person who aspires to be a guitarist finds themselves in the dilemma of choosing the right guitar. Some are attracted to the rich resonance provided by acoustic guitars, while some feel drawn towards the electrifying and blasting sound of an electric guitar.

Honestly, there is no downside to choosing either of the two and picking any one of the two would be a great decision. Moreover, there is a high chance that you might be playing both kinds of guitar in the future, since learning to play one if you already play the other is fairly simple. 

But what differentiates the two and how would it impact you? Keep reading as we list the key differences between the electric and acoustic guitars.

Before we discuss the differences between acoustic and electric guitars, let’s look at how these two are similar.  

Honestly, they are quite similar to each other. If all the instruments form a family, electric guitars and acoustic guitars are siblings that share a lot of DNA yet have striking differences, for instance, in the way they look. 

They are similar since both have: 

1. Six strings 
2. A fretboard 
3. Frets 
4. Tuning pegs

Both can play a variety of styles, the notes are the same, and the techniques you learn in one can be applied to the other instrument too. Additionally, the most significant similarity between the two is that both require continuous practice and dedicated efforts. Practising routinely can take your guitar playing to the next level and Torrins can help you with that. With features like tracking progress by maintaining a streak, our members find it easier to commit to learning and have the zeal to move forward in their journey. 

Here are the beginner acoustic guitar and electric guitar lessons by Torrins.

Now that we have talked enough about the similarities, let us move on to our topic of concern- their differences!

Differences between acoustic and electric guitars

Let’s discuss the differences between acoustic and electric guitars. Reading these differences can help you decide which of the two- electric vs. acoustic guitar- better suits your needs and musical aspirations.

Features	Acoustic Guitar	Electric Guitar
Physical characteristics	Acoustic guitars have a hollow body with a sound hole in the centre.	Electric guitars have a solid body that houses the electrical mechanics.
Production of sound	1) The sound hole amplifies the sound created by the strings’ vibration, producing the rich sound we hear.  2) Acoustic guitars don’t need additional tools for amplification.  3) They don’t need electricity to play. Thus, you can be a performer even during blackouts!	1) Electric guitars have pickups underneath the strings. These pickups convert the vibrations from the strings into electrical signals.   2) Electrical signals are then carried through the instrument’s cable and played with the help of an amplifier.  3) They can be played unplugged but the sound is too feeble to be heard.
Sound	1) The sound produced by acoustic guitar can’t be customised.  2) Acoustic guitars produce a rich and fuller sound that sounds the best when played without other instruments.	1) Electric guitars offer the feature to adjust the bass and treble and allow you to give more bass whenever required.  2) Electric guitars don’t produce the characteristic rich sound of acoustics, making them a favourable instrument to play in a band where other instruments share the sonic space too.
Volume	The sound volume produced by acoustic guitars can only be controlled by how hard or soft you strum.	Electric guitars have volume knobs that can control the volume. You can also plug headphones into amplifiers and take advantage of quiet practice sessions anytime and anywhere.
Strings	Acoustic guitars commonly have thick steel strings, while classical acoustic ones usually have nylon strings. The strings are harder to push down and have a higher action.	Electric guitars mostly have steel strings. However, their steel strings are not thick like acoustic guitars and have a lower action.
Size	1) Acoustic guitars are bulkier than their electric counterparts. They have wide necks. 2) Due to a wider neck, there is a considerable distance between the strings as well as the strings and the frets. Thus, playing on acoustic guitars requires more pressure.  3) Initially, a player finds it tiresome to adjust the guitar onto their lap and stretch their hands to take a grip of the wide neck.	1) Electric guitars are smaller in size with a thinner neck.  2) Playing notes on electric guitars requires substantially less pressure and a softer touch since the neck is thinner, meaning there is less distance between the strings and also the strings are closer to the fretboard.   3) The ergonomic design of electric guitars- smaller body and thinner neck- make them comparatively easier to hold for a beginner or someone with small hands.
Weight	Even though acoustic guitars are bulkier, they are lighter to carry due to their hollow body.	Electric guitars despite being flatter are heavier due to their solid metallic body.
Portability	Due to their lighter weight and no extra equipment needed, acoustic guitars are a favourable choice for someone who travels a lot or for buskers. With an acoustic guitar, you don’t have to carry additional equipment like an amplifier. Moreover, you can use an online guitar tuner to tune your guitar, leaving you behind with just a pick and sometimes a capo to carry.	While the electric guitar is handy enough to move around, it requires additional tools like pedals, an amplifier, and cables, making it less convenient to carry outdoors.
Variety	Acoustic guitars have a wooden body and offer a limited scope for variety in terms of sound, colour, and shape.	Electric guitars offer endless combinations of sound, colour, and shape. If you want to buy a beautiful instrument that motivates you to pick it up daily, electric guitars may be the one for you.
Cost	Acoustic guitars are more cost-effective as compared to electric guitars. Not only are they cheaper, but they also don’t require additional tools, helping you save some cash.	Electric guitars are slightly more expensive than acoustic guitars and require additional gadgets like amplifiers, pedals, and cables. All of this accounts for an added expense.
Genre	The genre you enjoy more could be a deciding factor for you. By no means are acoustic guitars limited to a few genres, but the genres of music they play the best are pop, folk music, country, classical guitar, flamenco, and bluegrass. Additionally, it greatly complements songs driven by singer-songwriters.	Electric guitars would be better if you’re more interested in genres like hard rock, blues, punk, indie rock, R&B, funk, and grunge.

Hopefully, this table helped you resolve the acoustic guitar vs. electric guitar dilemma going in your head. If you’re still unable to choose, imagine yourself immersed in the full and rich resonance of an acoustic guitar and then the soul-shaking solos of an electric guitar. What do you think you would enjoy more? Decide accordingly. 

Undoubtedly, both- the electric guitar and acoustic guitar- have their unique advantages and offer some disadvantages too. None of the two can be regarded as a better instrument because choosing an instrument is highly subjective.

Based on the table, you might think that playing an electric guitar would be easier because of lower action, thinner neck, and ergonomic design. But of course, there are some trade-offs, for instance, its need for additional tools and heavier weight, leading to inconvenience while carrying around. So, when you buy one instrument out of the two- electric vs. acoustic guitar, weigh all criteria and decide wisely based on which instrument ticks the most boxes in your list. 

Conclusion- acoustic guitar vs. electric guitar

To wrap up this blog on the differences between acoustic and electric guitars, let us take a final look at some key differences between the two.

So, it would be correct to say that you must choose a guitar that is right FOR YOU, the one that makes you want to pick it up the moment you glance at it. Choose the one that strums the right chords of your heart. However, regardless of whichever instrument you decide out of the two, with regular practice and unwavering dedication to learning, you will be well on your way.

To learn guitar effectively and engagingly, you can check out our collection of comprehensive guitar lessons at Torrins. From lessons on guitar chords and Guitar improvisation to stellar guitar song lessons, we have lessons on every crucial topic on our platform to ensure you never miss a beat. You can also check out our free guitar lessons to get an insight into our curriculum and way of teaching.

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