Buying guide for best acoustic electric guitars
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There are two types of guitars: acoustic and electric. Each has a distinctive sound. However, for the individual who likes to have it all, there is a hybrid: the acoustic electric guitar. This guitar features all the warmth and fullness of an acoustic guitar powered by the unstoppable force of an electric guitar.
Finding the right acoustic electric guitar can be tricky because you are trying to balance the best of two sets of features from two different musical worlds. Do you want it to play more like an acoustic guitar or an electric guitar? Do you want a microphone or pickups? Do you need a cutaway for soloing?
We researched dozens of options and narrowed our list down to the very best below. Our top pick for beginner to intermediate players is the Fender Dreadnought Acoustic Electric Guitar Mahongany Bundle, which comes with everything you need to get started, including an instructional DVD.
Editors' picks
Body Style: Full-size dreadnought | Top Construction: Solid mahogany | Bracing: Scalloped X-bracing | Neck Feel: Rolled fingerboard edges | Included Gear: Hard case, tuner, strap, strings, picks and DVD
The Fender Dreadnought Acoustic Electric Guitar Mahongany Bundle is a good pick for a beginner to intermediate player who wants a full-size dreadnought with a warm, woody sound and a kit that covers the basics.
The all-mahogany build gives it a rounder, mellower tone, while the solid mahogany top and scalloped X-bracing add a bit more resonance and clarity than the cheapest starter guitars. Fender’s rolled fingerboard edges and easy-playing neck should make longer practice sessions more comfortable, and the bundle is genuinely useful: hard case, tuner, strap, strings, picks and an instructional DVD.
The main tradeoff is that it’s not the brightest or most versatile acoustic, and mahogany-heavy guitars can sound darker than spruce-topped ones. The dreadnought body also comes with the usual size and comfort compromises, so smaller players may want to look elsewhere.
Still, it’s a solid buy for anyone who wants one purchase to cover the essentials and prefers a simple, dependable steel-string over extra flash. If a brighter, more articulate tone matters most, keep the other options in play.
Body Style: Dreadnought with Venetian cutaway | Top Construction: Solid spruce | Electronics: Fishman pickup and preamp | Playability: Rolled fingerboard edges | Included Gear: Gig bag, cable, tuner, strap, strings, picks, cloth and DVD
The Fender Dreadnought Acoustic Electric Guitar Bundle is a solid pick for a beginner or casual player who wants an acoustic-electric that’s ready to go. The CD-60SCE combines a solid spruce top with mahogany back, sides and neck, giving it a clear, lively sound with some warmth underneath.
The Venetian cutaway is handy if you play higher up the neck, and the Fishman electronics make it easy to plug in for practice or small gigs. The bundle helps, too, with a gig bag, cable, tuner, strap, extra strings, picks and an instructional DVD.
That said, it isn’t the most refined guitar in Fender’s lineup, so experienced players may want something with a more responsive feel or more complexity. Still, it covers the essentials well, and the built-in tuner plus plug-in option add real convenience.
Body Style: Cutaway dreadnought | Top Construction: Solid Sitka spruce | Pickup System: System 66 under-saddle piezo | Sound Controls: Three-band EQ with adjustable mids | Tuning: Built-in chromatic tuner
The Yamaha FGX800C is a solid pick for beginners and budget-conscious players who want an acoustic-electric dreadnought that simply does its job well.
The solid Sitka spruce top gives it more projection and character than many entry-level guitars, while the mahogany body keeps the tone warm and balanced. The cutaway helps with higher frets, and the System 66 pickup, three-band EQ and built-in tuner are handy for practice, rehearsals or the occasional open mic.
The main tradeoff is that it’s not a flashy or especially refined instrument, and the dreadnought body can feel a bit bulky if you prefer something smaller. Still, it’s a good choice for first-time buyers, casual strummers and anyone who wants one guitar for home playing and light amplification.
Body Style: Thin-line cutaway | Scale Length: 25 inches | String Spacing: Narrower than standard | Bracing: Scalloped pattern for stronger bass | Pickup System: Stage-focused piezo
The Yamaha APX600 is a solid choice if you want an acoustic-electric that’s comfortable onstage and easy to live with. Its thin-line cutaway body, 25-inch scale and narrower string spacing make it especially friendly for electric players or anyone who doesn’t want to wrestle a full-size dreadnought.
The mahogany body and spruce top give it a balanced, lively voice, and the under-saddle piezo is designed to plug in cleanly with less feedback trouble. Overall, it's a practical guitar for gigs, rehearsals and quick setups.
Body Style: 41-inch thinline cutaway | Top and Body: Spruce top with basswood body | Electronics: Onboard four-band pickup/EQ | Included Gear: Gig bag, strap, strings, three picks and cable | Hand Orientation: Right-handed
The Jameson Thinline Acoustic Electric is a solid pick for a beginner or casual player who wants one acoustic-electric for practice, unplugged strumming and simple plugged-in gigs without much fuss.
The 41-inch body has the classic acoustic look, but the thinline cutaway is easier to handle and makes the higher frets more accessible. A spruce top, basswood body, maple neck and rosewood fretboard are a sensible mix for the price, and the four-band pickup/EQ gives you useful control when plugged in. The gig bag, strap, picks, extra strings and cable make it ready to go.
The tradeoff is that this bundle is built more for convenience than premium sound. Basswood won’t give you the depth or complexity of a pricier solid-wood guitar, and the electronics are practical rather than impressive for serious stage work. Still, that’s why it makes sense for students, first-time buyers or anyone who wants an affordable all-in-one setup.
How we analyzed
We compared these acoustic-electric guitars by examining body shape and playing comfort, tonewood construction, pickup and preamp systems, upper-fret access, onboard tuning and tone controls, and the usefulness of included accessories. We also considered current owner ratings and review volume to identify recurring strengths and tradeoffs.
Our recommendations balance unplugged tone, amplified performance, playability, build quality and overall value. Because players have different needs, we highlighted models suited to beginners, bundled setups, traditional dreadnought sound and frequent live performance.
What is an acoustic electric guitar?
To understand what defines an acoustic electric guitar, let’s first consider the properties of acoustic guitars and electric guitars.
An acoustic guitar has a hollow or semi-hollow body. You need this feature because a guitar with a solid body would not be loud enough to be played without amplification.
An electric guitar has a solid body. It needs a microphone and/or pickups to be heard. A microphone picks up the actual sound, giving you a fuller, more resonant signal. Magnetic pickups register the strings movements through a magnetic field and turn them into a signal. Piezo pickups register actual vibrations and can pick up both string vibrations and taps on the body of your guitar — and it can transmit them to an amplifier.
An acoustic electric guitar is a hollow or semi-hollow guitar that also has a microphone and/or pickups. It can be played with or without amplification.
10 things to consider before buying an acoustic electric guitar
The following list will give you an idea of the many options you have when shopping for an acoustic electric guitar. Before making your final selection, note the features that are most desirable to your needs, and look for a guitar that includes them.
Size
A guitar is like a pair of pants: it has to fit you right to be of use. What size guitar are you able to handle? What size guitar do you want to handle? A player who does more fingerpicking will likely want a smaller body than a player who mostly strums. If you have larger hands, you will be better accommodated by a guitar with a wider neck. Consider size before all else.
Pickups or microphone
The type of sound you want and the type of environment in which you will play should influence your choice here. If you want more of a classic electric guitar sound, pickups are the better option. If you want the fat, full-bodied sound that only an acoustic guitar can deliver, a microphone in the soundhole of an acoustic electric might be the best option for you. Note that if you will be playing onstage with a lot of amps at high volume, a microphone may cause feedback problems, so you might need to compromise a little.
Blender system
A blender system on an acoustic electric guitar has both pickups and a microphone. The system has a mechanism that lets you control how much of each you get in any particular situation.
Cutaway
A guitar body with a cutaway gives the player easier access to the higher frets. If you do a lot of playing in the higher fret region (soloing), this is an important option.
12 strings
Some acoustic electric guitars feature twice the number of strings as a typical guitar. This provides a richer, fuller sound.
String options
If you do a lot of classical playing or prefer the mellow sound of nylon strings, you will need an acoustic electric guitar that can accommodate nylon strings. Remember, magnetic pickups won't work with nylon strings.
Volume control
The volume control of your acoustic electric guitar will most likely be located on the side near the top of the body, so you can easily reach it with your strumming hand. However, a few models still place the volume knob on the front of the guitar, like a solid-body electric guitar would have.
Tone controls
Most, but not all, acoustic electric guitars have built-in tone controls. These allow you to shape the color of your sound by making it brighter or darker.
Built-in tuner
Although external tuners are affordable, there is no downside to having a built-in tuner on an acoustic electric guitar. The ability to check or adjust your tuning whether you are playing acoustically or through an amp is essential. Once you have a guitar with a built-in tuner, you will wonder why you waited so long to purchase one with this option.
Design
The look of your acoustic electric guitar tells your audience a great deal about the type of player you are. It is important to find a guitar that expresses your personality. However, do not choose flair over functionality. Always pick the guitar that is best for your playing style first; looks are secondary.
Did you know?
The action on a guitar is how high the strings are above the fretboard. An acoustic electric has a slightly higher action than an electric guitar, which could make it a little more difficult for some musicians to play.
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Acoustic electric guitar prices
Acoustic electric guitars start around $100. At this price, you see many entry-level bundles that include essential accessories. The idea at this range is to get you everything you need to begin playing on a tight budget. As you move into the $200 to $300 price range, the focus falls more on the instrument. You find fewer bundles and more name-brand guitars with a higher level of craftsmanship. Moving beyond the $300 price range, you will find acoustic electric guitars for individuals who are serious about music. These guitars are durable, finely tuned instruments that, with proper care, should hold up well for a lifetime of playing.
10 accessories to consider
To get the most out of your new instrument, there are a number of accessories you should consider.
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Case: Not just for travel, a case protects your guitar when it's not in use.
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Strap: If you stand to play, you will need a strap.
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Stand: When you are temporarily not playing your guitar, you will need a safe place to set it down.
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Tuner: A guitar only works if it is properly tuned.
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Backup strings: Always have a few sets on hand – strings do break.
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Picks: You can never have enough of your favorite picks. These items are easily lost and frequently misplaced.
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Capo: This item clamps onto the neck of your guitar to allow you to play in different keys.
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Cable: When you want to turn your acoustic into an electric, you'll need to plug it in with a cable.
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Amp: You will need an amplifier if you want to hear your acoustic electric played as an electric.
- Effects pedals: These units drastically change and enhance the sound of your electric guitar.
FAQ
Q. What is the difference between a pickup and a microphone?
A. On an acoustic electric guitar, pickups are found under the strings or under the saddle, and they pick up vibrations. A microphone is found inside the sound hole of an acoustic electric guitar, and it picks up the actual sound waves that are created when playing. Using a microphone could be tricky in a live situation because it may cause unwanted feedback.
Q. What is feedback?
A. Feedback is a loop of sound that goes round and round until it creates that shrill sound that makes audience members cringe. In an acoustic electric guitar, the microphone picks up the sound of the guitar and sends it out the speakers. If the microphone picks up the sound that is coming out of the speakers as well, then you've got a loop of sound that begins chasing itself round and round until you get that squeal.
Q. How do you stop feedback?
A. Keeping the volume down and being careful where you aim the sound hole of your guitar can help, but it's a precarious situation to be in while performing. Using pickups instead of the microphone will stop feedback. Alternatively, purchasing a sound hole cover would help, too, but it will impact the sound of your guitar when you use it acoustically.
