Acoustic guitars and electric guitars are well known in the music industry and have been around since the 1960s. The sound of an acoustic guitar is dominated by string vibrations that resonate through a hollow body or other vibrating surfaces. In contrast, an electric guitar sounds mostly because its strings are plucked or strummed at a high velocity. Acoustic guitars tend to be well-suited for folk, blues, country and Celtic music styles, while electric guitars are used more often in heavier genres such as metal.
Electric Guitar
An electric guitar works by converting vibrations from strings into electrical pulses across a pickup surface with metal magnets. These guitars have various uses – some are used for their durability while others for their smoothness of sound. They can also be used for professional purposes or enjoying one’s spare time. Electric guitars rely on pickups to amplify their sound. This is done by using magnets below the strings to pick up the vibrations as they propagate through the strings (magnetic induction). These pickups are usually small pieces of metal connected to a coil (usually made of copper) inside the guitar.
Acoustic Guitar
An acoustic guitar uses vibrations of the strings to make a sound. Most acoustic guitars are equipped with a pickup where you can plug in an amp to change its tone, but some have no pickup at all (such as a classical guitar). These musical instruments have a hollow body that doesn’t produce sound. Instead, they usually work through a mechanism that allows vibration to travel throughout the hollow structure. Acoustic guitars don’t have any electromagnetic parts and are quieter than electric guitars.
Differences Between Electric Guitar and Acoustic Guitar
1. Acoustic guitar sounds are generally more “natural” and smooth sounding than electric guitars.
2. Building an amplifier for an acoustic guitar is more accessible than a solid body electric guitar because of the string length. It’s also much easier to maintain wood-tone when you’re playing the same frets on a daily routine. Sometimes you have to do minor work on your pickups or tune-up on a solid body electric guitar.
3. The most noticeable difference between an electric guitar and an acoustic guitar is their sound. As mentioned before, electric guitars are louder when amplified. On the other hand, an acoustic guitar can be just as loud as an electric guitar if used with an amplifier. In addition, electric guitars have a slightly more metallic sound than acoustic guitars, attributed to their hollow body design.
4. Electric guitars are usually made with solid bodies, unlike acoustic guitars, which are hollow in structure. However, electric guitars can also be made with hollow bodies, but they are a rare find. Most of the electric guitars have six strings. However, there are also electro-acoustic guitar models that come with four or even twelve strings. They usually come in various shapes and sizes, depending on their type.
Similarities Between Electric Guitar and Acoustic Guitar
1. Their bodies can be made from various materials (wood, metal, plastic).
2. Both have frets (strings in between the fretboard) and a neck-body joint that allows the strings’ vibration to travel back and forth into the guitar’s body.
3. Both types of guitars have pickups for amplification.
4. Both have a bridge that holds the strings and allows them to be tuned.
5. Acoustic guitars usually have a hollow body, while electric ones are solid.
6. The electric guitar has a fingerboard with frets while the acoustic one doesn’t.
The Fretboard of a Guitar
The fretboard is located in between the neck and the actual body of the guitar, and it serves as a bridge for all of the strings on an instrument. The board itself is not hollowed or made from any specific material. However, depending on your guitar model, fretboard could come in various shapes and sizes. Electric guitars have a fretboard that is closer to the neck of the guitar. Acoustic guitars, on the other hand, have a more rounded shape with a wider fretboard.
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Conclusion
Electric guitars and acoustic guitars are similar but not the same. They have a body to produce sound from but serve different purposes. Electric guitars are generally more hollow and have a larger body size, which allows them to be louder when amplified. Acoustic guitars usually have a small body size and sound as loud as an electric guitar with a good amp. While electric guitars produce high-pitched sounds, acoustics usually produce lower tones.
I hope this article was informational and aided in your search. Good Day!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I want to buy an electric guitar. Will it sound the same as an acoustic guitar?
A. No, technically speaking, each guitar has its own tone. Electric guitars have a much different tone from acoustic guitars. However, you can make them sound similar by using a proper amplifier and a decent setup.
Q. Is an electric guitar good for the stage performance?
A. As a matter of fact, yes. If you’re looking for a guitar that can handle heavy buzzes and clanks as you play, then an acoustic-electric hybrid is a good option for you. An acoustic-electric has a solid and hollow body, which allows you to have an amplified sound. It also helps to have a pickup installed to amplify your sound.
Q. What is the best way to maintain an acoustic guitar?
A. A lot of people ask how they can keep their acoustic guitars in good condition for a long time. The answer, however, differs for each person because there are so many different types of acoustic guitars out there. If you want to take care of your acoustic guitar properly, here are some tips you should follow:
- Clean it with a soft cloth or dryer paper after playing it regularly.
- Check the strings regularly; if they’re rusty or flat, then replace them immediately. Make sure that your guitar’s strings are clean and smooth before replacing them.
- Abrade your acoustic guitar’s body and neck with sandpaper and polish it afterwards.
- Check the guitar’s frets for any cracks or damages; if they’re damaged, then replace them.
- Make sure that the neck of your acoustic guitar is properly aligned; if it isn’t aligned correctly, then adjust it as you want to play it as well as playing an electric tone.