This guide to the best acoustic-electric guitars will help you find an excellent instrument you can be proud to own. If you already have an acoustic guitar, you might want to add one that has a pickup to your collection.

I’ve owned several of these guitars in my lifetime. These instruments have come a long way from the early days. There are more options than ever before when it comes to this type of instrument.

Quick Look: Best Acoustic Electric Guitars

★ #1 Best Acoustic-Electric Guitar Overall: Martin D-16E ★

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Whether you’re a new player looking for the best beginner electric acoustic guitar or have more experience playing them, this guide will help you find something that meets your needs.

Electric Guitars

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What Is an Acoustic-Electric Guitar?

An acoustic-electric guitar is a regular acoustic guitar that has a pickup system. This could include a pickup and a preamp, and some may even include a built-in tuner. Gibson produced the first acoustic-electric guitars in the 1930s.

Close up of a color black acoustic electric guitar

This type of instrument is a great option if you want to do some recording or play live on stage all of the time. You have a wide range of options on the market to meet your current needs.

Types of Electric Acoustic Guitars

There are different types of acoustic-electric guitars that you need to be aware of. Here is a list of the main types that you might want to consider buying. This guide will help you find the best electric acoustic guitar to meet your needs.

Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar

A dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar is a regular dreadnought-size acoustic. It comes with a pickup and preamp system with tone and volume controls. Most manufacturers make this type of instrument.

Auditorium Acoustic-Electric Guitar

An auditorium acoustic-electric guitar is a smaller-sized acoustic with a pickup and a preamp system. This type of instrument is ideal if you don’t like the feel of a large-size dreadnought.

Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar

A cutaway acoustic-electric guitar is usually a regular dreadnought-size guitar but has a scoop at the top of the body. This allows players to access the higher frets and not strain their hands.

Student Acoustic-Electric Guitar

There are also acoustic-electric guitars designed for students. These look like a regular-size dreadnought but are generally lower in price, or they might be smaller in size.

Top 10 Best Electric Acoustic Guitars Overall

You have a lot of choices on the market when it comes to acoustic-electric guitars. The list below offers 10 excellent choices that you might want to consider. There is something here for beginner to advanced players.

Fender FA-125CE Acoustic-Electric Dreadnought

  • Scale length: 25.3″
  • Fingerboard radius: 11.81″
  • Frets: 20
  • Pickup type: Under saddle Fishman
  • Body shape: Cutaway dreadnought
  • What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation
  • Material & finish: Nato, basswood, walnut, gloss urethane
  • Best for: Beginners that want an easy-to-play guitar

The Fender FA-125CE is the perfect starting point for the beginner that wants to get into acoustic-electric guitars. It has a decent sounding pickup, a smooth playing neck, a cutaway body, and solid tuning machines.

Pros:
✅ Cutaway
✅ Easy to play
✅ Low cost
✅ Good pickup
Cons:
❌ May need setup
❌ No case

Why I Recommend It

You get a lot of value with the Fender FA-125CE. This is the ideal guitar for beginners that want to try some recording. It’s a nice sounding guitar that’s easy to play thanks to the cutaway.

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Yamaha APX600 BL Thin Body

  • Scale length: 25:
  • Fingerboard radius: 15.74″
  • Frets: 22
  • Pickup type: Piezo pickup
  • Body shape: Cutaway dreadnought
  • What’s included in the box: Guitar documentation
  • Material & finish: Mahogany, rosewood, spruce, gloss finish
  • Best for: Beginners that want a thin-body guitar for added comfort

The Yamaha APX600 BL in an easy-to-play guitar. It has a nice pickup and preamp system, great looks, and a cutaway so you can hit the higher frets. You get a better bass response thanks to the x-bracing.

Pros:
✅ Pickup
✅ Cutaway
✅ Easy playing
✅ Great sound
Cons:
❌ No case
❌ No extras

Why I Recommend It

The Yamaha APX600 BL is a reliable acoustic-electric guitar that doesn’t cost a lot. The body is comfortable to play, so it’s suitable for a student or young beginner. You get a great tone and reliability with this instrument.

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Guild D-240E Acoustic-Electric Guitar

  • Scale length: 25.5″
  • Fingerboard radius: 16″
  • Frets: 20
  • Pickup type: Fishman
  • Body shape: Dreadnought
  • What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation
  • Material & finish: Mahogany, spruce, matte polyurethane
  • Best for: Beginners or intermediate players that want a simple-to-play dreadnought

The Guild-240E  is a reliable guitar suitable for beginners or intermediate players. It has a nice under saddle Fishman pickup system. You get great a tone and reliability out of this instrument for a low price.

Pros:
✅ Good pickup
✅ Low price
✅ Comfortable neck
✅ Solid wood
Cons:
❌ No case
❌ No neck strap button

Why I Recommend It

It’s not often that you can find a solid and reliable guitar for under $400. The Guild-240E is a great acoustic-electric guitar for beginners or intermediate players that have a low budget. It has great sound, and it’s easy to play.

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ESP LTD TL-6 Acoustic-Electric Guitar

  • Scale length: 25″
  • Fingerboard radius: 13.77″
  • Frets: 22
  • Pickup type: Electret film transducer pickup
  • Body shape: Dreadnought cutaway
  • What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation
  • Material & finish: Mahogany, maple, rosewood, gloss finish
  • Best for: Intermediate players that want a great sounding guitar

The ESP LTD TL-6 an exceptional electric acoustic guitar. I like that it has 22 frets, a smooth playing neck, an excellent pickup and preamp system, a built-in tuner, and an outstanding tone.

Pros:
✅ Graphtec saddle
✅ Thin neck contour
✅ Jumbo frets
✅ Excellent tone
Cons:
❌ No case
❌ Odd shaped soundhole

Why I Recommend It

For intermediate players, the ESP LTD TL-6 is a great cutaway guitar. You have easy access to the higher frets, and the controls for the preamp are simple to use. It has an attractive price so that you’ll save money on your purchase.

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Taylor 114e Grand Auditorium

  • Scale length: 25.5″
  • Fingerboard radius: 15″
  • Frets: 20
  • Pickup type: Expression system electronics
  • Body shape: Grand auditorium
  • What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, gig bag
  • Material & finish: Sitka spruce, walnut, ebony gloss finish
  • Best for: Intermediate players that want a smaller guitar for added comfort

The Taylor 114e Grand Auditorium is a nice sounding guitar for any intermediate player. It has a superb pickup system, easy playability, great looks, and the smaller auditorium body size means it’s comfortable to hold.

Pros:
✅ Great pickup
✅ Solid wood
✅ Smaller body size
✅ Gig bag
Cons:
❌ A little expensive
❌ Preamp controls hard to access

Why I Recommend It

You get great reliability with the Taylor 14e Grand Auditorium. It has the tone and the sound that you want. It’s perfect for different styles, such as fingerpicking or folk playing. It’s easy to plug in and sounds great right out of the box.

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Ovation 2778 AX Standard Elite

  • Scale length: 25.25″
  • Fingerboard radius: 10″
  • Frets: 22
  • Pickup type: Under saddle
  • Body shape: Dreadnought cutaway
  • What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation
  • Material & finish: Spruce, lyrachord
  • Best for: Intermediate or advanced players that want a good quality guitar

The Ovation 2778 AX is an excellent acoustic-electric guitar. It has an easy-to-access control system on the side of the guitar. It has a deep cutaway so you can hit the upper frets, a good tone, and easy playability.

Pros:
✅ Nice neck
✅ Cutaway
✅ Simple controls
✅ Solid tuners
Cons:
❌ No case
❌ Some may not like the shape

Why I Recommend It

Intermediate players that want a high-performance acoustic-electric guitar should have a look at the Ovation 2778 AX. This guitar gives you the sound that you need for any recording session or live gig.

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Martin D-10E Acoustic-Electric Guitar

  • Scale length: 25.4″
  • Fingerboard radius: 16″
  • Frets: 20″
  • Pickup type: Fishman MX-T
  • Body shape: Dreadnought
  • What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, soft case
  • Material & finish: Sitka spruce, sapele, gloss finish
  • Best for: Intermediate players that want a great sounding guitar

The Martin D-10E is an excellent dreadnought style acoustic-electric guitar. It has that famous Martin sound, an easy-playing neck, a smooth finish, and a reasonable price. This guitar is perfect for any intermediate player.

Pros:
✅ High-performance neck
✅ Case included
✅ Solid wood design
✅ Good pickup
Cons:
❌ A bit expensive
❌ Controls a bit hard to access

Why I Recommend It

This is one of the best intermediate acoustic-electric guitar choices on the market. You get a great sound, and the guitar is comfortable to hold. It’s made with solid wood, has excellent tuning machines, and offers reliable performance.

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Taylor 312CE Grand Concert V-Class

  • Scale length: 24.7″
  • Fingerboard radius: 15″
  • Frets: 20
  • Pickup type: ES-N under saddle
  • Body shape: Dreadnought cutaway
  • What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, hardshell case
  • Material & finish: Spruce, sapele, mahogany, gloss finish
  • Best for: Intermediate or advanced players that need a high-performance guitar

The Taylor 312CE is a high-performance electric acoustic guitar. This instrument features an excellent tone, a great pickup system, an easy access cutaway, and solid wood construction.

Pros:
✅ Solid wood construction
✅ Great pickup system
✅ Hardshell case included
✅ Good tuners
Cons:
❌ Expensive
❌ No extras

Why I Recommend It

You’ll pay quite a bit for the Taylor 312CE, but you’ll get a high-performance acoustic-electric guitar. It’s suitable for many guitar styles such as blues, country, rock, and fingerpicking. You get a reliable tone and easy playability.

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Martin D-16E Acoustic-Electric Guitar

  • Scale length: 25.4″
  • Fingerboard radius: 16″
  • Frets: 20
  • Pickup type: Fishman Matrix VT
  • Body shape: Dreadnought
  • What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, hardshell case
  • Material & finish: Ovangkol, ebony
  • Best for: Advanced players that want a big tone and performance

The Martin D-16E is a high-performance dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar. The solid wood construction gives you an excellent tone. It has an easy-playing neck, great tuning machines, and an excellent sound.

Pros:
✅ Good pickup system
✅ Superior tone
✅ Solid tuners
✅ Slim body depth
Cons:
❌ Expensive
❌ Some may not like the color

Why I Recommend It

The Martin D-16E is worth its price tag. You get the sound and reliability that you want out of a Martin guitar. I like the tone of this instrument and the slimmer depth body, as it’s easier to play.

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Paul Reed Smith SE T60E Acoustic Electric

  • Scale length: 25.3″
  • Fingerboard radius: 11.81″
  • Frets: 20
  • Pickup type: Fishman
  • Body shape: Dreadnought
  • What’s included in the box: Guitar, documentation, hard case
  • Material & finish: Ziricote, spruce, ebony, gloss finish
  • Best for: Intermediate or advanced player that want a nice sounding guitar

Paul Reed Smith makes excellent guitars, such as the SE T60E. This instrument has an excellent tone, a great pickup, solid tuning machines, and excellent wood craftsmanship. It’s perfect for any intermediate or advanced player.

Pros:
✅ Hardshell case
✅ Good pickup
✅ Bone nut and saddle
✅ Great tone
Cons:
❌ A bit expensive
❌ No extras

Why I Recommend It

I am always impressed with Paul Reed Smith. The SE T60E is a solid choice as it has excellent sound and a comfortable neck. It ships with a hardshell case to protect your guitar. You can’t go wrong with this acoustic-electric.

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5 Best Electric Acoustic Guitar Brands

There are several guitar brands that are ideal choices when it comes to acoustic-electric guitars. Here are the five best brands that you should consider purchasing your instrument from.

An up close of an acoustic electric guitar

Martin

Martin is always a top choice when it comes to acoustic instruments. They have a wide range of acoustic-electric guitars. They’re an American company that has been in operation since 1833.

Taylor

Taylor has a wide range of acoustic-electric instruments and other acoustic guitars. They have some of the better choices when it comes to a cutaway and easy playability. Taylor has been in operation since 1974.

Ovation

Ovation offers unique-looking acoustic instruments. These instruments have a round back, and many of them come with pickups and preamp systems. This company has been in operation since 1965.

Guild

Guild has been making acoustic guitars for many years. They have a broad range of different instruments, including ones that are electric acoustic. They’ve been making guitars since 1952.

Yamaha

Yamaha has been in operation since 1887. They offer a broad range of acoustic-electric guitars. They’re the ideal choice for beginners as a lot of their instruments are low-cost.

Best Beginner Electric Acoustic Guitars

This short guide will help you pick out three of the best beginner acoustic-electric guitars. These would all make great choices as they have an excellent sound, great playability, and a good price.

  • Yamaha FGX800C: This acoustic-electric guitar package comes with a beginner guitar that sounds great and is easy to play. You also get a lot of related accessories to go with it.
  • Ovation Applause: This instrument has a great tone, scalloped X bracing, a high-quality pickup, a nice cutaway, a big sound, and a great price for any beginner.
  • Ibanez Talman TCY10: This guitar has a solid wood construction, a double-cutaway, a good pickup system, a smooth playing neck, and a very affordable price for any beginner guitar player.

Best Intermediate Electric Acoustic Guitars

At the intermediate level, you have more options available to you. These guitars sound better and have better electronics. Here are the best intermediate electric acoustic guitars for you to choose from.

  • Takamine GD93 CE-NAT:  This instrument has a nice cutaway, a smooth neck, great looks, a balanced tone, and an affordable price for any intermediate player.
  • Yamaha FS-TA: This guitar features a solid wood construction, an excellent pickup system, a rosewood bridge, accessories, built-in effects, and an unbelievable price for today’s player.
  • Breedlove Organic Series Signature Concerto: This guitar has a nice cutaway, a smooth finish, an excellent tone, a solid wood construction, excellent electronics, and an affordable price for an intermediate player.

Best Electric Acoustic Guitars for Professionals

You’ll find a wide range of instruments on the market for professional players. These are made with the best wood, have the best sound, and have the performance and reliability you need. Here are three of the top choices.

  • Gibson J200 Acoustic-Electric Standard: This is a high-quality professional instrument with great a tone and playability, an excellent neck, a smooth finish, and superior electronics for advanced players.
  • Talor 414CE V-Class Grand Auditorium: This guitar has an excellent sound, a nice cutaway, a smooth finish, great playability, and a reliable pickup.
  • Martin 00-16E: The guitar features excellent Fishman electronics, a smooth finish, a nice playing neck, a great tone, an ebony fingerboard, solid tuning machines, and everything a professional needs to sound great.

Best Electric Acoustic Guitars Under $2,000

You’ll find a wide range of instruments under $2,000. Most manufacturers produce quite a few instruments that are under $2,000. Here are some of the better choices that you might want to consider.

  • Yamaha A Series A5R: This instrument features a nice cutaway, solid electronics, a smooth finish, a great tone, and it ships with a hardshell case.
  • Martin Road Series DCRSG: This guitar has a cutaway, a sitka spruce top, an under-saddle piezo pickup, a great tone, a slim neck profile, and the reliability you want in a high-end guitar.
  • Ovation Pro Elite Standard 2778AX: This instrument features a solid wood construction, an excellent pickup, easy access to the higher frets with a cutaway, a solid tone, and an excellent performance.

Best Electric Acoustic Guitars Under $1,000

It’s easier than ever to find the best acoustic-electric guitar under $1,000. The market has a wide range of instruments in this price range. You can get a solid guitar without spending a whole lot of money. Here are three top choices.

  • Taylor Academy 10e: This instrument features a solid wood construction, onboard electronics, a built-in tuner, an excellent tone, solid tuning machines, and it comes in at a great price.
  • Washburn Comfort Series USM-WCG20SCE: This guitar has a pickup, a cutaway, a solid wood construction, a great tone, and a beveled body for added comfort.
  • Seagull S6 Coastline: This instrument has a saddle, a great pickup system, a cutaway, a solid wood construction, a tapered headstock, and an excellent tone.

Best Electric Acoustic Guitars Under $500

You might think that your choices are limited when looking for the best acoustic-electric guitar under $500. There are more choices on the market under this price range than you might believe. Here are three of the top standouts.

  • Fender CD-60SCE: This guitar has a cutaway, a great playing neck, a solid wood construction, x-bracing, a rolled fingerboard edge for smoother finger comfort, and a very affordable price.
  • Alvarez AF30CE: This instrument features a cutaway, a solid wood construction, a side-mounted pickup system, an excellent neck, a smooth finish, and great performance.
  • Yamaha FGX820C: This guitar features a nice cutaway, a side-mounted pickup system, a smooth playing neck, a great finish, diecast tuners, and the tone that you want in an instrument under $500.

Best Cheap Electric Acoustic Guitars

Some people don’t have a lot of money to spend on a guitar. There are several attractive instruments that don’t cost a lot but still give you the performance you need. Here are three of the top selections for those on a limited budget.

  • Yamaha APX600FM: This instrument has a great finish, a great pickup system, a cutaway, an excellent tone, a solid wood construction, and a low price.
  • Oscar Schmidt OG2CESM: This guitar has a side-mounted pickup system, an excellent finish, a cutaway, a superior tone, and the reliability you want in a low-cost instrument.
  • Ibanez PF Series PF15ECE: This instrument has a cutaway, a smooth finish, an easy-playing neck, a great tone, a Fishman electronic system, an onboard tuner, and an excellent price tag.

Best Dreadnought Electric Acoustic Guitars

The dreadnought is a basic acoustic-electric guitar. This is a full instrument that has a great tone, performance, and sound that you want. This is the most popular type of acoustic guitar. Here are the three top choices.

  • Taylor 150e: This instrument has a solid wood construction, an excellent pickup system, a smooth playing neck, a nubone saddle, and an excellent tone.
  • Martin D-16E: This instrument features an exceptional tone, easy playability, a smooth playing neck, an excellent finish, and the reliability that you want out of a dreadnought acoustic with a pickup.
  • Martin D-13E: This guitar has a high-performance neck, a smooth finish, an excellent pickup system, a solid wood construction, and the sound that you want out of a dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar.

Best Auditorium Electric Acoustic Guitars

An auditorium acoustic-electric guitar is like a regular dreadnought acoustic, except the body size is smaller. These guitars have added comfort thanks to their smaller body size when compared to a full-size dreadnought.

These guitars are well suited for recording, playing live, and styles such as fingerpicking or other intricate guitar work. Here are the top choices for the best auditorium electric acoustic guitars.

  • Taylor 714CE V-Class Grand Auditorium: This instrument features a deep cutaway for easy access to the frets, a superior tone, a smooth finish, an excellent pickup system, and reliability for any advanced player.
  • Washburn WCG55CE-O: This guitar has an excellent pickup system, a great looking finish, a comfortable neck, an easy access cutaway, a side-mounted control system, and an excellent sound.
  • Blueridge BR-143CE: This instrument features amazing detail, a side-mounted pickup system, an ultra-thin body, an excellent finish, and an amazing price.

Best Cutaway Electric Acoustic Guitars

Another option you might want to consider is a cutaway. This is a regular dreadnought guitar, but it has a notch at the top of the body. This allows easy access for your fingers so you can play solos. Here are three top choices.

  • Yamaha FSX800C: This guitar has a side-mounted pickup system, a cutaway neck, a smooth finish, an excellent tone, and a price that’s affordable for any beginner player.
  • Taylor T5Z: This unique instrument has a beautiful finish, a smooth playing neck, an excellent pickup system, a unique soundhole design, and everything you want in a modern acoustic-electric.
  • Martin OMC-16E: This instrument has a great finish, a deep cutaway, a superb tone, an excellent electronics system, and everything you expect from a high-quality Martin guitar.

Best Student Acoustic-Electric Guitars

A student acoustic-electric guitar is a basic guitar for those that are taking lessons for the first time. They’re usually designed more for children in mind than adults. Here are three top choices in this category.

  • Fender FA125CE: This package has an excellent Fender guitar and includes many accessories, such as a gig bag, guitar picks, and guitar strings. This is an affordable package for the student learning how to play.
  • Cordoba Mini II EB-CE: This small body guitar is excellent for any younger player. It has a nice guitar neck, a smooth finish, and easy playability, which makes it the ideal choice for a younger student that wants to play.
  • Oscar Schmidt OG1CE: This instrument features a nice cutaway, a smooth playing neck, a great finish, solid tuning pegs, an excellent pickup system, and an affordable price for today’s students.

Best Electric Acoustic Guitar Starter Kits

If you don’t have a lot of money to spend, here are some low-cost acoustic guitar starter kits. These are ideal for students that have not played before. Here are three of the top choices.

  • Vangoa Starter Kit: With this low-cost guitar kit, you get a basic guitar, a pickup system, strings, picks, a manual, a polishing cloth, a guitar strap, and everything you need to start playing guitar.
  • Fender CD-60SCE: This is an excellent Fender guitar, and the kit comes with a guitar strap, picks, a tuner, and a hardshell case, all at an affordable price for any beginner guitar player.
  • Ashthorpe Thinline: You get a basic guitar with this kit, guitar picks, a strap, strings, a cable, a hardshell case, and everything you need to plug in and play right away with your first acoustic-electric guitar.

Electric Acoustic Guitar Parts & Accessories

Electric acoustic guitars have several different parts that you need to know about, which are listed below.

Neck/Headstock

The neck of the guitar is where you’ll find the frets. The headstock contains the tuning machines, and this is where you attach the strings.

Body

The body of the acoustic guitar is where the neck attaches. This is also where you’ll find the soundhole, which projects the instrument’s tone. You’ll also find the bridge attached to the top of the body, which holds the guitar strings.

Bridge

The bridge is a solid piece of wood that is glued on the top of the acoustic-electric guitar. This is where the strings are attached. On the acoustic-electric, the pickup is usually underneath the bridge saddle.

Electronics

Acoustic-electric guitars have electronics such as an equalizer or preamp system as well as the pickup. The preamp contains controls such as volume, tone, and a middle switch. Some models also have a guitar tuner.

Strap Buttons/Pickguard

Acoustic-electric guitars also have strap buttons to attach the strap and a pickguard to protect the guitar from scratches. Some models may only have one strap button, so you might have to attach a second one.

Things to Consider When Choosing an Electric Acoustic Guitar

You have a few things to keep in mind before you purchase an electric acoustic guitar. Here is what you should know before picking up your instrument.

Up close acoustic electric guitar standing on the wall

  • Budget: You should have a budget in mind before picking up your guitar. There are instruments in the market for all levels of playing ability as well as budget.
  • Playing level: Pick up an instrument that matches your playing ability. For example, if you’re a beginner, you don’t want to buy an advanced guitar. You want something that meets your current needs.
  • Wood: At the beginner level, don’t expect great wood as these instruments are made with low grade tonewood. As you go up in price, the wood is a lot better, which improves the sound by a wide margin.
  • Sound: Higher-cost instruments will have a better sound and tone. If you care about the tone of your instrument, plan to spend a lot of money. You’ll get decent tone at lower price ranges, but it’s not outstanding.
  • Electronics: Acoustic-electric instruments also have electronics. This includes pickups as well as preamp systems. These electronics usually require a 9-volt battery to power them.

Level of Experience

There are three main experience levels for playing guitar. They are beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Here’s what you should know about each level.

Beginner Electric Acoustic Guitars

You’ll get an instrument that sounds decent at the beginner level, but it won’t have an amazing tone. The pickup on this sort of instrument will probably be basic, but it’s perfect for doing some simple recording.

Intermediate Electric Acoustic Guitars

Once you hit the intermediate level, you’ll have more options available to you. The wood, tone, and playability of these instruments are much better than a beginner guitar. Most manufacturers offer a wide range of intermediate instruments.

Pro Electric Acoustic Guitars

At the professional level, you have the best of all options. This includes the best wood, tone, electronics, finishes, and anything else you could ask for. Expect to pay top dollar for these instruments.

Size

There are a few different sizes when it comes to acoustic-electric guitars. This includes dreadnought, auditorium, classical, and student size.

The student-sized instrument is usually a 3/4 or 1/2 size guitar, but it can also be a full-size instrument. These guitars are easier for students to hold and to play.

Wood

There are several different tonewoods used to make acoustic-electric guitars. Here are the basic wood choices below:

  • Maple: Often used in guitar necks as it is hard and durable
  • Mahogany: Often used in the sides of guitars as it has a good tone
  • Spruce: This wood is used for guitar tops as it has a nice resonance.
  • Sapele: This is another wood used for tops of acoustic guitars.
  • Koa: High-end wood used for expensive guitars as it has a good tone
  • Laminate: Lower end woods used to make cheaper acoustic guitars

Finish

There are various finishes used on acoustic guitars. Here are the most common ones below:

  • Oil and wax: An older type of finish and not as reliable as some newer ones. It lets the natural wood grain shine through.
  • Shellac: Preferred by classic luthiers due to its great shine. This is a light finish that looks great when applied.
  • Nitrocellulose lacquer: This is a common finish that offers great durability and a long life.
  • Polyester: This is a tough finish that offers good protection for instruments.

Color

There are a few color options when it comes to acoustic-electric guitars. Most of them are natural wood color. There are a few options that are black or sunburst color. Natural tone wood color tends to be the preferred choice by many.

The Overall Tone & Sound

The tone and sound of a guitar are usually based upon the quality of the wood as well as the pickup system in an acoustic-electric guitar. You’ll get better sound and tone when you go up in price.

Price

Prices for acoustic-electric guitars vary a great deal. You can expect to pay anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars anywhere up to several thousand dollars. This all depends on the model and the manufacturer.

Budget Electric Acoustic Guitars

A budget acoustic-electric guitar will be a basic instrument. They use lower grade wood, so they don’t sound as good as higher-priced instruments. This is still the perfect starting point for a beginner. Expect to pay between $150 and $400.

Midrange Electric Acoustic Guitars

At the mid-range, you have more options in terms of price as well as playability. These instruments use higher grade wood, better pickups, and have an overall better sound. They range anywhere from $600 to around $1,500.

Top-End Electric Acoustic Guitars

Guitars on the top end of the spectrum have everything you need for a professional sound, and they’re perfect for recording or playing live. These instruments range anywhere from $1,500 and up depending on what you’re looking for.

New vs Used

If you’re new to playing the guitar, it’s advisable that you buy your instrument brand new. The reason for this is that you’re covered under warranty in case something goes wrong with it.

If you have some experience playing guitar, then you can buy a used instrument if you want. You’ll have an idea of what you’re looking for and you can find something to meet your needs.

What’s in an Electric Acoustic Guitar Box?

When you get your guitar home, there will be several things in the box. This all depends on the instrument and model that you have purchased.

Checked Tag/Documentation

You should find a checked-by tag within the box or case. This will show where the guitar was checked. This could be the manufacturer factory or a guitar store. You should also find a manual or some sort of documentation.

Case/Gig Bag

If your guitar came with a case or gig bag, that should be included in the box. Normally you’ll find your guitar inside this case or gig bag.

Allen Wrenches

You may find one or two allen wrenches, depending upon the model of your instrument. You use these wrenches for making small adjustments on your guitar, such as on the truss rod.

Accessories

If you bought a guitar kit, you may find several accessories. This may include a guitar strap, a cable, picks, music lessons, a gig bag, and so on. This will vary depending upon the package that you purchased.

Extras

When you purchase your instrument, there are a few things that you might want to consider getting to go with your new guitar. These are as follows:

  • Extra picks
  • Extra strings
  • Guitar strap
  • Music books
  • Tuner
  • Cable
  • Music stand/guitar chair

Electric Acoustic Guitar Brands to Avoid

To try to avoid some of the cheaper low-cost guitar packages. While you’ll save a lot of money on your instrument, you won’t get something that plays all that well. It’s going to need a lot of set up by a guitar technician.

An upclose of an electric guitar

I would buy from the top brand names. Many of these companies now have lower-cost instruments that make ideal options. Browse to the instruments in this list, and you’re sure to find something that works for you.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Here are some answers to commonly asked questions.

How Much Do Electric Acoustic Guitars Cost?

Acoustic-electric guitars vary in price. Here’s what you should expect prior to making your purchase in terms of cost. You’ll find great instruments no matter if you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player.

  • Beginner: $150-$600
  • Intermediate: $600-$1,500
  • Professional: $1,500+

What Are the Best Electric Acoustic Guitars?

Here are three of the top best acoustic-electric guitars you might want to consider. All of these would make excellent choices.

Gibson J200 Acoustic-Electric Standard: Advanced Players

You can’t go wrong with the Gibson J200 standard. It has that famous Gibson guitar tone and a smooth playing, comfortable neck as well as an attractive finish. I love the solid wood and high quality tuning machines.

Guild D-240E: Best for Intermediate Players

This guitar is a nice sounding dreadnought. It has a great pickup, a smooth finish, easy playability, and you won’t spend a whole lot of money on it. This makes it the perfect choice for any intermediate player.

Yamaha FGX800C: Best for Beginners

This is a great sounding beginner acoustic-electric guitar. The kit comes with all you need to start, including the guitar, picks, a tuner, strings, a gig bag, and so on. Beginners will be able to play right away with this kit.

Where Are the Best Electric Acoustic Guitars Made?

Most of the better acoustic-electric guitars are made in the USA. Some of the top companies include Guild, Martin, Taylor, and Ovation. They have a lot of selection to help you find something that meets your needs.

What Is the Best Sounding Electric Acoustic Guitar?

The Gibson J200 Standard Acoustic-Electric guitar will cost you a lot of money, but it has everything that you need. It’s made with excellent wood and has a huge booming sound and an excellent LR. Baggs pickup system.

Where to Buy Electric Acoustic Guitars

Here are some options for purchasing musical instruments. Buying online is always the ideal choice since you can read reviews, browse a wide range of instruments, and get them shipped to you fast.

Amazon

Amazon is always the ideal choice for buying musical instruments online. They have a wide selection, and you can read reviews on the various instruments. They also have a great return policy and a money-back guarantee.

Guitar Center

Guitar Center is another place where you can purchase musical instruments online. They have a good guarantee, and you can read reviews and try out the instrument to see if it’s the right choice for you.

Your Local Music Store

Another option is to search at your local music store for a high-quality instrument. If you’re new to playing guitar, try to take someone with you that understands instruments. This way you’ll get something that works for your needs.

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In Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this guide to the best acoustic-electric guitars. These instruments open up a whole new world of guitar playing to you. You can record with them easily and take them on stage for a live performance.

Please like, share, and let me know what you think. Perhaps there’s a guitar that you like that you could tell other people about. Thank you for reading this guide, and have fun playing your new electric acoustic guitar.