Acoustic-Electric Guitars

Acoustic-electric guitars are a versatile type of guitar that incorporate both acoustic and electric components. This allows them to be played without an amplifier, like a regular acoustic guitar, but also provides the option to plug into an amplifier or PA system for amplification.

The concept of the acoustic-electric guitar originated in the 1930s when guitar makers started experimenting with adding pickups and preamplifiers to their acoustic guitars. This allowed the naturally acoustic sound of the guitar to be amplified electronically. However, early acoustic-electric guitars struggled with feedback issues and achieving a balanced amplified tone.

In the 1950s and 60s, advances in pickup and preamp technology led to great improvements in amplified sound for acoustic-electric guitars. Musicians adopted the acoustic-electric guitar for its flexibility to play small coffee house gigs but also be able to play large concerts. The acoustic-electric guitar became especially popular with singers who accompanied themselves on guitar, such as folk and country musicians.

Today, acoustic-electric guitars are a mainstay for guitarists in many genres, from pop to rock to country. Their natural acoustic sound and flexibility for amplification make them one of the most versatile types of guitars available. Major guitar companies offer acoustic-electric models, featuring the latest innovations in pickup and preamp design.

Body Styles

Acoustic-electric guitars come in a variety of body shapes and sizes, each with their own sonic properties. The most common body styles are:

• Dreadnought - The most popular acoustic body shape. Dreadnoughts have a wide lower bout and waist for increased projection and volume. The large body produces more bass frequencies, providing a balanced tone across the frequency range. Dreadnoughts work well for strumming and flatpicking.

• Orchestra - Also called an auditorium guitar. Has a smaller body than a dreadnought, but larger than a concert guitar. Orchestras are balanced guitars suitable for fingerpicking and strumming. The smaller body increases midrange, while still providing good bass response.

• Concert - Feature small, narrow bodies for enhanced playability and mid/treble frequencies. The compact size reduces projection and bass response compared to larger bodied guitars. Well suited for fingerstyle playing.

• Parlor - Parlor guitars have diminutive bodies that highlight treble frequencies. Best suited for intimate playing rather than live performance. The vintage parlor shape produces a focused, articulate tone.

• Jumbo - Jumbos are extra-large guitars that provide thundering bass and high volume levels. The expansive lower bout creates booming low-end tones. Jumbos are go-to guitars for aggressive strummers.

• Grand Auditorium - A versatile shape balancing projection and articulation. Grand auditoriums have tapered waists to enhance midrange presence. Provides dynamics and clarity during both strumming and fingerpicking.

The body style significantly impacts tone and volume. Matching the guitar shape to your playing style and needs is crucial for optimal performance.

Tonewoods

The tonewoods used in acoustic-electric guitars have a significant impact on their sound. The most commonly used tonewoods include:

• Spruce - Spruce is the standard top wood for steel-string acoustics. It's lightweight and responsive, with good projection and headroom. Sitka spruce is most common, providing a balanced tone.

• Mahogany - Mahogany is a popular choice for back and side wood. It has a warm, rounded tone with good low-end response. Mahogany backs help project the top wood's tone.

• Maple - Maple is a dense, hard tonewood that produces a bright, focused sound with tight lows and sparkling highs. Its hardness helps project sound. Figured maple tops are popular for visual appeal.

• Rosewood - Rosewood, like East Indian Rosewood, is often used for back and sides. It has rich overtones, strong fundamentals, and excellent note separation. Rosewood's complex overtones enhance any top wood.

• Koa - Koa produces a balanced tone with pronounced midrange, sweet highs, and tight lows. It has attractive figuring, and is commonly used for ukuleles and guitars.

The combination of tonewoods, along with construction methods, creates the tonal palette of each acoustic-electric guitar model. Luthiers carefully select wood pieces based on density, stiffness, and resonant qualities. Understanding tonewood characteristics helps find the right guitar to match musical needs and style.

Neck & Fretboard

The neck and fretboard are critical components that impact an acoustic-electric guitar's playability and tone. Most acoustic-electric guitars have a bolt-on neck, though some high-end models feature a glued neck joint for increased resonance.

Neck Shapes

The most common neck shapes on acoustic-electrics are the C-shape and V-shape. C-shaped necks are comfortable and accommodating for most playing styles. V-shaped necks are slimmer and allow easier access to the higher frets for lead playing. Other neck shapes like U, soft V, and exotic asymmetrical shapes are also available. The width and thickness of the neck, known as the neck profile, also affects feel.

Scale Length

25.5" is the standard scale length on most steel-string acoustic-electrics. Shorter 24.75" and 24.5" scales are also common, especially on smaller body guitars. Longer 25.75" to 26.5" scales can be found on jumbo and baritone models. Scale length impacts string tension and the overall playing experience.

Fretboard Woods

Rosewood and ebony are traditional fretboard woods prized for their hardness and durability. Ebony offers a smooth, fast feel while rosewood has more grip. Maple is a common modern alternative, providing brightness and articulation. Composite materials like Richlite are also being used on eco-friendly models. The fretboard radius, fret size, and position also affect playability.

Bridge & Saddle

The bridge and saddle on an acoustic-electric guitar have an important role in transferring string vibrations into the guitar body and pickups. The material used for the bridge and saddle impacts the tone and sustain.

Common bridge materials include rosewood, ebony, and composite materials like Micarta or Tusq. Rosewood and ebony provide a warm, rounded tone while composites give more articulation and attack. The saddle is often bone, plastic, or graphite. Bone and graphite transfer vibrations well for a full bodied tone.

Lighter weight bridge materials like composites allow the top to vibrate freely for better amplification. Dense ebony bridges provide a focused midrange tone. Rosewood offers a nice balance. Graph Tech and L.R. Baggs are popular brands for quality acoustic guitar bridges and saddles.

The ideal bridge and saddle combination depends on the guitar body materials and desired tone. Many acoustic-electric models allow some customization with alternate bridge pins and saddle materials to fine tune the timbre.

Pickups & Preamps

Acoustic-electric guitars incorporate pickups and preamps that allow the guitar's acoustic sound to be amplified electronically. There are two main types of pickups used:

Undersaddle Pickups

Undersaddle pickups are installed under the bridge saddle and sense the vibrations of the strings through the bridge. They tend to provide a balanced and natural acoustic tone. The undersaddle design helps isolate the strings' vibrations from body noise. Popular undersaddle pickup brands include Fishman and LR Baggs.

Soundhole Pickups

Soundhole pickups are mounted inside the guitar body under the soundhole. They use a tiny microphone to pick up the vibrations directly from the top soundboard. Soundhole pickups capture more body resonance for a fuller tone, but can also pick up some ambient noise. Popular models are made by Fishman, LR Baggs, and others.

Preamps & EQ

The preamp boosts the pickup's output signal so it can be amplified through an external sound system or guitar amp. Preamps allow control over the tone with EQ adjustments for bass, midrange, and treble frequencies. Some models incorporate tuners, notched filters, phase switches, and more. Higher-end preamps from Fishman, LR Baggs, and Ovation provide studio-quality acoustic tone shaping right on the guitar.

Amplification

Acoustic-electric guitars rely on external amplification to project their sound for live performances and recording. There are several options for amplifying an acoustic-electric guitar:

Acoustic Guitar Amps

Dedicated acoustic guitar amps are designed specifically to amplify acoustic guitars, without coloring the natural tone. They have features like notch filters to reduce feedback. Some allow blending between the mic and pickup signal. Popular models are made by Fishman, Trace Elliot, AER, Roland, and others.

PA Systems

For larger venues, an acoustic-electric guitar can be plugged into a PA system or acoustic instrument amplifier. The PA needs to be suitable for acoustic instruments, with appropriate EQ shaping. Sound engineers may mic the guitar separately.

Effects

Effects pedals like reverb, delay, chorus can be used to shape an acoustic-electric guitar's tone. Multi-effects processors also work well. Care should be taken not to over-process the tone.

Preamps

For acoustic players who sing, preamps with mic/guitar blending allow switching between guitar and vocals. Small pedalboard preamps can sit at a performer's feet. Rackmount preamps offer more control for the sound engineer.

Notable Models

Acoustic-electric guitars from major brands like Taylor, Martin, and Gibson have become quite popular over the years thanks to their high build quality, great tone, and ease of amplification. Here are some of the most notable acoustic-electric models on the market:

Taylor 114ce

Part of Taylor's 100 series, the 114ce features a Grand Auditorium body shape with layered walnut back and sides paired with a solid Sitka spruce top. It has a smooth satin neck and 20-fret ebony fretboard, and ES-T pickup system designed by Taylor. Priced under $1,000, it delivers Taylor's signature tone and playability at a more affordable price point.

Martin D-18E Retro

Martin's D-18E Retro is based on their classic 1930s D-18 model, with an all-solid wood body in classic dreadnought shape. It features a Sitka spruce top with mahogany back and sides, vintage-style appointments, and Fishman F1 Analog electronics. The D-18E Retro produces the full, balanced tone Martin is known for.

Gibson J-45 Standard Acoustic-Electric

Gibson's top-selling acoutic guitar, the J-45 Standard, is now available as an acoustic-electric. It has a Sitka spruce top and walnut back and sides on its iconic round-shoulder dreadnought body. It comes equipped with an LR Baggs Element VTC pickup system hand-fitted by Gibson acoustic engineers. Retaining Gibson's renowned tonewoods and craftsmanship, the J-45 Standard Acoustic-Electric amplifies their signature balanced acoustic tone.

Pricing

Acoustic-electric guitars come in a wide range of prices to suit different budgets. Here's an overview of price ranges:

Budget Under $500

• Entry-level acoustic-electric guitars usually cost between $200-$500.

• Major brands like Fender, Yamaha, Epiphone and others have models in this range: Yamaha FSX800C, Washburn C64SCE-A.

• These guitars often have laminate wood construction and basic electronics.

• Great for beginners and casual players looking for an affordable acoustic-electric.

Mid-Range $500-$1000

• Guitars that cost $500-$1000 offer better build quality with solid wood tops.

• Many big brand models like the Yamaha A3R TBS and Martin 11DX1E-01 are in this price range.

• The electronics and preamps are higher quality, providing better amplified tone.

• A sweet spot for intermediate players and working musicians.

High-End $1000+

• Premium acoustic-electric guitars over $1000 feature all solid wood construction and top-tier components.

• High-end models from Martin, Taylor 200 Series Deluxe 224ce-K-DLX, Gibson, and boutique brands.

• Sophisticated electronics with tuners, EQ and other options.

• Choice of discerning professionals and serious hobbyists.

The price range gives a good indication of the guitar's quality and suitability for different playing levels. Consider your budget and needs when looking for an acoustic-electric.

Conclusion

Acoustic-electric guitars combine the warmth and resonance of an acoustic guitar with the accessibility and flexibility of electric amplification. This unique blend produces an incredibly versatile instrument suitable for both live performance and recording.

Throughout this article, we explored the key components that go into a quality acoustic-electric guitar. From the tonewoods comprising the body, to the bridge and saddle design, to the onboard pickups and preamps - every element contributes to the instrument's amplified voice.

While maintaining the rich, nuanced sound of an all-acoustic guitar, the addition of pickups and an onboard preamp gives players control over their sound. Volume can be adjusted as needed, EQ can be sculpted to fit the mix, and effects can be added to craft just the right tone.

Acoustic-electric guitars remove the limitations of a purely acoustic instrument. No longer do guitarists need to struggle to be heard over other musicians or background noise. The built-in pickups and preamp ensure the guitar's voice can hold its own on any stage or in any recording studio.

With so many outstanding models to choose from across various price points, there is an acoustic-electric guitar for every budget and playing style. This versatility, along with the beautiful craftsmanship and premium tonewoods often found on acoustic-electrics, makes them an investment that can last a lifetime.

In closing, acoustic-electric guitars represent the best of both worlds. From practice and recording, to live performance, these incredible instruments open up musical possibilities that were simply not available previously. Both onstage and in the studio, acoustic-electric guitars enable musicians to harness the rich acoustic tone that makes them so special while gaining all the advantages of amplification and effects. This winning combination cements their status as indispensible tools for the modern guitarist.