Best of Both Worlds: Top Acoustic-Electric Guitars Reviewed
The acoustic-electric guitar truly gives players the best of both worlds. Combining the rich, nuanced sound of a traditional acoustic guitar with the plug-and-play flexibility of an electric, the acoustic-electric guitar emerged as a versatile instrument capable of both intimate back-porch jam sessions and amplified stadium concerts.
With origins tracing back to the 1930s, the acoustic-electric guitar began as an acoustic instrument retrofitted with primitive pickups and electronics to increase its volume. These early electric acoustics captured the beloved tone of classics like the Martin Dreadnought, but with the ability to plug into an amplifier. As technology improved, purpose-built acoustic-electric models were born, featuring advanced pickups and preamps designed specifically to preserve the guitar's acoustic sound when plugged in.
Today's acoustic-electrics represent the pinnacle of this evolution. State-of-the-art undersaddle pickups and preamp systems faithfully reproduce the guitar's natural tone at high volumes. And with slimmer body designs minimizing feedback, acoustic-electrics grant players the acoustic experience onstage and off. In this article, we'll explore some of the best acoustic-electric guitars that truly deliver this best of both worlds.
History
The acoustic-electric guitar has evolved significantly since its origins in the 1930s. Many credit Rickenbacker's Electro Spanish guitar model, introduced in 1932, as the first commercially viable acoustic-electric guitar. This guitar had a magnetic pickup that allowed the acoustic sound to be amplified through an external speaker.
Prior to amplification, acoustic guitars were limited in their volume and projection. Electric guitars could be played loudly, but lacked the rich resonance of acoustic models. The acoustic-electric guitar bridged this gap, offering the warmth of an acoustic guitar with the volume capacity of an electric.
In the late 1930s, jazz guitar legend Charlie Christian began playing an acoustic-electric Gibson ES-150 with Benny Goodman's band. Christian was able to cut through the sound of a big band by using amplification. This demonstrated the new creative possibilities available to guitarists using acoustic-electric instruments.
By the 1950s, rock music was on the rise and guitarists needed louder instruments to compete with pounding drum kits. Les Paul and other luthiers responded with new solid-body electric guitars, yet interest remained in acoustic-electric models that preserved acoustic tone.
Over the following decades, acoustic-electric guitars continued advancing alongside their electric and acoustic counterparts. Recent innovations in pickup technologies, preamp modeling, and stage-ready features have made modern acoustic-electrics more versatile and gig-ready than ever. Leading manufacturers now offer acoustic-electric models to suit all playing styles and performance scenarios.
Key Features
Acoustic-electric guitars, also known as electro-acoustic guitars, are a hybrid between acoustic and electric guitars. They have the natural acoustic properties of a hollow body acoustic guitar but also incorporate pickups that allow them to be plugged into an amplifier and played at high volumes. Here are some of the key features that set acoustic-electric guitars apart:
Hollow Body Construction - Acoustic-electric guitars have a hollow body construction similar to a traditional acoustic guitar, which helps resonate and project the acoustic tone. The hollow body gives them a full, rich and vibrant unplugged acoustic sound.
Built-in Pickups - These guitars have pickups built into the body that can convert the vibrations of the strings into an electronic signal. This allows acoustic-electric guitars to be plugged into amplifiers or PA systems to be heard at loud volumes in live performances. The two main types of pickups used are piezo pickups and magnetic pickups.
Natural Unplugged Tone - When not plugged in, acoustic-electric guitars retain the authentic, bright resonance of a traditional acoustic guitar. This makes them extremely versatile instruments. Musicians can practice quietly at home unplugged, yet still play large gigs plugged into an amp.
Volume and Tone Controls - Acoustic-electric guitars have onboard preamp controls that allow the player to shape the amplified tone. Tone controls like bass, midrange and treble allow EQ adjustment. Volume controls regulate the gain from the pickups when plugged in. These controls give flexibility in amplified tones.
Stage-Ready Design - With their amplifying capabilities, acoustic-electric guitars are designed for the stage. Their pickups and controls allow them to be heard well by the audience during live performances, even despite stage noise. Feedback-resistant designs help prevent unwanted distortion at high volumes.
Variety of Options - Acoustic-electric guitars come in many shapes, styles and configurations. Musicians can choose options like cutaways for easier upper fret access, exotic tonewoods, and high-end electronics from top brands. There are models suited for any budget or playing style.
Notable Models
Fender's Kingman model combines the warmth of an acoustic with the versatility of an electric. Its slim mahogany neck and comfortable "C"-shaped profile makes it an accessible instrument for players of all levels. The Kingman has a solid spruce top with a mahogany back and sides, producing balanced tone and resonance.
Taylor's T5z incorporates the company's signature crisp highs and warm lows. The semi-hollow body minimizes feedback while still allowing the guitar to be played plugged-in. It has a multilayered sapele back and sides along with a solid spruce top. The T5z uses Taylor's proprietary pickup system to accurately capture the guitar's acoustic voice.
The Gibson ES-335 is a legendary semi-hollow electric guitar used by icons like Chuck Berry, Eric Clapton, and BB King. Its symmetrical double-cutaway design minimizes feedback and allows comfortable upper fret access. The ES-335 generally has a maple top, back, and sides with a solid center block running down the middle. This design provides both electric sustain and acoustic resonance.
Epiphone's Les Paul Ultra-III is known for its versatility, using a nanomag pickup system to offer extensive tonal options. The guitar has a solid mahogany body with a maple top and a comfortable slim-taper neck. It includes both acoustic and electric outputs for amplified and unplugged play. The Les Paul Ultra-III is an affordable way to get classic Les Paul tones.
Yamaha's A Series provides excellent acoustic-electric performance for an accessible price. The A3R model has a rosewood back and sides with a solid Engelmann spruce top. It utilizes Yamaha's SRT pickup system which accurately conveys the nuances of the guitar's natural sound. The A Series is known for reliability, consistency, and balanced acoustic tone.
Sound Profile
Acoustic-electric guitars have a unique sound profile that combines attributes of both acoustic and electric guitars. The sound starts with the rich, warm, resonant tones of the acoustic guitar body. This is then blended with the crispness and clarity added by the onboard electronics and pickup system.
Acoustic-electric guitars give players great versatility in shaping their tone using EQ controls. The onboard preamp usually includes bass, midrange, and treble controls. This allows guitarists to boost lows for a deeper bottom end, add sparkle and bite in the highs, or tweak the mids to find the perfect tone. Compared to a traditional acoustic guitar's fixed sound, the EQ provides a wide palette for crafting tones.
The electric side of acoustic-electrics can get quite aggressive when needed, though the tone is still warmer than a solidbody electric guitar. Acoustic-electrics won't have the shredding bite and tightness of a solidbody's bridge humbucker pickup. However, when cranked up, acoustic-electrics can hold their own for rock, blues, or country styles. The acoustic body adds fatness and resonance to temper the electric edge. Overall, acoustic-electrics sit in a sweet tonal middle ground.
Usage in Music
Acoustic-electric guitars have been widely adopted by musicians across many genres, thanks to their versatility and ability to produce both acoustic and amplified tones.
Blues musicians in the 1930s and 40s were among the first to embrace the acoustic-electric guitar. Legendary bluesman T-Bone Walker frequently played a Gibson ES-250, allowing him to perform with a full band while still producing his signature warm acoustic tone.
Jazz guitarists followed suit, using acoustic-electrics like the Gibson ES-175 to hold their own against louder instruments. Jazz greats like Joe Pass and Wes Montgomery relied on their amplified archtops to pioneer jazz guitar styles.
Folk rockers in the 1960s found acoustic-electrics ideal for their blend of acoustic songwriting and electric experimentation. Iconic models like the Epiphone Casino became staples of artists like The Beatles, allowing them to easily switch between intimate acoustic numbers and full-on psychedelic rock.
As rock music grew louder in the 1970s, acoustic-electric guitars remained go-to tools for their acoustic resonance and balanced electric tones. Jimmy Page frequently turned to his Gibson EDS-1275 double neck model when playing epic Led Zeppelin classics like "Stairway to Heaven."
Today, acoustic-electrics continue to be prized for their ability to produce acoustic tones on stage and in the studio without sacrificing the singer-songwriter vibe. Models from Taylor, Martin, and more have been used for iconic unplugged performances and acoustic guitar parts in countless hit songs. Their versatility has secured the acoustic-electric's place as a cornerstone instrument across genres.
Advantages of Acoustic-Electric Guitars
Acoustic-electric guitars offer players the best of both acoustic and electric worlds. These versatile instruments can switch between rich, full-bodied acoustic tones to electric tones with the flip of a switch. This makes them extremely versatile for both studio recording sessions and live performances.
One of the biggest advantages of acoustic-electric guitars is their ability to be stage-ready for live shows. Rather than needing separate acoustic and electric guitars, a single acoustic-electric guitar can handle both duties. This allows the convenience of only needing one instrument while being able to adapt your sound from song to song.
High-end acoustic-electric models can also rival the tone of pure acoustic guitars. With advanced pickup and preamp systems, the latest acoustic-electrics can accurately capture the nuanced resonance and warmth of an acoustic. This allows players to get incredible acoustic tones even when plugged into an amplifier or PA system. For gigging musicians, a quality acoustic-electric provides the best of both worlds in one instrument.
Disadvantages
Acoustic-electric guitars do have some drawbacks compared to their acoustic and electric counterparts.
Feedback Issues with High Gain: Acoustic-electric guitars with undersaddle pickups can be prone to audio feedback, especially when played through an amp with high gain settings. The amplified vibrations from the strings can be picked up by the guitar's pickup, creating a feedback loop. This requires careful gain staging and EQ adjustment.
Heavier than Traditional Acoustics: The internal preamp, pickup system, and battery box add extra weight compared to a traditional acoustic guitar. While recent models have gotten lighter, acoustic-electrics tend to weigh several pounds more on average. This can lead to fatigue over long playing sessions.
Relatively High Cost: Quality acoustic-electric guitars are more expensive than traditional acoustic or even many electric guitars. The specialized pickups, preamps and electronics add to manufacturing costs. Budget models do exist, but the tone and features often suffer. Discerning players need to spend more for a great acoustic-electric.
Impact on Music
The introduction of acoustic-electric guitars had a significant impact on music, allowing for greater creative expression by opening up new tones and playing techniques.
Most notably, it enabled the use of quieter acoustic guitar tones in louder rock, blues, country, and other genres. Before acoustic-electrics, acoustic guitars could struggle to be heard over the amplified drums, bass, and vocals in a live band setting. Acoustic-electrics solved this problem by letting guitarists plug into amplifiers or PA systems to boost their volume.
This new ability paved the way for iconic musicians to incorporate mellower acoustic textures into rock and pop. Artists like Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page, the Eagles' Don Felder, and many others popularized acoustic-electric guitars starting in the 1960s and 70s. Their creative and influential playing styles showed the possibilities of blending acoustic and electric tones.
Beyond volume, acoustic-electric pickups expanded the timbral palette available to guitarists. Effects like reverb, delay, and chorus could now be applied to acoustic tones for even more sonic options. Musicians utilized alternate tunings, fingerpicking techniques, and innovative approaches that highlighted the acoustic qualities of their instruments. This opened up entirely new avenues for musical expression.
In summary, the acoustic-electric guitar broadened the creative horizons of guitarists across many genres. It enabled acoustic tones in live and amplified settings, fostered new techniques and playing styles, and allowed iconic artists to make their mark, forever changing popular music.
Conclusion
Acoustic-electric guitars have come a long way since their invention in the 1930s. They blend the warm, natural sound of an acoustic guitar with the volume and versatility of an electric guitar. Key innovations like the carved top, magnetic pickups, and preamp/EQ controls have enabled acoustic-electrics to create a unique voice.
Notable models over the years like the Gibson ES-150, Epiphone Emperor, Ovation Balladeer, Taylor T5, and Martin DCPA4 Rosewood have pushed the boundaries of acoustic-electric design. Each model contributes unique attributes to create an expressive, adaptable instrument.
Acoustic-electric guitars occupy a special place in music. Their rich, resonant tones excel at clean and smooth lead playing. Their natural acoustic sound shines for fingerpicking and rhythm work. The flexibility to alternate between acoustic and electric modes allows for everything from jazz clubs to stadium concerts. Artists routinely turn to acoustic-electrics to capture the magic and intimacy of an acoustic guitar, while harnessing the power and effects of an electric guitar. After decades of evolution, the acoustic-electric guitar remains unmatched in delivering the best of both worlds.