Beginner Guitars: Acoustic vs. Electric

One of the biggest questions I get from beginning guitarists is, “Should I start out on an acoustic or an electric?” While this is a much-debated question, I am of the firm opinion that the single most important factor of improving your ability on the guitar is simply how many hours have the damn thing in your hands.  You should aim for the instrument that you just can’t put down.  A new player wants instant gratification.  Many will find that the most fun and easy instrument to play that they can get their paws on is an electric guitar.  

I was clueless when shopping for my first guitar so when I was firmly told, “You need to play acoustic for a few years before you play electric.” I didn’t question it. I instantly loved playing but was a bit frustrated at my lack of skill and all that I could think about was getting an electric.  I was 15, I wanted to rock out!  I liked acoustic music but it was only about 10% of what I wanted to play at the time.  So, I would sit on the corner of my bed and butcher Sabbath riffs on my dreadnaught.  It got old quick.

Finally, I got a black SG special and I didn’t even have an amp yet!  I would just strum metal tunes on it and plug it into my dad’s fender 1x12 when I could get away with it.  I was instantly better.  It was so much easier to hold down barre chords, bend notes.  I also discovered that distortion and reverb are great tools for covering up how much you suck.

One of the biggest checks in electric’s pro column is cost.  Although much better playing acoustics are now available in the entry-level price range, they will never play as easily as a comparatively priced electric.  One of the factors for better playability is action.  Action is the distance between the strings and the fretboard.   Due to the thinner strings and more adjustable design, electrics are just easier on the fingers.  Another reason lies in the generally much thinner neck of electrics.  Most electrics have a smooth access to at least 22 frets making traveling up the neck fast and comfortable.

These days you don’t even need an amp to have a great time on an electric guitar.  With a simple and affordable midi-interface you can turn any computer in to something that blows Guitar Hero out of the pond.  You can record, jam over mp3s and play along with YouTube lessons.  Apple’s GarageBand comes standard on all Mac’s has a very guitar friendly interface which allows you to choose from models of classic amps and effects.  Using effects is a great way to make practice interesting and to make simple playing sound huge and powerful, which in turn builds confidence.  I wish that I could have afforded effects when I started after witnessing how much better they made me simply by making the playing more fun.

True, there is a feeling and tonality that only an acoustic guitar can deliver.  An acoustic instrument is a living, breathing thing with a voice all it’s own.  Also, having the freedom to travel and not having to worry about a power outlet is a pretty sweet thing.  I absolutely love playing acoustic but could never enjoy it the way I do now without first learning on an electric.
In the end I feel you should start on an acoustic if the vast majority of what you wish to play is acoustic music.  If you want to rock and start on an acoustic, you’ll spend all your time sitting on the edge of your bed trying to piece together Eruption unplugged.  Lame!