It’s true you don’t need to buy expensive gear, but some acoustic guitars can make your playing sound much better.

A pickup in your acoustic guitar is a device that helps amplify the sound of your instrument. It has many benefits that are difficult or impossible to achieve with no pick-up.

So how much does it cost to install a pickup in an acoustic guitar?

It depends on the type of pickup you install:

• Soundhole pickups – the cost is around $100 on average.
• Under-bridge or under saddle pickups – the cost is around $150 on average.
• Preamp with a set of internal microphones – the cost can range from $250 to $500 or more on rare occasions.

The price quote above doesn’t include the installation fee, which can run anywhere from free to several hundred dollars depending on who does it.

How Much Is A Guitar Pickup Installation?

Rule of thumb – the cost of installation is about the same as the price of the acoustic guitar pickup.

Like any other products, some guitar pickups are more expensive than others. Likewise, some pickups are easy to install while others aren’t. For example, installing an under-bridge or under-saddle acoustic guitar is always more expensive than installing a soundhole pickup.

The price of installation can vary, so it’s hard to give standard costs on this one.

Advantages Of Installing An Acoustic Guitar Pickup

• You can hear yourself better (practice more and get better!)
• More and better tonal variety (more chords and leads)
• More notes per string (higher pitched strings) [easier to play on the 12th fret]
• More dynamic range [easier to play on the 12th fret]
• It’s a lot less expensive than buying a new acoustic electric guitar [mostly] – you get a lot of guitar for little money.

Types of Acoustic Guitar Pickups – Soundhole vs Under Saddle vs Internal Microphone

For me, I prefer soundhole pickups because they are very easy to install and sound great!  Also, if I want to see my acoustic guitar but keep the pickup, I can easily remove it.

Soundhole Pickups

A soundhole pickup is one that attaches by inserting the sensor under the guitar strings inside the soundhole.

They are the most economical and very easy to install yourself.  They also sound great and give you great sound for this price point.

Soundhole pickups are the best way to go if you want to install a pickup yourself quickly and easily.

If you are looking to purchase a soundhole pickup, I would recommend the Fishman Neo-Buster.  It is one of the best soundhole pickups for the money.

Under Saddle Pickups

Under saddle acoustic pickups are ones that go under the saddle, usually clipping to one or both of the bridge pins. They are also called endpin pickups (the sensor slides in an endpin hole).

They are the next cheapest and easiest to install yourself. They sound good and work well.

Under saddle pickups are a great choice if you want your pickup to be hidden and still want good sound quality.

If you are looking at getting yourself one of these, I recommend the LR Baggs Element Active System.  It has the best sound quality and value for the money.  It is an active pickup so it needs a battery but battery like is in the 1000 hour range.

Internal Microphone Pickups

Internal microphone pickups are ones that have the electronics inside the body. They are usually battery powered.

The acoustic sound is very good but it will cost you a lot more to get one installed.

If you are looking into getting one of these, I recommend the LR Baggs Anthem Active system that runs off a rechargeable lithium ion battery. You need to re-charge it about once or twice per year. It has great sound quality and sounds amazing when paired with external monitors (like in church).

Should I Put A Pickup In My Acoustic Guitar?

There are many factors to consider when evaluating whether or not to use a pickup in your acoustic guitar. They include:

• Sound Quality – Acoustic guitars are designed with specific acoustic characteristics that are different from electric guitars, so when installing a pickup onto an acoustic guitar, it needs to be adapted appropriately.
• Versatility – The versatility of the pickup is another thing to think about. Are you thinking of using it for recording or live performance? How often will you be using it?
• How much are you willing to spend? – All the options are available in a range of price points. You can get one for under $100 to over $1000. You can even get full set-ups with preamps, internal microphones, and built in effects.
• How do you envision using the guitar? – Do you envision yourself using it as a practice guitar or for performance? Maybe you want to use it during recording or live performance.
• Is this an acoustic that will benefit from a pickup? – Acoustic guitars are typically designed without pickups because they are used for pure acoustic playing situations.

Will I Need An Acoustic Guitar Amp?

Once you install the pickup, you will need an amplifier to produce the sound and natural tone.  Again, there are lots of options.

You can buy a small amp and mic it directly, but it will be much louder than you would like and may distort the sound. It may also be very difficult to control the volume as you increase the gain.

You can go with a small combo amplifier which is loud enough, but it will need to be amplified if you want professional quality recordings.

If you are using your guitar for recording, get a large heavy duty combo or an acoustic amp which is very loud for recording.

I would recommend taking a look at our article on the best acoustic guitar amplifiers if you are in the market for one.

Conclusion

If you have been thinking about installing a pickup in your acoustic guitar, I hope this article has helped you.  It’s a good idea to have a good understanding of your options before you go ahead and get one installed. You can get them installed for free or for a lot of money depending on who does the work.

Otherwise, you can also save some work and get yourself a good acoustic electric guitar instead.

The post How Much Does It Cost To Install A Pickup In An Acoustic Guitar? appeared first on Happy New Guitar Day.

Main Features

The traveler guitar ultra-light acoustic is easy to carry, small in size, and compact. It can fit in small spaces making it easy to carry even when you have limited space. It has its body made of wood, a stylish and natural finishing, making it one of the most popular instruments in the market.

Something else that you should know about this instrument is about its storage. The guitar has a detachable lap rest frame where you can put it in the deluxe gig bag. It is also easy to travel with even when flying as it will fit nicely in airline overhead bins. It is also easy to use with the acoustic piezo pickup and a detachable lap rest frame. The guitar has a full-scale neck, and the fact that it does not have a headstock; makes it ideal for users.

CHECK THE LATEST PRICE ON THE TRAVER ULTRA-LIGHT ACOUSTIC

Sound

The guitar is fitted with six nylon strings six, which are soft and make the fingers comfortable while playing. The instrument has a basswood that produces smooth and creamy vibrant sounds. Therefore, when you have the traveler guitar or plan to buy one, you will expect to play folk, country, or rock music with ease.

Benefits of Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Acoustic

• There are numerous benefits to this type of guitar. These benefits are listed below.
• It comes in varied colors, making it easy for you to select your favorite color.
• It is a high-quality yet affordable guitar that everyone who likes using a guitar can buy.
• Another great thing about this kind of instrument is the materials that are used to make it. It is made of quality materials.
• Something else is that there are different options to make purchases, and you can make various shipping arrangements. Numerous suppliers are available in the market, and all you need is to do your homework to get the most reliable supplier.
• The Traveler Ultralight is a great little practice guitar.
• You can also have the instrument and all its accessories shipped to your country without paying an extra shipping fee.
• The manufacturers have a return policy. Once you buy the instrument and are not happy about some of its features or something that you did not order, the return policy will help you get a refund for your instrument if you follow the right procedure.
• It is the best-rated type of guitar that is available online.
• If you are buying the instrument for the first time, it is good to make sure you get something you will enjoy. The traveler guitar Ultralight electrics and acoustics come with a gig bag, which is best for beginners.
• Another great thing about this guitar is that you can buy the components depending on how much money you have. You may choose what is a must-have and keep adding the remaining components at your own pace.
• You have the option of adding components since the more you spend, the more components you get. Many people who have used the product are happy with it. That is why most people give it a five-star rating.

Cons

Some people experience sound issues when using this instrument. The tuning system can give you a few challenges, especially if you are a new player. It is also not the best guitar on the market when using a group practice or a noisy environment due to sound effects.

Final Word

If your interest is to use something that you can carry around for some soft music, a traveler guitar acoustic will be the best choice over a fullsize electric. It is always in tune and has a neck that feels nice. Before making your final decision, it will be wise to know why you need the product. Remember, it is not the best for learners, and therefore you should not recommend it to anyone new to playing. However, a beginner can practice other guitars requiring fewer skills before they transform to using this advanced instrument.  It is an excellent acoustic guitar under $300 choice. Got questions about this product, comment below.

The post Traveler Guitar Review Of The Ultra-Light Acoustic appeared first on Happy New Guitar Day.

Compared to other guitars of the same price tag, the materials used to make the DX1AE are not only absolutely beautiful, but they are also of incredible quality. This guitar’s ability to produce the maximum amount of volume thanks to the fact that it has a dreadnought body. On top of that, the DX1AE has an A frame X-1 top bracing with solid Sitka spruce top braces. To give it a nice touch of authenticity, the guitar’s satin finish has been completed by hand, making it look simply superb.

A high-pressure mahogany grained laminate featuring a textured finish is used in the back and sides of the DX1AE, which really helps to balance out the sound of the guitar. With that said, let’s take a look into the Martin DX1AE’s features and looks. After discussing them, we’ll mention some of its pros and cons. Here we go!

Martin DX1AE Features

Most people have no clue that the model name of this guitar by Martin isn’t just a random alphanumeric combination, but an abbreviation for its features. The D stands for dreadnought which is the guitar’s body style; the X stands for X series; the 1 means that this instrument has a standard A-frame and is a basic acoustic-electric guitar; and AE stands for Acoustic Electric.

As mentioned earlier, the back and sides of the DX1AE is made from mahogany grained high-pressure laminate (HPL) with, and the body made from a solid Sitka spruce. The top of the guitar’s body has a hand rubbed finish that looks so elegant, and inside it is an X-bracing that is non-scalloped.

A mahogany grained high-pressure laminate is used on the neck of the DX1AE. It features a standard set of tuners on the headstock and a performing artist neck profile. Both the bridge and fretboard are made from Richlite. The neck and body of this instrument are solidly connected by a Mortise and Tenon joint.

Even though most players complain about the Martin DX1AE’s build quality, we can attest that this instrument can withstand a decent amount of abuse, including hitting any hard object such as a wall. The DX1AE can get dents and scratches, so don’t misuse it thinking that it is resistant to them.

The tonewood of the this guitar isn’t that good for the most part. However, the quality of its sound makes up for this small disadvantage. The DX1AE is able to bring louder and more bass to the sound thanks its solid spruce top, which is a bit thicker than most instruments in its range. Its tuners are made of a chromium material and are designed in a way that allows you to play for a considerable amount of time without the need for constant re-tuning.

Martin uses electronics from the leading manufacturer Fishman in the DX1AE. This allows you a decent amount of flexibility from the instrument, which makes it suitable for a wide range of performances.

Sound

Even though the DX1AE may not look quiet like their flagship models, you’ll be able to tell that it is from Martin when you strike a note. This guitar has the Martin-pioneered deep, dominating Dreadnought tone.

Pros

• High-quality sound
• Affordable
• It’s build allows it to withstand abuse and doesn’t show a lot of wear and tear signs
• Produces large, clear sound
• Provides amazing resonance
• Has a balanced sound
• Easy to transport
• Very light weight

Cons

• You have to remove all of its strings just to access the guitar’s batteries
• It has a shallow bottom strap, which means you may feel some discomfort when playing

Conclusion

The Martin brand is a coveted name in the guitar industry, and the fact that you can get a signature Martin craftsmanship and sound acoustic guitar for less than $1000 makes owning the DX1AE a good idea. Its tone and projection make up for the disadvantages brought about by the choice of tonewood. Therefore, go ahead and purchase the Martin DX1AE.

The post READ This Martin DX1AE Review Before You Buy appeared first on Happy New Guitar Day.

Taylor 314ce Features

The Taylor 314ce Guitar Body

The name that comes to mind when you hear see the grand auditorium body shape is Taylor. Taylor have been using this body shape on so many of its guitars that they’ve even discontinued their dreadnought line and decided to focus on the grand auditorium shape.

The grand auditorium body shape has a way of transforming sound in a great and special way. All Taylor guitars featuring this body shape deliver a deep bass with clear highs. Thanks to its body and sound quality, you can use the 314ce to play all genres of music.

CHECK THE LATEST PRICE ON THE TAYLOR 314CE

The Taylor 314ce is a mid-sized guitar, and thanks to the shape of its body, you can play in both a grand concert, which requires a softer fingerstyle player, and bluegrass or flat picking events where a big booming sound is required.

The Neck

The neck of the 314ce is fantastic, something that is expected of any Taylor guitar. Its neck is slimmer, has a playable feel to it, and feels great in your hands. The neck is polished with a satin finish that allows your hand to glide freely, which makes it easier and more comfortable to play especially if you have small hands.

Electronics

The pickup used in the 314ce is Taylor’s Expression System 2. This pickup is mounted behind the saddle instead of under it, therefore, bringing out the natural sound of the wood on its body.

Sound

The Taylor 314ce’s sound quality is superb with a full low end, punchy mid range, and nice and clear highs.

You will also be amazed by the 314ce’s sound when playing fingerstyle. This is because its grand auditorium body shape gives out great bass response with so much fullness when playing this style. The highs of this guitar also blend well with the bass and treble not being too high.

There is so much to like about this guitar’s sound. Considering its price and how other guitars in the same range sound, we would say the 314ce has value for money. If you are on a budget, getting the 314ce is a good idea.

Pros

• Has a durable Stika spruce that increases the feet performance and complements its physical design
• It features a unique V shape bracing that makes regulating the flexibility of the top structure of the guitar easier, therefore, enhancing its performance
• It features the Venetian cutaway neck design that is not only appealing to the eyes, but also comfortable to the hands
• Features the grand auditorium body shape design that provides for excellent tone balance, especially in the mid range

Cons

• The quality of its pickguard is poor, which compromises its durability especially if the guitar is regularly used by a hard player
• It is not fitted with a dynamic EQ, which is a feature that most less experienced users would prefer to have in their guitars for enhanced sound production

Conclusion

Taylor is one of the leading acoustic guitar manufacturers in the world. Even though the prices of their instruments is a bit higher than those of other brands, the qualities of its guitars make buying a Taylor a decision you won’t regret. One of the best things about this brand is its consistency. Every guitar they produce is even better than the previous one and they always try to improve on the existing models. The build of their guitars is consistent and also is the sound. If you are looking for a guitar, consider buying the Taylor 314ce.

The post READ This Taylor 314CE Review Before You Buy! appeared first on Happy New Guitar Day.

Quick Links To Our Best Acoustic Electric Guitar Under $300 Recommendations

• Fender CD-60SCE – OUR TOP CHOICE!
• Ovation Applause
• Jasmine JD-39CE – BLK J Series
• Washburn EA12B-A Festive Series Mini Jumbo Cutaway
• Ibanez V70CE
• Alvarez RF26CE OM/Folk
• Fender FA-235E
• Lag Guitars Tramontane T100ASCE
• Oscar Schmidt 6 String OG10CE Cutaway
• James Neligan LYN-ACFI LYNE Series

While guitars come in various varieties, not all of them are suited to all guitarists. Therefore, we have created a list of small-budget acoustic-electric guitars suited exclusively for guitar novices and intermediate guitarists. Check out our ten best recommendations for acoustic electric guitars under $300 and know about each model in detail to make a wiser choice.

Our Under 300 Acoustic Electric Guitar Reviews

Fender CD-60SCE Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Fender is the world’s leading manufacturer of musical instruments and accessories. The brand’s products extend across a wide range of guitars and ukuleles. Their products have been used and endorsed by beginners as well as professionals.

The Fender CD-60SCE acoustic guitar features a dreadnought cutaway body made of mahogany. The dreadnought style accounts for a much larger body than other styles, lending the CD-60SCE to possess a bold, rich tone. The strings are made of phosphor-bronze and are placed on a hardtail bridge system. This 6 steel string guitar also includes a built-in Fishman preamp system and tuner.

This guitar has been advertised as ideal for beginners and intermediate players. It also comes in left-handed and 12-string versions.

Pros

• Great features for a low price
• Excellent sound quality
• Neck comprises rolled fingerboard edges making for a comfortable grip
• Great preamp with built-in tuner

Cons

• Fretboard quickly gets warped during cold weather
• Issues with fret alignment right after buying; strings sound buzzy

Our Rating –
 5/5


Check The Latest Price On The Fender CD-60SCE

Ovation Applause Electric-Acoustic Guitars

The Ovation Applause acoustic guitar comprises a unique body style called the roundback. The backside of the body of the guitar is designed in a curved, parabolic shape, much like the human ear. This allows for enhanced acoustics and a consistent tone across the scale. However, the roundback style results in the guitar being a larger size than usual.

The guitar’s body is made of a patented material called Lyrachord, which is similar to fiberglass. This material renders itself perfectly to the parabolic shape. Lyrachord also makes the guitar almost unbreakable and more resistant to the usual damage caused by wear and tear.

The Ovation Applause has a mid-depth body and a soft ‘V’ neck. This neck shape is designed to provide guitarists with excellent playability. The neck is almost as thin as an electric guitar, which allows easy handling. The CE304T preamp is paired with the Ovation Slimline pickup, creating a unique sound quality.

Pros

• Roundback design offers better acoustics
• Sturdier material than most other guitars
• One-of-a-kind sound, almost exactly between acoustic and electric
• Excellent preamp and tuner

Cons

• The large body may not fit into all storage cases
• Not as good as the other guitars by Ovation

Our Rating –
 4.5/5


Check The Latest Price On The Ovation Applause

Jasmine JD-39CE – BLK J Series Acoustic- Electric Guitar

Jasmine Guitars may not be a big brand name, but it is still one of the fastest-growing guitar companies in the world. The JD-39CE is part of the J Series. This guitar fits perfectly into the requirements of amateur guitarists. It also offers excellent value for money.

The Jasmine JD-39CE is made of a dreadnought style body with an Advanced X-Bracing pattern. This pattern implies that the X-bracing pattern is shifted a little to the front, closer to the soundhole. This, in effect, produces a richer, more amplified sound with a better definition. The neck is slimmer than traditional acoustic electric guitars. This allows for easier handling.

The bracing ensures that the top is lightweight and vibrates more freely. The dreadnought-style body allows a more sonorous, richer tone.

The JD-39 CE comprises a B-band preamp system with a built-in tuner and a four-band EQ. These features combined provide great playability. This guitar is especially recommended for beginners and fingerstyle guitarists.

Pros

• Rich sound, good acoustics
• Better finish than some others of the same price range
• Unique Advanced X-bracing pattern
• Hardshell case is included with the guitar.

Cons

• Strings are not of great quality
• Requires more initial setup than other guitars

Our Rating –
 4/5


Check The Latest Price On The Jasmine JD-39CE – BLK J Series

Washburn EA12B-A Festive Series Mini Jumbo Cutaway

Washburn’s Festival Series was created 25 years ago, specially catered towards aspiring musicians. The EA12B-A Festive Series Mini Jumbo Cutaway body features a basswood top, back, and sides. The Mini Jumbo body features the same booming tone, which is the highlight of a Jumbo guitar. However, the body is not as large, so it still offers excellent playability. The guitar’s cutaway allows easier access to the upper frets, relieving stress from your arms and wrists.

The EA12B-A guitars feature a stop tail bridge. This is a combination of a bridge and a stop tailpiece. This style of bridging allows a better sustain and better tone. The stop tail bridge also ensures that your guitar stays in tune longer than a conventional hardtail bridge.

The top features a quarter sawn scalloped bracing made of Sitka spruce. The scalloped bracing ensures a loud, rich tone and improved bass. Additionally, the mahogany neck is structured with a dual-action truss rod for added stability. This guitar also comes with a Barcus-Berry EQ4T preamp system. Overall, the EA12B-A Festive Series Mini Jumbo Cutaway provides a great experience to novice guitarists.

Pros

• Good value for money
• The smaller size makes it easy to handle
• Great bass-treble balance
• Amplified sound

Cons

• Hardshell case not included
• Tuner and pickup not up to standard

Our Rating –
 4.5/5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijNTgO0FSlg

Check The Latest Price On The Washburn EA12B-A Festive Series Mini Jumbo

Ibanez V70CE Acoustic-Electric Guitar

The Ibanez V70CE features a dreadnought body made of mahogany and a spruce top. The neck is also made of mahogany, while the fretboard and bridge are crafted from rosewood. The narrow neck provides a more comfortable playing experience as compared to most acoustic guitars. The built-in electronics and Spanish-inspired design result in a high-quality sound.

The body of the V70CE comes with a cutaway pattern, which facilitates easier handling. This guitar is capable of a rich tone for an extended period of time after tuning. The plugged-in sound has received a lot of positive responses, but the acoustic tune may sound too full at times. The overall playability, however, has garnered many positive reviews.

Pros

• Lightweight, easily portable
• Rich, clear tone, powerful volume
• More comfortable to play than many other high-range guitars
• Sustained tonal quality after tuning, strong tuning pegs
• Well-worth the cost, perfect for non-professionals

Cons

• Issues with fretboard, strings sound buzzy sometimes
• The body is susceptible to scratches.
• Fingerprints and smudges are clearly seen

Check out our Ibanez V70CE review as well.
Our Rating –
 4/5


Check The Latest Price On The Ibanez V70CE

Alvarez RF26CE OM/Folk Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Alvarez Guitars has designed stringed instruments that have been used by some of the most famous names in the music industry. The Alvarez RF26CE OM/Folk comprises what is called an Orchestra Model (OM) style body. The OM style’s two main features are the wider neck and scale length, both suitable for fingerstyle playing. In this model, however, the neck is not as wide as a traditional OM style neck, which allows for easy handling.

The body is made of mahogany at the back and sides. The top is made of a combination of laminated and solid wood and features a scalloped bracing. The mahogany neck and fretboard feature a stain finish. The fretboard encloses a dual-action truss road for enhanced stability. The Alvarez RF26CE OM/Folk also contains D’Addario EXP16 coated phosphor-bronze strings for impeccable sound quality.

It is a high-quality guitar and is excellent for entry-level guitarists looking for pro-level specifications at a comparatively lower price. The RF26CE OM/Folk possesses a full, open sound. Also, a padded gig bag comes included with the guitar, so you don’t have to look around for a separate case.

Pros

• A well-built, laminated body
• Less susceptible to scratches
• Great specifications and sound quality
• Pro-level features for a low price
• Easy to handle despite slightly wider neck

Cons

• The built-in tuner is not up to standard
• The finish on the product is uneven.

Our Rating –
 4/5


Check The Latest Price On The Alvarez RF26CE OM/Folk

Fender FA-235E Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Fender’s guitars are top quality, and it’s made our list twice! The FA-235E is suitable for both beginners and professionals, making it a popular choice.

The body of the Fender FA-235E is of the concert style. A concert-style body is smaller than a dreadnought or a jumbo and has a more tapered waist. This lends the guitar to possess a more defined tone.

The smaller body is also ideal for complex chords and fingerstyle playing. Furthermore, the size allows for easier handling and offers a comfortable experience for guitarists who like to sit down while performing.

A flame maple top is attached to the mahogany sides and back, all of which are laminated. The neck and fingerboard are made of rosewood. In addition to that, the Viking bridge ensures great playability and sound quality. This model, like the Fender CD-60SCE, features a top-quality Fishman preamp with built-in tuner. The FA-235E is designed to provide an overall great experience. It is ideal for intermediate guitarists who perform at events like open mics.

Pros

• Easy handling
• Smaller size, richer sound
• Minimal maintenance required, sustained sound quality
• The classy finish looks elegant
• The laminated finish provides resistance against humidity

Cons

• Strings may have to be replaced after buying because the sound quality is tinny
• Misaligned frets causing buzzy sound

Our Rating –
 4/5


Check The Latest Price On The Fender FA-235E

Lag Guitars Tramontane T100ASCE

Lag Guitars, though not a big-name manufacturer, is still known for high-quality musical instruments. Tramontane, Lag’s acoustic guitar range, is famous for its rich tonal properties and excellent playing experience. The Tramontane T100ASCE is another orchestra/auditorium style guitar. The auditorium design ensures a more sonorous listening experience, along with a distinct range of notes.

The cutaway body design of the Tramontane T100ASCE facilitates easier handling. The guitar also features a Western red cedar top and an African Sapele back and sides. The cedar top contributes to an overall deep, exacting tone.

This guitar, again, is suited to fingerstyle players and reduces strain on the arms and wrist. The T100ASCE produces a great tone while both unplugged and plugged. It also comes with a built-in tuner and preamp, both of high quality. One thing to note is that this guitar may be a little heavy for beginners. The weight, however, does not make any compromises on sound quality or handling.

Pros

• Excellent finish, unique choice of wood
• Good playability, slim body
• Easy to handle
• Distinct tonal range and an excellent listening experience overall

Cons

• Buzzy strings when unboxed
• Slightly fragile body

Our Rating –
 4/5


Check The Latest Price On The Lag Guitars Tramontane T100ASCE

Oscar Schmidt 6 String OG10CE Cutaway

The Oscar Schmidt Company used to be the go-to brand for country-style and blues guitarists. The Oscar Schmidt OG10CE is a concert-style guitar made of spruce. ‘Concert style’ entails that the guitar is smaller in shape and provides for easier handling. This particular style was popular in the 19^th century but is now making a comeback. This guitar is excellently suited to fingerstyle playing.

The spruce top of this guitar is attached to a catalpa back. The rosewood fretboard features a dual-action truss rod. The neck is made of maple and contains a satin finish for easy handling. The OG10CE delivers a rich, clear tone and allows for comfortable handling.

The guitar also comprises a hardtail bridge. This bridge provides excellent overall stability to the instrument. Perfect for live concerts, the OG10CE includes a Barcus Berry preamp system with a built-in tuner. The body features a high-gloss finish and comes in a variety of unique colors.

Pros

• Suitable for both guitar beginners and advanced guitarists
• Separate jack for plugging into PA system besides standard guitar jack
• Excellent finish, assorted color choices

Cons

• The tone may be slightly off
• Strings may need replacement after a short time.

Our Rating –
 4/5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HecJoXnAo_Y

Check The Latest Price On The Oscar Schmidt 6 String OG10CE Cutaway

James Neligan LYN-ACFI LYNE Series

James Neligan Guitars or simply JN Guitars are manufacturers who specialize in acoustic guitars for entry-level and intermediate guitarists. The James Neligan LYN-ACFI is part of their LYNE Series, comprising of an orchestra style body. This style, also called the auditorium model, features a smaller body and is more suited to fingerstyle playing. The auditorium style body also ensures a good treble-bass balance and a well-balanced sound. 

Its body is made of rosewood and is fixed to a spruce top. Its mahogany neck with satin finish facilitates a comfortable playing experience overall. It is also equipped with a Fishman Sonitone preamp and soundhole-mounted volume and tone controls. The battery box is side-mounted, with a 1.4-inch jack output. All in all, this guitar offers great sound quality with an attractive design.

Pros

• Superior design and sound quality compared to other guitars of the same series
• Great sound projection
• Attractive design, elegant finish
• Amazing sound range, great for fingerpickers

Cons

• Strings sometimes need to be replaced
• May require quite a bit of setup after buying.

Our Rating –
 4/5

What To Expect With An Acoustic Electric Guitar Under $300

If you are planning on buying an electro acoustic for $300 and under, there are some features that you should expect to find in the instrument. First, they will be constructed out of laminated wood. At this price point, they are not made from solid wood and may also be made with a plywood core. If you want an electric acoustic that is made of better materials, you should expect to pay more for it. But, at $300, you’ll still get a good instrument!

About This Price Point

The second thing to know about an instrument at this price point is that it will not have much in the way of accessories like case, gig bag or tuner (though some do offer these features). If you are going to be using your instrument at home, it will be fine to make do without a gig bag. But if you plan on traveling with the guitar, then a case would definitely come in handy!

Look At Build Quality

Another important factor to look for is the overall build quality. If you don’t intend to be taking your new guitar on the road, then a more flimsy build of body and neck will be okay. But if you want a guitar that will stand up to plenty of abuse, you need to find a model that is well made. When you are buying an acoustic electric at this price point, there won’t be much consistency in the build quality from brand to brand or model to model. So, you’ll have to decide which instrument you’d prefer to buy and then look for a durable model that matches your needs.

What About Upgraded Features?

There are also some models of acoustic electric guitars under $300 that have upgraded features like offering a built-in tuner or gig bag. If you want an acoustic guitar with these added extras, then you’ll want to be ready to pay more than the $300 minimum price for an instrument with these features. But if you just want the basic mechanics of an electric instrument and aren’t planning on using it for travel, then you can stay under $300 and still get a good instrument!

The last thing to keep in mind is that it may take some time to find a model. If you do your homework upfront, then you’ll have already decided what features are worth paying more for and which ones are not. This will make it easier for you to narrow down your choices. You should also contact the dealer directly before buying online.

Check out these quick picks as well:

• Fender T-Bucket 300CE

Best Under $300 Acoustic Electric Guitars Conclusion

If you are a beginner and would like to learn to play the guitar before investing in an expensive one, any of the guitars mentioned in this list would suit you excellently. However, before you settle on a model, make sure to analyze what kind of guitar would best suit your interests.

You may consider factors like your predominant style of playing, whether it is strumming or fingerpicking, your experience level, your stage, etc. Besides the criteria mentioned here, your guitar must feel comfortable when you play it. Make sure to try handling a couple of models at a store near you, before you buy one.

The post THESE 10 Best Acoustic Electric Guitars Under 300 Are AWESOME! appeared first on Happy New Guitar Day.

Quick Links To Our Best Acoustic Electric Guitar Under $500 Recommendations

• Takamine GF30CE-BSB FXC Cutaway Acoustic Electric – OUR TOP CHOICE!
• Washburn Heritage 20 Series HD20SCE
• Ovation CS28P-KOAB Celebrity Standard Exotic Super Shallow Depth
• Dean Mako Dave Mustaine Acoustic
• Fender CN-140SCE Dreadnaught
• Luna Fauna Series Butterfly Cutaway
• Taylor Swift Signature Baby Taylor
• Guild OM-240CE
• Breedlove Pursuit Dreadnought
• Fender Newporter Player

Although popular, acousticelectric guitars are often forgotten when it comes to in-depth reviews, making it pretty tricky to find the right one for you. Guitarists are well acquainted with the type of musical instrument they want, but there are always some additional things to look out for. So here are our top recommendations for the best acoustic electric guitar under 500 or these acoustic guitars under $500.

Our Under $500 Acoustic Electric Guitar Recommendations

Takamine GF30CE-BSB FXC Cutaway Acoustic Electric

Takamine GF30CE is a sleek looking guitar that features a solid spruce top along with mahogany back and sides that contribute to producing melodious sounds. It has a diminutive FXC body style with a soft Venetian-style cutaway.

The instrument makes a great choice for someone seeking well-balanced sound and solid top construction. Its slim mahogany neck and the rosewood fingerboard provide playability with a great feel. Takamine’s onboard preamp system offers you a built-in tuner with three-band EQ, promising the player excellent amplified versatility and performance.

Takamine GF30CE offers some other interesting features such as a pin-less rosewood bridge, split bridge saddle, synthetic bone nut, rosewood headcap, pearloid rosette, and dot inlays. Customers have three beautiful color options to choose from – natural, black, sunburst.

Features

• Built-in tuner with three band EQ
• Pin-less rosewood bridge
• Split bridge saddle
• Three color options

Pros

• Fully clear sound
• High quality
• Adorned with classy touches
• Solid spruce top
• Affordable price
• Gloss finish

Cons

• Battery drains even when the guitar is not in use.

Our Rating –
 5/5


Check The Latest Price On The Takamine GF30CE-BSB FXC Cutaway

Washburn Heritage 20 Series HD20SCE Acoustic Electric Guitars

The Washburn Heritage 20 Series HD20SCE is a classic dreadnought acoustic guitar featuring cutaway for superior upper fret access. It comes with a solid spruce top for superior tone that improves with age. It has elegant rosewood sides and back.

This guitar also features a mahogany neck and a rosewood fingerboard and bridge. Some of the other features include die-cast tuners that come with stylish ebonite buttons for quick, accurate, and easy tuning. Besides this, customers will get a Nubone nut, a Washburn tortoise pickguard, a custom rosette, and a 2-way truss rod.

Customers do not need to carry around an extra tuner, thanks to its built-in Fishman 301T Tuner/Preamp. The tuner which features bass, volume and treble control for a natural amplified acoustic tone along with a phase switch to deal with feedback issues.

The guitar is well made and offers great sound. It is an ideal choice for anyone who wants rich sound at an affordable price.

Features

• Die-cast tuners
• Nubone nut
• Washburn tortoise pickguard
• Built-in Fishman 301T tuner

Pros

• Great acoustic sound
• Solid spruce top
• Easy, quick and accurate tuning with stylish ebonite buttons

Cons

• No color options

Our Rating –
 5/5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7o2t4duhXA

Check The Latest Price On The Washburn Heritage 20 Series HD20SCE

Ovation CS28P-KOAB Celebrity Standard Exotic Super Shallow Depth

This is the right instrument for those who adore the performance of the Ovation celebrity collection. Ovation was born in 1966 and has a proven record of innovation. Their superior materials and non-traditional designs offer Ovation guitars a unique sound. To date, they continue to create unconventional, inspiring, and innovative guitars.

Designed with gorgeous exotic woods and stunning finishes, these instruments are set apart visually and instantly appeal to the eye. Its pro design and playability makes it one of the best options to choose from.

The guitar features a playable satin-finished neck, a super shallow slim profile, and 10″ radius fretboard which makes the guitar noteworthy and super comfortable for anyone to play. Its center-cut soundhole offsets the shallow body by giving projection and a loud resonance. This amazing new design is designed for organic acoustic tone and optimal power.

The brand understands that feel is everything for progressive players, which is why it delivers more than a series of guitars that feel right and look absolutely amazing. It is an ideal choice for setting the live performance bar high.

This guitar is perfect for professional musicians and offers good mellow sounds with a great tone.

Features

• Satin-finished neck
• 10” radius fretboard
• Supports organic acoustic tone

Pros

• High gloss finish
• Offers loud resonance and projection
• Beautiful color options

Cons

None

Our Rating –
 5/5


Check The Latest Price On The Ovation CS28P-KOAB Celebrity Standard

Dean Mako Dave Mustaine Acoustic-Electric Guitars

This is the signature acoustic electric guitar by Dave Mustaine, which is named ‘Mako’ because of its shark gill-shaped soundhole, shark teeth pearl inlays, and dorsal fin-shaped bridge. The gill-shaped soundhole provides plenty of projection. The sharp Florentine cutaway on the mahogany body with the spruce top promotes upper fretboard shredding.

Some of the other distinctive features include black NuBone nut and saddle, ebony fingerboard, grover tuners and Fishman Isys+ preamp with tuner.

For more than 40 years, the brand has been a player’s choice for musicians all over the world for providing the finest custom guitars.

As per customer reviews, the guitar sounds great and is easy to play. It looks even more beautiful in person than the pictures.

Features

• Attractive shark-inspired design
• NuBone nut and saddle
• Ebony fingerboard
• Fishman Isys+ preamp with tuner

Pros

• Built-in tuners
• Ebony fingerboard
• Affordable
• Good tonewood
• Comfortable to use

Cons

• Sounds might be tiny.

Our Rating –
 4.5/5


Check The Latest Price On The Dean Mako Dave Mustaine Acoustic

Fender CN-140SCE Dreadnaught Acoustic-Electric Guitar

The Fender classic design series combines the timelessness of classic body shapes with top-notch craftsmanship. This masterpiece has many modern features that appeal to guitarists. The company’s classic design series has something to offer for everyone. Whether you are looking for a classic tone of the mahogany dreadnought, exploring new tones with nylon strings, or experimenting with smaller body shapes, you will easily find your source of inspiration with Fender.

The Fender CN-140SCE Dreadnaught comes with a solid spruce top which fashions the top of the guitar. Thanks to its comfortably rolled fingerboard edges, the instrument’s neck creates a very comfortable fret-hand feel that is ideal for beginners and experienced pros. The cutaway offers easy access to upper frets for high-register play.

The guitar has an elegant appearance with a rich, warm tone along with a smooth feel, solid strength, and excellent tonal quality.  It comes with a hardshell case that features a useful storage compartment and making it more portable.

The overall quality of the product is amazing and it has good sound. The action and overall quality of the guitar are splendid. It is affordable and is indeed a well-built instrument.

Features

• Comfortable fingerboard edges
• Hardshell case for storage
• Cutaway foe convenient access to upper frets

Pros

• Clean tones
• Vibrant sounds
• Solid spruce top

Cons

• Requires more comfort for left-hand in the cutaway

Our Rating –
 4.5/5


Check The Latest Price On The Fender CN-140SCE Dreadnaught

Luna Fauna Series Butterfly Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitars

This guitar by Luna is a piece of art and is inspired by the Roman goddess of animals. The Fauna series pay homage to insects and animals, both mythical and real. The guitar features an abalone butterfly that alights on a delicate flower at the sound hole of this artistic instrument. Butterfly is seen as a powerful symbol of transformation, resurrection, potential, celebration, and lightness of being. The idea behind this aesthetic design is to remind us to have faith in the inevitable changes in our life.

The Luna Fauna Butterfly guitar features a folk style cutaway with an organic quilted maple top for a full sounding instrument that suits any player. Its rosewood fingerboard and maple body give the best clarity and warmth. Players receive a comfortable playing experience while putting challenging notes within easy reach, thanks to its specially designed neck profile.

Overall, the guitar is solid and looks amazingly gorgeous. Its smaller size makes it easy to play and has a tuner. The guitar comes with strings already on and has a full sound with no tiny noises or rattling caused due to hitting the frets. All in all, it is a satisfying product at an affordable price.

Features

• Folk style cutaway with organic quilted maple top
• Rosewood fingerboard
• Maple body
• Specially designed neck for easy reach
• Pre-attached strings

Pros

• Beautiful design
• Comfortable to play
• Affordable price

Cons

None

Our Rating –
 4.5/5


Check The Latest Price On The Luna Fauna Series Butterfly Cutaway

Taylor Swift Signature Baby Taylor Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Any person with even a slight interest in music knows who Taylor Swift is. Like many other artists, the popular singer has associated her name with this instrument. The guitar features a ¾ scale dreadnought shape that looks adorable and is comfortable.

The guitar has an X-braced solid sitka spruce top, which is paired with laminated dark sapele back and sides in matte finishing. Since it is a purely acoustic model, there is no hardware to discuss, but it can be fixed with certain hardware that makes it even more enjoyable to play.

On the headstock, players can find six die-cast chrome tuners that are responsive and smooth. Talking about the sound, the guitar offers a good sound thanks to its tonewood. The tonewood combines to give a well-balanced sound with enough sparkle from the spruce and warmer.

Features

• ¾ scale dreadnought shape
• X-braces solid sitka spruce top
• six die-cast chrome tuners

Pros

• Unmatched sound quality
• Hand-friendly width
• Responsive and smooth tuners

Cons

None

Take a look at our Taylor Swift Signature Baby Taylor review here.

Our Rating –
 4.5/5


Check The Latest Price On The Taylor Swift Signature Baby Taylor

Guild OM-240CE Acoustic-Electric Guitars

This is a mid-sized acoustic guitar by Guild, which produces a sweet and balanced tone. The guitar features an arched back, which is a trademark of the brand and serves two purposes – reduces weight and increases live projection.

The guitar has a solid sitka spruce and a mahogany body. A 1960s red tortoiseshell pickguard gives this guitar a splendid look. It offers dynamic sound onstage and can be paired with a microphone for recording parts at home or a studio.

Guild’s guitar offers clean payability, which helps you to channel all your creative ideas into beautiful music. Some other features include a bone nut and a saddle to enhance clarity, vintage profiled C-shape neck, and 25.5″ scale length.

This guitar has good sound, strongly built, and it comes along with a gig bag. It is an ideal choice for a versatile musician.

Features

• Arched back for reduced weight and live projection
• Solid sitka spruce
• Mahogany body
• 1960s red tortoiseshell pickguard
• Vintage profiled C-shape neck
• 5” scale length

Pros

• Offers clean sound
• Has a premium look

Cons

• Some customers complain of light action.

Our Rating –
 4.5/5


Check The Latest Price On The Guild OM-240CE

Breedlove Pursuit Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitars

This guitar offers projection of a full-depth dreadnought along with a desirable and powerful punch of mahogany. It provides a tonal warmth when played both acoustically and plugged in.

The Breedlove pursuit dreadnought offers uniquely crafted sound in an economical package.

The shape of the instrument is slightly more rounded than other traditional dreadnoughts and produce punchy, full and articulate tones. Its hand-graduated top provides the player with balance and clarity, and this makes this piece one of the most impressive dreadnoughts available in the market.

Along with a solid sitka spruce top, its mahogany neck offers a balanced, resonant tone with notable sustain. The guitar also includes a built-in USB port for easy interfacing with recording software. It also comes with a padded gig bag.

Features

• Solid sitka spruce top
• Mahogany neck
• Built-in USB port
• Padded gig bag

Pros

• Excellent projection and articulation
• Comfortable to play

Cons

None

Our Rating –
 4.5/5


Check The Latest Price On The Breedlove Pursuit Dreadnought

Fender Newporter Player Acoustic-Electric Guitar

The instrument is inspired by the California lifestyle, its colorful, energetic, and independent nature. Fender’s electric guitar is fused with exceptional acoustic playability and tone. Its soundboard offers the most important tonal element of an acoustic guitar. It features a fisherman preamp system that includes a wide variety of onboard controls for amplifying the acoustic instrument without compromising its pure, rich, and resonant tune.

It also features a slim-taper “C” shaped mahogany neck, which feels familiar to acoustic players and is also suitable for players looking for a slim neck. Optimized bracing, solid spruce top, sides, and neck crafted from mahogany, walnut fingerboard, and bridges are some other features of the Fender Newporter Player. Players can choose from the wide color options available.

Features

• Fisherman preamp system
• C-shaped mahogany neck
• Optimized bracing
• Solid spruce top
• Walnut fingerboard
• Many color options

Pros

• Good sound
• Beautiful finish
• Built-in pickup and preamp system

Cons

None

Our Rating –
 4.5/5


Check The Latest Price On The Fender Newporter Player

What To Expect With An Acoustic Electric Guitar Under $500

So you have $500 to spend on a new electro acoustic guitar? Great, you’ll be able to choose from a wide variety of guitars. But what should you look for? What are the different features and what do they mean for sound and other features on the guitar?

We’ve put together this guide with all the basics about what to expect in terms of sound, tuner, strings and more. Let’s discuss an acoustic electric guitar under $500.

Sticking to a budget is hard for many people because it can take time and dedication. A good way to save money and get an acoustic electric guitar that suits your needs is to pick a budget and stick with it. You may not be able to buy the most expensive guitar in the store but you can get a nice one for under $500 if you search around.

Price Vs Quality

The bass, treble, mid-range, and volume controls should work without any problem. The electronics have to be good quality or you may end up with a guitar that sounds bad and you will not be happy. You should test the guitar’s sound by plugging it into an amplifier and turning it on.

Great Sound

You may be surprised at how many under $500 acoustic electric guitars have great sound. Many people are satisfied with the sound even if they spend less money on an acoustic electric guitar under $500. You can find a model that suits your preferences and sound needs.

The guitar should have a good sustain and sound quality that makes you want to play it more. Some guitars may produce a muddy sound when played at higher volumes. This is not ideal but other models are still worth checking out if you are on a budget and only need an acoustic electric guitar under $500.

The Finish And Wood Type Are Important

The wood type is important for the overall tone of the acoustic electric guitar. Solid wood creates a better sound compared to laminate wood. The design and finish of the guitar affect the way it sounds. A guitar with a solid spruce top can provide higher and brighter tones compared to other types of woods.

Action And Intonation Are Important

The action of your acoustic electric guitar is important too. It is usually set low to play and high to sound good. The intonation of your guitar should be properly adjusted so the strings are in tune when you play them.

Weight, Size And Tone Are Important As Well

The weight and size of the acoustic electric guitar are important because it affects how it feels and sounds when played.

Check out these quick picks as well:

• Epiphone Hummingbird Pro
• Fender Tbucket 300CE
• Yamaha FGX800C
• Cordoba C5CE
• Gretsch G5024E
• Epiphone Dove Pro Solid Top
• Washburn Woodline
• Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat
• Taylor GS Mini Mahoganys
• Yamaha Lseries LS6
• Martin LX1E
• Yamaha APX600
• Seagull S6 Original
• Fender CD60SCE
• Epiphone EJ200SCE

To Sum Up On These Best Under 500 Acoustic Electric Guitars

Acoustic electric guitars are best for players as they offer built-in electronics to increase sound amplification through their guitar amps. These guitars can be played both plugged-in as well as unplugged. While buying one for yourself, it is important that you keep certain things in mind- such as the style you prefer, the sound that it offers, the comfort level while playing, and obviously your budget. It is also important that you check for tuners and adjustment knobs.

Choosing an acoustic electric guitar can be overwhelming, whether you are a pro or have just started playing. It is like an adventure that is both exciting and scary. The reason for this is the huge variety of guitars available with different shapes, sizes, wood types, and styles to choose from. This is why we have listed some of the best options above. Although there is a lot to read and discover about guitars, we’re certain you’ll find the perfect guitar for you.

The post THESE 10 Best Acoustic Electric Guitars Under 500 Are Sweet! appeared first on Happy New Guitar Day.

The main difference between an acoustic guitar and an acoustic electric guitar is that an acoustic-electric has pickups and can plug it into an amplifier. An acoustic guitar produces the sound through the soundhole.

That’s great, but what type are you planning to get? Acoustics come in two forms: the traditional acoustic guitar and the relatively-modern best acoustic electric guitar. Let’s look at each of them in detail to help you choose the right type of acoustic for your strumming needs. We have a great list of intermediate player acoustics as well.

Which Is Better For A Beginner Guitarist?

There isn’t much difference between these two types of guitar options for a beginner. Both will work fine for your first few years of playing. If you’re starting, I recommend just getting something in your price range. Don’t worry about spending too much if you don’t know exactly how much you’ll need. You can always upgrade later.

If you do decide to go with an acoustic over an acoustic electric, keep in mind that most acoustic guitarists start off learning to play acoustic before they know to use amplification. This means that you should think about buying a good-quality acoustic guitar, to begin with.

You may find yourself wanting to switch from one acoustic guitar to another after some time. There are many reasons to consider switching from an acoustic to an acoustic electric. Some people like the feel better than others and may prefer the tone of an acoustic electric guitar. Others may not care for the larger size of an acoustic guitar.

Deconstructing the Acoustic Guitar

It’s the grandfather of the pack, the guitar that gave birth to all the types we have today. The acoustic guitar oozes so much pedigree that it’ll fit into any context, be it a punk rock anthem or classical concerto. And while it was once thought that its younger siblings — specifically the electric — could drive it to oblivion, acoustics remain as popular as ever. This is mainly because only they can offer the tones and sound in its purest form; crisp, clear, and unadulterated by electronic wizardry.

A standard acoustic comprises a set of strings that vibrate above a hollow chamber on the main body. These vibrations are picked up by the body’s topside and transmitted into the chamber (now you know where the word ‘pickup comes from). Once they’re inside, the air enclosed by the instrument’s body also begins to vibrate, magnifying the sound. And that’s how acoustics can produce audible sound without external amplification.

What’s important to note is that all these vibrations (on the strings, air, and topside) occur at different frequencies. The result is that some overtones are amplified more strongly than others, influencing the guitar’s projection. However, the body’s top side (AKA soundboard) holds the most significant influence over the tones. On the one hand, its large surface area can capture more energy from the vibrations than the strings would by themselves. It also offers an efficient route for the sound and tones getting into the chamber (you’ll recall that solids are better at transmitting sound than air).

Now it’s easy to understand why woods are of such significance in acoustics. An ax can sound bright, dark, complete, or thin depending on what woods were used for its body, neck, and fretboard. Also, woods lack the homogeneity of, say, metal or plastic; two samples of the same species can sound differently, depending on where they were derived. And that’s before you bring in the solid vs laminate debate!

The Acoustic-Electric Guitar in Detail

Acoustic-electric, or electric-acoustic guitars (or sometimes called the electro acoustic); it doesn’t matter what you call them. Both terms refer to the same thing, which is an acoustic guitar equipped with a pickup system. This works pretty much like a microphone, capturing the instrument’s sound and sending it into an amplifier and loudspeaker in that order. It’s worth noting that pickups are designed to capture vibrations rather than sound. However, guitars with nylon strings have their pickups paired with built-in mics — standard pickups only work with metal strings. Whatever the case, electric-acoustics need a preamp to amplify the captured signal before it’s sent elsewhere. An inbuilt battery usually powers this preamp, and manufacturers take advantage of this to provide onboard tonal controls and EQ.

Before proceeding any further, it’s important to clarify that semi-acoustic guitars don’t fall within the acoustic electric family. Both use onboard pickup systems, but semi-acoustics are quality electric guitars through and through. They have hollow bodies to give them specific acoustic instrument sound properties.

Comparing the Acoustic vs Acoustic Electric Guitar

Similarities Between Acoustic And Acoustic-Electric

Time to stack the two side by side and see how they compare. Let’s start with the similarities; there are certain aspects that both acoustic axes and their electric-acoustic counterparts have in common. These include:

• Construction and materials: As we’ve already seen, an electric-acoustic instrument is nothing more than an acoustic ax that’s been fitted with a pickup system, either by the music manufacturer or player (yes, you too have that option). In the former case, you’ll often find acoustics and electric-acoustics variants of the same model, featuring the same design and body materials.
• Strings: While electrics require unique strings, acoustics and electric-acoustics have no problem sharing — Guitar players can string them with identical sets with no problems whatsoever.
• The ability to play unplugged: Much like a regular acoustic, an electric-acoustic can be played without plugging into an amp, and the tones still are heard.
• Cost: Digits may vary here and there, but acoustics and acoustic-electric guitars are usually priced in the same bracket. Do keep in mind that pricing varies with features, quality, etc.

Differences Between Acoustic And Acoustic-Electric

Now let’s delve into the differences:

• Amplification: Or, instead, the ability to plug into an amp or effects chain; this is only possible with acoustic-electric axes.
• Cutaway: Modern electric-acoustics are beginning to depart from their traditional cousins with cutaway bodies. For all the playability it offers, a cutaway body changes the character of a guitar’s sound, reducing volume and resonance. But the difference only becomes evident when you play unplugged.
• Size: To continue on the above point, size isn’t as big a concern with electric-acoustics as with standard acoustic guitars. And the reason is simple; the former needn’t be huge to be loud.
• Portability: Acoustics take the prize here — there’s no need to lug around extra gear when you want to travel with your guitar. With an acoustic-electric, you’ll have to find room for guitar patch cables and amplifiers in your case. Not to forget your effects chain if you’ll want to use it.

The Takeaway

It’s hard to discount the charm of a traditional acoustic, a guitar that’s designed to sing entirely with its own body. A guitar you can trust to sound incredible every time with no need to tweak your effects chain. And being devoid of electronic components, an acoustic guitar is less delicate than its electric-acoustic cousin.

However, there will probably be a time when you want to amplify your sound for a live performance — an electric-acoustic seems like a more prudent choice in that case. It gives you most of the qualities of a standard acoustic, but with the added versatility of having an in-built pickup for amplification.

The post Acoustic Vs Acoustic Electric Guitars – Main Differences appeared first on Happy New Guitar Day.

Quick Links To Our Best Acoustic Electric Guitar Recommendations

• Taylor 110e – OUR TOP CHOICE!
• Epiphone PR5-E
• Gibson Hummingbird Pro
• Takamine EF341SC
• Yamaha A-Series A3M
• Fender CD-140SCE
• Ibanez V70CE
• Gibson J-200
• Martin LX1E
• Paul Reed Smith A15AL SE Angelus

It’s not just about the price and the various options, the electronics and other elements that go into these guitars could be quite overwhelming to assimilate, even for trained guitarists. We have, therefore, put together a list of 10 best acoustic electric guitars that are arguably the best on the market. They have solid play-ability quotient and pack in high-quality best electronics as well.

Looking for something in a specific price range?  Take a look:

• Under 500
• Under 300
• Under 1000

Our Acoustic Electric Guitar Recommendations

Taylor 110e Acoustic Electric

This is our top choice for best acoustic electric guitars.  Taylor guitars are known for their solid build quality and premium sound. The 110e excels on both fronts. The guitar offers an eclectic mix of build, sound, and design elements. An excellent option for both intermediates and beginners, the 110e is essentially a Taylor 110 with some electronics thrown in for sound amplification.

If you have just started to play the guitar, the 110e will be your solid beginner instrument – thanks to the low action and thin neck. It has solid feel and playability. The guitar can be played right out of its box too. You can play it acoustically or plug it in when you need some additional volume. As far as build goes, the top is Sitka spruce that has scalloped X-bracing. The back and sides are layered walnut.

The default sound is robust that stays smooth even when you crank up the volume. In fact, the 110e has all its bases covered – the low-end power is impressive, mid-range is punchy, and highs are crisp. The balanced, rich tone renders it ideal for recording. And thanks to its powerful volume and projections, the guitar works great for live performances as well.

You can use the 110e as a rhythm instrument since it responds pretty well to light-to-intense strumming and flatpicking. Not to mention, the electronics in the guitar give it a totally unique sound signature. There is no buzz or distortion in the sound. However, if you would like to apply some distortion intentionally, you can do so with a pedal.

Pros

• Classic design and solid build
• Quality preamp and pickup
• Great sound for the price
• Great playability
• Works for both live performances and recording sessions

Cons

• Tonal quality is slightly lacking
• The finish could have been even better

Check out our Taylor 110E review as well.
Our Rating –
 4.5/5


Check The Latest Price On The Taylor 110e

Epiphone PR5-E Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Out second choice for best acoustic electric guitars.  The Epiphone PR5-E has been around for more than two decades. Over the years, it has seen quite a few iterations and improvements, which explains why it features here. For the price, the PR5-E’s hardware overdelivers. The white snowflake design and fingerboard inlays add to the quality build and feel. However, the guitar is not just about its looks. Its sound is on point too. In fact, the sound is the major reason why the PR5-E shines.

Despite being relatively thin, the guitar produces surprisingly loud tones. If you are performing in a large room, the sound could travel to the very back of the space. The hand-scalloped bracing and spruce top must be credited for the impressive volume. The back and sides are mahogany. The natural finish comes off pretty well under stage lights as well.

The guitar, however, showcases a completely different personality when plugged in. The German-made Shadow electronics within help reproduce the guitar’s original tone to the T. The reproduction is unlike cheap electro acoustics that employ piezo electronics, which could be fairly harsh and pick up string vibrations for the most part.

The true sound of a great Epiphone acoustic guitar lies not just in the vibrating strings but also in those subtler tones the musical instrument’s body and top create upon vibrations. In fact, those sounds give an acoustic guitar its identity. The PR5-E’s electronics pick up these vibrations, which explains the excellent sound.

Pros

• Great looks
• Excellent value offering
• Quality components
• Great sound amplification

Cons

• Controls are hard to discern in stage lighting
• Small strap button

Our Rating –
 4.5/5


Check The Latest Price On The Epiphone PR5-E

Gibson Hummingbird Pro Acoustic-Electric

Another great runner up for best acoustic electric guitars.  The Hummingbird Pro steel string is one of Gibson’s revered models and has been around since it first arrived at the scene in 1960. Ideal for all playing styles and capable of first-position, rich folk chords and complex solo playing, this guitar soon turned into an iconic guitar, and is heavily favored by legends such as Keith Richards and Gram Parsons.

This 2016 model is a modern take on one of Gibson’s most revered guitars. It features a full-blown Plek-assisted arrangement for excellent performance and action. The fingerboard edge is softened slightly so that it fits your hand’s contour better. The high-gloss finish has polishing compounds and finer grit sandpaper that help with sliding the guitar up and down your neck.

The body design is called ‘square shoulder dreadnought’. The sides and back are made from mahogany, while the top is built from Sitka spruce. The build and design give the guitar a truly balanced midrange sound, with clear treble registers and unbiased rich lows. The correct wood selection and drying formula are integral to the guitar’s manufacturing process.

The guitar features a solitary “X” bracing pattern that’s much like the innards of the classic Gibson J-30 guitars. This traditional pattern helps deliver unbiased lows, a balanced midrange, and clear, rich highs. The acoustic pickup system is courtesy L.R. Baggs Element, which leads to improved coupling between the guitar and transducer. This substantially enhances the transducer’s sensitivity so that the pickup delivers a lively, robust, and open sound.

Pros

• Classic looks
• Player-friendly
• Solid build quality
• Great overall sound

Cons

• The low-end is a bit lacking
• No onboard tuner

Our Rating –
 4.5/5


Check The Latest Price On The Gibson Hummingbird Pro

Takamine EF341SC Acoustic Electric

The Takamine EF341SC acoustic electric guitar is an electro-acoustic dreadnought. It has a slight rock vibe as well. The body has a deep cutaway, which gives away its ‘true performance guitar’ nature. The guitar’s top is made of solid cedar. The sides and back are manufactured using laminated maple. And the piano black finish gives the guitar a cool look.

At the top, there is a mahogany-made C-shaped neck joining the guitar toward the 14th fret. The neck comes with a 1.675-inch nut width and a fretboard made of rosewood. The fretboard houses small diamond inlays and 20 frets. Long story short, the guitar’s design is flawless and on point. It’s classy, yet simple and built to last.

Since we are talking about electro-acoustic guitars here, let’s discuss the electronics that have gone into this Takamine. The EF341SC features a CT-4B II preamp setup, coupled with the unique under-saddle, Palathetic pickup. The guitar features a three-band EQ (treble, mid, and bass guitar), a handy integrated chromatic tuner, and a volume slider.

The remainder of the hardware includes the chrome tuners adorning the classic Takamine headstock, a rosewood bridge with a nut and bone saddle, and light-gauge D’Addario EXP16 strings. All of this hardware comes shipped in a hard-shell case, which is pretty standard across guitars falling in this price category.

On the sound front, the EF341SC provides both an amplification and sound system. The dreadnought body shape provides a significant amount of low end and natural projection. The cedar top offers a warm, rich sound. The CT-4B II helps retain the natural acoustic tone of the guitar, irrespective of the loudness meter.

Pros

• Great looks
• Solid set of electronics
• Wonderful sound
• Best for stage performances

Cons

• Not the best for beginners
• On the pricey side of things

Our Rating –
 4.5/5


Check The Latest Price On The Takamine EF341SC

Yamaha A-Series A3M

Yamaha makes guitars spanning pretty much all price tiers. The A3M is one of its mid to high-end offerings – a part of the brand’s A Series of guitars. Launched in 2017, the guitar promises power, comfort, and is the ideal companion for on-road guitarists. The guitar doesn’t look very striking from the outside, however. The style is not groundbreaking at all. But it still manages to sport an attractive and elegant design that will add to any collection.

The dreadnought size body has a scale length of 23.65 inches, with the treble side sporting a deep cutaway. The guitar is made of wood in its entirety. The top is made of solid Sitka spruce, and the rear and sides are made from solid mahogany. All are treated with Yamaha’s A.R.E (Acoustic Resonance Enhancement) wood reforming technology, which basically pre-ages the wood, giving it a beautiful sound signature.

The neck is extremely comfortable, with the rosewood fretboard sporting hand-rolled edges and a straight taper. The guitar is pretty fun too. It has 19 frets, a matte finish, and the body cutaway offers great higher fret access. Yamaha guitars are manufactured in both America and China. This model is made in China and feels quite well-built. The guitar is ready for action right out of the box.

The sound amplification is taken care of by Yamaha’s Studio Response Technology (S.R.T.) system, which blends together both microphone and piezo pickup. You can control the preamp using a three-band EQ and master volume, all available on the guitar body’s side. This positioning of the controls is pretty user-friendly, unlike the cumbersome control panels that similar guitars are best known for.

Pros

• Solid set of features
• Delivers rich and full sound
• Narrower neck helps flat pickers
• Best value offering

Cons

• Some players may not fancy the slim neck
• Finger stylists would find the nut width narrower

Our Rating –
 4/5


Check The Latest Price On The Yamaha A-Series A3M

Fender CD-140SCE

The Fender CD-140SCE belongs to Fender’s Classic Series of guitars. It’s a top-tier guitar sporting a solid spruce top bedecked with a tortoise-shell pickguard and a Pearloid rosette. The back and sides are made of rosewood, which gives the guitar a dappled grain. Compared to the back, the sides are on the darker side.

The body is skirted with black and white strips that draw attention to the jumbo-cutaway shape. The back wood has a good amount of tone contrast, which could make you believe the body has hidden depths. The solid, honest acoustic guitar craftsmanship helps achieve this effect.

The neck is mahogany, which is similar to the rosewood rear in terms of hue. The fingerboard is rosewood. Adorning all the wood elements are 3mm Pearloid dots. The neck has been designed keeping comfort in view. The rolled fingerboard edges and slim profile make the guitar ideal for guitarists who fancy wrapping their thumbs over the guitar’s neck.

The headstock features die-cast machine heads in chrome and it’s finished off with Fender’s obligatory logo – a swish. Compared to the company’s Paramount series, the Classic Series of guitars is more geared towards the beginner player. That doesn’t mean imply that the CD-140SCE has zero advanced technology under the hood. There is a dual-action truss rod, which helps you modify the action to your custom settings. As far as sound goes, the bass is pretty full, but the same could also be said about the upper and mid ranges.

Pros

• Big, vibrant sound
• Clean tones
• Crisp and no distortions
• Best build quality

Cons

• Left-handers may find the acoustic cutaway guitar a minor inconvenience

Check out our full Fender CD-140SCE review here.

Our Rating –
 4/5


Check The Latest Price On The Fender CD-140SCE

Ibanez V70CE

The Ibanez V70CE is a great beginner acoustic electric guitar. If you’re looking for something to jam, practice, and even use for your performances, the V70CE would not disappoint. The guitar’s body is a dreadnought shape that would appeal to both amateurs and experienced players. The treble side has a large single cutaway.

The top is made of laminated select spruce. The rear and sides are made using mahogany. There are a couple of color choices – a sophisticated black and an eye-catching blue burst. Both have glossy finishes. There are a few other design elements, such as an ivory-colored plastic binding and the multi-ring rosette. Both give a refined closure to the beautiful looking instrument.

The guitar sports the AEQ200 preamp, designed by Ibanez, along with an under-saddle pickup. The hardware setup is pretty simple and user-friendly, offering EQ controls as three sliders. The sound, on the other hand, is quite impressive for the price. Mahogany and spruce are a classic pair as they work best in tandem to create well-balanced tones. The V70CE is pretty bright and crisp with solid projection.

Pros

• Fun to play
• Solid audio, both electronically and acoustically
• Looks beautiful and built well
• Tunes pretty well

Cons

• Not the best for seasoned players
• High action

Check out our Ibanez V70CE review as well.
Our Rating –
 4/5


Check The Latest Price On The Ibanez V70CE

Gibson J-200

The Gibson J-200 perhaps has the richest feeling and looking finishes of all acoustic-electric guitars on this list. Referred to as vintage sunburst, the finish is a splendid dark tobacco hue, with vintage design inflections from the engraved scratchplate and mustache bridge. The design is redolent of class. The vintage sunburst is finished with slender nitrocellulose lacquer.

The guitar’s electronics have been taken care of by the LR Baggs Anthem set up and their Tru-Mic Technology. The system incorporates the acclaimed Elemental pickup and a condenser microphone. The discrete preamp with the mounted soundhole carries phase, mix, and volume controls along with a button for testing the battery. When you sit down to play the guitar, the first thing that catches your attention is how well the neck rests in your hand. Gibson guitars are known for their high playability right out of the box – the J-200 is no exception. The PLEK procedure that does away with intonation issues or fret buzz is in part responsible for this.

The guitar has a pretty clean and crisp tone, with a low end that’s well-defined and tight. The large soundbox may seem like the top could be engulfing the bottom end, but that isn’t the case. The sound is pretty refined and well-balanced.

Pros

• Balanced tone
• Sounds best when plugged in
• Beautiful, iconic design
• Flawless fit and finish

Cons

• Perhaps a bit too refined

Our Rating –
 4/5


Check The Latest Price On The Gibson J-200

Martin LX1E

The Martin LX1E is a tidily built guitar with a chamfered top edge that gives the guitar a fairly thicker appearance. The multi-piece neck, on the contrary, has a more finished look and less open pores. The rounded fingerboard edges and fretwork give the guitar a solid feel. The bridge and fingerboard seemingly look like ebony. The dark-hued sides and back, on the other hand, ape rich, dark mahogany.

The back is conventionally braced with minimal decoration. The guitar does have an industrial look, which some people would like, and a few others may not fancy. Regardless, it doesn’t impact how the guitar sounds and performs. The conventional sound could remind you of the traditional ‘American’ fingerstyle. The pushy voice will be pretty easy to hear over larger guitars – both during a recording and in an ensemble.

The guitar has a pre-set EQ. Like its acoustic sound, the guitar sounds pretty ‘conventional’ when plugged in, which is not a bad thing at all. Not to mention, dialing it in is pretty easy. You’ll just have to scoop some lower midrange.

Pros

• Professional, simple design
• Works like advertised
• Durable laminate
• Great sound for the size

Cons

• Maybe a bit too plain for some

Check out our review of the Martin LX1 as well.

Our Rating –
 4.5/5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQJL1L9ItS0

Check The Latest Price On The Martin LX1E

Paul Reed Smith A15AL SE Angelus

The PRS A15AL is the budget-friendly version of Alex Lifeson’s Private Stock model. The guitar is 15.5-inch (394mm) wide, which puts it between the Grand Auditorium and Taylor’s Grand Concert, in terms of size. As the name implies, the guitar is on the thinner side, which helps with its playability or renders it a bit more comfortable in the hand.

On the inside, the guitar employs spruce braces. Then there is the wood aspect of the build. The top is solid Sitka spruce, with laminated dao rear and sides. The soundhole adornment adds a bit of upmarket flavor as well, with a wood center inlaid. The neck features an electric-like nut width and broad saddle spacing. The three-piece neck has the headstock spliced on.

On the sound front, there is ample amounts of acoustic clout, with the guitar’s construction providing some midrange push. There are onboard controls, which may not be very handy on stage.

Pros

• High-quality build
• Tidy finishing
• Nicely playable neck
• Thin profile

Cons

• Not the best acoustic for stage performances

What To Consider When Choosing An Acoustic Electric Guitar

Are you looking for an acoustic that you can plug into an amp? An acoustic electric guitar is very versatile but there are some things to keep in mind when shopping for one.

• What kind of music do you primarily play? If you’re a rocker, you’ll want an acoustic electric that is more suited to that style of music.
• What size do you want? A full sized guitar, a dreadnought or a parlor? The larger the size, the better the sound quality.
• Are you looking for an acoustic electric with a piezo pickup or one with an under saddle pickup? The under saddle types are quieter and produce less feedback when plugged in.
• How much are you willing to spend? Electric guitars can range from $100.00 up to thousands of dollars.
• Where will you be playing your acoustic electric? Live gigs, recording or just around the house? Acoustic electrics made for live performances are usually louder and better quality than those made for recording.
• Is the guitar you are considering new or used? Used guitars take a little longer to break in and can be a bit rough when first purchased. New guitars sound and play better right out of the box.

Many acoustic electric guitars come finished in a spruce top with rosewood sides and back. Rosewood is an excellent wood to produce some of the best acoustic guitar sounds on the market. Spruce produces a bit more of a bright tone. Many acoustic electrics are also available in mahogany which produces a good sound but tends to be darker sounding and not as responsive as spruce or rosewood.

Acoustic electric guitars come in many shapes and sizes depending on what style you’re looking for. The key is just to try some out and see which you feel most comfortable with. A lot of people prefer the smaller dreadnought guitars because they are easier to play in small living rooms and coffee shops. Larger parlor sized guitars are also popular in some circles.

There are also some key areas where you should consider your acoustic electric guitar. These areas include:

• Bridge height and string spacing: Adjusting the bridge height and string spacing is extremely important when choosing one. If the bridge is too low, it will intonate incorrectly causing your fretted notes to sound sharp. The intonation can also be off if the string spacing is too narrow or too wide.
• Neck relief: If the relief on the neck isn’t set correctly, you’ll have fret buzz and it will be hard to play. Correct neck relief allows for plenty of space at each fret so you have enough room for your fingers.
• Action height: Too high and you get fret buzz and poor action. Too low and you won’t be able to play at all. Acoustic electric guitars come with a variety of action slots to adjust the action height on your guitar.
• Truss rod adjustment: You should adjust the truss rod if you are experiencing any neck or fret buzz. The truss rod corrects stress on the neck and frets which can cause those notes to sound sharp or flat.
• Top filling: Some top acoustic guitar brands are made without any side bracing which can cause the top to go out of tune over time. This is referred to as top filling.
• Tone woods: Some manufacturers use a lot of different species of wood for their guitars. You’ll want to find out if you like the sound and feel of the wood.
• Electronics: There are two main types of electronics used in acoustic electrics, piezo pickups and under saddle pickups.

Look at guitar amps to go with this too. Here are some more quick picks:

• Yamaha FGX800C
• PRS SE A50E
• Fenders Tim Armstrong Hellcat
• Yamaha APX600
• Breedlove Solo Concert
• Martin LX1E Little
• Washburn WCG55CE
• Yamaha FGX820C
• Taylor 214CE Deluxe
• Takamine GN93CENAT
• Epiphone Hummingbird Pro
• Martins D28

Acoustic Electric Guitar Conclusion

The best acoustic-electric guitars mentioned above are pretty unique in their own rights, particularly with the price tiers that they sit in. Therefore, if you have budget restrictions, do not feel put off by the pricier options. Also, the list comprises guitars for new and seasoned players. Make sure you pick the best guitar based on the full review above suiting your requirements and skills so that you get your monies worth.

The post THESE 10 Best Acoustic Electric Guitar Play & Sound Amazing! appeared first on Happy New Guitar Day.