Did You Learn On An Acoustic Or An Electric?

[colchar]

I had a conversation with a friend earlier today during which we were discussing learning, first guitars, etc. That got me to wondering about the acoustic vs. electric debate for beginning guitarists so I figured it might make an interesting discussion here. The fact that I can't play acoustics worth a damn, despite having bought a couple (they were always sold on), got me to thinking that perhaps I would have been better off learning on one.

So because of all of that today I was wondering if people would answer a couple of questions that might lead to an interesting discussion:

1) Did you learn on an acoustic or an electric?

2) Regardless of which you learned on, do you wish you had learned on the other? If so, why?

3) Now that you are a more experienced player, which do you think is better to learn on?

 

[Obsessed]

I learned on electric and I encourage everyone to start out on electric. What I see is most people quit because of how much finger strength is required on acoustic. Of course that strength is greatly reduced on electric because of the typical action height. Also an inexpensive electric is still a pretty darn good guitar, but an inexpensive acoustic is pretty bad.

 

[TeleTucson]

I agree from the vantage point of ease of playing. But the Teisco electric I first learned on as a 12-year old in the 60's would make your fingers bleed worse than any acoustic .

Having said that, all the paraphernalia of electrics can be a deterrent to just picking it up an playing - so IMO a passable acoustic is still a must-have when you're learning to play.

 

[P Thought]

I started on acoustic, and never played an electric before I was 50. I think that maybe if your goal is to play in a band and entertain crowds, electric would be a good way to go. If you just want to entertain yourself, though, and sometimes a few friends, acoustic is more practical.

After 40-something years I still think my best learning is ahead of me. So now, my answer is both!

 

[telemnemonics]

I learned on a $50 Hohner acoustic, playing Jorma/ Hot Tuna Rev Gary Davis sort of stuff, more electric style and not strumming folk and CSN singalong songs.

So before I got an electric i did a lot of work on the acoustic to make it more playable. Still with a .013 set, but lower action playable more like an electric.
Course, when i first tried a .010 set on electric ('65 Mustang) I immediately put tens on my acoustic. They came right back off due to no sound.

If you want to get into a coustic and it's not happening, maybe look for an acoustic with enough neck angle and high enough bridge to make lowish action possible.
The right acoustic can be made much more playable, but many cannot due to neck angle and bridge geometry optimized for cowboy chords.

I sometimes shave the bridge to keep some break angle over the lowered saddle, and also shave and scallop the bracing to compensate for less leverage vibrating the top.
The further the string rests from the top, the more leverage it has to apply twisting force causing vibration.

There are plenty of laminated RW w/ solid spruce top acoustics for a few hundred $ or less that can be made into very nice crossover guitars for your predicament.

Long answer!

 

[brookdalebill]

I learned on acoustic, but I desperately wanted an electric.
I only had to wait a couple of years.
My first two guitars were cheap and funky acoustics, but my third was a nice, used Yamaha nylon string.
I loved that thing, and very nearly wore it out.
I learned a ton of stuff on it, but I started rocking out on an electric guitar as quick as I could.

 

[5ofeight]

Each of the 3 times I have tried learning guitar I bought an acoustic before buying an electric. Acoustics need set up properly and beginners need to start on low gauge strings and work their way up to heavy acoustic strings.. anyway, i enjoy both types of guitar nowadays but i have to say that possibly now I am favouring electric more than acoustic but that could be because most of my lessons now are done on electric guitar, but if I am having a sing song kind of a day then i will gladly take an acoustic out of its case..

 

[trev333]

Both ... one school friend had an acoustic and another friend had a 335 type cheap semi but no amp..a cheese cutter..

those were the first guitars I learned on...

 

[src9000]

I began learning music on an electric guitar and have no desire to play acoustic.

I think for small/young students, a decent nylon stringed guitar might be best to start learning on.
After that, I suspect that any decent guitar with a proper setup will do the job.

 

[radiocaster]

Electric, and I probably wouldn't change it because I'm not as interested in playing cowboy chords.

 

[Flat6Driver]

I learned on an acoustic. Day two I started singing along with it. I got an electric about a year (?) later. This was about 1993. I never knew until I joined this forum that they were two different instruments. Unplugged was on MTV. The bands played the same songs (they just weren't as loud and distorted). The have the same notes. So some things are not going to exactly work, but I don't see as much difference as some of you all seem to.

Of course, I learned that pesky F chord on an acoustic. That was no fun. I have big strong hands, so maybe physiology has something to do with it. Mentally, I don't think a whole lot about the differences. of course there are certain instances where one does better than the other. Pass me my Martin, I'm gonna play some AC/DC.

 

[littlebadboy]

When I was a kid, my father had an acoustic. I wanted to learn to play the guitar but found the acoustic boring to learn on. My parents weren't supportive of me learning to play on an electric because it was associated with rock which they think was associated with drugs. So, I saved up my lunch money to buy my first crappy electric and learned on it. As I grew older and mellowed down my choice of music, already in my mid 40's, I bought my first a acoustic - an Ovaton, which played like an electric to me anyway.

I pick up the acoustic more nowadays.

 

[Steve 78]

1. Electric
2. No
3. Whichever one inspires you to play / you wish to play.

My sister had an acoustic which I picked up occasionally, but I don't think anything I did on it counted towards my learning.

My cousin had an electric. The sound of that thing distorted through a cheap practice amp sent fire rushing through my veins. Just awesome, and I was hooked.

 

[adamgdog]

I think that there are advantages to learning on both acoustic and electric. I personally learned on an acoustic (a Hohner HG03 my dad got when he was in high school) and I think it made me a better player thus far. However, I had been playing double bass in orchestra at school for a year or two (6th and 7th grade) and started on bass guitar a little, so I had a slight calice (not sure if I spelled that right) already formed. I think people just starting out are more likely to give up when starting on acoustic as it is harder. An electric is much easier to play, so more people tend to stick to electric. I am personally glad I started on acoustic because of two reasons: it made me a better player and more versatile, and electric was a breeze to learn after learning on acoustic. Now i mainly play electric (I play electric guitar at my church), but it's nice to have an acoustic to take on church retreats and such. Just the two cents of a youngster.

 

[raysachs]

I learned to play acoustic guitar on an acoustic and I learned to play electric guitar on an electric. But I learned acoustic first, so I guess that's where I first learned the basic open chords and the first few tentative scales. I beat myself up on that piece of garbage $60 pawn shop guitar for about a year before I had the resources to buy something better. At which point I got an electric and an amp and then maybe six month to another year later got a good acoustic that was actually playable. I really didn't start getting even remotely listenable, even to myself, until I started learning the electric though - that's definitely where my heart was...

I think it's best to learn on whatever will keep you playing, which for many is probably electric. But it's hard going early regardless and most people won't stick with it, so it doesn't make sense to commit a lot of resources to it until it starts to take...

-Ray

 

[burntfrijoles]

Acoustic.. started off on an old Kay beginner guitar and "advanced" to a $35 Silvertone acoustic. The Silvertone was a surprisingly good guitar.
My first electric was a Silvertone with an amp in the case. It cost $59 if I recall correctly. Saw one on a vintage site going for $1500.
Acoustic worked well for just wanting to play early Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel stuff.

 

[jvin248]

.

1- I learned to play on an electric I bought even though my first guitar was an acoustic (a gift) that I still play occasionally.

2- I'd start with an electric again.

3- I encourage parents and new players to start with Electric guitar:
o Electric string tension is lower and easier on the fingers, a new player will keep going (see how easy a video game controller is to press buttons and that is what a guitar competes with)
o Electric can be played and practiced unplugged or with headphones while an acoustic is loud all the time (this is the 'aha!' for parents - I know what you're thinking)
o Electric is easier to do bends on than acoustics due to string tension
o I agree with the earlier post that the modern electric starter guitar will have lower action and better setup at the same price point, again more playable
o Electric is more durable than an acoustic
o Find out what music the kid likes though. Maybe they really want a Banjo or a Ukulele. Whatever drives their passion that keeps them playing is best

.

 

[rburd2]

I got a Fender acoustic starter pack in 1995 and "played" so much over the next 3 days that I was sure my fingertips would bleed. I stuck with the acoustic for about 3 years before getting an electric guitar and amp. Then I had to learn to apply less pressure to the strings as I was forcing fretted chords sharp.

I'm not sure which is better to learn on. I'd say it depends on the person. Starting on electric may leave you frustrated by the acoustic later when your fingertips are sore again but may keep you playing more in the beginning.

 

[jackinjax]

I can only reiterate what @P Thought and @brookdalebill have said.
I'm no expert on this subject except as it relates to my own experience. I, too, played strictly acoustic guitars until later in life. Although I still have the 1975 Alvarez acoustic Mrs injax bought me for my birthday that same year, I now primarily play electric and only for my own enjoyment.
The choice of a beginner's guitar would be a decent acoustic which can be had for less than half the price of a decent electric guitar with an amplifier.
The reason for initially going acoustic would be economics. I learned that expensive lesson outfitting two grandsons who "wanted to learn". Neither did and both sold their guitars and amplifiers on eBay, and haven't looked back.
Is there a learning curve going from one to the other? For me, yes, there was. Same chords, but different techniques.
YMMV.

Edit: I would add that whatever guitar you choose, acoustic or electric, cheap, moderate, or expensive, getting it setup properly is crucial.

 

[adamgdog]

This is off topic, and maybe it's just me, but it seems like people are alot more nostalgic towards there first acoustic rather than there first electric. Anyone else ever notice that? Again, maybe it's just me.