Acoustic vs. Electric Guitar: Which Should You Learn First?

If the piano’s the king in instruments, then the guitar is definitely queen. You’ll find it in nearly every style of music, and the best part is—you can take it anywhere.

There are four main types of guitars out there:

• Classical
  
• Acoustic and electro-acoustic
  
• Bass
  
• Electric

And if you’re after something small, light, and easy to start with, the ukulele, is a brilliant option too—it’s basically a little Hawaiian guitar that’s great craic to play.

In this guide, we’ll chat about what type of guitar might suit a beginner best. Should you go for acoustic or classical? Or dive straight in with electric? We’ll break down the differences so it’s easier to figure out where to start.

Acoustic Guitar 

Many beginners confuse acoustic and classical guitars. Remember, these are different instruments.

An acoustic guitar has a larger body than a classical, a thinner neck, and steel strings instead of nylon. This gives it more volume and dynamics. The metal strings give a bright sound, but they are a bit harder on the fingers. 

You can play both with your fingers and a pick, as well as with other devices such as a slide. There are several body shapes, each with slightly different sound characteristics. A solid beginner acoustic guitar starts around €50 to €150.

Pros:.

It is lightweight, compact (because it is devoid of additional equipment), and does not need to be connected. Great option for playing around a campfire, on the go, or at home. 

Cons:

The sound of an acoustic instrument is more natural, but the steel strings can be tough on your fingertips. A bit harder to press down than on an electric.

Best for:

• Singer-songwriters and folk, country, and acoustic pop fans
• Entry-level musicians looking for an instrument to accompany them
• Those who like loud and rich sound

Electric Guitar

Instead of an open, resonating wooden body, the sound here comes from pickups (single-coil or humbuckers) and your amplifier. The electric guitar has a solid wooden body, the neck is narrower, and its strings are lighter and easier to press down, unlike acoustic guitars. 

Take into account that if you later switch to acoustics, it will take a long time to adapt. 

A standard electric guitar has six metal strings and is most often played with a pick. You can shape your sound with effects pedals, amps, and tone settings, which opens up a world of experimentation.

Electric guitars start at around €100. The start is easy, just plug in, and you’re ready to rock. 

Pros:

Smaller neck, smaller body, lower string tension, easier to fret, overall easier to play, more versatile sound with effects, great for quiet practice using headphones.

Cons:

Mobility is not the right word to describe an electric guitar. To play it fully, you need bulky extra gear (amp, cable), which is not quite easy to transport. You’re tied to electricity and setup time, so this is not a guitar for going outdoors. That is why electric guitars are most often used in the studio or at large concerts. 

Best for:

A perfect option for rockers and tinkerers who love effects. You should buy it if you’re a fan of modern music: rock, blues, metal, and indie.

Acoustic vs. Electric: Which One’s Easier to Learn?

Honestly, starting on an acoustic guitar can be a bit tougher than jumping in with an electric. The strings are usually thicker and sit higher off the fretboard, so it takes a bit more finger strength—your fingertips might feel it for the first while!

That said, learning on an acoustic is great for building solid technique. It helps with your rhythm, finger strength, and overall control. And the good news is, once you’ve got the hang of it, moving over to electric tends to feel much easier.

In the end, both types have their own style and way of playing. If you’re torn between the two, just pick the one you’re most excited to play. You’ll get on much better if you’re actually enjoying it.

The Size of a Guitar for Beginners

Choosing the right size guitar makes a world of difference, especially for younger players. Here’s a rough guide:

It is crucial to take into account specific details when choosing a size:

• Age is just a guideline. Much depends on the size of the player (arm length and hand size).
• A 1/2-size guitar isn’t exactly half the size of a full-size.
• Full-size classical and electric guitars differ significantly in body length and neck span
• With the growing popularity of smaller body guitars used by musicians like Ed Sheeran, ¾ size and other small body guitars are used by some guitarists more and more for a fun playing style of guitar that is easy to store.

When in doubt, come into the Everest Music shop in Bray and try a few. We’ll help you find what feels right.

Final Thoughts

The best guitar for beginners is an affordable but high-quality acoustic guitar. If you’re planning to sing and play around the house or at small gigs, we recommend buying an acoustic right away. Take a closer look at the models in store at Everest Music with loud and surround sound at an affordable price.

An electric guitar will suit modern music lovers who want to play with effects. Just don’t forget to pick up a combo amplifier with a guitar cable. Special guitar kits are a good choice.