Is acoustic or electric guitar better for beginners?

: What type of guitar is better for beginners?
I’ve never played guitar before but I figure now is as good a time as any, so what type of guitar would be better, acoustic or electric?

I don’t know much about guitars at all. Is there really a difference between electric and acoustic when it comes to learning how to play? Or is it mostly personal preference? Also, it would be great if I could get links to guitars that are great for beginners.

Thanks!
Answers and Views:

Answer by elliot
the cheapest stratacaster comes with a wamy and is like 150-200$

Answer by Evie
Well I prefer acoustic, also a cheap one for a beginner, if your going to keep up the lessons then buy a better quality guitar, that way you haven’t wasted loads of money ( if you buy acoustic or electric). Look for them of ebay, or for second hand guitars in good condition.
And no there isn’t a difference apart from the obvious, electric needs all the equipment. which is another reason to look for an acoustic because you don’t need to buy all the wires or amps.

Answer by Richard M
There is a difference in playing acoustic and electric guitars.

Electric guitars use steel strings while acoustic guitars will usually opt for bronze or phosphor/bronze. The steel strings are thinner and are harder to get used to for first time players although that’s just a matter of time usually. Electric guitar necks are also often narrower than acoustic – although that’s not an absolute.

To get down to making a choice, however, I suggest an acoustic to start with – for a few good reasons.

The acoustic guitar is all you need to make music. With an electric guitar you need an amplifier which ups the cost and is much less convenient to use and practice with. I find people also tend to get caught up with messing with the amp rather than getting used to playing.

There are lots of web sites out there with a mess of info on playing guitars but I always tell people to TAKE LESSONS! If you take at least some lessons you learn to care for the guitar, how to tune it, how to hold it, and how to make music with it from someone who really knows and is right there with you to make sure you are getting it right. That means that you will not get into some bad habits that can be really hard to break and can prevent you from advancing properly.

Which guitar to get? Go to the music store and ask for help. The staff there will help you and explain about the different options and choices and will help you make a decision on which instrument to start with. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on a first instrument but make sure it’s a good playable guitar.

Good luck.

Answer by OnTheRock
It really depends on what type of music you want to play. Just for learning the basics of guitar (notes, chords, scales) they’re played exactly the same so whatever you learn on one applies to the other. A lot of people start on acoustic just because it’s generally cheaper and easier from the perspective of not needing so much gear. You can play it anywhere. If all you want to do is crank up the distortion and play power chords though, or lay down some bluesy riffs with bends and slides and such, then an electric would be a much better choice for you. Again, the notes, scales and chords are the same so choose the type of guitar that best fits the style of music you would prefer to play, or do as I usually advise and start learning the fundamentals on an acoustic and add an electric later on (can never have too many guitars you know!).

Just to add to Baxterville’s list, the Yamaha FG700S ($ 199) is my favorite acoustic guitar for beginners. It has a solid spruce top. I’ve played many of them and the quality is consistently high and the sound is incredible for a guitar at that price. If you only have $ 99 to spend the Takamine S34C is my favorite as well.

As for electric guitars, I always thought Ibanez was the best value. The Squier line (by Fender) is a decent enough guitar but I really think the Ibanez guitars in the same price range are much better. My favorite would be the Ibanez GSA60 at $ 199 if I were looking for a first electric guitar.

Answer by Callum
probably start with acoustic

Answer by baxterville
Since electric and acoustic guitars are played the same way, which one you should begin with depends entirely on the type of music you mostly want to play. If you’re into metal, there’s no reason you should feel obligated to start with an acoustic, no matter what purists say.

Electric guitars are generally easier to play than acoustics because they have thinner necks and lower action (strings closer to the fretboard), so it’s easier and more comfortable to form chords and move smoothly between them. But if you’re more inclined toward acoustic guitars, there are some that are very user-friendly.

I’ll post some links to full-size electric and acoustic guitars known for being very comfortable to play. They’ve all got thin necks and low action and are made by reputable guitar companies, so they’re built to be played (lots of guitars are more like toys and not very playable).

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/squier-affinity-stratocaster-hss-electric-guitar (This is a great all-around guitar with pickups that can be used for everything from pop to hard rock.)
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/squier-affinity-series-telecaster-special-electric-guitar (My personal favorite guitar style, the Telecaster. Great for alternative and country, plays like butter, and looks cool.)
(If you like metal, this is a good choice.)
(A nice, inexpensive, contemporary acoustic — don’t be scared away by the low price!)
(Traditional body style, same great quality and price!)
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ibanez-sgt120-sage-series-acoustic-guitar (If you can afford to spend a little more, this guitar is a masterpiece. Solid wood top sounds magnificent and Ibanez is famous for making incredibly playable guitars with really thin necks and low action. This is the sort of guitar you’d play for decades and be able to pass down to your own kids.)

You don’t want to buy a guitar from a store that doesn’t specialize in musical instruments. The ones at Best Buy and Target may carry major manufacturers’ brand names, but they’re garbage. For the same price at a music store, you can get a guitar that will serve you very well for years.

Answer by OU812
Listen to TheRock and Baxterville’s advice, they nailed it. Thumbs up to both. These two always give great advice.

Answer by Joe
When starting out, both are played the same way. If you become good at either, you’ll find the techniques used don’t really transfer overlap.

Starting with acoustic is the usual choice because the strings are much stiffer. It builds hand strength, so you gain the physical ability to play more quickly. Starting with electric allows you to develop more complex and advanced techniques more quickly.

There’s also a tone issue. A crucial difference between acoustic and electric guitars is that on an acoustic, the only things you can control are melody, harmony and rhythm. You play notes and that’s that. On the electric, you also control timbre. You can alter what each note will sound and “feel” like. This is where things like distortion and effects come in; you have to control, not just the notes played, but the texture of those notes. Starting on an acoustic guitar means you don’t develop the ear or technical knowledge for this aspect.

Ultimately, acoustic and electric guitar are just different beasts. If you’re just starting out, an acoustic is likely the place to start, because the finger strength and callouses you’ll develop are always useless, but you need to figure out quickly which you want to focus on and then do it. If you plan to play electric guitar, get an electric and learn on that; if you plan to play acoustic, that’s what you need to learn on.

Answer by Henry
Yamaha, they’re the best but it can be slightly costly. Just think of it as not having to spend much on guitar strings. It’s an investment!

Answer by Your Guide
Go with acoustic guitar, especially the ones with nylon strings as they are easier on the fingers. The basics of both – acoustic and electric, would be the same to begin with but with an electric guitar you will need to buy an amplifier as well…