Can Electric Guitar be Used as Acoustic? (You Should Read This!)


There’s a lot of debate in the musical world about whether or not electric guitars can be used for acoustic performances. After all, an electric guitar is fundamentally different than an acoustic guitar, from how it is produced to how it is played. However, the two guitars actually have quite a bit in common. In this post, we’ll discuss five things you can do to make an electric guitar sound like an acoustic guitar. But if you want a quick answer to the question of Can electric Guitar be used as acoustic, here is the short version:

The short answer is Yes! An electric guitar can be used as acoustic guitar. It depends upon what type of Electric Guitar you have and how they are built. The perfect amp will make them sound more acoustic, and the guitar pickup will definitely help. 

Now let’s discuss the different things which you need to know and learn how electric guitar can be used as an Acoustic:

Can Electric Guitar be Used as Acoustic?

Choose the Right Guitar

It’s no secret that not all electric guitars are made equal. For example, if your guitar didn’t have a solid wood top, it probably won’t sound very acoustic-y when you plug it in compared to one with a solid wood top. So if you’re looking for that acoustic guitar sound, make sure you get an electric guitar with a hardwood top.

Pick the Right Amp

Pick the Right Amp

Good amp makes all the difference. You don’t need a top-of-the-line amp to get that acoustic guitar sound. It just needs to have enough “bite” to make it sound acoustic, meaning you want it to be boxy so that there’s a bit of clarity and some “bite” in the notes while still having some warmth in them. You don’t want your electric guitar to be too hard or too bright.

Get the Right Pickup

Good guitar pickup can bring out the acoustic sound of electric guitars. If you have a single-coil pickup, you might find that it “muddies” your sound more than it helps to make it sound “acoustic.” You’ll get better results if you have a humbucker or a dual-coil pickup. 

Get the Right Strings

The right strings can make a huge difference in your guitar playing style and your overall tone. Acoustic guitars tend to be strung with nylon or gut strings that are very heavy and thinner than normal guitar strings. The thicker, heavier strings produce more volume and tone per string.

Have the Perfect Guitar Effect Pedal

Can Electric Guitar be Used as Acoustic

The guitar effects pedal is important for Electric Guitar to be used as acoustic. The pedals which can make the sound more acoustic is Compressor, Reverb, Delay, and Chorus. Compressor will help in making the sound cleaner and give it a natural touch. Reverb will make it louder and give it a natural touch. Delay will give you the feel of Acoustic. And Chorus will give you the broader tone of guitar.

Final thought on Can Electric Guitar be Used as Acoustic?

I hope all this article will be helpful on your doubts as to how an electric guitar can be used as an acoustic guitar. So just remember to get the right guitar, play with the right strings, get a good pickup and amp and add a few effect pedals and you’ll be able to make your electric guitar sound almost as clean as an acoustic one. 

If you have any more doubts or questions about this post then feel free to ask me anything from the Contact Us page. I will try my best to help you out on your doubts or questions.

Here are some other useful FAQ:

Is it better to learn guitar on electric or acoustic?

This is the most common question, and the answer to this is: it depends. If you think it’s better to learn on electric guitar, you might be right because most of the music you hear is played on electric guitar. But playing an acoustic guitar gives a little different feel as well as sound. So it’s also good to be exposed to both types of guitars while learning guitar. 

Do you need a special amp for an acoustic-electric guitar?

You don’t need a special amp for an acoustic-electric guitar. You can use the same as you use for an acoustic guitar. But if you have a low budget, it will be better to buy a digital amp. The sound might be in the lower part of the spectrum, but this is normal, and you’ll get used to it quickly. 

Do acoustic and electric guitars sound the same?

Electric guitars are different from acoustic guitars, but they can still sound and feel similar. The main reason is that there are so many electric guitar models, and the features of those models differ widely in terms of construction. It’s also important to note that the way you play an electric guitar will also affect the sound and feel it. For example, an electric with a humbucker pickup will sound louder than one with a single-coil pickup.

Which is harder to play acoustic or electric guitar?

Acoustic guitar is the easiest to play. You just need to get used to the feel of a string, and you’ll get better at it over time. Electric guitar requires many years of practice and a bit more skill. The sound is also much different, and you can learn to appreciate that sound once you’ve gotten the hang of it.

What kind of guitar should a beginner buy?

Acoustic guitars are usually cheaper than electric guitars. You can get a good acoustic guitar at a reasonable price for under $200. A good electric guitar will cost you more, though, and generally, it’s better to wait a few years until you have the skill and knowledge necessary to appreciate an electric guitar’s sound and feel.

What is the difference between an acoustic guitar amplifier and an electric guitar amplifier?

There really is no difference between the two. The main thing to realize is that neither one of them will give you the sound you want. If you want an electric guitar to sound acoustic, then it really needs to be acoustic. This means that you can’t just plug it into an amp and expect it to sound like an acoustic. You need to get a different amplifier with a different design and learn how to play it as an acoustic guitar player would.

Can I play electric guitar without an amp? 

You can play an electric guitar without an amp, but without an amp, there will be a very minimal sound, and you won’t be able to feel or listen to the full potential of the guitar. An electric guitar is designed to be used with an amp or in an environment where the sound is amplified, such as a concert.

Jacob Miller

Hi, I'm Jacob Miller, and welcome to AudioOver, a platform designed to help aspiring music producers create music from home. With a musical background inspired by my award-winning father, I've been passionate about music since I was young.

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