What is an Electro-Acoustic Guitar?
Nov 26th 2025
What is an Electro-Acoustic Guitar?
When you’re fallen in love with the rich, natural sound of an acoustic guitar but also dream of plugging in, it’s time to explore the electro-acoustic guitar.
What is an Electro-Acoustic Guitar?
Also called:
- Acoustic-electric guitar
- Hybrid guitar
An electro-acoustic guitar is, at its core, an acoustic guitar with a built-in pickup system and preamp that allows you to connect it to an amplifier, PA system, or recording interface. It retains all the unplugged charm and character of a traditional acoustic, while gaining the versatility and volume of an electric instrument.
Electro-Acoustic Advantage
The electro-acoustic guitar bridges the gap between acoustic and electric, offering a unique set of advantages to the discerning guitarist:
- Versatility: This hybrid instrument can function perfectly well both plugged in and unplugged.
- Natural Amplified Sound: Unlike simply sticking a microphone in front of a regular acoustic, the integrated pickup system of an electro-acoustic is designed to capture and reproduce the guitar’s natural acoustic tone, but with added clarity, presence, and volume.
- Convenience: No need for external microphones, stands, or complex setups.
- Stage Presence: Performers can move freely on stage without being tethered to a mic stand.
In essence, an electro-acoustic offers the best of both worlds without significant compromise.
Key Components of an Electro-Acoustic Guitar
While the acoustic body, neck, and strings of a hybrid guitar are identical to a traditional acoustic, it’s the electronic guitar parts that make it unique.
Pickup System
The pickup system converts string vibrations into electrical signals. Pickup options in electro-acoustic guitars include:
- Piezo Pickups (Under-Saddle Transducers): These pickups feature a thin strip of piezoelectric material placed under the saddle of the bridge. When the strings vibrate, they put pressure on the saddle, which in turn vibrates the piezo material, generating an electrical signal. Piezo pickups are excellent at capturing the initial attack and clarity of the string, offering good feedback resistance when paired with the right preamp.
- Soundhole Pickups: These pickups resemble electric guitar pickups and sit within the soundhole. They can be magnetic (like an electric guitar pickup, responding to string vibration) or humbucking (to reduce hum). Magnetic soundhole pickups often offer a warmer, more electric-like tone, with good sustain, but might be less acoustic-sounding than piezo.
- Microphones (Internal): Some higher-end systems incorporate a small internal condenser microphone inside the guitar body. These systems capture the natural resonance and air of the instrument, offering an acoustic-like, airy sound. However, they are highly susceptible to feedback in live, loud environments.
- Blended Systems: The most sophisticated systems combine two or even three types of pickups (e.g., piezo and internal mic or piezo and soundhole magnetic pickup).
Preamp
Once the pickup converts the vibrations into a tiny electrical signal, that signal needs to be boosted and shaped before it can be sent to an amplifier. That is what preamp (pre-amplifier) does. On electro-acoustic guitars, the preamp is almost always built into the side of the guitar body, often near the upper bout.
Onboard Controls
Integrated into the preamp unit are the onboard controls. Common controls include:
- Volume: The master volume for all amplified signals.
- EQ (Equalization): Typically includes bass, middle, and treble controls.
- Phase Switch: A vital control to reduce feedback.
- Notch Filter: A notch filter allows you to dial in cuts specific problematic frequencies that might be causing feedback.
- Built-in Tuner: Many modern preamps include a chromatic tuner that offer silent tuning functionality.
- Blend Control: On guitars with blended pickup systems, this control allows the mixing of different pickup outputs.
Why Choose an Electro-Acoustic Guitar?
Who are Electro-Acoustic Guitars For?
Electro-acoustic guitars cater to a broad spectrum of players, including:
- Gigging musicians
- Singer-songwriters
- Band members
- Recording artists
- Versatile hobbyists
What Playing Styles & Genres Do These Instruments Favor?
Electro-acoustic guitars are incredibly adaptable across genres, including:
- Folk
- Americana
- Country
- Pop and rock
- Blues
- Jazz
- Worship music
Other Benefits of Electro-Acoustic Guitars
Beyond the primary advantage of amplification, electro-acoustics offer additional perks:
- Feedback control
- Tone shaping
- DI box redundancy
- Effect compatibility
Top Electro-Acoustic Guitar Brands and Models to Consider
Taylor Guitars
Taylor is renowned for its modern approach to acoustic guitar building, emphasizing playability, consistency, and clear, balanced tone. Their electro-acoustic models are particularly celebrated for their groundbreaking ES (Expression System) pickup, designed to capture the guitar’s natural acoustic voice with exceptional fidelity. Taylor guitars often feature thinner, faster necks and excellent intonation.
Popular models include:
- GS Mini-e: A remarkably popular compact guitar with a surprisingly big voice, now almost always coming with the ES-B pickup. Perfect for travel or smaller players.
- 200 Series (e.g., 214ce): Excellent entry into Taylor’s full-sized line, offering solid tops (Sitka spruce or koa) with layered backs and sides, and the ES2 pickup system.
- 300 Series (e.g., 314ce): All-solid wood construction (often Sapele or Blackwood) for a richer, more resonant tone, equipped with the advanced ES2 system.
- Grand Auditorium (GA) Body Shape: Taylor’s signature body shape, known for its comfortable size and versatile tone for both strumming and fingerstyle.
Martin Guitars
Martin holds a legendary status, practically inventing the modern acoustic guitar as we know it. While traditionally celebrated for their pure acoustic tone, their electro-acoustic models integrate sophisticated electronics while preserving that iconic Martin warmth and power. They are often favored by those seeking a more traditional, vintage-inspired sound.
Popular models include:
- Road Series (e.g., DRS1, 000-10E): Affordable all-solid wood (or solid top with layered back and sides) models with Fishman Sonitone or MX electronics, providing classic Martin tone for the working musician.
- X Series (e.g., DXAE): Utilize HPL (High-Pressure Laminate) backs and sides with solid spruce tops, making them durable and accessible, typically featuring Fishman electronics.
- Standard Series (e.g., D-28E, 000-18E): The iconic all-solid wood instruments, now often available with factory-installed LR Baggs Anthem or Fishman Aura VT Enhance systems, offering the pinnacle of Martin’s amplified acoustic sound.
- Dreadnought Body Shape: The quintessential Martin body, known for its powerful volume and bass response, ideal for strumming.
Gibson Guitars
Gibson, another American giant, brings its own distinct flavor to the electro-acoustic world. Known for their soulful, often bluesy or rock-and-roll acoustic voices, Gibson electro-acoustics are about character and heritage. They often feature LR Baggs VTC or Element systems, chosen to complement their natural acoustic projection.
Popular options include:
- J-45 Standard: This dreadnought is famous for its round-shouldered design and powerful, balanced tone. Comes standard with the LR Baggs VTC system.
- Hummingbird Standard: A visually stunning square-shouldered dreadnought known for its rich, full tone and excellent strumming capabilities, also featuring LR Baggs VTC.
- L-00 Standard: A smaller, parlor-sized guitar with surprising volume and a focused, bluesy tone, making it ideal for fingerstyle and intimate performances. Equipped with LR Baggs Element.
Takamine Guitars
Takamine has built its reputation almost exclusively on electro-acoustic performance. They were pioneers in sophisticated onboard preamps and their guitars are often considered workhorses for live use, known for their excellent feedback resistance and stage-ready tone. Many of their guitars feature proprietary Palathetic™ (piezo) pickups.
Popular options include:
- G Series (e.g., GD93CE, GN93CE): Offer excellent value with solid tops and often flame maple or black walnut backs and sides, paired with Takamine‘s TK-40D or TP-4TD preamps.
- Pro Series (e.g., P3NC, P5NC): All-solid wood Japanese-made instruments featuring the advanced CT4-DX or CTP-3 CoolTube preamps, offering unparalleled tone shaping and feedback control.
- NEX Body Shape: Takamine‘s original body shape, similar to a Grand Auditorium, offering a versatile blend of comfort and volume.
EXPLORE AVAILABLE ACOUSTIC GUITARS
Yamaha Guitars
Yamaha is an industry giant known for producing incredibly high-quality instruments across all price points. Their electro-acoustic guitars are lauded for their exceptional value, consistent build quality, and innovative pickup systems, often designed to emulate mic’d acoustic tones.
Popular options include:
- FG/FS Series (e.g., FGX800C, FSX800C): Solid spruce tops with laminated backs and sides, offering incredible bang for the buck with Yamaha‘s SYSTEM66 or SYSTEM70 preamp.
- APX/CPX Series (e.g., APX600, CPX600): Feature thinner bodies for comfort and feedback resistance, with spruce tops and often Yamaha‘s A.R.T. (Acoustic Resonance Transducer) pickup system.
- AC Series (e.g., AC1M, AC3R): All-solid wood or solid top with layered back & sides models in concert or dreadnought shapes, featuring their advanced SYSTEM72 preamp with SRT (Studio Response Technology) piezo/mic blend.
EXPLORE AVAILABLE ELECTRIC GUITARS
Fender Guitars
While primarily known for their electric guitars, Fender has a strong presence in the acoustic market. Their electro-acoustics often feature comfortable neck profiles reminiscent of their electrics, making them an easy transition for electric players. They offer a range of styles from traditional to more modern designs.
Popular options include:
- Newporter Player, Redondo Player, Malibu Player: These are part of Fender‘s California Series, known for their vibrant colors, comfortable C-shaped necks, and Fishman electronics. They offer a modern aesthetic and sound.
- Paramount Series (e.g., PM-1 Standard Dreadnought NE): More traditional-looking solid-top or all-solid wood models with Fender and Fishman-designed preamps, offering a blend of vintage vibe and modern amplification.
Other Notable Brands
What to Look for When Buying an Electro-Acoustic Guitar
Budget
Entry-Level (Under $500)
You’ll find solid-top guitars with laminated backs and sides, usually with basic but functional piezo pickups and simple preamps (e.g., Yamaha FGX/FSX, Fender Player Series, some Epiphones).
Mid-Range ($500 – $1500)
This sweet spot is where you start seeing all-solid wood instruments (or solid tops with higher-quality layered woods), more sophisticated pickup systems (e.g., Fishman Presys/Sonitone, LR Baggs Element, Taylor ES2 on 200 series), and better craftsmanship (e.g., Martin Road Series, Taylor 200/300 Series, Takamine G Series).
High-End ($1500+)
These instruments tend to have all-solid wood construction from premium tonewoods, advanced multi-source pickup systems (e.g., LR Baggs Anthem, Fishman Aura, Taylor ES2 on 400+ series, Takamine Pro Series), meticulous attention to detail, and often boutique builders.
Performance vs Studio Use
The environment where you’ll use the guitar most impacts your choice of electronics.
For performers, piezo pickups (especially in well-designed systems like Taylor’s ES2 or Takamine‘s Palathetic) and soundhole pickups are generally more feedback resistant than internal microphones, making for a smoother stage performance.
Studio recording artists benefit from mic’ing the guitar with high-quality condenser microphones. However, for blending or convenience, a system with an internal microphone blend (like LR Baggs Anthem or Fishman Aura VT Enhance) can offer a more natural sound when plugging in.
Body Size and Shape
Consider the body style of your guitar and match it with your playstyle. For example:
- Dreadnoughts are great for strummers.
- Grand Auditorium (GA) / NEX styles are versatile, making them good for strumming and fingerstyle players.
- OM (Orchestra Model) / 000 (Triple-O) models are excellent for fingerstyle.
- Concert / Grand Concert / 00 (Double-O) are extremely comfortable for fingerstyle.
- Parlors are go-to options for fingerstyle or blues players.
Taking Care of Your Electro-Acoustic Guitar
Humidity Control
If the wood is too dry, it shrinks, resulting in fret sprout, cracking, bridge lifting, and changes in playability. If wood is too humid and swells, it leads to a duller tone, high action, bellying of the top, and potential mold issues. Most musicians aim for a relative humidity between 45% to 55% to solve these issues.
Cleaning and Maintenance
- After Each Play Session: Wipe down the strings, fretboard, tuning machines, bridge hardware, and body with a clean, soft microfiber cloth to remove oils and sweat.
- Every Month: Use a slightly damp cloth (water only) to wipe down the body, followed by a dry one.
- Every 3 Months: No matter if you prefer steel strings or nylon strings, be sure to change strings regularly. While doing so, be sure to clean the fretboard with a specialized fretboard cleaner or lemon oil (for unfinished rosewood/ebony) to hydrate the wood and remove grime.
Proper Storage
How you store your guitar significantly impacts its health. That means putting it in a hardshell case when not in use (or gig bag if traveling) and not storing it in extreme temperatures.
Battery Care
Since your electro-acoustic has active electronics, it relies on a battery (usually 9V). Follow proper battery care, including checking it regularly, unplugging the instrument when not in use, and removing the battery itself when the instrument will be placed in long-term storage.
Acoustic-Electric Guitar FAQs
Do acoustic-electric guitars sound good?
Yes, electro-acoustic guitars can sound good, offering the amplification of an electric with the incredible sound of an acoustic.
What is the best electric-acoustic guitar?
The best electro-acoustic guitar is the one that matches your playstyle, preferred genre, and budget. For high-end performers with few budget restrictions, a model from the Takamine Pro Series is a great choice. For beginners on a budget, a model from the Fender Player Series is a great place to start.
Do I need an amp to use an acoustic-electric guitar?
An amp is not necessary to play an electro-acoustic guitar, although it is important for being heard during loud stage performances.
What type of amp do I need for an acoustic-electric guitar?
An amplifier specially designed for hybrid models is better for electro-acoustic guitars than one designed specifically for electric guitars only.
What is an acoustic guitar cutaway?
The cutaway is a section on the upper part of a guitar that, as the name implies, is cut away to allow the musician better access to neck frets.
How does a cutaway affect the way an acoustic guitar sounds and plays?
A cutaway doesn’t significantly impact the sound of a guitar directly, although it can make it much, much easier to play, which can result in better-sounding music.
Should I get an acoustic or an electro-acoustic guitar?
The answer to this question depends on a few factors, the most important of which is whether you prefer the unplugged tone of an acoustic or the amplified versatility of an electro-acoustic. Hobbyists, beginners, and non-performers often do well with acoustic models. Travelers, experienced musicians, and stage performers often shine with hybrid models.
How do I choose the right acoustic-electric guitar for my playing style?
How you play should be a significant factor in choosing your instrument.
- For heavy strummers, choose: A dreadnought or jumbo body shape for its volume and bass response, paired with a pickup system that can handle high distortion.
- For fingerstyle players, choose: smaller body shapes like OMs, 000s, or Grand Concerts for their balanced tone, comfortable size, and note clarity, paired with a pickup system that captures nuance and articulation.
- For flatpickers, choose: A dreadnought for unmatched projection.
- For hybrid picking players, choose: An instrument responds well to both finger and pick attacks, such as Grand Auditorium or OM.
Ready to Plug In?
It’s time to take the next exciting step in your journey: feeling one in your hands.
At Eddie’s Guitars in St. Louis, Missouri, we pride ourselves on offering a carefully curated selection of the finest electro-acoustic guitars from all the top brands, with new arrivals constantly gracing our collection. Whether you want a baritone left-handed model or a standard right-handed telecaster, we have the instrument for you.
Expert Insight From: Donny Thurmon – Electric & Acoustic Guitar Expert
Donny has over a decade of experience in the music retail industry and a rich knowledge of both electric and acoustic guitars. His hands-on experience helps ensure our recommendations and insights are grounded in real-world expertise.
