Tell Me About Electric Guitars
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I play electric, among other instruments (drums, bass, and keyboards).
They can be easier to play, but not everyone plays thin strings; some jazz players prefer thicker strings than you’d find on most acoustics.
But to me, the whole experience of electric vs. acoustic is different. I don’t play the same music on both, and I don’t play the same way on both. (I rarely fingerpick on electric.) And I never use effects on acoustic, whereas I really enjoy some compression on electric (if not also overdrive, delay, and a chorus).
If you’d like a kind of crossover instrument—without spending a lot—I’d recommend an Epiphone Casino. It’s a semi-hollowbody electric that still has some volume if played acoustically, but its P90 pickups also sound terrific when overdriven through an amp. (The Beatles’ “Revolution.”)
To me, you match the guitar to the style of music you want to play. And if you want to play various styles, then you just need more guitars.
One note, though: No matter what kind of guitar you want to play, you will need to build up calluses. There’s no getting around that. But also note that some acoustics are easier to play than others. My Taylor, for example, has fairly low action, so it’s actually a bit easier to play than either my Gibson or Martin. It definitely helps to try a range of instruments—even if they’re all the same model—before making a purchase.
They can be easier to play, but not everyone plays thin strings; some jazz players prefer thicker strings than you’d find on most acoustics.
But to me, the whole experience of electric vs. acoustic is different. I don’t play the same music on both, and I don’t play the same way on both. (I rarely fingerpick on electric.) And I never use effects on acoustic, whereas I really enjoy some compression on electric (if not also overdrive, delay, and a chorus).
If you’d like a kind of crossover instrument—without spending a lot—I’d recommend an Epiphone Casino. It’s a semi-hollowbody electric that still has some volume if played acoustically, but its P90 pickups also sound terrific when overdriven through an amp. (The Beatles’ “Revolution.”)
To me, you match the guitar to the style of music you want to play. And if you want to play various styles, then you just need more guitars.
One note, though: No matter what kind of guitar you want to play, you will need to build up calluses. There’s no getting around that. But also note that some acoustics are easier to play than others. My Taylor, for example, has fairly low action, so it’s actually a bit easier to play than either my Gibson or Martin. It definitely helps to try a range of instruments—even if they’re all the same model—before making a purchase.
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The most important thing is getting any guitar set up properly by a good luthier, imo - I have guitars that cost thousands, some that cost just barely $200 - the ones that get played most are the ones that currently have the best setup and fresh strings -- if you ever need/want help with the playing part, I teach at a small music school and at home/online - would be happy to help a fellow pipe smoker! cheers!
-- if you ever need/want help with the playing part, I teach at a small music school and at home/online - would be happy to help a fellow pipe smoker! cheers!
i wouldn’t say easier, but different. Completely agree with the suggestions above and I would say let the style of music you dabble in, or want to explore dictate your guitar choice. If you already own a steel string acoustic, consider getting some lighter gauge stings.
Are you practicing kumbaya for the next secret Santa season?
Are you practicing kumbaya for the next secret Santa season?
I've bought strings for my acoustic and tuned it with an App - Guitartuna I think? Good enough for my clumsy fingersThe most important thing is getting any guitar set up properly by a good luthier, imo - I have guitars that cost thousands, some that cost just barely $200 - the ones that get played most are the ones that currently have the best setup and fresh strings
Appreciate the offer, I want to pick it up again, but like the idea of plugging headphones into an electric and not bothering anyone.
A cover of All I Want For Christmas actually
Haha why would I have expected anything else.
Another thing to remember, is that while electric guitar strings are thinner, they are also closer together. This may or may not be an issue for you. Also, even with headphones on, your family will hear the strumming (albeit quieter) and cussing (albeit louder).
I have a small nylon string classical guitar I use when I’m wanting to play without causing too much of a disturbance…or rather, without my kids hearing and triggering the ensuing audio onslaught as they get inspired and start marching around the house with harmonicas and tambourines.
Another thing to remember, is that while electric guitar strings are thinner, they are also closer together. This may or may not be an issue for you. Also, even with headphones on, your family will hear the strumming (albeit quieter) and cussing (albeit louder).
I have a small nylon string classical guitar I use when I’m wanting to play without causing too much of a disturbance…or rather, without my kids hearing and triggering the ensuing audio onslaught as they get inspired and start marching around the house with harmonicas and tambourines.
Tune either to drop-D and start jamming. A trained monkey can play drop-D tuning! The entire Godsmack catalog awaits you! Lol.
I play acoustic and my son plays electric and we play vastly different songs and very different techniques.
I would concur with just about everything that's already been said. I would second the suggestion of getting any guitar properly set up by an experienced guitar tech/luthier. This one thing made both mine and my son's guitars much easier to play.
I will occasionally play around on one of his electrics, and they are "easier" in the sense that you don't have to press the strings as hard to get a clean tone, but harder because fingerpicking (which is what I use 99% of the time) just doesn't sound as good on an electric and I suck at using a pick.
My acoustic has an electric pickup/preamp installed, so theoretically I can put a damper in the sound hole and plug in headphones to the output and it will play quieter acoustically and I would be able to hear it clearly in the headphones.
You could do the same thing with an acoustic without a pickup and just install the damper. It would cut the volume down significantly, but it would be muted for you as well.
Update us on what you decide to do as I'm interested in the route you take.
Cheers!
I would concur with just about everything that's already been said. I would second the suggestion of getting any guitar properly set up by an experienced guitar tech/luthier. This one thing made both mine and my son's guitars much easier to play.
I will occasionally play around on one of his electrics, and they are "easier" in the sense that you don't have to press the strings as hard to get a clean tone, but harder because fingerpicking (which is what I use 99% of the time) just doesn't sound as good on an electric and I suck at using a pick.
My acoustic has an electric pickup/preamp installed, so theoretically I can put a damper in the sound hole and plug in headphones to the output and it will play quieter acoustically and I would be able to hear it clearly in the headphones.
You could do the same thing with an acoustic without a pickup and just install the damper. It would cut the volume down significantly, but it would be muted for you as well.
Update us on what you decide to do as I'm interested in the route you take.
Cheers!
And just about every TOOL song ever written. I don't know if I would even recognize a TOOL song in standard tuning.
Electric guitar is slightly easier to play for me because my strings are thinner, my action is lower and I cover up my lack of ability with reverb.
Yes to some they are easier. Different feel to the neck and string gauges allow more "options" , until you build up strength and technique.
For me the number 1 thing is neck / hand comfort. I've played countless brands of guitars and now when I buy it's all about neck comfort in my hands. How easy is it for me to play all through the neck.
A semi hollow body does offer being able to play plugged in and not.
Just remember one thing ..... collecting guitars takes up way more room than collecting pipes!!! Plus they are harder to hide from a spouse! LOL
Mike
For me the number 1 thing is neck / hand comfort. I've played countless brands of guitars and now when I buy it's all about neck comfort in my hands. How easy is it for me to play all through the neck.
A semi hollow body does offer being able to play plugged in and not.
Just remember one thing ..... collecting guitars takes up way more room than collecting pipes!!! Plus they are harder to hide from a spouse! LOL
Mike
Any decent guitar thats been setup properly shouldn't be difficult to play. Any guitar thats setup poorly will be difficult to play. Setup is key to a good stringed instrument, almost no guitar is "setup" properly from the factory. String gauge is subjective, you can put big ole honkin strings on an electric and it should still be easy to play in the right tuning. 9's and 10's are pretty standard for 440 tuning. As you start going down in tuning you need to increase your string gauge to maintain string tension. 14's are not uncommon on guitars tuned down a whole step, these aren't any harder to play than 9's because at whole step down they have the same string tension. My Tele with 10's plays just as easily as my Yamaha with 14's because the Yammy is tuned a whole step down so the string tension is the same on both guitars.
TheSterlingSound on YouTube has a series of vlogs covering and analyzing rock solos, as well as very technical descriptions of electric guitars. A lot of stuff about pickups, metal properties, and so on. I'm not a player myself, just a listener. (Disclosure) he's a friend and former work colleague. Still, a good source of content.
Lots of good advice guys, thanks.
Strange to consider an electric over acoustic as you are wanting to go quiet, but here we are.
Strange to consider an electric over acoustic as you are wanting to go quiet, but here we are.
I've played and recorded music for years.
Acoustic guitars sound great alone.
Electric guitars need accompanying instruments IMO.
But of course they sound amazing with a bass and drums.
I have many of both electric and acoustic guitars.
In my wife's words "How many guitars can one person play".
If it's your first get yourself a decent Epiphone Les Paul.
They are cheap and sound great.
Single coil guitars like Fenders might sound very thin to your ears.
But again they sound great in the mix with other instruments.
Acoustic guitars sound great alone.
Electric guitars need accompanying instruments IMO.
But of course they sound amazing with a bass and drums.
I have many of both electric and acoustic guitars.
In my wife's words "How many guitars can one person play".
If it's your first get yourself a decent Epiphone Les Paul.
They are cheap and sound great.
Single coil guitars like Fenders might sound very thin to your ears.
But again they sound great in the mix with other instruments.
Before you go down any rabbit holes with chasing good tone with headphones for silent practice, just get an inexpensive used USB interface and get the free trial for the Neural DSP Tone King Imperial MKII plugin.
They let you try it for a week. It sounds fantastic.
Basically any cheap modeler unit you buy is going to come with a bunch of horrible presets that are hardly usable. Getting them to sound good requires quite a bit of tweaking and a lot of learning about Impulse Responses and all sorts of other stuff.
The Neural plugins will have amazing presets and you’ll be inspired to play right out of the gate.
They also come with a few effects that sound quite good, so you don’t even need to worry about a pedalboard if you don’t want to.
Neural has other plugins for amps or artists you might like, in case you’re into more high-gain music or whatever else. I’ve heard they’re all fairly versatile.
They’re around 100 bucks and you own it for life. It’s a very cost-effective way to have professional-level tone that will sound amazing in any recording.
They let you try it for a week. It sounds fantastic.
Basically any cheap modeler unit you buy is going to come with a bunch of horrible presets that are hardly usable. Getting them to sound good requires quite a bit of tweaking and a lot of learning about Impulse Responses and all sorts of other stuff.
The Neural plugins will have amazing presets and you’ll be inspired to play right out of the gate.
They also come with a few effects that sound quite good, so you don’t even need to worry about a pedalboard if you don’t want to.
Neural has other plugins for amps or artists you might like, in case you’re into more high-gain music or whatever else. I’ve heard they’re all fairly versatile.
They’re around 100 bucks and you own it for life. It’s a very cost-effective way to have professional-level tone that will sound amazing in any recording.
This is a name that comes up in my used searches.
@Fo0zle , not looking to do recordings, just play a little bit. Am I wrong in thinking you just need a guitar/amp/cords
Recording or not, with plugins you’ll have great tone to practice with.
You won’t get anywhere near the kinds of tones from a cheapo amp that you would from a Neural plugin, especially if we’re talking headphones and silent practice.
You could have an interface and a neural plugin for around 200 bucks all-in. A $200 guitar amp will sound like a pile of crap.