How to Choose an Acoustic Electric Guitar | Beyond The Plug

Whether you’re shopping for your first stage-ready instrument or upgrading from a strictly acoustic model, the process of choosing an acoustic electric guitar comes down to three separate tests: how it plays, how it sounds on its own, and — the step most buyers skip — how it sounds once it’s plugged into an amp or PA system. Each one matters, and skipping any of them can leave you with a guitar that looks right but fails where it counts.

What Makes A Guitar “Acoustic-Electric”?

An acoustic-electric is simply an acoustic guitar with a built-in pickup system and an output jack, letting you plug straight into an amplifier, PA, or recording interface.

The key point — and the first decision to make — is whether you actually need those electronics. If you’ll mostly play alone at home or in small rooms, an acoustic-only guitar costs less and has nothing to go wrong electronically. The moment you plan to play with others, record cleanly, or perform anywhere the room is bigger than your voice, an acoustic-electric stops being a luxury and becomes the practical tool.

Test The Guitar In Three Separate Sessions

Once you know the job, every test follows from it.

First, test it acoustically. Sit in playing position and run through strummed chords and fingerpicked patterns. You’re listening for balanced tone — clear treble, defined bass, and notes that sustain rather than dying fast. Also check the neck: it should feel comfortable to fret across all six strings without strain, because a hard-to-play setup will frustrate you far more than any tonal subtlety.

Second, plug it in. This is the step most buyers skip, and it’s the one that matters most for an acoustic-electric. Never assume a guitar that sounds rich unplugged will sound good amplified — the pickup and preamp color the tone significantly. Play it through the same type of system you’ll actually use, whether that’s a practice amp, a PA, or a recording interface.

Third, inspect the electronics themselves. Sweep every control — volume, tone, any onboard EQ — and listen for crackling, hum, or dead spots. Check the output jack for a snug cable fit, and confirm where the battery lives. If you’ll change that battery on stage someday, accessibility matters more than you’d think.

How Much Should You Spend?

Acoustic-electric models cost more than their acoustic-only counterparts — the electronics add real money to the price. Above that, you’re paying for premium wood and craftsmanship rather than fundamentally better electronics.

If you’re shopping on a tighter budget and want a sense of what performs well at the lower end of that range, our roundup of tested budget-friendly models covers solid cheap acoustic electric guitar options that hold up for beginners and gigging players alike.

One honest note: at any price, used guitars offer real savings, but they demand a stricter inspection. Look for warps in the neck, cracks in the body, and any electronics that behave erratically — then test every control and output jack before you hand over cash.

Common Buying Mistakes To Avoid

Buyers run into the same few traps regardless of budget. Recognizing them upfront saves both money and frustration.

• Buying electronics you’ll never use. If you never plug in, an acoustic-electric just adds cost and battery maintenance for no benefit.
• Judging the guitar only unplugged. A stellar acoustic tone can hide an anemic, quacky amplified sound — always test through an amp before committing.
• Ignoring playability. A guitar with poor action or a stiff neck is hard to learn on and discouraging to play, no matter how good it sounds.
• Skipping the battery check. Confirm whether it takes a 9-volt or AA before purchase, not after you’re hunting for replacements at midnight before a gig.
• Trusting used listings blindly. Photos don’t show warped necks or failing preamps — inspect in person or buy from a shop with a solid return policy.

One more consideration: if you plan to sing while you play, make sure your amp or PA has a second channel with an XLR mic input. Running vocals through the same channel as the guitar forces an awkward trade-off between the two levels.

No single body size or pickup type suits everyone, and anyone claiming otherwise is selling certainty that doesn’t exist. Match the instrument to your playing context — the room, the music, the volume — and you’ll land on the right guitar for you.