You’ve watched a ton of youtube videos on guys shredding guitar, you love music and you’ve always wanted to learn to play like Jimi Hendrix. This year, you’ve decided it’s time to get serious, put that bag of potato chips down and actually learn how to do this, but there’s a problem. What do I buy? This is a common question I get asked by parents and new students wondering which option is best. In general, there are 2 options you can chose from, either the acoustic or the electric. Let’s look at the pro’s and cons of both and my personal recommendation after years of experience with the two.

1. The Acoustic

Acoustic guitars, for the most part, are what people generally buy as their first guitar and it makes sense, they’re portable, require no amplification and can be played anywhere without any additional equipment. It’s a no brainer right? yes and no, as portable as they are, acoustics are harder to play due to the strings being higher from the neck and for the most part, are big and bulky for the student. I can’t count how many times i’ve had students show up with an acoustic unable to hold it properly and complain about their fingers hurting.

Pro’s

• Portable and easy to bring anywhere
• Require’s no amplification
• Require’s no additional equipment ( patch cables, pedals etc.)

Con’s

• Harder to play
• Bigger and more bulky
• Less options for getting different tones

2. The Electric

This is what i recommend to all my beginner students. Electric guitars are easier to play, have tons of options for changing the sound and are much smaller and easier to handle. 99% of the time, if i get a student come in for his first lesson with an electric, they will come out of their lesson playing something with confidence.

Pro’s

• Easier to play
• More options for getting different tones
• Smaller and easier to handle

Con’s

• Less portable then the acoustic
• Requires amplification
• Requires more equipment ( patch chords, pedals etc.)

What kind of guitar do you prefer? Let us know in the comment box below

If you’d like to learn more, try guitar lessons in Winnipeg