There’s an acoustic guitar and an electric guitar; combine the two, and you’ll get an acoustic-electric type guitar. Although this looks just like an acoustic model and lacks the snazzy electric guitar features, an acoustic-electric guitar creates a comparable sound. And if you’re in the market for the best acoustic-electric guitar, we can help you find the most suitable one for your needs and style.
An acoustic-electric guitar comes with a magnetic pickup, a microphone or a piezoelectric pickup to enhance its sound. It’s a plug-in acoustic guitar model that you can plug to a soundboard or amplifier. Acoustic-electric guitars come with piezoelectric pickups that need a preamp connected to the body of the guitar to amplify the signal before this moves to the main amp of the guitar. Most acoustic-electric guitars come with tone controls, equalizers, and other features to enhance the instrument’s sound quality.
Here are the ten best acoustic-electric guitars in the market today!
1. Glen Burton GA204BCO-BK Acoustic Electric Cutaway Guitar Black
The first acoustic-electric guitar on our list is one of the most popular models from Glen Burton, the GA204BCO-BK. This is an acoustic-electric with a cutaway design and style. This is also a set, which means you won’t just get the Glen Burton acoustic-electric guitar but with additional accessories like spare strings, picks, guitar bag, strap, a digital clip-on tuner, a truss rod, and a convenient 10-watt amplifier.
Body Style & Material
Electrics
To produce rich and one-of-a-kind sounds, this Glen Burton classic must be fitted with a digital clip-on tuner and connected to a 10-watt amplifier. You’ll get rich, high-quality sounds with no warping, warbling, and cracking all thanks to a digital tuner which you can also use for your other acoustic guitars. The equalizer comes with active 4-band 7545.
Neck
The Glen Burton has a Catalpa neck and bridge creating a lovely, classic design. The fingerboard is rosewood, one of the most durable but at the same time very flexible, which can withstand long hours of play and lessons. The catalpa neck is very durable and smooth, and this is why this kind of wood is primarily for making wooden musical instruments. Meanwhile, this a-e has a flame top and gorgeous basswood back and sides, which creates that classic feel.
Design
This Glen Burton acoustic-electric has the classic cutaway design with a strong neck, wider headstock, and standard acoustic controls. It comes with all the accessories you need to start playing right away. With this guitar kit, you’ll get strings, picks, a guitar bag, a digital clip-on tuner, a truss rod, and a portable 10-watt amplifier.
Guitar Brand
Glen Burton is a guitar maker known for its classic designs, including acoustic, electric, bass guitars, and acoustic-electric models. This name is also popular for their unique designs, including a Glen Burton AK47 machine gun electric guitar and a patriotic American Flag USA map cutout electric guitar. Prices start from affordable to expensive, depending on the dealer.
2. Ashthorpe Full-Size Cutaway Thinline Acoustic-Electric Guitar Package Premium Tonewoods Black
Ashthorpe brings you the full-size cutaway guitar but is about a third thinner than other acoustic-electric models. If you’re looking for a sound that’s better and fuller, then this guitar may be you’re after. It is ideal for first-time players and even for advanced players because of its impressive features, rich tone, and advanced sonics.
Body Style & Material
Electrics
On-board is a 4-band pickup/equalizer with bass, mid-range, presence, and treble and built with volume control. Plug it up, and you’ll instantly see what makes this Ashthorpe better than other acoustic-electric brands. It may not come with an amplifier and tuner, but it’s ‘compatible with almost all known brands.
Neck
The neck is from marine-grade Okoume, which is a balanced, strong, and resilient wood. It has a full-size cutaway design, which means the body near the neck area is cut far back so you can easily reach the upper frets. This design also gives you a more comfortable position when sitting or standing.
Design
Let’s start from its body. This acoustic-electric was created from fine quality spruce wood that’s X-braced, so it’s resilient and will never warp or change shape for a long time. The side and back are made from basswood, and this is responsible for that warm tone. It is a responsive guitar, whether you’re Flatpicking, strumming, or playing as loud as you can.
The thin line design makes this full-size guitar easy to access and allows you to play comfortably. Because of the thin design, it is also lightweight and thus easier to carry anywhere you want to play.
In short, this acoustic-electric guitar is a beauty. It has professional finishing such as premium-quality diecast chrome pegs and a glossy finish all over. In this kit, you’ll get a soft guitar bag, celluloid guitar picks (thin, medium, and thick picks), an onboard pickup, an instrument cable, and a guitar strap.
Guitar Brand
The Ashthorpe brand is a musical instrument company maker of acoustic and acoustic-electric guitars and complete drum kits. It’s a name trusted by many for its high-quality materials, good craftsmanship, and classic designs.
3. Vangoa Electric Acoustic Guitar Cutaway 36 Inch ¾ Travel Guitar Spruce Top Bundle Kit
Vangoa brings you an electric-acoustic guitar with classic cutaway design. It is a ¾-size guitar with a bright and glossy appearance, but inside is a powerful tuner to take your performance on center stage. This is a bundle kit from Vangoa with adjustable straps, truss rod, capo, and Allen key. You also get a guitar case to keep everything together so you can travel anywhere with just one bag to carry around.
Body Style & Material
Electrics
Inside the Vangoa acoustic-electric guitar is a 2-band EQ for bass and treble plus a built-in tuner. Use an extra mic, and you can record the clear sound and tune the guitar with ease.
Neck
The neck is adjustable so you can keep your hand in an easy position with the strings in the ideal height.
Design
This a ¾ -size acoustic-electric with cutaway design. The front is made of AAA spruce, the back and sides are made from Sapele. The strings are good quality strings with a built-in truss rod to improve tension from the strings and temperature changes. It also keeps the neck straight and strong. This cutaway design allows you to easily access the upper frets.
Guitar Brand
Vangoa is a musical instrument and accessories brand with string instruments such as acoustic guitars, acoustic-electric guitars, banjos, mandolins, and violins. It also manufactures harmonicas, electric keyboards, melodicas, pedal bards, flutes, drum sets, and many more.
4. Best Choice Products 41 Inch Full-Size Acoustic-Electric Cutaway Guitar Set
Best Choice Products is a full-size acoustic-electric guitar with cutaway design. This is a set that includes a nylon carrying bag, digital clip-on tuner, guitar straps, 4-piece guitar picks, cleaning cloth, replacement strings, and capo. The set also includes a portable guitar amplifier so you can play anywhere.
Body Style & Material
Electrics
The Best Choice Products acoustic-electric guitar comes with a 4-band equalizer 7545R guitar preamp. This is equipped with a 10-watt amp with dedicated controls for volume, bass, and treble. An amp cable lets you connect this guitar to a portable amplifier. The clip-on tuner creates a high-end sound quality with a wider sound profile.
Neck
The neck is made from durable and high-quality Okoume. This is a soft and pliable wood ideal for creating fine-quality instruments. The top, back, and sides are made from quality linden wood.
Design
This is a 41-inch acoustic-electric guitar, a full-size instrument ideal for beginners and experienced players alike. It has a high-quality finish, evidence of good craftsmanship, and attention to detail, and sound quality.
Guitar Brand
Best Choice Products is a seller, retailer, dealer of some of the finest quality products from kitchen appliances to health products, pet products to home décor. It is one of the most trusted online for musical instruments, including guitars, drums, keyboards, ukuleles, and many more.
5. FG Series TransAcoustic Folk Body Acoustic-Electric Guitar in Sunburst
This is a product under Amazon Renewed which means this is of the best quality, inspected and tested to guarantee that it will work and look like new. The FG Series acoustic-electric guitar will give you amazing sounds with the best reverb and chorus despite no external amplification. Unlike other products we featured in this review, this is a standalone acoustic-electric guitar.
Body Style & Material
Electrics
The body is based on a Yamaha FG820 and comes with an SYSTEM70 Trans Acoustic Preamp. Inside is an SRT Piezo Pickup with three basic controls to adjust the effects and volume levels. The body has scalloped bracing to reach louder and stronger sounds from low to mid-range. This is an ideal structure that supports the strength of the top board and maintains the quality sound that a Yamaha can offer.
Neck
This acoustic-electric guitar has a standard style neck. The top is made from solid spruce while the back and sides are made from Mahogany. The top has a sleek and warm finish creating a classic and stylish appearance.
Design
This Amazon Renewed product has a Yamaha FG820 Dreadnought body. This guitar was one of the best-selling guitars from Yamaha with its impressive tone and playability. It has a traditional Western feel that most guitar players love in a guitar. Connect this to an external amp, and you’ll get a rich and warm sound that you can only expect from a Yamaha.
Guitar Brand
This is an Amazon Renewed product, and therefore it’s covered by a 90-day guarantee. Renewed products are pre-owned products that have been carefully inspected and tested by Amazon. Some of the parts and accessories may be generic, but Amazon strives to create the closest rendition to a Yamaha FG820.
6. LAVA ME2 Acoustic-Electric Guitar 36-inch Carbon Fiber Guitar
The LAVA ME2 acoustic-electric guitar is a 36-inch guitar made of carbon fiber created out of a one-piece injection-molded technology. This allowed developers to create the best shape guitar that’s also comfortable to play and hold. It may look different from other acoustic-electric guitars, but it has plenty of good features to check out.
Body Style & Material
Electrics
Equipped with the FreeBoost Technology, it has L2 pickups use the rear part of the guitar as a speaker. You can power on the pickups anywhere and freely play using delay, reverb, and chorus without using any kind of amp.
Neck
The FlyNeck is a unique design and geometry of the flyneck created out of intense research. This strengthens the neck despite numerous forces acting on the area and thus improves playing performance. Also, shifting, pressing, and other string attacks are easier and can be done more comfortably with this unique neck design and technology.
Design
The LAVA ME2 has a unique design and features. Compared to regular acoustic or acoustic-electric guitars, it will not deform and change its sound no matter what weather conditions. It is made from Super Air Sonic carbon fiber, which will remain perfectly tuned for temperatures from -20 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius and humidity at 10% to 90%.
This is portable, measuring 36 inches and weighs less than 4 pounds. It creates a loud, rich sound with a wide range of frequencies.
Guitar Brand
LAVA Music is the creator of the LAVA U and the LAVA ME2. These are one-of-a-kind acoustic-electric guitar models available in bright and shiny colors. There are also LAVA accessories like picks, guitar straps, and cases. It’s a new concept and brand in acoustic-electric guitars but has made a strong following online and offline.
7. Photo Savings Washburn EA151ITB Festival Series Mini Jumbo Acoustic-Electric Guitar
The Washburn EA151ITB is a festival series acoustic-electric guitar that comes in a bundle. You’ll get a pick, a clip-on tuner, guitar straps, extra strings, and a cleaning cloth. This is the Festival series, and thus you can expect good quality overall.
Body Style & Material
Electrics
Connect the clip-on tuner to accurate tuning. Capable of Hi Z and Low Z outputs when you connect to a mixer or PA. With a built-in pickup and an easy to use the tuner. And combined with its great mini-jumbo cutaway design, you’ll get solid tones that you’ll surely appreciate.
Neck
This acoustic-electric guitar has a solid, standard neck. Inside is a quarter sawn x scalloped bracing to improve projection and sound balance. The body and neck are solid to create a rich and well-defined sound and strong construction that will last whether you’re new to playing or already an experienced musician.
Design
This guitar has a classic-modern design with a flame maple guitar top and catalpa wood back and sides. The surface has an ice tea finish creating a warm and cheerful style rather than other guitars with black or dark-colored finishes.
Guitar Brand
Photo Savings is a dealer of quality products sold online. Aside from acoustic-electric guitars, it also offers electronic devices and equipment, including Blu-ray disc players, video recorders, recording systems, audio mixers, and many more.
8. Ovation CE44P-SM Acoustic-Electric Guitar Spalted Maple with Case and Stand
The Ovation CE44P-SM is the Celebrity Elite Plus series acoustic-electric guitar and upgrade of the Celebrity Elite guitars of the brand. You’ll get figured tops, abalone components, and high-quality sound, features, and style.
Body Style & Material
Electrics
For impressive live sound, this acoustic-electric comes with the Ovation Slimline pickup and an onboard preamp system. The preamp is paired with a 3-band EQ with volume and gain control, a tuner, and low-battery signal light.
Neck
This guitar has a classic neck with a satin finish and black edges and mid-depth Lyra chord. It comes with a 10-inch radius rosewood fretboard with 20 readily accessible frets with abalone attachments and a rosewood bridge.
Design
True to the Celebrity Elite guitars from Ovation, this has a cutaway body with a spalted maple top. It has multiple soundholes that provide impressive highs and balanced bass. The top has adequate X bracing to improve strength and sound. Also on the top are wood epaulets, stylish black binding, and abalone purflings with a natural glossy finish.
Guitar Brand
Ovation is one of the most popular guitar brands with numerous artists who love and trust this name. It’s trusted for its six strings, double necks, lefty, bass, and specialty guitars. Ovation accessories are also available to keep your guitars in tip-top shape no matter where you go.
9. C.F. Martin & Co. Martin X Series 2015 LXME Little Martin Acoustic-Electric Guitar Natural
The X Series from CF Martin & Co is one of the most comfortable to play, compact and perfect for students. It creates a big sound, which is surprising that this guitar is smaller than the average acoustic-electric models. Your purchase comes with a free gig bag or guitar bag to easily take your Martin X anywhere you want to perform.
Body Style & Material
Electrics
The Martin X is equipped with the Fishman Sonitone electronics. Connect this to an external amp, and you can play quality, solid sounds anywhere you are.
Neck
This acoustic-electric guitar has a Stratabond modified low-oval neck constructed with the patented neck mortise from Martin. With this quality and strict attention to detail, you’ll get a guitar that’s durable, easy to use, comfortable, and easy to play anywhere, perfect for beginners.
Design
The body has a spruce pattern, while the HPL top is very strong supported by 1-style Sitka spruce bracing. It has a Marado bridge and fretboard and a 23-inch scale. The tuners are Gotoh nickel-plated with the logo on the headstock.
Guitar Brand
CF Martin & Co. is the brand for quality acoustic and acoustic-electric guitars, accessories, bags, and cases. This is a trusted name in the industry and is supported by many top artists locally and internationally.
10. Ovation CE48-1 Celebrity Elite Super Shallow Sunburst Acoustic/Electric Guitar
The Ovation CE48-1 is also a part of Ovation’s Celebrity Elite models with a shallow cutaway, sunburst finish, and enhanced quarter-sawn scalloped X bracing for strength and durability. It comes with a bag and stands so you can take it wherever you want to play or perform.
Body Style & Material
Electrics
For that powerful live sound, this acoustic-electric is equipped with the Ovation Slimline pickup plus an onboard preamp system. The preamp is matched with a 3-band EQ with separate controls for volume and gain control and a tuner. It also comes with a low-battery signal light.
Neck
This Celebrity Elite guitar has a classic neck with a satin finish and black edges with a mid-depth Lyra chord. It with a 10-inch radius rosewood fretboard and bridge.
Design
The Celebrity Elite guitars from Ovation have a cutaway body with 2-color sunburst top. It has multiple soundholes that provide quality highs and balanced bass. The top has adequate X bracing to enhance strength and sound. Also, the top has a natural glossy finish.
Guitar Brand
Ovation is one of the most iconic guitar brands and a trusted name among popular artists. It’s trusted for its many types of guitars, including six strings, double necks, lefty, bass, and specialty guitars. Looking for accessories for your Ovation guitar? You can also find genuine accessories online from their official site and also from shopping sites like Amazon.
11. Yamaha CSF-TA TransAcoustic Parlor Acoustic-Electric Guitar Natural with Hard-Shell Guitar Case
The Yamaha CSF-TA is a bundle with all the accessories you need to play and perform. You’ll get a hard-shell guitar case, a stand, strap, tuner, picks, string winder, and a polishing cloth. This is Yamaha’s TransAcoustic Parlor acoustic-electric guitar with natural tones, amplified effects, and modern features.
Body Style & Material
Electrics
The electric controls are mounted on the side of the guitar with straightforward controls for line output volume and the TransAcoustic settings. An actuator rests on the inner surface of the back, which vibrates when the strings are hit. The vibrations are conveyed to all the inner surfaces of the guitar, creating reverb and chorus.
Neck
It has a standard neck with a strong fretboard that will resist changes in shape.
Design
The back and sides are made from Mahogany. The top is durable and lovely Sitka spruce. The design is simple but is a classic to play. It is suitable for beginners as they learn basic guitar and also for experienced users.
Guitar Brand
Yamaha or Yamaha Genesis is the brand for musical instruments offering keyboards, acoustic guitars, acoustic-electric guitars, electric guitars, electronic drums, speakers, mixers, and many more. All Yamaha products are covered by a warranty, and genuine parts and accessories for all acoustic-electric guitars are always available.
Buyer’s Guide
Before buying any type of acoustic-electric guitars, remember the following
The brand matters
Most high-quality acoustic-electric guitar models are from good quality brands. Also, not all high-quality brands are expensive. Some offer better value at the most affordable prices. Top brands also offer good warranties, which can increase your money’s worth.
The material is important
A guitar with durable, weather-resistant, and stylish material should be your choice. Since wood is the most common material used to make guitars invest in quality wooden materials like spruce, Mahogany, and Okoume.
Onboard electrics
Acoustic-electric guitar electrics are often located at the side of the guitar. These should be straightforward, easy to use, easy to move, and labeled knobs and outputs for speakers and mics. Some products here come with a free external amp. This is a plus but not as important.
Accessories
More accessories, more value. You need bags, picks, straps, cleaning clothes, capos, digital tuners, etc. This way, you don’t have to buy these separately and spend more.
FAQs
How do Acoustic-Electric Guitars Work?
Acoustic-electric guitars are fitted with electronics such as a pickup and a preamp. The pickup converts sound to a useful electronic signal, and this is amplified by the preamp. The result is the sound of an acoustic guitar and the rich volume of an electric guitar.
You may also use an acoustic-electric guitar without using the electronics. You can play it like a regular acoustic guitar.
Do Electric Acoustic Guitars need an Amp?
To produce rich sound, yes, you must hook up an electric-acoustic guitar to an amp. But you can still play it like an ordinary acoustic guitar even without connecting it to an amp.
Do I Need an Electro-Acoustic?
If you want to play an acoustic guitar and amplify its sound, then you should use an electro-acoustic or acoustic-electric guitar. But if you are contented with the warm and smooth sounds of an acoustic guitar, then you don’t need an acoustic-electric model.
Conclusion
We recommend the Glen Burton GA204BCO-BK because of its many impressive features, great design, and overall impressive sound. It has a cutaway design and style made from very durable, high-quality materials. This is also a guitar set, and thus you will also get accessories like spare strings, picks, guitar bag, strap, a digital clip-on tuner, a truss rod, and a convenient 10-watt amplifier. It’s a good value and a good acoustic-electric guitar for a beginner and experienced player.
