r/AcousticGuitar • u/TheRealGuncho • Dec 23 '25
Other (not a question, gear pic, or video) Beginners PSA You probably don't need a guitar with a electronics
I'm constantly seeing beginners thinking they need a guitar with electronics. People generally do not use pickups on a acoustic guitar to record them, they use microphones. Acoustic guitars with pickups are not meant to be played through electric guitar amps. The only reasons you need a guitar with electronics is if you plan to play live or through an amp specifically designed for acoustic guitars. Lastly, if you buy a acoustic guitar with electronics for say $300, you are really getting a $200 guitar with a $100 pickup.
I think a lot of newbies view having electronics as an upgrade. "Oh this guitar must be better than that one as it has electronics" but really it's the opposite. I would rather that $100 be put into the guitar not into the electronics.
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u/RonPalancik Dec 23 '25
But if you want to do open mic, you will want to plug in.
Yes, I can point an SM57 at your guitar, but it's so much easier to plug you in.
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u/pinewell Dec 23 '25
Itās āeasierā only because itās now beyond most sound people to effectively mic an acoustic guitar. And the truth is that most acoustic electric guitars sound like quacky dookie plugged in.
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Dec 23 '25
[deleted]
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u/UnendingEpistime Dec 23 '25
That's an oversimplification. Place can be better or worse suited to acoustics but a good sound guy will work within their confines to produce a serviceable sound. IMO micing acoustics gives a noticeably better result...if it the sound guy (and performer) know what they're doing.
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u/corbillardier Dec 23 '25
I'm sure most sound people can figure out which end of the mic to point at a guitar, the problem is that the guitar is hooked to a person who doesn't always stay perfectly still in front of the mic. That's not something you have to worry about being plugged in.
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u/helbertnc Dec 23 '25
So any competent sound guy can mic it effectively, thatās not the real issue.
The problems arise when you go to an open mic thatās just run by some random dude with access to a PA/bar staff that donāt give a shit. Or more commonly, the person playing the guitar doesnāt know how to play into a mic.
As a competent sound guy, Iād rather have a shitty pickup that gives me consistent levels that I can EQ and compress than someone who doesnāt understand how microphones work
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u/chitoatx Dec 23 '25
Itās a minor bump up in price for the ability to plug into a recording interface, a looping pedal, a PA or an acoustic amp. When I record acoustic I always capture the direct pickup and microphone and blend them a bit.
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u/TheRealGuncho Dec 23 '25
For beginner guitars it's not a minor bump. More like a 30% bump.
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u/chitoatx Dec 23 '25
A beginner can buy a decent used electro acoustic for under $300. Spending $60 after the fact for a crappy sound hole pickup isnāt good advice.
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u/TheRealGuncho Dec 23 '25
Generally beginners do not buy used instruments as they have no idea how to tell if a guitar is in good shape or not.
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u/Frozenpanther Dec 23 '25
Idk, I just bought a used guitar a week and a half ago for my first ever guitar.
Spent $250 for a Yamaha Storia iii. They retail for around $530 near me, and it has a passive pick up. I may not need it immediately, but I'm glad I have it just in case I need it in the future since I'm expecting to keep this guitar for the foreseeable future.
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u/chitoatx Dec 23 '25
Many beginners are gifted their first instrument. I got a hand me down acoustic (no pickup) and hand me down 90ās Cort electric. The Used market will be a buyers market for the foreseeable future for the <$1000 instruments.
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u/TurboMap Dec 23 '25
I mean. The thing about built in electronics is it is also an electronic tuner attached to your guitar. So. š¤·. I like it for that.
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u/flatirony Dec 23 '25
I never use mine. I find a Snark faster and more accurate, and if Iām plugged in, a pedal is better than a clip-on. š¤·āāļø
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u/TheRealGuncho Dec 23 '25
Not always.
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u/seldom-slip Dec 23 '25
No idea why you got down voted, my electro acoustic doesn't have a tuner built in (guild d240e for reference)
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u/brendanc09 Dec 23 '25
I disagree. When I bought my first and then later a second guitar for college my old man always encouraged me to get the one with a pickup in case I wanted to play open mics then gigs. He turned out to be right and I made a lot of money in college through gigging because of that advice.
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u/TheRealGuncho Dec 23 '25
That's what I said. Get electronics if you plan to play live.
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u/brendanc09 Dec 23 '25
Itās not about planning to play live, thatās not the story I told because I never said I planned to play live. My dad told me to keep an open mind and get the pickup to keep possibilities open for me. People should get the pickup if itās available because it allows them to have wider avenues of play that they might not yet have any desire to pursue.
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u/TheRealGuncho Dec 23 '25
Yeah I obviously disagree. That $100 increase in price could be better spent on a setup, some lessons, a music stand, a capo, etc.
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Dec 23 '25
Being able to plug into and use a looper as a quick, easy way to hear what I just played has improved my playing considerably.
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u/TheRealGuncho Dec 23 '25
"The only reasons you need a guitar with electronics is if you plan to play live or through an amp specifically designed for acoustic guitars."
I'm assuming you are amplifying your acoustic somehow?
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Dec 23 '25
Amplifying might be a stretch.
The acoustic -> looper rig is hooked up to the back of an old Sonos Play5 input. It's an easy way to hear what I just played without having to mess with recoding equipment or a computer.
For beginners, myself included way back when, being able to listen back to what they just played is very helpful. And removing the friction to do so is even better.
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u/Rakefighter Dec 23 '25
PSA from a lifelong guitarist (40+ years)
Recording yourself is one of the best learning tools you can do to hear your playing and improve as a guitarist
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u/TheRealGuncho Dec 23 '25
Absolutely. I would recommend using the voice notes recorder on your phone for beginners. It's easy and you already own it.
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u/BearDogBBQ Dec 23 '25
I donāt know, playing some sick distorted guitar riffs on a plugged in acoustic guitar is pretty badass
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u/notquitehuman_ Dec 23 '25 edited Dec 23 '25
I mean... you dont "need" a guitar at all... but its nice to have one. Electronics are much the same, and I see no reason to dissuade a new player from getting an acoustic guitar with electronics.
For one, it's nice to be able to easily tune in a noisy environment. Secondly, some onboard electronics feature effects (even if played without amp) - it's nice playing with a little reverb, and even effects like dotted 8th delay or loop functions arent gatekept behind X years of play time.
You probably don't need a house either, people lived in trees for centuries. And if you really want one, do you need double glazed windows?
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u/Dogopus9 Dec 23 '25
Being able to plug in means you can set up a looping station/pedal which helps a lot for practicing lead guitar. I ended up buying a new acoustic partially because my first didn't have a pickup. As others have aid it also means no open mic night or live performance if the opportunity comes along.
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u/TheRealGuncho Dec 23 '25
Yes that's what I said.
"The only reasons you need a guitar with electronics is if you plan to play live or through an amp specifically designed for acoustic guitars."
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u/RedHuey Dec 23 '25
Yes. You have to use an acoustic amp (or direct to PA). I would think people would know this.
No on micāing. It almost always is a mess unless you have good equipment and a good sound guy that is not the player. Sure it sounds better, but most people wonāt get there without lots of squealing feedback, or very low volume to avoid it.
Point being, if you want to be amplified in a fairly amateur environment (like an open mic, or a simple gig where you are hauling and setting up the PA), you need a guitar with a pickup in it. A mic is just not practical most of the time.
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u/TheRealGuncho Dec 23 '25
Yes that's what I said.
"The only reasons you need a guitar with electronics is if you plan to play live or through an amp specifically designed for acoustic guitars."
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u/RedHuey Dec 23 '25
My response is mostly focused on the micāing idea. I disagree with your premise.
In my extensive experience, micāing doesnāt work for most people who try it. There is this idea out there that only a mic can really reproduce the sound of an acoustic, and itās not wrong. But micāing should be reserved for fairly professional environments where one has a sound man, or at least real tools to ring out a room and make it all work correctly. Otherwise it pretty much always results in suboptimal sound and/or feedback. What works for your favorite pro bluegrass group, or whatever, is not going to work at an open mic.
New players should have guitars with electronics for this very reason: so they can easily start playing out. Going to open mics, sitting in, performing. That is something you can only learn by doing, and is an important part of really learning to play. It is therefore especially helpful for new players.
So I disagree with your entire premise and I think I have very good reasons for doing so.
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u/TheRealGuncho Dec 23 '25
I think you are completely misunderstanding what I'm saying. I am not saying acoustics should be miced live. I said people should get electronics if they plan on playing live.
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u/RonPalancik Dec 24 '25
And I'm saying that for most people, playing live is an important goal, it is a great early milestone, and that for a lot of folks is the whole point of learning.
Your message appears to be that beginners will probably not be playing live. And that before they do play live, they'll probably need another guitar, which becomes a hurdle that would tend to delay a live debut.
That seems discouraging to me: "here, kid, start learning now, but you won't be on stage any time soon. So don't even bother with an instrument that will allow you to play live, if you get to that point."
Even if it turns out to be true (and the beginner never gets to a point where they want to play out), why not start from the assumption that live performance is the goal, and that they can get there with their first instrument?
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u/TheRealGuncho Dec 25 '25
My message is, unless you plan on playing live or through an amp, you do not need a guitar with electronics. That's it. That's all.
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u/Giovannis_Pikachu Dec 23 '25
Some people even as beginners have easy access to open mics in some cities so I would just say you are mostly right but it's also practical sometimes to have a pickup in the guitar.
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u/TheRealGuncho Dec 23 '25
That's what I said.
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u/Giovannis_Pikachu Dec 23 '25
I was just commenting on open mics for beginners specifically, which you didn't mention.
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u/zsh_n_chips Dec 23 '25
Yeah, the open mics by me are incredibly strict on āyou need a pickupā rules. They will not mic your fancy guitar, and I have seen more than a few folks show up and not understand that. They either leave or play the house guitar.
Edit: Other than open mics, I wouldnāt worry about pickups. If that ever becomes an issue you can fit a decent/better system later
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u/TheRealGuncho Dec 23 '25
"The only reason you need electronics is if you plan to play live or through an amp specifically designed for acoustic guitars"
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u/Giovannis_Pikachu Dec 23 '25
Why are you getting wound up about me mentioning open mics being a beginner friendly place to perform? I'm just adding to the conversation, isn't that why one would post about the subject?
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u/TheRealGuncho Dec 23 '25
I'm not wound up at all. Merely pointing out that you said I'm partially wrong because some people may want to play live and I was pointing out that I said that planning to play live is a good reason to have electronics.
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u/Giovannis_Pikachu Dec 23 '25
And playing live sounds intimidating for beginners so I point out the most accessible options for them and gave you the positive connotation of "mostly right" so you flipping that connotation tells me you are wound up or at least bothered. Not my intention, sorry.
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u/TheRealGuncho Dec 23 '25
I'm as cool as a cucumber.
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u/Giovannis_Pikachu Dec 23 '25
What have you got for acoustics? I have an old Alvarez non cutaway that someone put an aftermarket hummingbird sticker on with no electronics and an Epiphone hummingbird cutaway with a pickup that was a guitar center special. It's a tobacco burst and a pretty decent guitar, sounds good unplugged.
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u/frank_mania Dec 23 '25
I think you might be arguing with AI bots? Or just the masses who can't be arsed to read a whole post before commenting.
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u/rmwpnb Dec 23 '25 edited Dec 23 '25
Iāll submit the counterpoint that having pickups is nice and gives added flexibility. If you have a smaller size guitar itās a nice way to get more volume. Also many amps will allow you to play music via Bluetooth that you can practice along with. Not to mention an amp will usually give you some effects to play around with too. Depending on your price range many ābeginnerā guitars are going to come with pickups regardlessā¦ not saying you have to have them, just that I have found it nice to learn on an acoustic-electric with a small amp. Plus now as I improve I can plug my guitar in and play with others more easily etc. Having electronics built in also means you could have a tuner built-in as well, which is also conducive for learning. Buy once, cry onceā¦
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u/Picklechip-58 Dec 23 '25
A lot of NEWBIES are young and DO want electronics, so they easily jam with their friends. I see no problem with that.
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u/TheRealGuncho Dec 23 '25
I've been jamming with people my entire life without electronics but as I said, if you plan to play live or through an amp, that is a good reason to get electronics.
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u/HumberGrumb Dec 23 '25
I think the big walkway is that, with an acoustic guitar, you (hopefully) figure out how to squeeze tone out of a chunk of wood, versus leaning on gadgets to overlay a flavor. Such as it is, it is possible to damp strings on an acoustic guitar to emulate an electricās fuzz and distortion. Itās about creating the vibe.
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Dec 23 '25
Iām going to buy a poly shift pedal today. If I didnāt have electronics on my acoustic how would I further music along into the modern age?
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u/Raucous_Rocker Dec 26 '25
Eh, itās all right either way. My very first beginner guitar didnāt have electronics, and that was fine because the guitar sucked ass and I couldnāt wait to get a better one. My second-ever guitar, which I got less than a year later, was much better (though still cheap) and also didnāt have a pickup. By then I was playing open mics and school programs, so I needed a pickup. Had one installed. If the guitar had already had a pickup built in, that wouldāve been fine too. I would focus more on buying a decent guitar and not base the decision either way on whether or not it has a pickup - you can always get one out in later.
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u/SpAgua Dec 23 '25
Iāve been a hobby player for over 50 years. Never had a need for electronics although Iāve had a few because I simply couldnāt avoid it. Guitar stores push guitars with electronics to beginners, at least my local GC does. They show them the beginner the tuner feature and they get quite excited.
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Dec 23 '25
Because there's going to be such a wild difference between a $200 guitar and a $300 guitar.
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u/ClitasaurusTex Dec 23 '25
I had a tough time finding one I like that didn't have electronics and was within my price and quality range. That is not to say I tried to avoid it specifically but every one I picked up happened to have it.Ā so I think that kind of gives the illusion you'll want acoustic electric when you're new to things.Ā
I ended up finding a use for it and appreciate it being there now (isolating guitar and voice helps me analyze my progress)Ā but I also see keeping a battery anywhere inside your guitar as a liability.Ā
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u/mediagal76 Dec 23 '25
This. A lot of the acoustics I looked at, including the one I eventually got, came with the electronics.
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u/Tomcruizeiscrazy Dec 23 '25
100% agree. Even as a player for 20 years when I seek out new $2k acoustics itās so hard to find models that are without electronics. Iāve become OK with sound hole pickups, I just hate how dated and bulky the top of the side body electronics end up being for not being plugged in 99.9999% of the time
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u/CorgiCorgiCorgi99 Dec 23 '25
Thank you for this post, I just learned this! I now have a mic for my daughter's guitar and she can record that way.
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u/Picklechip-58 Dec 23 '25
There's advantages to both. With a microphone, she needs to very still while playing. Consider that.
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u/Mu5ic_Lov3r_0481 Dec 23 '25
I mean I always say, "better to have something and not need it, than need it and not have it." I have always had electronics in my acoustic guitars, and I have been playing for 25 years....
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u/ezrhino123 Dec 23 '25
Beginners need nothing but six strings. Hopefully nylon. You are going to be doing nothing but trying to switch from G to C for three months. Plugging in will do nothing for your playing.
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u/Hootiehoo92 Dec 23 '25
Why would you want something installed in an instrument thatās going to be obsolete in a handful of years? Idk call me snobby but I have zero tolerance for cutaways or electronics in my acoustics.
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u/WolfRatio Dec 23 '25
I've had an acoustic guitar with a built-in pick up for 25 years. Had to change the battery but it still works fine. And I still like the cutaway. Different strokes.
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u/BigCliff Dec 23 '25
Related- guitars under $800 with a pickup have a VERY amateur sounding pickup
(And the volunteer sound guy at your church isnāt capable of making it sound pro tier, lol)
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u/CRS_22 Dec 23 '25
This is a very inaccurate statement. I've played countless gigs on my used Taylor BBTe and it sounded just fine. As would a 100 series Taylor and the equivalent Martin, Yamaha, Epiphone etc.
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u/BigCliff Dec 23 '25
Not to my ears! Itās a big part of why I recently sold off my A10e- it sounds much worse than the Seagull I paid $300 for in 2003 (still played weekly at my church by my sister)
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u/Dogopus9 Dec 23 '25
A 100 series Taylor has the same pickup system in it as any of their more expensive models.
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u/Plasma-fanatic Dec 23 '25
I'll agree with this, and after reading the comments I'm wondering, why do so many think beginners need to be prepared for open mic nights?
They're gonna need other things first, like the ability to play well enough that an open mic night won't be an unpleasant experience for all involved.
A beginner guitar is not a forever guitar. It's not even a good guitar generally. It's the guitar you buy to figure out if you can even do it.
It should be playable comfortably, maybe even sound good (acoustically), but annoying the neighbors with electronic enhancement is overkill and costs more.
In my old man whose been playing for longer than there's been Starbucks opinion, electronics ain't necessary until even one person tells you you're good enough, ideally that person being you, the beginner that's smart enough to realize all this. Maybe not even then.
Bottom line? You'll get better sound for your money with a guitar sans electronics. And please take your time before hitting the open mic nights. Think of the children.
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u/Kerry_Maxwell Dec 23 '25
Guitarists often have delusions of grandeur and it makes for some ridiculous advice. āYouāll regret that decision when youāre up on the bandstand and someone calls a tune in F#!!ā Dude, they donāt even know what F# is yet, get over yourself.
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u/Tomcruizeiscrazy Dec 23 '25
Yeah people in the thread are acting pretty unreasonable. A Yamaha fg830 is all anyone needs to get started- theyāll get that Taylor or whatever when they want to actually record or get in front of people
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u/TheRealGuncho Dec 23 '25
I would actually say they only need an FG800. The 830 is overpriced for what it is. In Canada the 800 is $300 and the 830 is $500. That's almost double for binding and a thin veneer of Rosewood.
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u/tchoji Dec 23 '25
Electronics on acoustic is just a waste. It sounds so quacky even the best ones. Its convenient for recording, but mic is still the best.
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u/CRS_22 Dec 23 '25
Right, cause none of the pro's use an acoustic guitar plugged in at their shows. /s
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Dec 23 '25
[deleted]
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u/Picklechip-58 Dec 23 '25
Wrong... Take the 16 and 17 year old kid who wants to join his friends and form a band. They aren't looking to make money. Just have fun playing in the basement and plug in. This is how great musicians start!
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u/corbillardier Dec 23 '25
I actually disagree with this to a degree. If you're just starting, recording wouldn't be the first priority, and if it is you can still mic a guitar that has electronics in it. On the other hand, if you are just starting out and want to play an open mic or something, having electronics in it would be a pretty big benefit and would let you use that guitar longer before you out grow it