About 250 readers responded to our Question of the Month (go to our Facebook page to see all of the answers), so we chose two of them to join Mike Keneally and PG editors in discussing the best guitar for beginners to start their journey with: acoustic or electric.
Daniel Dorman -- Video/Photo Editor
What are you listening to?
Nonpoint’s Statement
and Trombone Shorty’s
Backatown.
Should beginners start out on acoustic
or electric?
I understand the reasons why
many people say acoustic, but ultimately I
think it should be whatever the learner is
most engaged with. That, or piano.
Chris Kies -- Associate Editor
What are you listening to?
While beautifying my
yard, I’ve been listening
to a live bootleg of fellow
Iowan and man-of-the-land William Elliott
Whitmore. When I haven’t been knee-deep
in topsoil it’s been Lucero’s new acoustic
EP, Texas and Tennessee, Middle Class Rut’s
indie-rock encore, Pick Up Your Head, and
desert-sludge-rock ASG’s Blood Drive.
Should beginners start out on acoustic
or electric?
To each his own—acoustic or
electric, whatever gets the beginner to dig
in and welcome the 6-string (or 4-string)
religion is a win in my book.
Mike Keneally -- Guest Picker
What are you listening to?
Low-fi recordings taped off
the ’70s National Lampoon
Radio Hour, Traffic’s
Traffic, Grateful Dead’s Anthem Of The
Sun, and some old prog like UK, Anthony
Phillips, and ELP.
Should beginners start out on acoustic or
electric?
If you can get your chops happening
on acoustic, then transferring to electric
will be a relative breeze. But it’s important
to know that electric is a whole other beast
and requires a whole other kind of control
and expression to feel right.
Andy Ellis -- Senior Editor
What are you listening to?
Revisiting Bruce
Springsteen’s early albums
while reading Jeff Burger’s
Springsteen on Springsteen, a revealing collection
of the Boss’ interviews and speeches.
Should beginners start out on acoustic
or electric?
Starting on acoustic makes
sense to me: It connects us to the modern
6-string’s ancestral mothers—oud, lute,
and flamenco guitar—and it removes the
distractions of amps and pedals. The key to
great tone? Spend nine months exploring
string vibration on acoustic, then jump on
electric and wail.
Virgil Mandanici -- Reader of the Month, Owner of Virgil Guitars
What are you listening to?
Steve Vai’s “Pusa Road” off
Fire Garden Suite. The duel
between Steve on guitar and Mike Keneally
paints images of flight in my mind.
Should beginners start out on acoustic or
electric?
Acoustic: The G string is wound, so
theoretically you build up muscles and calluses
23.76 percent faster than an electric guitar.
The best part is, after one “pays their dues”
on acoustic, they get the excitement about
“upgrading” to an electric. (It feels similar to
putting sneakers on after ice skating).
Rich Osweiler -- Associate Editor
What are you listening to?
Heliotropes, A Constant
Sea. This Brooklyn quartet’s
debut album showcases
their knack for fierce, ’70s-flavored stoner
rock, along with a handful of tracks that
display a gentler yet still spooky side.
Should beginners start out on acoustic
or electric?
I think more people would
still be playing had they not heeded advice
from others on what to start with. If one or
the other grabs you because of the style of
music you can generate with it, you’re more
likely to stick with it. Easy!
Tessa Jeffers -- Managing Editor
What are you listening to?
Something old style
(R.L. Burnside, Come On
In), something new style
(Devendra Banhart, Mala), and something blue
style (The National, Trouble Will Find Me).
Should beginners start out on acoustic
or electric?
I’ve started on electric, which is
less intimidating and easier on the fingers.
But to me, there’s an intrinsic nature about
the tonal qualities and character of the
acoustic that ignites a freedom of exploration,
which is what I personally associate
with learning.
Jim Olden -- Reader of the Month
What are you listening to?
My neighbor turned me
on to Oz Noy. He sounds
like the offspring of John
Scofield and SRV.
Should beginners start out on acoustic
or electric?
As a teacher of multiple instruments,
guitarists are the only cavemen I’ve
met who think that learning on a difficult
instrument helps the learning process.
I’m puzzled by the notion that you would
need thick strings or high action to
help “build calluses” or “hear your
mistakes.” I want my students to enjoy
playing. When it’s fun, you play more!
Jason Shadrick -- Associate Editor
What are you listening to?
I’ve been revisiting
the grooves on Sting’s Ten
Summoner’s Tales. Dominic
Miller plays some of the most perfect pop-rock
guitar parts and Vinnie Colaiuta is not
of this earth.
Should beginners start out on acoustic
or electric?
I usually recommend acoustic.
First, it will strengthen your fingers quicker
while keeping you honest with your technique.
On the other hand, if standing in
front of a big amp and strumming an open
E chord is your thing—go for it.
