Features of electro-acoustic guitars and their choice

The appearance of an electric acoustic guitar is fully consistent with conventional acoustics. However, there is a significant difference between these tools. In electroacoustics there is a built-in piezoelectric or magnetic type. It is this detail that is an important design element - it is responsible for amplifying sound when connected to the appropriate equipment. Another distinctive feature of the electroacoustic guitar is the ability to apply different post-effects.

The electroacoustic guitar is a very popular string instrument used by musicians in concert venues and in recording studios. The sound from the device is reproduced by vibrating the strings. Electro-acoustic guitars have a built-in magnetic or electric pickup. This element is aimed at increasing the volume of the reproduced sound and adding post-effects to it.

Novice musicians do not fully understand what is the difference between conventional acoustics, electric guitar and electroacoustic guitar. You can understand their differences by comparing these tools.

Acoustics is the simplest guitar on which young people learn the nuances of playing the strings. There are no electrical elements in its design; it works without being connected to an amplifier. You can play it in small friendly companies, it is not suitable for concert performance. The electric guitar is fully equipped with electronics, which means that you cannot play it without connecting to special equipment.

The electric acoustic guitar is somewhere in between. It is distinguished by the ability to perform different compositions, like ordinary acoustics, and at the same time it can be connected to an amplifier, so the resulting sound is identical to that of an electric guitar.

Since the advent of electroacoustic guitars, their popularity has only grown in the musician world. The first model was made long before the introduction of the electric guitar. The developers and testers liked it so much that it was decided to start their mass production. The peak in popularity of electroacoustic guitars was from 1939 to 1941.

At the time, electromechanical acoustics were used for public performances. The simplest guitar was used within small rooms. The musicians tried on their own to increase the volume of the melodies being played by installing a microphone inside the drum. However, the sound was distorted. Then, instead of a microphone, electromagnetic sensors were tried. They read the electromechanical vibrations of the strings and then converted them into amplified sound. The designers of that time managed to put both versions of the sound amplifier in the correct proportions. This is how electro-acoustic guitars were born.

After some time, a novelty appeared in the world of musical instruments - the electric guitar. However, despite the emergence of a very serious competitor, electro-acoustic guitars have in no way lost their popularity.

Today electroacoustics is widely used by bards, pop performers and jazzmen.

Modern models of acoustic electric guitars are equipped with a wide variety of additional functions. The budget models are classic instruments equipped with only a pickup and the ability to connect to an amplifier. Electroacoustics of the middle price segment and premium class have a lot of additional features and devices, for example, a built-in effects unit.

The main thing is that the proposed rating offers a clear overview for each individual model.

• Yamaha APX600 Natural. In terms of the size of the construction, the presented guitar is intended for an adult, as evidenced by the digital characteristic 4/4. A pickup is available as an optional extra. The total number of frets is 22. The scale is 63.4 cm. The headstock pegs are closed. The set includes a set of nylon strings, a hexagon and batteries. Various wood samples were used in the manufacture. Spruce was taken to create the soundboard, the fretboards are made of rosewood. The surface of the tool is varnished, and the fittings for connecting the cord are made of chrome. The advantages of this model are the presence of a volume control, a tuner and a three-band equalizer. The only drawbacks are the soiling of the instrument.

• Taylor 322ce 12-Fret 300 Series. The body of the presented model of electric acoustic guitar has a Venetian cut, is distinguished by a non-standard bridge position, and a smaller scale, which makes it much easier for the guitarist to play even complex chords. Ebony and mahogany are used for the manufacture of this tool. The right mix of rare woods gives the guitar improved dynamics. The advantages of this model of electric guitar are loud and clear sound, the presence of high-quality strings. The disadvantage of a tool is its price.

• Fender FA-125CE Dread natural WN. The Dreadnought body and Fishman electronics are the main distinguishing features of this electric acoustic guitar.This tool can be used on a professional stage or with friends outdoors. Linden is used for the bottom deck, spruce for the upper part. The advantages of this model are reasonable cost and excellent sound. To the disadvantages, users attributed the minimum configuration.

• Crafter HD-100 CE / OP. N. This model has a dreadnought case, the size of the scale is 64.7 cm. The chrome-plated fittings stand out with a pleasant shine over the matte case. Spruce is used to make the soundboard, the neck is prepared from mahogany.

• Aria fet-F1 N. Decent electro-acoustics, equipped with a piezo pickup with a 4-band equalizer. Nato wood was used as the main material of the guitar. Rosewood fingerboard. The device has 21 frets, the scale size is 65 cm. The advantages of this model are reasonable cost, attractive design, and high-quality electronics. The only disadvantage is the minimal equipment.

• Cort GA-QF-CBB grand regal series. The distinctive features of this model of electric acoustic guitar are the Grand Auditorium body, Fishman Isys electronics, and a die-cast design of the tuners. The scale is 64.8 cm. There are 20 frets on the neck. The advantages of the presented guitar are attractive design, good sound, high quality of electronic elements. The only drawback is the glossy surface, which does not tolerate even minimal damage.

Professionals of musical skill first of all pay attention to the quality of the purchased electro-acoustic guitar. The price issue is of little interest to them. Especially for them, the top 5 of the best electroacoustics was compiled.

• Gibson SG Standard. This model of guitar causes indescribable delight among famous musicians. It is capable of producing soft, bright, rich, and most importantly, pure sound. Thanks to the special processing of the materials used to create the construction of the guitar, the instrument will serve its owner for several decades.

• Fender CD-60CE Dreadnought. A unique electro-acoustic guitar that has no flaws. Its equipment is so rich that musicians do not even need to think about buying additional peripherals. But the main thing is that it is the purest sound in different keys.

• Ibanez AW70ECE-NT. A Japanese-made guitar made in a perfect combination of materials, due to which the instrument reproduces a soft sound. This guitar was highly appreciated by musicians of different styles and trends.

• Cort SFX ME BKS. Spruce and mahogany are used in the manufacture of this guitar model. And this is characteristic only of high-quality instruments.

• SX EAG1K / VS. The ideal acoustic electric guitar for both professional musicians and small group members. It is distinguished by wear resistance, durability, and most importantly, excellent sound.

Well, for novice musicians, budget-friendly electro-acoustic guitars will do. They will play the role of a teaching aid and, it is highly likely that they will be spoiled after a few months of intensive training.

• Ibanez AW54CE OPN. Despite the budget cost, this guitar is distinguished by the presence of high quality surround sound. The simplest chords will be played very effectively, and the solo parts will win the hearts of listeners altogether.

• Fender CD-140SCE NT. From a technical point of view, this guitar cannot boast of high quality. However, the sound of this instrument is in no way inferior to its counterparts.

• Epiphone EJ-200CE NAT GH. A distinctive feature of this model of electro-acoustic guitar is its non-standard shape, which contributes to the reproduction of high-quality sound.

• Takamine EG510SC. A little-known brand that is not promoted in many CIS countries. Despite this, this guitar model has many positive characteristics.

• Ibanez AEW40CD NT. An excellent guitar for beginners with good sound and beautiful design. Convenient, lightweight, practical.With this instrument, you can learn to play not only simple chords, but also complex notes on the riffs.

Any electro-acoustic guitar is equipped with a certain package. One model comes with a minimum of additional and auxiliary elements, while the other set contains a maximum set of accessories.

The main elements of the complete set are a pickup, a preamplifier and a tone block. The sound is picked up by a piezo sensor built into the saddle. The pickup reacts to the vibration of the strings, transforming it into an electrical signal processed by the timbre block. Well, the final path of the signal travel ends at the amplifier.

Electro-acoustic guitars that use metal strings have a magnetic pickup. Accordingly, nylon strings should be used in designs with an electric piezo sensor.

A Also included is a cable for connecting a musical instrument to the amplifier. It is important to carefully examine the integrity of the wire, otherwise after connection it will shorten, which will lead to damage to the musical equipment.

When choosing an electroacoustic guitar, you need to decide in advance on the type of instrument you want. Regarding the shape of the body and neck, they are divided into several types:

• Dreadnought - a large body that allows the guitar to sound louder at low frequencies;
• jumbo - a rounded body that provides the loudness of the sound signal;
• folk - a smaller dreadnought with a wide neck.

Now you need to check the cartridge and its mounting. In some designs, the piezoelectric sensor is in the form of tablets, in others it is in thin strips. If extraneous noise occurs when connecting, it means that the pickup is not of good quality and may fail at any time.

Pay special attention to the equalizer tone block. The sound quality of a musical instrument depends on this element.

The process of connecting an electric acoustic guitar is not difficult. Even a beginner musician will be able to cope with this task:

• a wire plug is inserted into the connector located at the bottom of the guitar body;
• if the guitar is equipped with a tone block, it is necessary to check the presence of batteries;
• the plug on the other end of the wire connects to the amplifier;
• the volume of the combo is set;
• an equalizer is configured;
• now the guitar can be used.

The main thing to remember is that it is important to unplug the equipment from the wall socket before connecting the guitar to the amplifier.

It is noteworthy that different devices can be used as an amplifier. An electroacoustic guitar can be connected to a computer, speakers, music center. When connecting an electric acoustic guitar to a PC, you need to install a few special programs, for example, Guitar Pro. And the cable should be connected to the input of the sound card.