Ok, so as I expected there are differing opinions on what I should get. I do want to point out that I'm not in a band and I don't plan on doing big performances or anything like that. This is more of a hobby for myself so I can play whenever I have free time/am hanging out with people. That being said, is it indeed better to start out with an acoustic/acoustic-electric?
If you are playing by yourself, get an acoustic. You never here of a solo electric singer, but there are plenty of good solo acoustic singers / musicians. Also for portability, electrics need amps 100% of the time. This limits you to anywhere with an electrical outlet, plus they are a pain to set up. Acoustic can be brought anywhere, and it's more of a hang out / chill instrument than an electric is. I would go with acoustic/electric because if you ever to have a performance, you can amp up instead of having to put an extra mic up to the guitar, but it's not a big deal either way. Either one would be fine.
In my opinion, no, get an electric. If you get an electric in the beginning, you can get used to it, and play really good in the future, and you will still have an electric. If you get an acoustic, and get used to that, you will have trouble getting used to electric, and you will have to pay extra money for an electric.
In my personal experience with playing guitar for 3+ years I would have to recommend starting out with an acoustic guitar. With an acoustic guitar it builds up your finger dexterity more than starting on an electric would. Since there is no spring in the bridge of an acoustic guitar there is more resistance which, in turn, will make your fingers stronger and adapt more the the strings and fretboard. For a starter acoustic guitar I would get something around the $100 - $200 dollar range so you can get a somewhat good beginner guitar and if for any reason you decide you don't like it, or aren't too deep in the hole in terms of money for the guitar. Also, with you starting on an acoustic and then practicing for a while on that, and then when you decide you would like an electric, the electric will seem easier to play overall. I know that since I have mainly been using an acoustic for the majority of the three years I have been playing, when I switch to an electric, it seems as if I play better. Now in terms of to get an acoustic/electric or not, personally to start with I would just stick with a regular acoustic as seeing that since your are just starting you won't be needing to get anything amp wise involved here. But that is just my opinion, if you really would like to get an acoustic and still get some sound through the amp, then by all means get an amp. I personally love guitar and I hope you enjoy as well. And another tip, while you're first starting out, a few lessons go a long way in terms of making sure you well positioned with the guitar and know a few basic things. But you might not need that as the internet can provide so many things now. Whatever your decision be with an acoustic or an electric you can't go wrong with taking up guitar! -Sweden
whatever you feel, dude. i highly suggest an electric, but if you feel like an acoustic, go ahead. im pretty good, i started out with electric, i've been playing 2 years.
I prefer acoustic over electric, and I don't think I'll ever switch. But like someone said, if you start on acoustic at first, switching to electric will be much easier, but the other way around isn't true. I guess it also depends what kind of music you like. If you like heavy metal, you probably don't want an acoustic. If you like rock or pop, you can play either. If you like country or acoustic songs, then get an acoustic lol. But even if you don't like acoustic music, I'd say it's still easier to start on an acoustic and then switch later to an electric. I'm happy where I am with my acoustic/electric though. :~)
I am beginning guitar also, I have both an Electric and an Acoustic. I would suggest learning on an Acoustic. Here is how it went for me. I bought an electric guitar and an amp, had a hard time learning so I went and bought an acoustic. The acoustic hurt my fingers so much more but I stuck with it and learned all the chords and practiced on it. Then I went back to an electric and it was so much easier to play, when I first got the electric it hurt my fingers but not as bad as the acoustic, so when i switched to the acoustic and practiced then back to the electric, the electric strings felt like butter lol. It made it a lot easier to practice. I still suck and I don't know much about guitars still but that is what happened to me. It might just be the strings that were on each haha ^^
