Electric or acoustic guitar? Which should I purchase for my 12 year old daughter?

Question

I want to purchase a guitar for Christmas for my daughter. I don't know much about guitars. What is the difference between an electric and an acoustic guitar? Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

I'd get an acoustic guitar for her. It's more versatile. Virtually everybody who plays electric guitar learned first on acoustic. With an acoustic guitar she can decide for herself if she wants to play rock, folk, country, classical, or whatever. She can sit around in a circle with her friends and they can listen to each other play. It won't be super loud. If she loves it and then wants an electric guitar because she's a rock and roll kid, she can do that later. In contrast, an electric guitar is much more limiting, and LOUD in a way that will certainly annoy you as a parent. You can't play classical, and really can't play folk, on an electric guitar -- really just rock, electrified blues, etc. With an electric guitar she will be playing through the stereo amplifier (it makes no noise unless you plug it into an amplifier) and it will be LOUD and you, as mom, may not want that!!!! (Else you can play electric guitar through your headphones, so that only you can hear it -- But then you can't play for your friends which is boring unless you're a really dedicated musician working hard on practicing for your own ears alone.) I would totally go with an acoustic guitar.

Question is do you want a steel-string acoustic or nylon-string acoustic? Steel-string is more versatile; nylon string is easier on your hands when you're just learning; nylon string is used for classical music; she might want to start with a nylon string acoustic since it's easier to play.

Answer 2

I would recommend an acoustic to begin with. An acoustic guitar is a better because when you get an electric guitar, you will need to buy an amplifier for it to sound loud and it will end up being more expensive. With an acoustic it is quieter and still sounds.

Answer 3

When I was 12 my dad got me an acoustic, and I loved that thing to death. I think acoustic might be better - for everybody in the house - because you don't need an amp to make it sound nice and it's nowhere near as loud. But, I don't think you can really go wrong - I mean, it's a guitar!

Answer 4

the electric guitar is for like rock music and acoustic is more of pop.
It depends on what type of music your daughter wants to play. But you can get an acoustic electric guitar it plays both.

Answer 5

Electric can be more expensive because you need to purchace a guitar amp (kind of like a speaker for a guitar), but is easier to play an electric guitar for beginners because the strings aren't as rough on your fringers.
Acoustic guitars don't need an amp, but take a lot more practice to play because the strings are farther apart from the fretboard, and are more rough on your fingers.

Also, it depends what kind of music she wants to play on the guitar. Anything rock oriented is more electric guitar, and anything classical or poppy is usualy acousitc.

I'd recomend a fender strat for a starters electric guitar, if you do decide on electric.

Answer 6

Accoustic. I played for years (until I went deaf). Find a guitar that has good action -- the strings lay close to the neck. The further off the board they are, the harder it is to play. I always like medium GHS strings with an unwound G. It won't have the "zit-zit-zit" sound as you change chords or fingerings. Medium so they'll still have a good sound quality but won't be too hard on tender finger tips. Don't break the bank buying the latest and greatest. Remember, if she desides she doesn't like it, you'll oinly be out what you've invested. I've a friend who purchased a Guild for almost $3000. We got together one night and he quickly learned that my $150 Aspen sounds so much better than his... Ouch! Guitars, my lfe long friend.

Answer 7

If shes a new guitar player then I suggest the acoustic guitar.

Answer 8

an acoustic guitar is more for classical/country. but if your daughter is interested in pop or rock then i would recommend the electric guitar because there generally smaller and the amp for it (may not be included ) makes all of those sounds that u hear from a rock group especially in the solos. ask her what kind of music she likes and go from there

Answer 9

Depends on how into it she is. If she already plays, get her an acoustic. Get an electric for beginners. It's not like she has to practice plugged in, and if she wanted to, she could use headphones when the amp is on.

If she is a beginner and you get her an acoustic, she will probably lose interest bc it is so hard on the fingers.

Answer 10

Acoustic. They build up finger strength faster. Blue Ridge makes an excellent moderately priced guitar that she won't outgrow.