Is it possible for an electric guitar to sound like a piano?

Answer 1

Yes and no. You can connect an electric guitar to a synthesizer, or run the output into a signal processor. This isn't really making the guitar sound like a piano though. This is closer to using the guitar as a triggering device to tell the synthesizer what to do. There are some artists who can use a combination of processors (stomp boxes and rack mounted devices) to approximate many sounds, but it is never exactly the same.

The piano makes it's sound when a hammer strikes a combination of three strings. The sound rings until it is dampened by a felt bar, or diminishes to silence if the damper pedal is pressed. (that's the pedal on the right) The guitar is actually closer to the Harpsichord. When you press down the key on the harpsichord, a plectrum plucks against the string and you get a really distinct response.

So the basic difference is plucking as opposed to striking or hitting. If you could hit the string instead of plucking it,and get the proper resonance, you might get an approximate sound, but you would still be missing the resonance of the huge soundboard, the additional two strings (a chorus pedal might help here) and the damper pedal.

I am not trying to discourage you, just let you know realistically what you are up against. Hope this helps, and when you get it all figured out, let me know. Those keyboards are something else to carry around (LOL)

Answer 2

Yes it is possible. With the right equipment set-up you can get it to sound like ANYTHING. Playing through a synthesizer with simulated "hammer on strings" triggering effect would make it sound very close.

For a less expensive alternative, some guitarists, such as Stanley Jordan, lay the guitar across their laps and, rather than pluck, hammer the strings to trigger the sound! This is a very unconventional way to play, but it simulates a piano keyboard sound.

Answer 3

Not really.
An acoustic might be able to depending on the way the piano strucks the strings. Otherwize, an electric guitar would sound closest to an electric piano...