The Difference Between Acoustic and Electric Acoustic Guitars
The guitar is probably one of the most recognizable instruments in the field of music. A huge percentage of us wanted to learn how to play guitars at some point in life. The appeal of the guitar lies in the fact that it is portable, and it is even possible to learn it without having an extensive knowledge in music. The best singers and songwriters know how to play a guitar, and expert guitarists have become legends in their own right. People wanting to know the basics of guitar playing often turn to an acoustic guitar, which is the hollow wooden version that most country and alternative bands use. A slightly spruced-up version is the electric acoustic guitar. The difference between acoustic and electric acoustic guitars is not that many, but it is enough for experts to recommend either type for certain situations.
Even seasoned guitar players do not realize that the term "acoustic" was only applied to guitars after the development and popularity of electric guitars. These guitars existed first and created a distinct sound compared to electric guitars, yet it was necessary to call them acoustic to clearly separate the way it makes a sound. Acoustic guitars, as they are now called, produce sound naturally using a design perfected after hundreds of years. As you all know, sound is created through vibrations.
All guitars, whether acoustic or electric, rely on the strings to make the first vibration.
However string vibrations are not loud enough, which is why there is a need for the soundboard and soundbox. The vibrations of the string travel and make the soundboard vibrates as well, generating a louder sound. The soundbox reflects the sound created by the soundboard inside the hollow compartment, and even the back of the guitar would vibrate and create sound. The sound hole would release the sound and mingle with those that were created by the soundboard and the string. The resulting combination of sound feels like it came from one source, making it one of the most easily identifiable in music.
The sound produced by acoustic guitars is loud enough for small gatherings in a room. However, it was clear that the sound had to be amplified in order to be heard by more people and in larger crowds. Before the advent of the electricity, not much can be done except play inside halls that can contain the sound. In the early twentieth century, the microphone, which was used to amplify voices, was also used to amplify musical instruments such as guitars.
The problem with microphones is that they had to be held close to the guitar, oftentimes facing the sound hole in order to capture the full sound. The setup can be cumbersome, and it is possible that the guitar or the player may knock off the microphone in front of it. The setup is still in use on some parts of the country, though.
In order amplify a much realistic sound, several methods have been developed. One of them is piezoelectric pickups. The term "pickup" is used for accessories that "pick up" sound that can be amplified electronically. Piezo pickups are often near the bridge or at the sound hole. An alternative to the Piezo pickup is the magnetic pickup. These pickups have a real magnet wrapped around in coil wire. When vibration occurs, a magnetic field is created that induces a current, which can, in turn, be amplified. The best place to fit a magnetic pickup would be in the sound hole.
For most musicians, attaching a pickup is already a good solution. But making these pickups a part of the guitar makes amplification even easier while still preserving the distinct sound of acoustic guitars. Hence, the electric acoustic guitars were born. Essentially, they are acoustic guitars that have some sort of pickup permanently placed underneath the sound bar or even placed in the sound hole. The piezoelectric pickup is commonly used and is usually fitted under the bridge, where the vibration of the strings meets the soundbar. Some guitars even have a preamplifier installed to initially make the sound louder before being hooked to a dedicated amplifier.
Electric acoustic guitars are also called plug-in guitars because of the presence of several audio jacks on the base of the guitar. This is where a cord is usually plugged in order to be directly connected to a guitar amplifier or a sound system. It is interesting to note that the presence of electric acoustic guitars have not caused the decline of truly acoustic guitars, much like how it has braved the onslaught of electric guitars then.
