Should I Learn on an Acoustic or Electric Guitar?

Don't fall for the old wives' tale.


Back in the day, the usual advice was to start on the acoustic guitar and then move to the electric. The reason back then, in the 1950s and 60s, was that an electric guitar was considerably more expensive than an acoustic. Things have changed and the price difference is really small if it even exists. The good news for the consumer is that cheap guitars are getting better. Some of the well known manufacturers including Gibson, Fender and Martin have entered the lower priced market. As a result, the guitar you buy now is a lot better than the one you could have gotten 10 years ago for the same money. Since they can't really go any lower on price, they're offering more features for the money. So the question of acoustic vs. electric is really more a matter of taste, and the decision should be based on what you like best. At some point most players end up having one of each, but in the beginning the best thing is to buy what you like.