Good on both electric and acoustic?

[ChrisN]

Can I get a definitional ruling on this?

"sound either like electricheads playing acoustic or vice versa. IOW, not many I know of sound like electric guitarists when they play electric and acoustic guitarists when the play acoustic." and "sound to me like he should be playing electric"

All answerers so far seem knowledgeable, and appear to know what the OP means by "sound like" an electric guitar player or an acoustic guitar player, but I have no idea what "sound like"means in this context. Also, what about any particular style dictates whether a player "should" be playing either electric or acoustic? Any direction appreciated at this critical juncture in my guitar education.

[saxonblue]

Dave Grohl tops my list.

Not far behind a lot the others have mentioned plus a few others, Bruce Springsteen, Jerry Cantrell, Tom Petty etc.

I would think most good singer/songwriters fronting bands start crafting a lot of their tunes on an acoustic before they start playing them with the band.

[jrb715]

Not mentioned so far: Keith Urban--fine acoustic sets in his concerts.

Of the others mentioned I think Vince Gill, in particular, is sensational with both electric and acoustic.

[PiousDevil]

Derek Trucks? Sturgill Simpson, maybe?

[mjudd]

This is the first guy that comes to mind......

[rogthefrog]

Hm, other than Joe Bonamassa, Derek Trucks, and Dave Grohl, everyone listed here is well north of 50. ...

Let's add these fellas to the contingent:

John Jorgenson is terrific on both, as well as the clarinet, bassoon and bouzouki.
John McLaughlin is incomparable
Frank Gambale
Steve Morse
Jeff Watson (killer crosspicker)
Laurence Juber
Steve Tibbetts

Then people who are still far from collecting retirement:

Julian Lage
Bireli Lagrene
Andy McKee (look it up on YouTube)
Mikael Åkerfeldt
Sylvain Luc
Buckethead (check out Octave of the Holy Innocents with Jonas Hellborg)
Vinnie Moore
Dave Beegle
Patrick Rondat
Zakk Wylde (his solo and Pride and Glory records are full of acoustic guitar and terrific)

[posternutbag]

Originally Posted by rogthefrog

Hm, other than Joe Bonamassa, Derek Trucks, and Dave Grohl, everyone listed here is well north of 50. ...

Then how about John Mayer? Known for his acoustic ballads, but also a great electric guitar player.

[808K]

I would add David Gilmour and Warren Haynes.

[AndrewG]

Originally Posted by ChrisN

Can I get a definitional ruling on this?

"sound either like electricheads playing acoustic or vice versa. IOW, not many I know of sound like electric guitarists when they play electric and acoustic guitarists when the play acoustic." and "sound to me like he should be playing electric"

All answerers so far seem knowledgeable, and appear to know what the OP means by "sound like" an electric guitar player or an acoustic guitar player, but I have no idea what "sound like"means in this context. Also, what about any particular style dictates whether a player "should" be playing either electric or acoustic? Any direction appreciated at this critical juncture in my guitar education.

This confused me a bit too.

[Steadfastly]

Originally Posted by jrb715

Of the others mentioned I think Vince Gill, in particular, is sensational with both electric and acoustic.

Definitely a very worthy candidate.

I am surprised no one mentioned Brian May. Even Steve Vai says he is the best guitar player out there.

[StevenFord0]

I would add Keith Richards and Mick Taylor.

[Bob Womack]

Originally Posted by Tony Done

It seems to me that the majority of players of both electric and acoustic that I know of sound either like electricheads playing acoustic or vice versa. IOW, not many I know of sound like electric guitarists when they play electric and acoustic guitarists when the play acoustic.

There has been a litany of guitarist who sound comfortable on both instruments on this thread. I can't judge your experience because I don't know who you've been exposed to, but I can say that my experience has been quite different. The guitar generation I grew up with was populated by people who used both instruments and used them for their own strengths and sounds. The decade of the guitar hero, the '70s, was dominated by guys who could do both.

Perhaps you should star by looking into the guys that became famous in that period?

Bob

[Shades of Blue]

Not sure I really understand this thread because any guitar great I’m into know how to play both.

[Silurian]

I'll add Ritchie Blackmore

[ChrisN]

Originally Posted by AndrewG

This confused me a bit too.

I think my question may have been seen by some (not you) as from a provocateur, but I'm early in my playing education and am enjoying both acoustic and electric guitars, and ask in earnest.

I recognize the physical differences and limitations that allow different types of playing on one but not the other. I've also seen the White Stripe's "Ball and Biscuit" played on an acoustic and it flat didn't work. I heard the result - I'd like know the "why."

I've read that some consider electric and acoustic distinct forms of expression that don't overlap, and I've read others say they play their acoustics and electrics the same way. I was sure there must be a common explanation I've not found and thought the OP's question would provoke the same response in others. Thanks for weighing in.