Acoustic vs Electro Acoustic

[TonyT65]

All my acoustics currently have electronics as I figured it might be convenient for plugging in to play to a small audience.
I’ve just seen a Guild I like but it’s a standard acoustic.
Am I going to get a better quality guitar for the money?
Is it likely to have a better tone without the intrusion of a built in pickup and preamp?

[1neeto]

It really depends. Most acoustic-electrics have cutaways, and many swear it takes away from tone. Also some cheaper ones have cheap under the saddle piezo pickups that are known to rob tone.

[alnico5]

I played my 1996 Taylor 412 with no electronics for years. Then I installed a K&K PU. I hear no unplugged difference. (And the sound through the PA is all I could ask for.)

[ClaptonWannabe2]

If you find a guitar that you love, and I mean love, it would hurt my soul to cut into its side. Not to mention a high end maker or boutique guitar.

My assumption is that you can just sit with a mic in front it and make it sound how you want?? Correct me if I am wrong, as it happens often.

[jaybones]

My best guitar is an A/E and a cutaway.

I've gotten compliments (by other players also) on the tone plugged in and acoustic.

[BT55]

Originally Posted by ClaptonWannabe2

If you find a guitar that you love, and I mean love, it would hurt my soul to cut into its side. Not to mention a high end maker or boutique guitar.



My assumption is that you can just sit with a mic in front it and make it sound how you want?? Correct me if I am wrong, as it happens often.

You do NOT have to cut a guitar to install electronics! The ONLY physical change to the guitar is to drill out the end plate for a electric end plate connector. The preamp controls can be double side taped inside the soundhole. If you want to remove the electronics simply remove everything and use a endhole hole reducer to reinstall the original strap pin.

[LOSTVENTURE]

Just to expand on what BT55 said.
First I concentrated on getting the guitar that sounded right to me. In this case it is a Martin 000-15m. Once I was sure that it was what I expected, I added an LR Baggs system, just as easily at BT55 described.
This is what worked for me, so consider it a general suggestion.

[Planemaker]

Originally Posted by LOSTVENTURE

Just to expand on what BT55 said.
First I concentrated on getting the guitar that sounded right to me. In this case it is a Martin 000-15m. Once I was sure that it was what I expected, I added an LR Baggs system, just as easily at BT55 described.
This is what worked for me, so consider it a general suggestion.

Exactly what I did to both of my acoustics.