Acoustic that plays like Electric?

jmh151

jmh151

Active member
I want to get an acoustic that plays like an electric- meaning jumbo frets, modern strat profile thin neck, and medium to low action- since Ive played electrics for years and I don't like to fight the guitar. Any suggestions in what I should look at? Mainly in the below $500 range and below $1000 range- it's just to be used at home, not concerned with electronics, and for summer type music ie Bob Marley, Sublime, etc. playing a strat clean with 9s isn't cutting it, I need heavier strings to strum chords .

Thanks
 
Re: Acoustic that plays like Electric?

I was looking for the same sort of thing recently... I just picked up a Taylor 114CE used for $600. The neck is really comfortable and the 1-11/16" nut width isn't any wider than most electrics. The 214 has the same nut width but different woods and finish.

Premier Guitar did a recent article on good small-body acoustics, and the Guild M120 was described as having a very playable nec, so much so that they cautioned that it might be too small for players with bigger hands.

I haven't yet found any acoustic that plays like an electric but I will say that some acoustics are way easier to play than others. I don't like to fight instruments either, kinda takes the fun out of it. I mean, I'll put in the extra effort when it gets extra results, but sometimes you pick up an acoustic guitar and no matter how hard you try you can't get it to sound like anything other than a wet cardboard box - that's what you wanna avoid.
 
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Re: Acoustic that plays like Electric?

My Seagull S6+ Spruce top plays like an electric. It's obviously not going to be exactly like a Strat with jumbo frets, but the action is low enough and the neck is thin enough to play with comfort. I don't feel I'm changing my style when I pick it up. The spruce tops on Seagulls are good sounding also. When the strings are new, it sounds like a Martin. When the strings are dirty, it sounds like a Gibson, which works for me. My understanding is Seagull used to provide wood for Taylor and even taught them how to do a neck join with minimal glue to get better vibration/tone transfer.

Unfortunately the only acoustic I've played that truly played like an electric was a Gibson J-200, which is not in the desired price range.
 
Re: Acoustic that plays like Electric?

beaubrummels said:
My Seagull S6+ Spruce top plays like an electric. It's obviously not going to be exactly like a Strat with jumbo frets, but the action is low enough and the neck is thin enough to play with comfort. I don't feel I'm changing my style when I pick it up. The spruce tops on Seagulls are good sounding also. When the strings are new, it sounds like a Martin. When the strings are dirty, it sounds like a Gibson, which works for me. My understanding is Seagull used to provide wood for Taylor and even taught them how to do a neck join with minimal glue to get better vibration/tone transfer.

Unfortunately the only acoustic I've played that truly played like an electric was a Gibson J-200, which is not in the desired price range.
Click to expand...

I had a Seaull S6 Cedar once, and while it didn't really play like an electric per say it was a fantastic guitar for the money, always sounded great, easy action, and and thin playable neck that belied the 1 3/4 nut. Seagull is a good way to go.
 
Re: Acoustic that plays like Electric?

Thanks guys! Ill check them out. I just don't want to fight it. Over the years I had a cheap import Ovation and Washburn that I had to get rid of- and I never get rid of guitars- since they were too hard to play and turned me off to acoustics
 
Re: Acoustic that plays like Electric?

The Kramer Ferringtons if you can find one...

p1_upyy50slk_so.jpg

They literally have necks from electric guitars.
 
Re: Acoustic that plays like Electric?

Don't fight the guitar. Play it. Acoustic guitars are different animals to electrics. Adjust your approach and you'll get more rewards out of them.
 
Re: Acoustic that plays like Electric?

Every import Ovation I've ever played has sounded and felt really stiff and weird. I don't like them at all. Give the Taylor 114, 214, or any Seagull a try, whole different animal.
 
Re: Acoustic that plays like Electric?

I agree with the Taylor 100 or 200 series. (first digit is the "series", designating wood and appointments, second two designate the size of the guitar) A 110/114/210/214 would be excellent.

Classic shapes:
10 = Dreadnought
15 = Jumbo

"Taylor shapes"
12 = Grand Concert (Smallest)
14 = Grand Auditorium (Signature Taylor shape)
16 = Grand Symphony (Bigger than the 14)
18 = Grand Orchestra (Brand new, replaces Jumbo)

Also if you can find them, the "acoustic 3" series can be great bargins and they are all solid wood. (DN3 or GA3, now discontinued, they've been replaced with the 310 & 314, and cost a bit more)
 
Re: Acoustic that plays like Electric?

Fit your favorite acoustic guitar with your favorite electric strings. It works! You lose some tone, not because of the change in material (I think), but because of the change in tension - and the feel is totally electric.
 
Re: Acoustic that plays like Electric?

i was going to suggest taylor or the high end takamines. But really, just go to the store and play everything till you find something that feels like what you want.
 
Re: Acoustic that plays like Electric?

In that price bracket, give some Yamaha APx's a go, or one of their fully acoustic models if you prefer.
 
Re: Acoustic that plays like Electric?

baritone said:
Fit your favorite acoustic guitar with your favorite electric strings. It works! You lose some tone, not because of the change in material (I think), but because of the change in tension - and the feel is totally electric.
Click to expand...

It's not a matter of string gauge- I can play 11s on an electric with no problem-my problem is the high set ups and highly cut nut most acoustics I've played come with, combined with very low frets
 
Re: Acoustic that plays like Electric?

Check out my review of the Ibanez EP5 it sounds like exactly what you are looking for.

Guitar Gear Review: Ibanez EP5 Euphoria Steve Vai Acoustic Electric Guitar
http://www.tmrzoo.com/2012/35842/gu...5-euphoria-steve-vai-acoustic-electric-guitar

d7310a0c-e4f8-aac2-1810-657e25a684c6.jpg
 
Re: Acoustic that plays like Electric?

jmh151 said:
I want to get an acoustic that plays like an electric- meaning jumbo frets, modern strat profile thin neck, and medium to low action- since Ive played electrics for years and I don't like to fight the guitar. Any suggestions in what I should look at? Mainly in the below $500 range and below $1000 range- it's just to be used at home, not concerned with electronics, and for summer type music ie Bob Marley, Sublime, etc. playing a strat clean with 9s isn't cutting it, I need heavier strings to strum chords .


Thanks
Click to expand...

A used Taylor.............for double the price you could get a brand new Taylor. For playability hard to beat Taylor.............for overall sound/tone and longevity, can't beat Martin (for about the same price or just a little bit more).
I have two 12 string guitars and both have action as low as my electric guitars (just need to find the right guy to do the adjustments). Good luck...............whether the couch or the beach.........there are just some places and songs (Clapton, Doobies, CCR, CSNY, Neil Young) that prefer you play acoustic over electric. :-)
 
Re: Acoustic that plays like Electric?

I think you'll find that it isn't the guitar itself that is the actual contributor to playing ease but the tension of the strings. The tension on the electric guitar strings is much lower than the acoustics. Its partly the material they're made from and partly the desire for tone out of the acoustic string vs the electric tone from the pickups & pots/switches/caps. The neck profile is definitely a factor, I also prefer the slim C shaped Fender neck as well as some of the thin Gibson & Ibanez necks. These are rarer or acoustics but there are a few around.

Anyway look into 2 acoustic strings set: The easiest to find are the Martin "Silk & Steel". I've played a demo Taylor 714 with them and they're acceptable. They have a nice sound and are VERY easy to play, but they don't project like a phosphor/bronze acoustic string. My favorite acoustic string is the Newton Heritage Low Tension Guitar Strings but they are VERY hard to find in the US. These ARE phosphor/bronze. But they are low tension. I use the lighter gauge which are 16 lb of tension on every string. They play easy & sound great. They do oscillate a little more than the higher tension strings, so you do need to raise the action some to minimize this effect. But it's definitely worth it. Give either or both a try. I think you'll be very pleased.
 
Re: Acoustic that plays like Electric?

jmh151 said:
I don't like to fight the guitar...
Click to expand...

Not trying to be mean here but ....cowboy up! It's a different animal. You'll have to put in the extra effort. Just get used to that idea and you will be rewarded in the long run.
 
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