As a guitarist, you might have asked yourself: Can you play acoustic songs on an electric guitar? This question is usually raised by people who are used to one type of guitar and wish to explore the repertoire of the other. And the answer is definitely yes!
However, you must understand some key differences between these two types of guitars to make your playing experience even more enjoyable.
In this article, we will discuss how it is possible to adapt acoustic songs to an electric guitar, consider challenges associated with that, and give several tips that can help your stage performance sound great.
The Differences: Acoustic vs. Electric Guitars
Before discussing how one can play an acoustic song on an electric guitar, it is important first to recognize essential variations between these two instruments.
- Sound Production: The sound produced by an acoustic guitar is through strings vibrating inside its hollow body. This natural resonance accounts for their rich and warm sound. In contrast, pickups in electric guitars transform string vibrations into electrical signals which are amplified in amplifiers. Thus, amps and effects significantly shape the sound of an electric guitar.
- String Gauge: Acoustic guitars usually employ heavier gauge strings which result in louder and richer sounds. Conversely, lighter strings on electric guitars can bend more easily, making them suitable for fast passages. The lightness of the strings means that when playing acoustic songs using an electric guitar, there would be a change in tone.
- Body and Neck Design: Most acoustics have larger, hollow bodies while electrics tend to be solid-bodied and compact. The necks of acoustics are often thicker than those found on electrics, and the action (the gap between string and fingerboard) is higher, making it slightly more challenging to play. Consequently, the feel and playability are affected when switching from an acoustic to an electric guitar.
Adapting Acoustic Songs to Electric Guitar
Having understood these variations, how can someone effectively play an acoustic song on an electric guitar?
- Use the Right Amp Settings: The amp settings matter a lot whenever you are playing acoustic songs on an electric guitar. To get that warm and natural sound of the acoustic guitar, do the following:
- Reduce the Gain: Acoustic guitars usually produce clean and undistorted sounds. To have your electric guitar sound similar, turn down the gain control knob on your amplifier.
- Increase the Bass and Mids: Boosting bass and mids in your sound will add warmth. Compared to acoustics, electric guitars may lack thickness; thus, these frequencies will give them a fuller tone.
- Use Reverb and Delay: Adding some delay or reverb effects can mimic the natural reverberation of an acoustic guitar. Experiment with different settings until you find one that closely resembles an acoustic sound.
- Consider String Choice: If you often perform acoustic songs on your electric guitar, you might want to opt for heavier gauge strings. These strings will make your guitar produce thicker sounds similar to those from an acoustic instrument. However, remember that heavier strings are harder to bend and may require some changes in technique while playing.
- Pickup Selection: The type of pickups in your electric guitar can significantly change the tone. Single coil pickups usually generate a brighter, thinner sound while humbuckers produce a warmer, fuller voice. If you are aiming to emulate an acoustic sound, try using the neck pickup on a humbucker-equipped guitar.
Challenges of Playing Acoustic Songs on Electric Guitar
However, there are some challenges to consider if you want to play acoustic songs with an electric guitar:
- Tonal Differences: An electric guitar will never quite have the rich, full-bodied resonance produced by its acoustic counterpart, no matter how hard you try. The natural sustain and resonance characteristic of an acoustic instrument cannot be fully replicated electronically, but it is possible using other approaches to obtain a satisfying tone for playing on electric guitars.
- Dynamics and Expression: Acoustic guitars respond more dynamically and have a wider range of expression depending on how lightly or heavily they are played. Much of this is lost with electric guitars, especially if one uses distortion or compression. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of the dynamics of picking and consider having a softer touch.
- Feedback and Unwanted Noise: When trying to achieve a clean, acoustic-like sound, electric guitars can be prone to feedback, especially at higher volumes. Avoid unwanted noise by being aware of your amp settings and your distance from the amp.
Tips for Playing Acoustic Songs on Electric Guitar
Here’s what you should do when playing your favorite acoustic song on an electric:
- Practice Without Effects First: Before delving into amp settings and effects pedal usage, try playing the song unplugged first with your electric guitar. This way, you will focus on perfecting basic techniques rather than relying on effects to shape your sound.
- Use a Clean Boost or Acoustic Simulator Pedal: If you’re looking for a more authentic acoustic sound, consider using an acoustic simulator pedal. These pedals replicate the sound of an acoustic guitar when played through an amp.
- Adjust Your Playing Technique: Acoustic songs often involve fingerpicking or strumming patterns that may need adjustment when played on an electric guitar. To get a softer sound, pay attention to your attack and consider using a lighter pick or even your fingers.
- Experiment with Different Pickups and Amp Settings: Don’t be afraid to experiment with your equipment. You can try different pickup combinations and tweak the EQ of your amp to find the best sound for each song.
- Focus on Dynamics: Since electric guitars do not have as wide a dynamic range as acoustics, play with conscious attention to dynamics. Vary how hard you pick and use volume swells to make your playing expressive.
Conclusion
So, can you play acoustic songs on an electric guitar? Yes! However, there are some differences between them that you should be aware of to adjust your amp settings accordingly, select the right strings, and refine your playing skills to bring your favorite music from classic guitars to life with an electric one.
Whether playing around the campfire or performing on stage, do not limit yourself to exploring and enjoying different types of guitar music. The beauty of playing guitars is that you can make a song your own.
