How to Get an Electric Sound from an Acoustic Guitar

How can you get that electric sound if you can only play acoustic guitar? Although it may seem nearly impossible, you can use several simple techniques to make your acoustic or acoustic-electric guitar sound like a pure electric guitar.

The first step in making an acoustic guitar sound electric is to make it acoustic-electric. A clip-on pickup or wireless vibration response preamp is the simplest way to accomplish this. Also, add a pickup to your acoustic guitar as an alternative.

Why Are Acoustic Guitars Different in Sound?

We must consider several factors to create a believable imitation. A solid-body electric guitar lacks the resonant filter-like qualities of a guitar’s body, which interact with the sound.

Compared to electric guitar strings, acoustic guitar strings are often thicker, produce higher output, and are constructed of different materials. Perhaps it’s just in my head, but electric guitars with thicker strings sound more “acoustic.” The frequency response is significantly altered. In addition to being brighter, acoustic guitars sometimes feature a peak in the bass register (fig. 1). If the acoustic guitar is being recorded, the room, mic, and recording position must all be considered.

Clip on Pickup

A clip-on pickup is the least expensive method for converting your acoustic guitar into an electric-acoustic guitar. These are frequently called microphone pickups and may be quickly and inexpensively installed. However, some gamers might find the cords inconvenient and prefer a wireless setup.

Installing a Pickup

This is the most extended option, calling for drilling and modifying your acoustic guitar. Acoustic guitar pickups come in two primary categories: sound hole and piezo. Piezo pickups are the hardest to install but with a bit of feedback. Sound hole pickups sound warmer and are relatively simple to install.

Mixcraft

An acoustic-electric guitar can sound like an electric guitar by employing a few effects. One of the powerful multi-track recording workstations is Mixcraft. Various audio effects, musical loops, and virtual instruments are included. You can add additional effects to the guitar’s track, remix records, and create sounds with MIDI. In other words, it immediately transforms the computer into a fully equipped professional recording studio.

Acoustic-Electric to Electric Guitar Tone

The next step is to adjust the tone after you have an acoustic-electric guitar. Finally, it is necessary to discuss the critical distinctions between the sounds of an electric guitar and an acoustic-electric guitar.

Electric guitars are less susceptible to feedback than acoustic-electric guitars. Compared to electric guitars, acoustic-electric guitars offer a warmer tone. Compared to electric guitars, acoustic-electric guitars offer better resonance and sustain. Connecting an electric-acoustic guitar to an electric guitar amp and modifying the EQ to favor high-range frequencies will make the instrument sound like an electric guitar. To lessen feedback, add some reverb and compression, and use a noise-gate pedal or soundhole cap to give the tone more life.

Utilize a guitar amplifier.

Your best chance is to get an electric guitar amplifier rather than one made for electric acoustics if you want to make your electric-acoustic guitar sound like an electric guitar. These will assist your electric-acoustic in replicating this tone because they are made to magnify the frequencies produced by electric models.

Adjust the strings.

Standardly, acoustic and electric guitars have different string kinds. Brass or bronze-plated strings with a steel base are typically found on acoustic guitars. While bronze strings have a warmer tone, brass strings have a brighter sound. Steel or nickel strings are typically found on electric guitars. The tone of your acoustic/acoustic-electric guitar can be brightened to give it a more electric sound by switching to steel or brass-plated strings. You can join the guitar class to learn how to adjust the guitar strings.

Delay, reverb, and compression should be used.

You may imitate the tone of an electric guitar by using various effects. Depending on the tone you want, reverb, delay, and compression are the greatest effects for acoustic-electric guitars. The biggest impact on how much more electric your tone sounds will come from compression. If your amp has built-in effects, feel free to utilize them or use an effects pedal if it doesn’t.

Compression:  This is a valuable tool for “smoothing out” guitar sounds. It achieves this by amplifying the volume of delicately plucked strings while reducing the volume of violently plucked strings.

Reverb: This adds atmosphere, which makes the tone sound livelier and gives it more depth and personality.

Delay: this gives the impression that the note is being played more than once. Here, doubling and slap-back delays are the most suitable.

Author Bio

Alina Cooper is a senior Writer at a reputed multinational firm in Dubai. She obtained her master’s degree in Management from the University of Singapore. She has been closely associated with Piano Store & Music Industry; she is also a noted member of melodica.ae help for the past five years