Just like the well-known electric guitar, semi-acoustic (or hollowbody, or semi-hollow electric) guitars can be amplified via a guitar amplifier and one or more built-in pickups. The difference is that the hollow body of a semi-acoustic guitar sounds more warm and transparent than the solid body of an electric guitar, making semi-acoustic models popular in styles like jazz, blues and rock-'n-roll.
The Difference Between a Semi-Acoustic Guitar and an Electro-Acoustic Guitar
Semi-acoustic and electro-acoustic guitars are often mixed up, but the fact remains that they're different instruments. Electro-acoustic guitars can be seen as standard acoustic guitars that can be played unplugged or plugged into an acoustic amplifier or PA for more volume. Semi-acoustic guitars produce much less volume on their own. It's enough to practise with, but you won't get a fully-grown guitar sound until you hook the guitar up to an electric guitar amplifier. Also, semi-acoustic guitars feature magnetic pickups, while electro-acoustic guitars come equipped with either a piezo pickup, a microphone or a combination of both. That's why electro-acoustic guitars sound acoustic, while semi-acoustic guitars sound more like electric guitars.
Cheap Semi-Acoustic Guitar Bundle for Beginners
Since carving out hollow bodies is a labour-intensive task, semi-acoustic guitars are generally more expensive than classical/Spanish guitars, acoustic guitars and solid-body electric guitars. Fortunately, brands like Fazley and Ibanez offer an extensive range of budget as well as beginner-friendly semi-acoustic models. All you need besides a guitar is an electric guitar amplifier and a guitar cable.
Buying a Second-Hand Semi-Acoustic Guitar at Bax Music
If you're a little strapped for cash, you might not have the budget to pick up a brand-new guitar. However, a B-stock guitar could be a good alternative. Often returned before the trial period was up, these second-hand models have barely seen any action and sometimes come with no signs of use other than a damaged box or a missing accessory. If you want to save a chunk of cash, score a B-stock bargain!
Frequently Asked Questions About Semi-Acoustic Guitars
What kind of strings do semi-acoustic guitars have?
Semi-acoustic guitars are equipped with the same strings as electric guitars, so electric guitar strings. Most semi-acoustic guitarists, however opt for thicker strings (e.g. gauges .011 to .049). See our Electric Guitar Strings Buyer's Guide for more information.
How does a semi-acoustic guitar work?
The strings are vibrated by either your fingers or a plectrum, and these vibrations are then captured by a built-in magnetic pickup which converts the captured vibrations into a signal to be sent to your electric guitar amplifier.
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