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Back in StockMartin D-X2E Acoustic Electric Dreadnought Guitar with Gig Bag
$637.95 - $749.99Martin D-X2E Acoustic-Electric Guitar The Martin D-X2E strikes the perfect balance between affordability and the signature Martin tone. Part of the updated X Series, this dreadnought is designed for players seeki...12 Payments of $62.50
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Martin SC-10E-02 Road Series Acoustic Electric Guitar with Gig Bag
$849.95Martin SC-10E-02 Road Series Acoustic-Electric Guitar The Martin SC-10E-02 is built for the guitarist who craves the freedom of an electric with the soul of an acoustic. This Road Series model shatters the limita...12 Payments of $70.83
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Martin DE Retro Plus Acoustic Electric Guitar with Case
$1,434.00 - $1,899.99The Martin DE Retro Plus Mahogany is your brand-new old friend. Inspired by our legendary flagship models, this acoustic-electric Dreadnought is the real deal – delivering bold tone, exceptional playability, and vin...12 Payments of $158.33
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Martin D-16E 01 Acoustic Electric Guitar with Soft Shell Case
$1,957.00The Martin D-16E acoustic-electric offers players a sleek and comfortable Dreadnought-style guitar. Handcrafted in our Nazareth factory as part of the 16 Series, its body shape combines the power and projection of t...12 Payments of $163.08
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Martin D-10E Retro Sapele Acoustic Electric Guitar with Soft Shell Case
$767.95 - $899.99Martin D-10E Retro Sapele: The All-Mahogany Monster If you’re looking for a guitar with all the bells and whistles, this might not be your jam. But if you need a stripped-down, all-business Dreadnought that deliver...12 Payments of $75.00
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Martin D-12E Retro Acoustic Electric Guitar with Softshell Case
$1,149.00 - $1,349.99Martin D-12E Retro Acoustic-Electric Guitar Some guitars are just wallflowers. The Martin D-12E Retro is not one of them. This Dreadnought guitar owns any room it enters — a perfect marriage of classic, powerful ...12 Payments of $112.50
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Martin D-13E Retro Walnut Acoustic Electric Guitar with Soft Shell Case
$1,319.00 - $1,549.99Martin D-13E Retro Walnut: The Dreadnought with a PhD in Tone This isn't just another acoustic guitar; it's a Dreadnought that went to college, studied abroad, and came back with a story to tell. The Martin D-13E R...12 Payments of $129.17
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Martin DC-10E Modern Black Acoustic Electric Guitar with Softshell Case
$1,024.00 - $1,199.99Martin DC-10E Modern Black Acoustic Electric Guitar Sleek and mysterious, the Martin DC-10E in Modern Black is a Dreadnought that’s traded its traditional country aesthetic for a black-tie tuxedo. Built for the s...12 Payments of $100.00
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Martin SC-10E Modern Acoustic Electric Guitar with Soft Case
$937.95 - $1,099.99Martin SC-10E Modern: An Acoustic with an Electric Soul Let's be real: most acoustic guitars are a bit like vintage cars. They look beautiful and sound great, but handling them can be a wrestling match, especiall...12 Payments of $91.67
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Acoustic Electric Guitars
With an onboard preamp and/or built-in pickup system, your new Acoustic Electric guitar offers the best of both worlds. The resonant tonewoods and expert craftsmanship of an acoustic guitar are combined with the versatility of an electric guitar. Excellent for onstage use, an acoustic electric makes it easy to add effects, plug in to any amp, and eliminates the hassle of using a mic.
Acoustic Electric Guitars
An acoustic electric guitar gives you everything you love about an acoustic instrument: the resonant tonewoods, the natural projection, the feel of playing unplugged, plus a built-in pickup system that lets you plug straight into an amp or PA the moment the gig calls for it — no mic stands to position, no feedback battles, no compromises. Whether you're playing a coffee shop, a 500-cap venue, or tracking in the studio, acoustic electric guitars can handle it all without missing a note.
At AMS, we carry acoustic electric guitars from Martin, Taylor, Gibson, Epiphone, Fender, Takamine, Ibanez, Yamaha, Gretsch, Breedlove, and more, with options spanning every body shape, tonewood, and price point.
The right acoustic electric doesn't just amplify your sound; it translates it faithfully. With quality onboard electronics and thoughtful construction, today's acoustic electrics sound as good through a PA as they do in your living room.
What Makes an Acoustic Electric Guitar Different?
The electric version of a standard acoustic guitar features the addition of an integrated electronics system. Here's what that typically includes:
- Pickup system: Most commonly a piezo undersaddle pickup, soundhole pickup, or internal microphone that captures the vibration of the top and strings.
- Onboard preamp: Boosts and shapes the pickup signal before it hits your amp or DI; often includes basic EQ controls.
- EQ controls: Bass, mid, and treble knobs (and sometimes a notch filter for feedback control) mounted on the upper bout for quick adjustments on stage.
- Built-in tuner: Many models include a chromatic tuner in the preamp panel, so you can tune silently between songs without a separate pedal.
- Output jack: Usually a standard 1/4" endpin jack that doubles as the strap button, keeping your cable out of the way.
- Battery compartment: Active preamp systems run on a 9V battery; passive pickup systems require no power.
Types of Acoustic Electric Guitars
The acoustic electric category covers a wide range of body styles and playing applications. Here's a look at the main types you'll find at AMS and what each one is best suited for.
Dreadnought Acoustic Electrics
The dreadnought is the most popular acoustic body shape for a reason. It's loud, full-bodied, and projects well in almost any setting. Brands like Martin, Takamine, and Gibson have built some of the most iconic dreadnought acoustic electrics ever made, and plugged into a PA, they deliver the same powerful low-end and clear high-end presence they're known for unplugged. Great for strummers, singer-songwriters, and country players.
Grand Auditorium and Concert Body Acoustics
Slightly smaller than a dreadnought with a more pronounced waist, grand auditorium and concert body guitars offer a balanced, articulate sound that suits both strumming and fingerpicking. Taylor makes some of the best acoustic electric guitars in this category: versatile, stage-ready, and easy to play across a wide range of styles.
Cutaway Acoustic Electrics
A cutaway body gives you easier access to the upper frets without significantly impacting the guitar's resonance. If you play lead lines or want to get beyond the 12th fret on an acoustic, a cutaway is worth the tradeoff. Many of Taylor’s and Takamine's most popular stage guitars feature a soft Venetian cutaway combined with their proprietary onboard electronics system.
Travel and Mini Acoustic Electrics
Compact acoustic electrics like the Taylor GS Mini-e pack a surprising amount of tone into a smaller frame, making them ideal for travel, practice, and players who prefer a shorter scale length. They're fully equipped with pickups and preamps, so they're just as stage-capable as their full-size counterparts.
Martin Molly Tuttle Acoustic Guitars
This video highlights two new collaborations with bluegrass artist Molly Tuttle, showcasing the Martin D-18 Molly Tuttle and the Martin D-X2E Molly Tuttle acoustic guitars. Both models are inspired by her prized 1943 D-18 and feature custom celestial inlays based on the phases of the moon.
How To Choose the Right Acoustic Electric Guitar
With so many great options at every price point, narrowing it down is easier when you focus on what matters for your playing:
- Body style: Dreadnoughts project loudly and suit strumming; auditorium and concert shapes balance volume with articulation; parlor and mini shapes are more comfortable for smaller players or fingerstyle work.
- Tonewoods: Spruce tops are bright and responsive; mahogany tops are warmer and more mid-focused; koa and other exotic woods offer unique tonal character.
- Electronics quality: The pickup and preamp system matters as much as the guitar itself for live use; look for trusted systems from Fishman and LR Baggs on higher-end models.
- Cutaway vs. non-cutaway: Cutaways open up the upper frets at a slight acoustic volume tradeoff; non-cutaway bodies typically offer more resonance.
- Budget: AMS carries acoustic electrics from entry-level options under $300 all the way through professional-grade instruments from Martin, Taylor, and Gibson.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acoustic Electric Guitars
Do I need an amp to play an acoustic electric guitar?
No, an acoustic electric plays and sounds exactly like a standard acoustic when unplugged. The electronics only come into play when you plug into an amp, PA, or audio interface. That's what makes acoustic electrics so versatile: one guitar covers both quiet practice at home and amplified performance on stage.
What's the difference between active and passive pickup systems?
Active pickup systems include an onboard preamp powered by a 9V battery. They produce a stronger, more consistent output signal and typically include EQ controls for shaping your tone. Passive systems have no battery and output a lower, more raw signal. They're simpler but may require a DI box or dedicated acoustic preamp to sound their best through a PA.
Can I plug an acoustic electric guitar directly into a PA?
Yes, though the results vary by guitar and system. Most acoustic electrics with an active preamp can plug directly into a mixer's DI input and sound good. For the best results, especially with passive pickups or in professional settings, running through a dedicated acoustic preamp or DI box before the board will give you better control over tone and feedback.
Check Out Acoustic Electric Guitars at American Musical Supply
AMS carries acoustic electric guitars from every major brand, at every price point, for every style of player. Each guitar ships fast and free, comes backed by our Gold Lock Extended Warranty at no extra cost, and is available on 0% interest payment plans so you can get the instrument you actually want without stretching your budget all at once.
Have questions about which guitar is right for you? Give our gear experts a call at 800-458-4076. We'll help you find your match.
