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Back in StockMartin SC-13E Modern Acoustic Electric Guitar with Soft Shell Case
$1,799.99 - $1,999.99Martin SC-13E Modern: The Future of Acoustic Performance This isn't just an evolution; it's a revolution wrapped in tasteful Martin styling. The Martin SC-13E Modern is the acoustic guitar for players who refuse ...12 Payments of $150.00
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Martin SC-18E Acoustic Electric Guitar with Fishman and Case
$3,699.99The Martin SC-18E acoustic electric guitar is the perfect instrument for acoustic guitarists who want the best of both worlds. It features a modern playability and classic looks, combining SC innovation and Standard...12 Payments of $250.00
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Martin SC-18E Acoustic Electric Guitar with LR Baggs and Case
$3,699.99The Martin SC-18E Acoustic Electric Guitar is the perfect blend of modern playability and classic looks. This guitar pairs technology with timeless style and tone, combining SC innovation and Standard Series appoint...18 Payments of $166.67
plus $699.99 downh m s
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Martin SC-28E Acoustic Electric Guitar with Fishman and Case
$4,199.99The Martin SC-28E, where innovation meets tradition in perfect harmony. For all you acoustic guitarists out there, prepare to be captivated by its modern playability and classic looks. Let's dive into the impre...12 Payments of $250.00
plus $1,199.99 downh m s
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Merida DG20FOLC Grand Concert Acoustic Electric Guitar
$649.00Experience the unparalleled elegance of the best-selling Merida Diana Series DG20FOLC Grand Concert Acoustic-Electric Guitar. It stands in a league of its own with a beautifully vintage matte-finished solid spruce t...12 Payments of $54.08
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Merida Duke Grand Auditorium Acoustic Electric Guitar
$749.95 - $889.00Duke offers a harmonious blend of artistry and functionality, designed to elevate the heartfelt expression of your music. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the Grand Auditorium body resonates with a rich,...12 Payments of $74.08
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Merida Gloria Grand Auditorium Acoustic Electric Guitar
$939.00The Gloria V: grace, glamour, and elegance converging in a symphony of design. The timeless allure of Flamed Koa wood never fades, its beauty eternally in vogue. The Grand Auditorium body cradles comfort, paired wit...12 Payments of $78.25
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Merida Wave Grand Concert Acoustic Electric Guitar
$799.00Merida’s Beyond Series showcases an array of beautiful woods, but the Wave Grand Concert Cutaway acoustic-electric guitar stands out as a masterpiece. The Wave boasts a solid spruce top with a comfortable armrest, s...12 Payments of $66.58
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Merida Winter Grand Concert Acoustic Electric Guitar
$1,299.00Cozy up to the breathtaking Merida Four Seasons Series WINTER Grand Concert Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar. Its unique and stunning design, featuring hand-inlaid woods and ornate patterns, ensures it stands out in...12 Payments of $108.25
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Michael Kelly Forte Exotic Ziricote Acoustic Electric Guitar
$439.99The sonic performance is just as striking as the Forte Exotic's look. When you first lay eyes on the Forte Exotic Ziricote you can not help but notice the striking appearance. That is thanks to the exotic Ziricote t...8 Payments of $55.00
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Michael Kelly Mod Shop Randy Jackson 12-String Acoustic Electric Guitar
$699.95 - $929.99When Michael Kelly Guitars set out to make a signature 12-string acoustic/electric guitar for Zebra front man Randy Jackson, we knew it had to be special. Richly-figured ziricote top, back and sides and a natural gl...12 Payments of $77.50
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PRS SE Angeles A40 Acoustic Electric Guitar with Case
$799.00PRS SE Angelus A40: The Lush Life, Amplified If you think all acoustic guitars sound the same, the PRS SE Angelus A40 is here to politely disagree—and then blow your mind. While the rest of the world is arguing a...12 Payments of $66.58
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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.
