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Ibanez AW54CE Artwood Acoustic Electric Guitar
$349.99The cutaway dreadnought body shape of the AW54CE, and solid Okoume top offers full-bodied, well-rounded bigger-than-expected sonic response. The guitar’s Okoume top, back, and sides, breathe freely thanks to a speci...8 Payments of $43.75
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Alvarez ADM66CEAR Artist Elite Dreadnought Acoustic Electric Guitar
$779.99The ADM66CEAR is a lively dreadnought and delivers a warm, focused tone from its all Mahogany construction. Its understated cosmetics make for a classy looking guitar, augmented by our standard width bevel-armrest, ...12 Payments of $65.00
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Taylor Somos 150ce Bajo Quinto 10-String Acoustic Electric Guitar
$999.00Taylor is excited to unveil a new category of double-course instruments inspired by the Latin/Mexican musical influences. Taylor Guitars now has their version of the Bajo Quinto executed with the Taylor standard of ...18 Payments of $55.50
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Yamaha FGX5 Dreadnought Acoustic Electric Guitar with Case
$1,899.99Building on a legacy that began in the 1960s, the Japanese-made FGX5 Red Label acoustic guitar with built-in pickup system is a timeless instrument, tastefully crafted for the modern performer. Voiced to excel with ...12 Payments of $158.33
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Takamine GD93CE Acoustic Electric Guitar
$759.95 - $899.00A distinguished acoustic/electric dreadnought guitar with a refined and contemporary look, the GD93CE features a solid top and special back construction, giving it an upscale feel and distinctive sound. For players ...12 Payments of $74.92
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Yamaha AC5M Concert Acoustic Electric Guitar with Case
$1,679.99Crafted to be the ideal performance guitar, the AC5M offers a natural tone with clarity plus the warmth of mahogany. The AC5M ARE, concert body cutaway guitar, features all-solid mahogany back and sides with hand-se...12 Payments of $140.00
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Epiphone J-45 Studio Acoustic Electric Guitar with Bag
$449.00The Epiphone J-45 Studio is part of the all-new Epiphone Studio Acoustic Collection. These guitars have been completely reimagined to offer the most authentic and affordable acoustic guitars inspired by iconic Gibso...8 Payments of $56.13
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Martin 0-X2E Cocobolo Acoustic Electric Guitar with Gigbag
$749.99The incredible Martin 0-X2E Cocobolo acoustic electric guitar, a true masterpiece crafted to deliver exceptional sound and unmatched playability. Get ready to be immersed in a world of melodic harmony, where every n...12 Payments of $62.50
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Martin 00-X2E Cocobolo Acoustic Electric Guitar with Gigbag
$749.99Introducing the harmonious masterpiece that every acoustic guitarist dreams of - the Martin 00-X2E Cocobolo Acoustic Electric Guitar! With its stunning remastered X Series design, this immaculate instrument is metic...12 Payments of $62.50
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Martin D-X2E Brazilian 12-String Acoustic Electric Guitar with Gigbag
$749.99The Martin D-X2E acoustic electric guitar remastered X Series is made to play. The D-X2E Brazilian 12-string features a satin-finished spruce top with an elegant abalone pattern rosette and eye-catching Brazilian ro...12 Payments of $62.50
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Martin SC13E Acoustic Electric Guitar Spruce Top and Koa with Gig Bag
$1,439.00The new Martin SC-13E Acoustic Electric guitar will make you rethink what an acoustic-electric guitar can do. Do you want to play leads? Play all the way up the neck? Play longer? Play louder? Guitar players everywh...12 Payments of $119.92
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Fender CD60SCE Solid Top Dreadnought Acoustic Electric Walnut Neck
$349.99A solid guitar, the Fender CD60SCE is an excellent choice for your first guitar because of the playability and the capability to be played acoustically or plugged in. The CD60SCE delivers a balanced tone with enough...8 Payments of $43.75
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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.
