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Takamine GD38CE Acoustic Electric 12-String Guitar with GBXW Gig Bag
$934.95 - $1,099.00Takamine GD38CE Acoustic-Electric 12-String Guitar Inspired by the iconic EF381SC guitar from Takamine's Legacy Series, the GD38CE 12-string dreadnought offers a similar classic look and chiming tone at an exce...12 Payments of $91.58
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Ibanez Tim Henson TOD10N Classic Acoustic Electric Guitar
$636.95 - $779.99Ibanez Tim Henson TOD10N Classic Acoustic-Electric Guitar Unleash your inner virtuoso with the Ibanez Tim Henson TOD10N Classic Acoustic-Electric Guitar. This game-changing instrument, inspired by Polyphia’s genr...12 Payments of $62.50
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Gibson 50s J-45 Original Acoustic Guitar Vintage Sunburst with Case
$2,199.00 - $3,199.00Gibson 50s J-45 Original Acoustic Electric If the 1950s had a soundtrack, it would be strummed on a Gibson. The 50s J-45 Original brings back the golden era of guitar making, no time machine required. Known as th...18 Payments of $166.67
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Taylor Gold Label 717e Acoustic Electric Guitar with Case
$2,554.00 - $2,999.00Taylor Gold Label 717e Acoustic Electric Guitar The Taylor Gold Label 717e Grand Pacific isn't just another acoustic guitar; it's a complete sonic masterpiece, ready to resonate in your hands. Built with Andy Pow...18 Payments of $166.61
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Taylor 217e Plus Grand Pacific Acoustic Electric Guitar Black with Case
$1,194.00 - $1,499.00Taylor 217e Plus Grand Pacific Acoustic Electric Guitar The Taylor 217e Plus Grand Pacific is the acoustic equivalent of a well-worn leather jacket — it feels familiar, looks incredible, and somehow fits into eve...18 Payments of $83.28
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Yamaha APX600 Acoustic Electric Guitar
$314.95 - $329.99Combining incredible comfort with easy top-fret access, the Yamaha APX600 thinline cutaway acoustic-electric guitar is ready for all stages in your life. The APX600 boasts a more natural look, a deeper body for bett...8 Payments of $41.25
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Ibanez AEWC400 Acoustic Electric Guitar
$594.95 - $699.99Employing some very unique design features, the AEWC400 body utilizes next-level contouring in the front and back of the body to maximize ergonomics and comfort. Engineered by Ibanez, the AEWC400’s Special Cutaway i...12 Payments of $58.33
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Gretsch G5022CBFE Rancher Falcon Jumbo Cutaway Acoustic Electric
$589.95 - $699.99Gretsch G5022CWFE Rancher Falcon Jumbo Acoustic Electric Dripping in gold sparkle, the Gretsch Rancher Falcon Jumbo kicks down the door wearing a tailored tuxedo. It blends the massive, room-filling resonance of ...12 Payments of $58.33
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ESP LTD TL-12 Thinline 12-String Acoustic Electric Guitar
$549.95 - $599.95The TL-12 Thinline 12-string features ESP LTD’s Acoustic Resonant Chamber for a remarkable tonal response and great projection in a comfortable body shape. Premier components like Graphtech NuBone-XB nuts and saddle...12 Payments of $50.00
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Takamine GF49CE Acoustic Electric Guitar
$589.95 - $699.00This Takamine FXC cutaway guitar throws a serious nod to '80s rock culture, featuring beautiful Cosmic Black Sparkle finish and Red ABS binding. The back and sides are crafted from sapele and the top is spruce creat...12 Payments of $58.25
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Kepma GA3-130A Grand Auditorium AcoustiFex Electric Guitar
$364.94 - $429.99Introducing the K3-A AcoustiFex Models — Spruce and Mahogany guitars that feature the new patented AcoustiFex K-10 pickup system. The AcoustiFex pickup, preamp and FX system gives players the ability to mix in rever...8 Payments of $53.75
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Guild DS-240E Dreadnought Acoustic Electric Guitar
$549.95 - $649.99The Guild® DS-240E Black acoustic guitar from their Memoir series is crafted with a solid Spruce top and Mahogany back and sides, delivering exceptional acoustic tone that is both bold and balanced. Its lightweight,...12 Payments of $54.17
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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.
