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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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PRS SE T60 Tonare Acoustic Electric Guitar with Case
$1,049.00PRS SE T60E Tonare: Exotic Tone, Familiar Feel This isn't just an acoustic guitar; it's a visual and sonic masterpiece that sounds as rich as it looks. The PRS SE T60E combines the classic, cannon-like projection...18 Payments of $58.28
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Taylor T5z Classic Acoustic Electric Guitar with Gig Bag
$2,499.00 - $2,599.00The deep color and rich grain of a mahogany top give the T5z Classic a vintage, earthy character. Distinctive T5z features include a more compact body than the original T5, a 12-inch fretboard radius, and jumbo fret...18 Payments of $138.83
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Takamine EF360SCTT Acoustic Electric Guitar with Case
$2,299.00This cutaway dreadnought incorporates Takamine's "Thermal Top" technology giving the musician the desired sound of a played-in vintage instrument in a new guitar with modern amenities, such as a slender neck, and ex...12 Payments of $191.58
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Takamine EF400SCTT Acoustic Electric Guitar with Case
$2,499.00Finally, there is a 12-string dreadnought that incorporates Takamine's "Thermal Top" technology giving the musician the desired sound of a played-in vintage instrument in a new guitar with modern amenities, such as ...12 Payments of $208.25
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Takamine EF508KC Koa Top Acoustic Electric Guitar With Case
$2,149.00The Takamine EF508KC NEX is handcrafted in our pro series facility that has been building precision quality instruments over five decades. Beneath the impressive figured Koa is a world-class acoustic/electric guitar...12 Payments of $179.08
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Takamine Garth Brooks GB7C Acoustic Electric 6-String Guitar with Case
$1,999.00The Takamine GB7C Garth Brooks signature model was designed as a collaboration between Takamine R&D and country legend Garth Brooks. This model matches a solid cedar top, finished in a silky smooth natural satin...12 Payments of $166.58
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Takamine GC11M CE Acoustic Electric Guitar Natural Satin
$379.95 - $499.00An exceptional cool all-sapele Cutaway Dreadnought sized Takamine is great for acoustic blues, bold strumming, or roots music. The low gloss natural satin finish adds a great old-school vibe to the instrument. Like ...8 Payments of $62.38
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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.
