The acoustic/electric debate can go on for hours. People who are starting out often want to play electric guitar, but buy an acoustic guitar. 1 month later, they buy an electric. This is absurd, as they are wasting money, and valuable practicing time.
So before running off to your local guitar store, eBay, or Craigslist, make sure you are making an informed decision. Understand that there are advantages and disadvantages for each. For example, a good acoustic guitar is portable, has amazing tonal capabilities and improves with age. However, it is harder to play when you are just starting out. String bending (an ageless rock technique) has proved to be harder on an acoustic guitar. Now let us take a look at electric guitars. They are easy to play, and are good for "shredding" and metal / rock style playing. However, they have quite a flat tone, they aren't portable (an amplifier is required if one wants to play at an appropriate volume), and they don't get better with age. Also, if you are a starting beginner, playing electric guitar can make you look like a try hard, much to the embarrassment of you in front of all your friends. However, if you practice hectically, then people will think you are good. Remember, never be influenced by peer pressure, or what other people play. Just because Slash has a Gibson Les paul and KT Tunstall has a Gibson Dove, does that mean i should buy those guitars? Absolutely not! It's all about what YOU like, as an individual. And this relates to everything, not just guitars. On the other hand, if you fall in love with the Gibson les paul because you like the tone, the feel, finish and price, then buy all means, spend your money on it.
Back to the acoustic / electric issue, it all comes down to your playing style, or your future playing style. There are many styles that can be played on both, such as blues, jazz, psychedelic, hip hop, spanish, or pop. Rock and metal players are best suited for electrics. If you fitted into the "both" category, then narrow it down further. Ask yourself questions like,
- What do I plan to do with my playing? Do i just want to play around a campfire, or do I want to perform live?
- How much money am I willing to spend?
- Am I buying this guitar because I want to fit in? Or because I really love this
- Will this guitar last me enough time?
Ask these questions to yourself. Many people find themselves wanting to play live, but they like blues, acoustic and alternative playing. The answer to those people is the acoustic electric. It is an acoustic guitar that can be plugged into an amplifier. These are especially handy, as you can use them portably, and amplify them when necessary. Try out some guitars in a store, the workers are usually quite helpful. If you can't play, ask their opinion, and maybe even ask them to play it. Listen carefully to the tones, volume and projection in an acoustic. Fiddle around with the electric guitar's knobs to see all of it's tonal capabilities.
Well the answer you've been waiting for comes as a question.
What do you want to play?
However in my opinion I think a beginner should start on an electric due to their easy playing, and then maybe buy an acoustic later if they prefer that style.
peace
filth