Electric

[Bill_Brown]

Hey @the-old-coach , I have a 1996 made in Mexico Fender Stratocaster (black w/ white pic guard) that I bought last year used for $350 in excellent condition – no nicks, no scratches, in A1 shape. I couldn’t believe I got it at that price point. The salesman at the guitar shop that I purchased it from said, when I asked why is this guitar being sold at this price, “Well, it’s made in Mexico”. I asked , “Well, what does that mean?” He said “Nothing really, it’s just not made in the US”. So I’m still playing around with the height adjustments for the pic-ups, but I feel that I fell onto a gem of a guitar for that price IMHO, YMMV.

So if you can get it for a price that satisfies you, GO FOR IT!!!

[Cadgirl]

I have heard the STRATs made in Mexico are made of a different wood. US is ash, Mexican is Alder. The tone is supposed to be different. I can see if It was a Acoustic the tone being different because of the wood, but not a solid guitar. I am sending a comparison for you. Is it going to matter?? I doubt it. Have fun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMdYvOKfVYc

[Kitman]

Hi @the-old-coach , I have a number of electrics in my guitarsenal and here is my take on your question: playing an electric has a definite different feel than playing an acoustic. Not better or worse, just different. Given the setup of the guitar you may find the notes easier to fret on an electric. The electronics (pickups, pickup switches, amp and effects (on the amp or with pedals (if you have them) may lead to “rabbit hole syndrome” as there are infinite sounds you can architect. All that said, playing an electric should not negatively impact your acoustic playing or learning. Electrics have 6 stings tuned to the same notes and intervals. The knowledge and skills you have gained on your acoustic will transfer to the electric. Just accept and realize the two types of guitars “play” very differently. And watch out for that “rabbit hole” – it can lead to a lot of “dabbling” for me 🙃.

[GerryB56]

Hey, oldcoach! As you might imagine, I highly doubt any TACers will advise you to pass up a chance to add to your guitarsenal😆 But I can relate to your concerns here. I have acquired 2 electrics so far, but have to confess I’m a bit intimidated by them and haven’t made much leeway in learning to play them. I’m not a hard rock – metal guy, so my main goals for these guitars (a Les Paul and an ES-339, both Epiphones) are to ultimately learn to play some Chet Atkins – style country -blues, and hopefully some slide / lead guitar solos and improv.

The sound/tone of electric guitars is so different and has its own appeal, for sure. I have a couple of cds of Chet Atkins playing with Mark Knopfler and Les Paul, and really love the laid-back, slow grooving style of these masters. Not that I expect to ever remotely approach their level, but it seems to me that some sort of competence might happen if I live long enough😆

Isn’t it amazing that your cousin never even knew her dad had this baby!? My Les Paul is a ’98 made in Korea edition, and I love the sound of it. My Taylor GS Mini was made in Mexico, and it is a beautiful looking and sounding instrument.

[albert_d]

It won’t. No negative impact. Unless you play it in the bathtub.

[jumpinjeff]

I am with @albert_d no negative impact. Positive impact would be the same as taking up any new instrument. Lots of crossover theory and if it captures your imagination and fuels your fun pick that bad boy up and play it. Remember it is a different instrument and visual similarities are such that thinking they are the same is understandable. The feel is completely different. Neither good nor bad just different if you like that sort of thing. I am on the High School Band Audition Judge side if things: I am afraid it is just too darn loud, next. (yes that is the aucoustisnob in me raising its ugly head.)

[the-old-coach]

Yeah, well, the “loud factor” has come up here in our house😬. I practice in my wife’s computer/craft room pretty much, and she said “if stuff starts fallin’ off the walls– you’re headed for the garage”😎. Probably a better spot anyway…….. Thanks for your thoughts.

[the-old-coach]

First off- Albert D– your response is hilarious!!!

My mind seems to change on this whole electric-thing. One day I want it, the next I almost don’t. I think I’m somehow kind-of intimidated or something by it/ having it. I don’t want it to feel like it “takes the place” of my acoustic journey. I want it to feel more like “in conjunction with it”……..

I’ve only played an electric a few times- and really liked it— something new and cool!

But, it’s still guitar. I’m not sure it’s gonna make me a better guitar player.

Is there a hard line between acoustic and electric? If an electric is somehow “easier” to play- will that, in essence, make it “harder” to play an acoustic when I pick one up? – maybe especially a 12-string? I have enough trouble as it is.

I don’t know if I wanna go down that “rabbit-hole”.

Thank you all for your thoughts, suggestions, and ideas– they are MUCH appreciated!!!

True to my nature– I am probably WAAAAY overthinking this😜, right?

I think I’m gonna go ahead and pursue this guitar– all things considered. They want me to have it, and they know I’ll take care of it.

If his g-kids are someday interested, maybe I’ll give it to one of them when they’re ready or interested.

Thanks again-

theoldcoach

[ted_h]

I would go for it! I play both. I feel like learning acoustic stuff helps my electric playing, and vice versa.

The really nice thing about the electric is that you don’t have to push as hard on the strings for fretting, so you can play acoustic first and then when your hands get a little tired switch to electric. I found it easier to learn to barre chords on the electric for the same reason.

Also, a lot of amps have a headphone jack these days which lets you rock out without irritating everyone in your household 🙂

[the-old-coach]

Ted- Thanks for the encouragement and info about the headphone jack. I’ll check and see if the amp that comes with it- (Fender Frontman 25)- has that feature. It’s about 24 years old and I don’t know if it’s there. I’ll do some diggin’. It would be a big thing- (it’s cold out in the garage😀). If you plug in headphones- does that automatically “turn off” the loudspeaker?

[the-old-coach]

I see the new ones have the headphone jack up on the console area.

[the-old-coach]

I have yet another dumb-question…….. Can you -(or anybody?)- explain exactly ***WHY*** it seems “easier” to play an electric- (vs an acoustic). We’ve all heard this— hundreds of times.

In my own experience, as I said, I have played an electric only a few times- (this puts me in the “non-knowledgeable” group– so there is that)- but it actually did seem to be NOTICEABLY “easier”.

But my question, I guess, is, WHY is it easier.

In your post you say it’s because “you don’t have to push as hard on the strings for fretting”- then that leads me to ask- again- why?

Electric/Acoustic?– They are just guitar strings over a fretboard, right?

Why aren’t the strings on an acoustic “lowered” to the same string-height- (action) as they are on an electric?…..

I know there are MANY different/various makes and models of guitars– and strings– (from the cheapest to the most expensive)- if this could be some part of the explanation.

Or is there a general difference in the size or “cross-section shape” of the guitar NECK of an electric and an acoustic?

Or are the string themselves generally different between the two?

It’s confusing to ask- I hope you all get the “jist” of what I’m asking…..

Any thoughts?

theoldcoach

[the-old-coach]

Did a bunch of research on this topic after I posted. Tried to “Edit”- (actually delete)- the post about “easier to play- electric or acoustic”, but it was too late……

Anyway- it was very interesting reading.

Thanks if you had read it and/or given it any thought…….

theoldcoach

[ted_h]

I think it’s due to the lighter gauge strings. On my electric the smallest string is 0.0095″ in diameter, on my acoustic it’s 0.013″.

The string company Stringjoy has a tension calculator: https://tension.stringjoy.com/

You can play with the numbers, but on my acoustic the tension of the high E string is about 30 pounds and on my electric it’s about 16 pounds.

Less tension makes a string easier to fret and easier to bend. I think that’s why the barre chords are so much easier on the electrics…

[the-old-coach]

Ted–

I had a nice reply all done up- spent ~ an hour on it.

Posted it, then needed to go back and edit it.

Re-posted it………. and………. POOF………gone.

(Not the first time)– a little- (OK, a lot)- frustrating.

Maybe I’ll try & remember all those sparkling gems of wit🤨, and try it again.

To all—– Have a great, safe Christmas!!!!

theoldcoach

[N-lightMike]

First, @the-old-coach ; don’t ever make a long reply and then edit it. In my experience, that’s when it messes up. Post a second comment and explain the edits.

Second, when you make a long reply, before you hit that post button, copy the whole thing and paste it into a word processor. Now, if anything happens, you have a copy and can just post it.

MG 😀

[the-old-coach]

Mike-

Thank you for both of those suggestions! That info is now LOCKED into my brain!

Hope you are well and have a happy/healthy Christmas!

mark

[N-lightMike]

I gave you a reply at the bottom to the overall topic also, Mark @the-old-coach . It’s real easy to miss things on this forum platform. I love TAC, and I love how much better the teaching end of this platform is, but the forum leaves much to be desired. 😏

MG 😀

[Loraine]

A little late to the party, but my 2 cents.

It’s free, which is a highly motivating reason to get it.

I think electrics are fun and are better suited for certain types of music/genres. It depends on the song. Many times I’ll play the same song on both and play around with the amplification to see which sounds better.

Electrics have lower action and smaller necks than acoustics and can be easier to play/learn on. Especially with those dreaded barre chords.

All in all, they’re a great addition to any guitarsenal, and they can be a lot of fun. Hope you get it and enjoy it.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 3 months ago by  Loraine.

[Carol-3M-Stillhand]

@the-old-coach lots of great comments here already (Love the electrical safety bathtub warning!!)

It’s your decision, but as it’s been said already: It’s free, it’s in great shape, and it belonged to your uncle… And playing electric guitar can be pretty cool!! (I have one that I use for quiet practice, used with headphones). With the narrow neck and low action, it’s easier to learn difficult songs with barre chords.

So with all those great reasons to say Yes, I’d say there’s also a few things to watch out for:

1. You might lose some of your callouses if you evolve to playing mostly electric (or classical) guitar.

2. Don’t forget, you haven’t mastered a song until you can play it on an acoustic….

Somebody asked why they can’t just give an acoustic guitar a similar set up so it plays as easy as an electric- I’m not an expert luthier but I think it has to do with that you can only lower the action so low until you encounter string buzz. The lower the action, the more delicately you have to play to avoid getting a buzz… (But that’s a whole nother party, hahaha!!)

[the-old-coach]

Just for clarification– the guitar and amp aren’t free– but sounds like I could be getting it all at a “screamin’-deal” price.

Just waiting to be able to get ahold of them- (they are hard to “track down”, and generally speaking pretty-much keep to themselves).

It’ll all happen- (and I’m pretty excited about it!😎- but I have to “tread lightly” given the situation– family, etc, if’n you know what I mean).

• This reply was modified 3 years, 3 months ago by  the-old-coach.

[Kitman]

Keep us posted @the-old-coach !

[Bill_Brown]

Hey @the-old-coach , IMHO, don’t F@#k around about this – just get it done – it’s a fair deal all around – you’ll be happy with the electric & those that want you to have it will be happy also, just MHO, JUST DO IT, you’ll be happy too!!

[N-lightMike]

As far as the electric goes, @the-old-coach , I have owned several electric guitars, 5 if I remember correctly. I have sold all but one. I just didn’t hardly ever play them. I don’t want to plug in a guitar. I want to pick it up and play. That’s all. Also, I don’t like the sound of electrified guitar as much as acoustic guitar.

However, notice that I have owned a number of them. Also notice that I still own one. Oh yeah, and I still own 4 amps. Why? Why not. I can if I want to. Someday, maybe I’ll play more with electric sound. It’s all guitar. In the meantime, I have quite a bit of electronic equipment that I don’t use. But I keep it because as long as I own it, I could play music with these electronic gadgets. But if I sell them, then I can’t use them without rebuying them. That’s part of the reason I refuse to part with the last electric. Besides, it’s a jazz guitar, so it’s half acoustic anyway. It’s an Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II and I’m sure that I will play it more cause it’s so cool.

Then, you have the guitar geeks that actually play electric more often, or as often, as acoustic. They may not tell us because they might think we’d think less of them. Heck no. Let me say it again: guitar is guitar. I happen to like acoustics better. Others happen to like electrics better. Who cares.

Here’s the final thought: what do you like? Guess what, you’ll never know if you don’t buy an electric. Get the Strat, plug it in, and rock out. Then let us know what you thought. We can always listen to your confession later and absolve you of all your overdrive sins. 🤣

MG 😀

[the-old-coach]

Roger that, Mike!

Haven’t got my hands on it yet- (that family is “hard to get ahold of”, and keep to themselves- they don’t often answer phone calls or messages- and when they do- it’s usually weeks afterwards😒– so there’s that).

A bit frustrating in that respect……. for sure………. But– I’m not about to show up, bang on their door, and say- “What’s the deal— I’m tired of waitin’, and I want the d*mn guitar”. Gonna rattle their cage- (lightly)- after the holidays settles down.

I like your mentality- I don’t wanna have any regrets by NOT getting an electric and then wondering. Rather have and then not like it if that’s the case…..

Thanks for your thoughts– as always.

Mark- (theoldcoach)

[EricO]

Hey Coach,

Definitely get the MIM strat. It’ll be a great intro to electric for you and the MIM strats are really great. I have a sunburst one that I purchased several years ago for $400 and it’s well worth it. Even though I love all the electric classic rock music, I don’t play my electric as much as my acoustic because I’m lazy and it’s so much easier just to pick up the acoustic. Also, I’m focusing more on fingerpicking these days on the acoustic. IMHO, getting your acoustic chops down first helps you tremendously with electric. However, I have found and been told by my previous electric guitar teacher that I press down too hard on the strings causing the notes to be out of tune. I attribute that to playing much more acoustic. I agree with others that it seems easier to play electric because of the lighter gauge strings. Hope this helps also.

Cheers!