Are you all acoustic, all the time?

[Charlie Bernstein]

When I started playing guitar I expected to play acoustic and electric, probably more electric. Blues, Chuck Berry, that kind of thing. I’ve owned 3 electric guitars. I didn’t play them much at all. I now have none. I play mostly folky fingerstyle on my various acoustics. I’m thinking again of buying an electric guitar. Just curious if anyone has a similar experience

thanks.

Yes.

I started on folk, which I recommend (with no success) to players just getting started. It's easy to go from folk to electric, hard to go from electric to folk.

I love playing both, but I haven't played electric since the pandemic started. It's an ensemble instrument: It really wants bass and drums.

I'd love to get an electric Chicago-style blues act together — or a folk rock project — but the cards aren't landing that way. Have plenty of acoustic friends, though, so I'm still playing a bit with folks. More when the weather warms up. Already have seven acoustic gigs lined up for spring and summer.

 

[Br1ck]

Regarding performers and pianos, every concert pianist of note has a provision in their contract to provide a piano of their choice for their performance, otherwise they are wide open to being subjected to community hall pianos in various conditions. My wife ran a youth orchestra and hired pros all the time. I'd call this the level of the prima donna performer or second tier. They were very good, but not major orchestra good. Steinway at $2K was usually the piano of choice. Even if the venue had one, the major piano rental companies were a sure thing as far as condition was concerned. The venues put off those necessary rebuilds. Two guys show up at the venue with a piano prior to rehearsal, tune the piano, then return the day of the performance and tune it again and get the artist thumbs up. Next day they pick up the piano. First question, do you want a New York or Hamberg Steinway. Interesting view into a world I didn't know existed.

 

[fronobulax]

Regarding performers and pianos, every concert pianist of note has a provision in their contract to provide a piano of their choice for their performance, otherwise they are wide open to being subjected to community hall pianos in various conditions. My wife ran a youth orchestra and hired pros all the time. I'd call this the level of the prima donna performer or second tier. They were very good, but not major orchestra good. Steinway at $2K was usually the piano of choice. Even if the venue had one, the major piano rental companies were a sure thing as far as condition was concerned. The venues put off those necessary rebuilds. Two guys show up at the venue with a piano prior to rehearsal, tune the piano, then return the day of the performance and tune it again and get the artist thumbs up. Next day they pick up the piano. First question, do you want a New York or Hamberg Steinway. Interesting view into a world I didn't know existed.

Organists, on the other hand have no choice. If they have concerns about the instrument then they don't accept the gig. The real good ones will ask a lot of questions about the instrument, perhaps even reviewing build and repair history and then tailor their program so the selections showcase the strengths of the instrument or at least the styles it was designed to play.

 

[GF60]

All acoustic, all the time. I owned a MIM strat about 35 years ago, but didn't play it much and sold it after a couple of years.

 

[Roland]

I have two acoustic guitars and one electric. I haven't played the electric for more than a year.

 

[merlin6666]

I have a couple of electrics from my youth stored at my mother's house but I sold the huge amp a few years ago. My two Ovations are AE but I have never plugged them in. I don't really perform with guitars but participate in acoustic jams where amplification is verboten. So yeah I'd say 100% acoustic and don't want it any other way.

 

[Bernie]

I play only acoustic these days. The electric guitar was my 1st instrument at a time when I was younger, and playing in bands. I had bad experiences, especially with selfish nasty singers, which got me into taking the role, as I didn't accept to be a slave nor a servant for people with poor artistic qualities at the time. I started to train hard as a rhythm guitar player to accompany myself singing, which was difficult for me. For some reason the acoustic guitar was the thing for the job I found, giving me more freedom, and a better percussive side in my opinion. I'd love to have a band and to play electric, but it seems my current approach to my part doesn't fit with what other musicians I've met expect. As I don't think it would be right to give up on what matters to me, I end up working alone and therefore acoustic, leaving my Tele unplayed...

 

[Stuball48]

95% acoustic but did pick up my X 170 this morning and plugged it into my old Univox 45B tube amp and really enjoyed it. Will do it again but love acoustics more.

 

[M.S.Cone]

I'm 45 now, started playing in 1992, and have always subscribed to the Neil Young approach. When you want to rock out, grab an electric (in my case, a hollow body Guild) and turn it up, and when you want to play nice introspective music, grab an acoustic and enjoy. Both are great!