I don't have an amp nor do I have any inclination to get one at this stage, so I plan on buying a straight acoustic.
However, I notice that many guitars come with or without the electrics. For example, there is a Taylor 110 (around £450) and a Taylor 110e (around £550). I plan on keeping my next purchase for a significant amount of time, so I am wondering if I should save the extra and buy with electrics now, or leave it and have them retro-fitted when the time comes.
Is that possible and what is the cost likely to be?
I can't tell you what is right for you but I can tell you that I have a Taylor 310 and now wish I had bought the 310ce with the electrics.
If there is no immediate need for electronics, then I personally would buy a straight acoustic. You can later add a sound hole pickup for a reasonable price and have the best of both worlds, IMO. That would also allow you to buy a better pickup as well. Some of the electro/acoutics I've seen and played around with seemed to be a little weak sounding when plugged in.
"Rock And Roll Ain't Noise Pollution"
I'm with Crank-N-Jam on this one. First though, if you have the chance plug in the 110e. That'll give you a feeling of the sound you'd be getting from it, and you have to decide if that's the sound you'll want from an electric/acoustic. If you're just not a big fan of amps, or feel that you dont have a need for one, remember that acoustics can be mic'd as well.
The big thing is that later down the road you dont want to regret what you purchased. If you like the sound of the 110e, and see yourself buying an amp a year from now, then there's really no reason not to. However, if you don't see yourself getting an amp, or even wanting to plug into an amp, you can just as easily mic it.
Another option would be to save up and get both :)
Our songs also have the standard pop format: Verse, chorus, verse, chorus, solo, bad solo. All in all, I think we sound like The Knack and the Bay City Rollers being molested by Black Flag and Black Sabbath.
Kurt Cobain
My first acoustic had no electronics and I put a sound hole one in. The cord hanging out and looks nasty and it does not sound as good as my new Tacoma with electronics. Both guitar sound great unplugged.
I have an elctric/acoustic. about 80% of the time I play it unplugged.
but it's nice and sounds great when I do amp it.
Ive got a Martin 16GTE. a lovely dread cutaway with a Fishman Blender pickup system. it's two pups actually. one a piezo under the saddle and another which is more like a mike to pick up the sound inside the body of the guitar.
I can blend both pups with a slider.
if you are a beginner player. save your money and get a non electric.
when you become a better player you can upgrade.
(there's nothing wrong with having two guitars)
Can't a soundhole pickup be used without having to drill or modify the guitar?
I have a straight acoustic and thought that might be a way for me to easily amplify without modifications or needing a new guitar.
"The details of my life are quite inconsequential." - Dr. Evil
absolutely. you donot have to drill a hole.
there are sound hole pickups that just clip into the hole.
the only problem is that the cord going to the amp is right there on the front. it could get in your way.
but tons of players use sound hole pups that way. so it must not be a big deal.
I imaginge there are sound hole pups that require a jack placed in the strp hole on the bottom of the guitar. some drilling might be needed there.
look at sound hole pups for your options.
Thanks all.
I've had a quick look for sound hole pick ups and they don't look too terrible:
http://www.paxphil.co.kr/eq/B/soundhole.htm
http://www.music123.com/Abilene-PU-100-Acoustic-Guitar-Sound-Hole-Pickup-i99180.music?t=4
And they seem fairly cheap.
I think I will carry on looking at any type of guitar and if I buy one without electrics and I end up wanting them, this looks an okay route.
As has been said, if I get serious about an amp I might want to step up in guitar terms again anyway.
Thanks for all the advice, its much appreciated.
