[ManUtd09]

was wondering what is the difference b/t the electro-acoustic guitar and the Semi-acoustic guitar? Also do these types of guitar need(must have) an amp or one can play one or both of these guitars without an amp? and are either of these good for beginners?

[Stratrat]

I don't know that I've ever heard the term "semi-acoustic" - but an electro-acoustic is simply an acoustic guitar with some kind of pickup/mic attached that can be played amplified.

Yes, they can be played without an amp - they sound like a regular un-amplified acoustic guitar. When you plug them in, they sound like an acoustic guitar - but louder.

There's nothing about them that would *not* make them a good beginner's guitar....just like any other acoustic, as long as you get a good one it'll be fine. The only downside is that they normally cost more than their un-amplified counterparts.

[gasbag]

A semi-acoustic guitar is a hollow body guitar with one or more pickups. The Les Paul Signature model is an example. They are used for jazz quite a bit.

[karcey]

Welcome to the forum,
These names mean exactly the same thing. The 'acoustic' part of the name means the guitar makes its sound by vibrations of the top (soundboard). So that includes everything that can be played without the need of amplification.
The 'semi' or 'electric' or 'electro' name means that it is wired for sound. In general terms it's a normal acoustic guitar with a pickup of some sort that can plug into an amplifier. This overcomes the problem of playing an acoustic in a large venue and trying to get a microphone in exactly the right place to pick up the sound.
For a beginner there's a simple choice. If you need to make more noise than an ordinary acoustic, or if you need to record your efforts, then a semi is great. If you are happy with the noise level without amplification, and you think you can sit in front of a microphone to record, then you don't need to spend the extra money. (Yes, they are more expensive or there's a trade off in quality)

[ManUtd09]

ok cool, think i get it now thanks for the help

[thodwris]

Hello and welcome to the forum...
I know three types of guitars,the electric,the nylon string and the steel string.The nylon is what you will hear as the classic guitar while the steel string is the acoustic one.I think that the semi-acoustic and the electro-acoustic are one and the same.As Karcey sais they are called like that because they contain a pickup inside and they can be played with an amp.The electro-acoustic can be played without one also,it is not like the electric.The difference is that just by using an amp,you can add effects to it and play it a lot louder.The price of the electro-acoustic is a bit higher because of the pickup.In the web you will find exactly the same guitar(same company,some woods)sold at about 50 euro more expensive that a simple acoustic.The reason as I said is simply the pickup...So it is up to you,what you are after with the guitar you want to buy and budget...The best of luck making the best decision...

[scotty_b]

Electric acoustic is simply an acoustic steel-string with a pickup in it. A semi-acoustic is a guitar with a guitar that is primarily designed to be played as an electric, but is either a hollow-body or has tone chambers in it. Something like a Gibson 175 would be a good example of this type of guitar. I own an Ibanez AF195, and I wouldn't recommend playing it without an amp.