Question about Electric Guitars

[Liz]

I bought my DS an electric guitar for Christmas (he's really a drummer but is branching out!) Are they any fun at all if you don't have an amplifier immediately? I mean can they be played like an acoustic guitar for some enjoyment? I feel like I've already spent enough on him for Christmas with this and some other things and don't really want to spend another $85 for the amp. He has a job and I know can afford to buy his own amp with his savings but if it'll just be no fun at all on Christmas day I'll go ahead and get it.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[KarenC]

I'm pretty sure you need an amp. Otherwise you just get a little tinny sound out of it...nothing really to listen to.

 

[WeirdEyes]

I personally wouldn't have an electric guitar without an amp. See if you can get an amp secondhand. Good luck!

 

[MosMom]

They cannot be played like an acoustic guitar. I mean, of course you can play it but it will make virtually no sound. You will really need to get the amp or get an acoustic instead.

 

[luvflorida]

My daughter has an electric guitar and it has an amp, but some days I wish it didn't!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I got my son a small practice amp at the local pawn shop for about $30.

Much easier on the ears at home than the larger ones anyway.

 

[krissy3483]

No amp, no noise. Since electric guitars aren't built like acoustics, they can't make their own sound since it isn't open and hollow There definitely has to be a much more scientific way of saying what I'm trying to say here, but I'm sure you know what I mean.

 

[edcrbnsoul]

There is always this it plugs directly into the jack on the guitar.

http://www.ampuplugnplay.com/

 

[GeorgeG]

Well, maybe...

If the guitar is a "solid" body, which I suspect it is, it just doesn't make any real sound without an amp and $85 is about as inexpensive as you can get for a new amp.

If the guitar is a "hollow" body it can be played without an amp with the sound varying depending on the depth of the body.

There are "acoustic/electric" guitars that are designed to be played with or without the amp.

I would guess an amp would be very much desired in any case.

Go to musiciansfriend.com and look at their line of "Drive" guitar amps. They're advertising 5 models ranging from $40 to $90. I'm not familiar with this brand, but one of these should get him started until he decides to upgrade with his own money. This site will also give you a good idea of where this could go in the future (sticker shock?).

 

[Liz]

Wow! Thanks for all the great responses so quick! Looks like I'll just have to re-evaluate what I'm buying for Christmas and find a way to get the amp too.

 

[Micca]

You might also investigate some kind of amp with headphones option. It takes some of the edge off of practice.