How to Get an Acoustic Tone on an Electric Guitar

Getting an acoustic tone from an electric guitar might sound like trying to bake a cake in a toaster. But don’t worry, it’s not as impossible as it seems. Whether you’re looking for more versatility in your performances or just want to experiment with different sounds, there are a few tricks and tools to help you achieve that warm, resonant acoustic vibe with your electric guitar.

Choosing the Right Electric Guitar

The first step in transforming your electric guitar’s tone is to consider the guitar itself. While any electric guitar can be adjusted to produce an acoustic-like sound, some are more naturally suited for it. Hollow-body and semi-hollow guitars are great candidates because their construction allows for a more resonant and warm tone compared to solid-body guitars. Brands like Gibson and Gretsch offer models that naturally lean towards an acoustic sound.

However, if you’re working with a solid-body guitar, don’t worry. You can still achieve a decent acoustic tone by focusing on other aspects of your setup. Many guitarists use Stratocasters or Telecasters to mimic acoustic sounds, thanks to their bright and clear tonal qualities.

So, should you rush out and buy a new guitar if yours doesn’t fit the bill? Not necessarily. You can achieve a lot with the right pickups, pedals, and playing technique, which we’ll cover next. But if you’re considering a new purchase and acoustic tone is a priority, keep the guitar’s body type in mind.

Pickups and Their Role

Pickups play a crucial role in shaping your guitar’s tone. If you’re aiming for an acoustic sound, consider swapping your standard electric guitar pickups for piezo pickups. Piezo pickups are designed to capture the natural vibrations of the guitar strings and body, offering a more acoustic-like tone.

Many electric guitars don’t come with piezo pickups as standard, but they’re available as aftermarket options. Some guitarists also opt for hybrid pickup systems, which combine magnetic and piezo pickups to offer a wide range of tonal possibilities. This setup lets you blend the bright, sharp sound of a standard electric pickup with the warm, full-bodied tone of a piezo.

Alternatively, some companies offer acoustic simulator pedals that emulate the sound of acoustic guitar pickups, even if your guitar doesn’t have them. These can be a more budget-friendly and less invasive way to get that acoustic vibe without modifying your instrument.

Tweaking Your Amp Settings

Sometimes, all it takes is a little tweaking of your amp settings to get closer to that acoustic tone. Start by selecting a clean channel on your amplifier, as distortion tends to muddy the sound. From there, adjust the EQ settings:

• Treble: Increase the treble to add brightness and clarity to your sound.
• Mid: Lower the midrange slightly to avoid a muddy sound.
• Bass: Keep the bass moderate to maintain a balanced tone.

Experiment with these settings to find the sweet spot that gives your electric guitar an acoustic-like feel. Every amp is different, so don’t be afraid to spend some time dialing in the perfect sound. Additionally, consider using an amp modeler or digital effects unit that has acoustic amp simulations, as these can help further refine your tone.

Using Acoustic Simulator Pedals

Acoustic simulator pedals are a game-changer for electric guitarists looking to capture that acoustic sound. These pedals are designed to mimic the tonal characteristics of an acoustic guitar and can be a quick and easy way to achieve the desired effect.

Brands like Boss, Mooer, and Zoom offer popular options that can be integrated into your pedalboard. These pedals usually have controls for adjusting the body and top of the simulated acoustic sound, allowing you to personalize the tone to your liking.

When using an acoustic simulator pedal, try placing it early in your signal chain, right after your guitar and before any other effects. This placement helps preserve the acoustic character of your sound before it’s colored by other effects.

While these pedals can provide a convenient solution, it’s important to remember that they won’t perfectly replicate the sound of an actual acoustic guitar. However, with some experimentation, you can get surprisingly close.

Exploring Effects for Acoustic Tone

Beyond acoustic simulator pedals, several other effects can help enhance the acoustic quality of your electric guitar tone. Reverb and chorus are particularly effective at adding depth and resonance to your sound.

Reverb: A good reverb pedal can simulate the natural resonance of an acoustic guitar body. Experiment with different reverb types and settings to find one that complements your acoustic simulation.

Chorus: Adding a subtle chorus effect can thicken your sound, making it more lush and vibrant—qualities often associated with acoustic guitars.

Delay is another effect worth exploring. A short, subtle delay can add a sense of space and dimension to your sound, further enhancing the acoustic feel.

Remember, effects should enhance, not overpower your sound. Use them sparingly to maintain clarity and definition in your tone.

Adjusting Your Playing Technique

Technique plays an equally important role in achieving an acoustic sound with an electric guitar. Adjusting your picking and strumming technique can significantly influence the tone you produce.

Pick Choice: Consider using a lighter pick or even your fingers when playing. This can create a softer, more natural sound, similar to fingerpicking on an acoustic guitar.

Strumming Patterns: Focus on strumming patterns commonly used in acoustic playing. Incorporate open chords and arpeggios to mimic the typical sound of an acoustic performance.

Additionally, experiment with different dynamics. Acoustic guitars often have a wide dynamic range, so try varying your attack to create a more expressive and nuanced sound.

Utilizing Software and Plugins

In the digital age, software and plugins offer another avenue to achieve an acoustic tone with your electric guitar. Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) like Logic Pro, Ableton Live, and Cubase feature plugins that can transform your electric guitar’s sound.

Acoustic guitar simulation plugins are designed to emulate the sound of various acoustic guitar models. By using these plugins, you can record your electric guitar and apply the acoustic simulation effect during the mixing process.

Another option is to use impulse responses (IRs) of acoustic guitars. IRs are essentially digital snapshots of an acoustic guitar’s tonal characteristics. By loading these into your DAW, you can apply them to your electric guitar recordings and achieve a convincing acoustic tone.

While these solutions might require some technical know-how, they offer a powerful way to explore different acoustic sounds without investing in new hardware.

Recording Considerations for Acoustic Tone

When recording your electric guitar with the aim of achieving an acoustic tone, there are a few additional considerations to keep in mind. The recording environment and microphone placement can greatly affect the final sound.

If you’re using an amp, consider using a condenser microphone to capture the nuances of your tone. Place the microphone slightly off-center from the amp speaker to avoid harshness and capture a warmer sound.

For direct recording, consider using a DI box with an acoustic simulator pedal. This setup can help capture a clean, acoustic-like tone straight into your recording interface.

Experiment with different mic placements and recording techniques to find the setup that best captures the sound you’re aiming for. Remember, the recording process is often about trial and error, so be patient and persistent.

Combining Techniques for the Best Results

Achieving an acoustic tone with an electric guitar often requires a combination of techniques. By considering the guitar itself, tweaking your amp settings, utilizing effects pedals, and adjusting your playing technique, you can create a rich and convincing acoustic sound.

Don’t hesitate to try different combinations of these methods to see what works best for you. Sometimes, the most unexpected pairings yield the best results. Trust your ear and enjoy the process of exploring and experimenting with your sound.

Interestingly enough, we’ve found that learning from experienced players can greatly speed up this process. At Riffhard, you can access lessons from some of the world’s top metal guitarists. While these lessons focus on metal, the techniques and insights can be applied across genres, helping you refine your approach to achieving specific tones, including acoustic-like sounds on electric guitars.

Final Thoughts

Transforming your electric guitar tone to mimic an acoustic guitar involves a mix of gear tweaks, technique adjustments, and some creative experimentation. By utilizing the right tools and techniques, you can achieve a warm, resonant acoustic sound that adds versatility to your playing. At Riffhard, we offer resources and lessons that can help you refine your playing and explore a variety of tones, making the journey both fun and rewarding.