What kind of music do you like? Classic rock? Folk? How about jazz? Classical? Country? Hip-hop? New age? Music has always been one of the most beloved pastimes enjoyed almost universally, but some people do not know how many similarities exist among these styles. For example, did you know that virtually all the genres listed above make use of at least one electro acoustic guitar?

The versatility of the guitar is evident in instruments such as the electro acoustic guitar. This type of guitar allows you to play many different types of songs, anything from the most quiet and soothing lullaby to a frenetic and invigorating rock anthem. While you can use this instrument as an acoustic guitar for a more low-key effect, you can also take advantage of its electric capabilities to really grab someone's attention.

The main difference between acoustic guitars and electric guitars is that the former can be played without an amplifier or cables. Thus, the acoustic has been traditionally used in genres that call for a quieter, more soothing sound. It is sometimes played with a guitar pick, or sometimes strummed with the fingertips. Either way, its tones are mellow and calming.

The electric requires an amplifier and cable to connect it to the guitar. It is almost always played with a pick. The electric can arguably be used to create a greater range of sound styles than the acoustic, because it has one important advantage: it can be used with an effects pedal.

These pedals, which are connected to both the guitar and the amplifier, enable the musician to dramatically change the sounds his guitar produces. For example, he can use an echo effect to delay the emergence of sound from his instrument, or he can use a pedal to create the effect called "distortion" that is widely popular in rock music today.

This difference is significant, but there is a way of bridging the gap: the electro acoustic guitar. This guitar frequently looks like an acoustic, but it has what is called a "pick up" that allows the musician to plug his instrument into an amplifier. The musician can thus achieve the best of both worlds: he marries the soothing tones of the acoustic with the effects and volume possibilities of the electric. For any player who wants to bridge genres, the electro acoustic guitar is a must-have!