Should I Use an Electro Acoustic Guitar - What's the Difference?

Before I delve into my personal preferences and the advantages and disadvantages of electro acoustic guitars, let me explain what an electro acoustic actually is.

Otherwise known as a semi acoustic, an electro acoustic guitar is a combination of an electric guitar and an acoustic guitar. Although the electro acoustic guitar adopts the look of an acoustic, it isn't strictly the same. Because it has built-in pick-ups you are able to play your acoustic guitar through an amplifier.

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Pick-ups can be found in electric guitars. They literally pick-up the sound of the strings and play them through an amp. Unlike an electric guitar, an electro acoustic can be played without an amp as it adopts the hollow hole in a normal acoustic which acts as a natural amplifier.   

Do Electro Acoustic Guitars have a good sound?

Acoustic guitars have an arguably better sound quality and tone, as the sound that is produced is completely natural. In a sense I tend to agree but in certain circumstances a semi- acoustic is a much better choice to go with.

For example, when playing live in front of an audience an electro acoustic guitar is a clear winner as it doesn't restrict your movements whereas an acoustic guitar does as it must be miked up. Basically, it needs to have microphones surrounding it in order to be heard by the audience. 

Then again, as mentioned before an acoustic guitar does have an extremely good sound compared to an electro acoustic. So the guitar you choose is dependant on what type of music you play and what type of purpose you will need the guitar for.

What would I use an Electro Acoustic Guitar for?

If you need a guitar for recording and general practice and playing I would recommend buying a very nice acoustic as it harbors superior sound qualities. However if you need an acoustic for live concerts I would recommend you buy an electro acoustic as it doesn't restrict your movements while on the stage.
 

You can of course buy electro acoustic guitars that have extremely nice sounds. Although it will cost you money, it might be worth it to have an electro acoustic guitar that can be used for recording, playing and live performances. 

Personally I have an acoustic and an electro acoustic guitar. The best thing you can do is go to a guitar shop and listen to the sound qualities of both. You will then need to deicide whether you think the sound quality has been compromised.

You can then weigh up the advantages of both, letting you make a personal but informed decision.  As a final option, if you require a stage guitar but do not want to compromise the acoustic sound quality, you can buy a normal acoustic and customize it so that it has pick-ups on it allowing you to amplify the guitar. Or perhaps you don't mind being stationary when you play on stage allowing you to use an acoustic normally.