Choosing an instrument to play can take you a lot of time to consider. If you like electric stringed instruments, you can choose an electric guitar or an electric ukulele.
These two instruments have some similarities, but they are mainly different. Today, let’s learn about the electric ukulele and electric guitar.
What is an electric ukulele?
An electric ukulele is a type of ukulele that requires an amplifier to project the sound.
An electric ukulele uses steel strings and magnetic pickups and it is solid-body. It also has 4 strings G-C-E-A as the acoustic counterparts.
What is an electric guitar?
An electric guitar is a type of guitar that uses magnetic pickups and steel strings.
The pickups will convert the vibrations made from strings into electrical signals. Then, an external amplifier connecting with the guitar will make the sounds louder.
The similarities between an electric ukulele and an electric guitar
There are 2 similarities between these two instruments.
First, both electric ukuleles and guitars use steel strings and magnetic pickups. Then, they will amplify the produced sounds through an external amplifier.
Second, the body shapes of the electric ukulele and electric guitar are the same. Both of them are solid-body with no sound hollow.
The differences between an electric ukulele and an electric guitar
The most obvious difference between electric ukuleles and electric guitars is their sizes. Electric ukuleles are much smaller than electric guitars.
Besides, electric ukulele and electric guitars have different numbers of strings. An electric ukulele has 4 strings which are G, C, E, A. Meanwhile, an electric guitar has 6 strings of E, A, D, G, B, E.
Their order of the strings is also different from each other. The strings order of an electric guitar is from the lowest to highest. In an electric ukulele, the strings don’t follow the low-to-high order.
An electric guitar also has a wider range of frets. It can play at least 18 notes, while this number of an electric ukulele is 12.
Another difference between these two instruments is the produced sounds. Because of the larger size, an electric guitar will make full and louder sounds. The sounds produced by an electric ukulele are lighter and brighter.
Which one should you choose, an electric ukulele or an electric guitar?
To choose a suitable instrument, you should consider its pros and cons. Then, compare with your indented uses to pick the right one.
Pros and cons of an electric ukulele
- Pros
Because of the smaller size, a ukulele is more portable than an electric guitar. It is easier to manage with children or people with small hands.
The learning curve of an electric ukulele is also simpler than that of an electric guitar. So, with an electric ukulele, you can make music and play songs faster.
The price of a new electric ukulele is also lower than an electric guitar.
- Cons
People with large hands may feel struggle when playing with an electric ukulele. Besides, an electric ukulele has a smaller range of tones.
Thus, there are fewer songs or music lessons to practice with an electric ukulele.
Pros and cons of an electric guitar
- Pros
With an electric guitar, you can play many musical styles. It also has a wider range of tones than an electric ukulele.
So, there are more music lessons to practice than using an electric ukulele. Besides, an electric guitar is also a suitable instrument for those with large hands.
- Cons
The larger size makes an electric guitar harder to carry than an electric ukulele.
Besides, the learning curve of an electric guitar is steeper, so it takes you more time to start playing. An electric guitar is also more expensive than an electric ukulele.
Conclusion
Electric ukuleles and electric guitars are two different instruments. They have advantages and disadvantages. If you are hesitating between them, consider well before making your choice. We hope that with the provided information, you can choose a suitable instrument.
