For guitarists seeking tonal versatility and seamless transitions between acoustic and electric sounds, the Hybrid Guitar emerges as a compelling solution. Bridging the gap between two distinct instrument categories, a hybrid guitar offers the warmth and resonance of an acoustic alongside the bite and sustain of an electric, all while maintaining the comfortable playability electric guitarists are accustomed to.
Since 2015, hybrid guitars have become an integral part of my performance setup. The ability to create rich, layered loops with acoustic textures and then seamlessly transition into soaring electric guitar solos through a multi-effects processor has revolutionized my sound. Previously, I relied on a traditional concert-sized acoustic guitar for looping, switching to electric effects for solos. However, pushing overdrive through a piezo pickup on an acoustic often resulted in a less-than-ideal tone.
Discovering the world of hybrid guitars ignited a quest for the perfect instrument. My exploration began with readily available models. The Ibanez Montage, while delivering a familiar acoustic tone in a full-sized body, felt lacking in its electric guitar voices. I also experimented with the Italia hybrid guitar, Dean Colt, and hybrid offerings from Gibson and PRS. While each had its merits, none quite captured the specific sonic blend I envisioned. A recurring theme emerged: hybrids with metal bridges tended to sound thin acoustically, struggling to emulate the full-bodied sound of a dedicated acoustic guitar when amplified. However, the piezo pickups integrated into these metal bridges proved useful for shaping tone when blended with magnetic pickups, offering interesting sonic textures.
My hands-on experience with various hybrids eventually led me to focus on three models that truly stood out and left a lasting impression.
Michael Kelly Hybrid Special: Electric Focus with Acoustic Versatility
The Michael Kelly Hybrid Special, typically priced between $799 and $999, excels as a hybrid guitar for players who primarily operate in the electric guitar realm but require access to authentic acoustic tones within the same instrument.
This semi-hollow guitar is equipped with humbucker pickups featuring coil-tapping, providing a wide range of excellent electric guitar tones. Its 24.75-inch scale length offers a familiar feel, reminiscent of a Les Paul, contributing to comfortable playability. Visually, the Michael Kelly Hybrid Special is also quite striking.
On the acoustic side, the Fishman Powerchip circuitry delivers a respectable acoustic tone. However, due to the solid wood construction beneath the bridge, it doesn’t quite achieve the full acoustic resonance of hybrids with hollowed-out bridge areas. Despite this, with careful EQ adjustments, you can coax substantial acoustic tones from it, making it a viable option for acoustic passages.
The true strength of the Michael Kelly Hybrid Special lies in its tonal blending capabilities. By combining the piezo transducer with the magnetic pickups, a vast sonic palette unfolds. It features a 3-way toggle switch for the humbuckers and a separate 3-way switch to select between magnetic pickups, piezo transducer, or a blend of both.
The possibilities for tone shaping are extensive, especially when leveraging the coil-tapping humbuckers in conjunction with the piezo. Among the three models highlighted here, the Michael Kelly Hybrid Special offers the broadest range of sonic textures. Furthermore, its Y-cable-friendly output jack allows for routing the acoustic and electric signals to separate amplifiers, a feature I haven’t fully explored but one that holds potential for optimizing the acoustic sound.
The guitar comes standard with light gauge strings (10-46), but I recommend upgrading to at least 11-49 gauge strings on hybrid guitars. This heavier gauge can contribute to a fuller acoustic tone and improved overall performance. The Michael Kelly Hybrid Special stands out as a tonally versatile hybrid guitar and a valuable addition to any guitarist’s collection.
Taylor T5 and T5Z: Exquisite Electric Tones with a Unique Acoustic Flavor
The Taylor T5 and T5Z, with street prices ranging from $1899 to around $3799, are undeniably beautiful instruments. Their electric tones are exceptional, showcasing the inherent character of the hollow body design, resulting in a rich and captivating sound. However, the acoustic tone initially presented a challenge for me. It wasn’t necessarily a bad sound, but it diverged significantly from my expectations. In fact, I almost considered selling my T5Z before embarking on a modification that ultimately transformed it into an instrument I deeply appreciate.
My purchase was made online, without the opportunity to audition the guitar in person. I relied on reviews and Taylor’s official demo videos to inform my decision. Ultimately, I found my T5Z on eBay and made the purchase. Upon plugging it in, the acoustic sound proved to be a disappointment. It was clear that it wouldn’t serve as a direct replacement for my dedicated electric-acoustic setup. The acoustic voice was simply unlike what I anticipated. This came as a surprise, as the demo videos had portrayed a more conventional acoustic sound.
The T5’s acoustic sound originates from a body sensor pickup adhered to the underside of the top. This unique pickup system produces a distinctive tone. Interestingly, two individuals have remarked that its acoustic sound reminds them of a harpsichord. This highlights the T5’s sonic individuality in its acoustic mode.
While the T5 enjoys considerable popularity in its stock configuration, I suspect many buyers, like myself, are drawn to it online with the expectation of a sound closely resembling a traditional acoustic guitar. However, the T5’s acoustic voice is distinctly different. Therefore, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate the acoustic tone in videos or, ideally, audition the guitar in person to determine if it aligns with your sonic preferences.
For those willing to make a minor modification involving drilling a couple of holes, the Taylor T5 can be unlocked to produce truly remarkable acoustic tones. I installed a Fishman Matrix Infinity under-saddle transducer in my T5Z, and it now authentically captures the sound of a plugged-in acoustic guitar. This upgrade, costing approximately $300 for parts and labor, is a worthwhile investment to realize the full potential of the Taylor T5 and T5Z as a hybrid guitar. The Matrix Infinity includes a bass boost switch, which I highly recommend engaging to enhance the fullness of the sound, particularly in thin-body guitars like the T5.
Godin A6 Ultra: The Best of Both Worlds, Right Out of the Box
In my experience, the Godin A6 Ultra, priced between $1125 and $1250, stands out as the best-sounding hybrid guitar right out of the box. It excels in delivering both convincing electric and acoustic tones, precisely what many guitarists seek in a hybrid instrument – the ability to seamlessly transition between authentic sounds from both sonic realms. This achievement can be attributed to its two-chambered body design and under-saddle pickup system. It features a single magnetic pickup at the neck position with bass and treble tone controls. The active under-saddle pickup is complemented by a three-band EQ, which effectively shapes the acoustic tones to closely emulate a traditional electric-acoustic guitar. I’ve tested the Godin A6 alongside a variety of acoustic guitars in my shop, and it consistently holds its own in terms of acoustic sound quality. In direct comparisons with the Taylor T5 and its body sensor pickup, and the Michael Kelly Hybrid Special, the Godin A6 emerges as the clear winner in acoustic tone in my assessment.
The A6 is factory-strung with 12-gauge strings, but I opted for 11-49 gauge strings on mine to facilitate easier bending for guitar solos. It plays exceptionally well, and I find it a joy to perform with.
If there’s a potential drawback to the A6, it might be the absence of a bridge pickup, which some players might consider essential for a complete tonal palette. While the guitar sounds fantastic as is, I personally appreciate having a wider range of tonal options from magnetic pickups. This led me to upgrade my A6 with a Seymour Duncan P-Rail pickup and a Triple Shot mounting ring. This combination unlocks four distinct tones from a single pickup: humbucker in series and parallel, single-coil, and P90. These pickups sound phenomenal, and with a set of them, you can achieve a remarkable 24 different tones by utilizing the Triple Shot mounting ring switches in conjunction with a 3-way toggle switch.
Fender Acoustasonic: A Promising New Contender
One more hybrid guitar deserves mention, although I haven’t yet had the opportunity to play one myself: the Fender Acoustasonic, introduced in 2019. I anticipate acquiring one for my shop soon and sharing my firsthand impressions. It appears to be a highly versatile instrument.
The prospect of playing a hybrid guitar bearing the Fender name is particularly exciting, given my long history with Fender guitars dating back to my early days as an electric guitarist.
Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect Hybrid
In conclusion, I hope this exploration of hybrid guitars has provided valuable insights for those considering venturing into this versatile instrument category. Feel free to leave comments or questions below, and I’ll do my best to respond. To experience these hybrid guitars firsthand, visit Guitars On Main’s Hybrid Guitar Collection online or at our shop located at 84 E. Main Street Mount Joy, PA.
Update: Fender Acoustasonic vs. Godin A6 and More (02/23/20)
I recently had the chance to directly compare the Fender Acoustasonic to the Godin A6. The Fender Acoustasonic incorporates guitar modeling electronics, offering ten distinct tone selections. All of them sound impressive, but one particular voice stood out to me as most natural: position 4 (Alternative Acoustics) in mode B, modeled after a Sitka Spruce/Mahogany Dreadnought.
Did the Fender Acoustasonic’s acoustic tone measure up to the Godin A6? I believe it performed admirably, and I would be comfortable performing with the acoustic sound produced by the Fender.
One notable difference emerged in an unplugged comparison: the Godin A6 is noticeably louder and resonates with a richer acoustic quality. Its tonewood is clearly more sonically active when played acoustically. When amplified, the A6 still captures a more pronounced hollow-body character compared to the Fender. Being unfiltered by modeling electronics, the A6’s amplified acoustic tone sounds more organic and full-bodied. However, “better” tone is subjective. Both guitars undeniably deliver excellent amplified acoustic guitar sounds. I plan to create a video comparing these two guitars in the near future so you can hear them side-by-side and form your own opinion.
The Fender Acoustasonic’s extensive tone options are a major selling point, ensuring a sound for almost every player’s preference. It even features a pleasing built-in overdriven electric guitar tone. When connected to a PA system and used with a looper, the Acoustasonic opens up exciting creative possibilities. For my personal needs, particularly for guitar solos requiring more aggressive drive, I would need to explore its capabilities further with an external processor.
My initial assessment is that the Acoustasonic is indeed a remarkable hybrid guitar. It’s comfortable to play, lightweight, and delivers excellent tones across the board. There are numerous features warranting deeper discussion, which I’ll address in my next update.
Despite its impressive qualities, I don’t foresee the Acoustasonic replacing my Godin A6 in my performance setup. The Godin’s dual outputs, allowing separate routing for the acoustic and magnetic pickups, remain a key advantage. In my experience, hybrid guitars truly shine when utilized with two amplifiers, enabling optimal capture of their diverse sonic capabilities.
For most players seeking a hybrid guitar, I still believe the Godin A6 is the most compelling solution out of the box. It offers affordability, exceptional build quality, and outstanding sound. While the Taylor and Fender offer greater tonal variety, they come at a significantly higher price point.
Another hybrid guitar I compared today was the three-voice Godin LGXT. It occupies a slightly different category compared to the other guitars discussed. It features a solid body and is strung with lighter gauge strings. I was impressed by its acoustic sound, especially considering its lack of hollow chambers. It incorporates a Custom RMC bridge with a preamp EQ, which generates acoustic guitar-like sounds. Boosting the bass frequencies helps to enhance the fullness. While not as convincingly acoustic as the other hybrids discussed, I believe it’s sufficiently capable. I’ll gain a clearer perspective once I have the opportunity to use it in a band performance and assess its presence in a mix. I plan to install NYXL 11-gauge strings to better accommodate heavier strumming.
The LGXT also features two Seymour Duncan pickups and a MIDI jack, enabling connection to synthesizers. This is a very appealing feature, allowing the guitar to emulate a wide range of instruments. This would be particularly useful for recording or performing songs requiring keyboard parts, enabling guitarists to cover those sonic territories. Furthermore, individual strings can be programmed to trigger different instruments, for example, assigning bass guitar to strings 4-6 and piano to strings 1-3, essentially creating a self-contained jazz ensemble. I hope to acquire a synthesizer in the near future to explore the MIDI capabilities of the LGXT.
In conclusion, all these hybrid guitars are exceptional instruments in their own right. However, the Taylor T5, when modified with the Fishman under-saddle pickup, remains my personal favorite within this group. While I utilize my Godin A6 almost equally in live performances, there’s a unique sonic quality to the modified Taylor T5 that I find particularly captivating. If your budget allows, the Taylor T5 is a worthwhile investment. You may even find the stock acoustic body sensor pickup to your liking. But if not, the Fishman upgrade is a highly recommended enhancement that elevates the T5 to another level.
