Yes, some beginners get a semi-acoustic for its ability to be played unplugged and still sound good. It may or may not be ideal for all music styles, but, for the most part, it can be made to emulate the tone of an electric guitar to a certain extent. Try one at the music store to get a feel of it and the tone. Also, you can always switch to an electric guitar since the amp, and your familiarity with the settings, such as tone, gain etc., will make for an effortless transition.