As broad as their sounds are, there are several very distinct similarities and differences between electric and acoustic guitars. For instance, both utilize the use of a body for the neck to attach to and a neck with frets for finger placement. The strings attach to the lower end of the body and go all the way to the head, or the top of the neck. They both use strings that vary in gauge, or size, which are vital to produce sound when they are picked, hammered on, or strummed as a group. Similarly, each is tuned in the same manner to produce the proper tone desired. An acoustic guitar needs no amplifier to make its sound loud enough to be heard. An acoustic guitar uses the body of the guitar as its amplifier. Because the body is very thick and hollow it is able to project its own natural sound loudly. This makes it very portable and capable of being played virtually anywhere.