: Acoustic guitar as solo guitar in a band I play acoustic guitar (with a magnetic pickup through an acoustic amp) in a band that also has drums, bass and an electric guitar. I mostly keep the rhythm with chords (I am an

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Just bring the volume of everything right down. It can happen gradually or suddenly. It is quite a dramatic effect, and often gets the crowd actually listening again. Electric guitars can be played well quietly - prove to your guitarist that it can happen! Drums may change to brushes,rutes or even hands, or just play gently, perhaps using cymbals.If the situations in which you play are always very noisy affairs, then this may not be the best plan, but in most other situations, I've seen it work really well.Otherwise, it'll be join the fray and try to beat the volume of everyone else - the oft-seen battle of noise!

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It's partly about the volume but also about the range of frequencies the guitars cover.

An electric guitar (if distorted) covers from quite low - almost bass up to higher middle ('harsh') - quite a broad range and can be a piercing sound if one string is played at a time.

An acoustic guitar covers a broader upper range (you probably notice the "tinkly" higher end of the acoustic over the electric, which is often the magic of an acoustic & electric playing together :-D ), but acoustic overpowers things is it's too loud in the mix so tends to sit little lower in volume.

So while your friend has a point, it's possible to get around it.
The "normal chord playing" part sounds like it's well in control already - no need for change there, I assume.

For solos, consider having an effects box, as Rockin Cowboy suggests. However I'd go a bit beyond just a volume boost. You might find these pedal effects useful:

A compressor : Keeps the sound clean, but fills it out by making quiter parts louder so that the overall sound is nice and even. This will help a lot when playing a solo on an acoustic as it also helps with sustain, which some acoustic guitars lack. Be careful though - too much compression will cause the guitar to feed back through its body, as it tries to make "any" signal louder.
Distortion/Overdrive - if you can't beat 'em join 'em ! Distortion works quite well on an acoustic for solos, if that's a sound you're after. Possible further issues with feedback though.
Most importantly: Graphic equaliser. This could do lots of jobs for you:

1) You can normally set them so that the overall volume is a bit higher than when switched off, so it could help boost the sound for solos

2) You might find as you turn up for a solo, the guitar wants to feed back, normally at the same frequency depending on amp position/room size etc. You can use the graphic eq to turn that feedback frequency down a touch, thus muting the feedback.

3) It'll enable you to choose a goot 'voice' for the guitar while you're soloing. Eg if your electric friend is chugging away on a distorted guitar, you'll possibly need a bit more middle range to help the acoustic punch through a bit.

If it's a question of straight volume, let the amps do that part (or a boost pedal) - I've found the worst thing is to try to project the sound by playing the guitar harder. It normally sounds awful and disappointing, and is much harder to play like that than in your usual comfort zone.

I'd say if you can afford the outlay, try a compressor (mild) and graphic eq. If not, go with Rockin Cowboy's suggestion & just boost the sound a bit.

The alternative is to have everyone else pipe down a bit while you solo - this is a great effect once or twice but it's a bit weird if you do it too often. The song may lose its mojo unintentially.

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It is true that an electric guitar CAN overpower an acoustic guitar and will in most stage settings. But there are things you can do to compensate for this. I would suggest a simple "Boost" stomp box that you can run your acoustic through which will give you the ability to add a 10 - 20 db boost (depending on which box) by simply stepping on the foot switch during your solo or intro. Also, the electric guitar player can switch to a clean signal, different pickup or use a volume pedal (or even the volume control on the guitar) to tone down the electric when you are playing the lead and he is playing the rhythm. You run your guitar cable into the box and then a second cable from the box to the PA or amplifier.

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Here are a couple of suggestions to address your question.

If you and your band mates can agree on always "making room" for whatever instrument is taking a solo, that is bound to help.

Many electric guitar players ( and I am one) believe a certain level of volume is essential to producing a desired tone. Making that principle secondary to the one above could help you a lot. Another way of saying it: Make it more important to serve the purposes of the song as rendered by the whole band than it is to serve the purposes of the individual playing his/her instrument.

While making room for the soloist can clearly be helped by lowering volume, that is probably the least interesting method. Choosing to refrain from playing every beat of the measure, and in the case of an accompanying guitar, other than all six strings at any one time will do even more to take the mud out of your arrangement.

A final consideration: If you ever listened to the great Leo Kottke, you know the potential impact of a well-amplified acoustic guitar. However, if your sound set up does not get you to the level of intensity you are seeking, again to serve the song, perhaps another instrument should take the solo. But get everyone else to back off at least one time before you decide this.