Semi hollow and solid body differences

[Wayne27]

Does a semi-hollow electric guitar sound similar to a solid body when played through an amp? How do do the chambers of the semi hollow effect tone, and are the effects noticeable when played through an amp?

[Juanhanglo]

Re: Semi hollow and solid body differences

They sound as different plugged in as they do unplugged.

As you pile on gain, the differences become less.

[GuitarStv]

Re: Semi hollow and solid body differences

At loud volume notes on the semi hollow will easily bloom into feedback.

[beaubrummels]

Re: Semi hollow and solid body differences

IME semi hollow tend to be brighter with less sustain (plugged in), but it depends on the design, size and number of other factors also.

[Lewguitar]

Re: Semi hollow and solid body differences

Does a semi-hollow electric guitar sound similar to a solid body when played through an amp? How do do the chambers of the semi hollow effect tone, and are the effects noticeable when played through an amp?

You need to go to a guitar store and ask to play both. Maybe a Les Paul and an ES-335. Epiphone or Gibson...whatever they have to play.

[Mincer]

Re: Semi hollow and solid body differences

Semi hollows have a different attack...the note blooms instead of having a hard attack. Chambered guitars sound the same as solidbodies, to me.

[ehdwuld]

Re: Semi hollow and solid body differences

Back when Gibson had the ES les Paul
I demo'd both and the ES was a bit warmer and smoother
It fit my fingerpicking style of ay much better than the Solid Body

Jerry's 335 sounded beautiful and played so effortlessly

I began my search for an ES LP that was less than $4K to own

I tried the carved body Epiphone Florentine
And like Mincer said it sounds like a solid one, albeit lighter

I ordered one custom from China
But despite what they promised
It too was a carved body

The Dean Shire is a semihollow with bent plywood top and back
And it has that warm airy feedback inducing howl
But it also has a piezo bridge that helps with that
And it is the heaviest guitar I have
Despite the hollow nature

[Wayne27]

Re: Semi hollow and solid body differences

Thanks for the help everyone!

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Semi hollow and solid body differences

They're different but not drastically. I use my semihollows almost interchangeably with my solid guitars. The differences I perceive can be attributed to wood species and build differences too.

[Erlend_G]

Re: Semi hollow and solid body differences

I personally prefer semi-hollows , like my Wildkat (and the casino)- not the really huge "jazz boxes"-

and Thinline telecasters... I think they sound more "exciting" than just solid body guitars.

That said- I've played some stratocasters, that didn't make me want any "semi hollow" features- they were resonant like heck!