Center block of semi hollows electric guitars
- Thread starter Wayne27
- Start date
dystrust
Well-known member
Re: Center block of semi hollows electric guitars
I can't speak for all semi-hollows, but my ES-335 has a solid center block, as did the Hamer Echotone that preceded it.
I can't speak for all semi-hollows, but my ES-335 has a solid center block, as did the Hamer Echotone that preceded it.
Chris Pile
Well-known member
Re: Center block of semi hollows electric guitars
Usually the thicker the wood the less sensitive to humidity and barometric changes.
Usually the thicker the wood the less sensitive to humidity and barometric changes.
ItsaBass
New member
Re: Center block of semi hollows electric guitars
Yes, they can be, a little more than solid body guitars...but it's most likely going to have little effect on anything except the finish. IME, hollows and semi-hollows are more likely to have dramatically checked bodies than are solid body guitars.
Yes, they can be, a little more than solid body guitars...but it's most likely going to have little effect on anything except the finish. IME, hollows and semi-hollows are more likely to have dramatically checked bodies than are solid body guitars.
Re: Center block of semi hollows electric guitars
As far as guitars go, I think for the most part, solid woods have a lot more benefits than downsides. Humidity wouldn't be a reason to pick plywood over solid wood. But in the end, just make sure you have a healthy environment for your guitar. If you live in a dry area, know the humidity in the room you keep your guitar and adjust it. Where I live, it is near 100% humidity daily, so that is never a concern.
As far as guitars go, I think for the most part, solid woods have a lot more benefits than downsides. Humidity wouldn't be a reason to pick plywood over solid wood. But in the end, just make sure you have a healthy environment for your guitar. If you live in a dry area, know the humidity in the room you keep your guitar and adjust it. Where I live, it is near 100% humidity daily, so that is never a concern.
Re: Center block of semi hollows electric guitars
More like the wood of the body under the finish can contract and cause it. I don't think it is a center block issue.
More like the wood of the body under the finish can contract and cause it. I don't think it is a center block issue.
Chris Pile
Well-known member
Re: Center block of semi hollows electric guitars
Checking occurs because wood and finishes expand and contract at different rates.
Checking occurs because wood and finishes expand and contract at different rates.
Re: Center block of semi hollows electric guitars
That's a better explanation than mine.
That's a better explanation than mine.
DavidRavenMoon
New member
Center block of semi hollows electric guitars
The block is solid maple, but there’s a piece of spruce between the block and the top to fill the space.
Finish checking is just in the finish. Has little to do with the wood. You can make the finish check by freezing it with one of those air spay cans.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The block is solid maple, but there’s a piece of spruce between the block and the top to fill the space.
Finish checking is just in the finish. Has little to do with the wood. You can make the finish check by freezing it with one of those air spay cans.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Re: Center block of semi hollows electric guitars
Exactly. And it is usually temperature related. Sudden cooling causes the finish to contract more rapidly than the wood causing checking. Sudden warming = just the opposite. That's why you should always leave your guitar in its case for a while before opening if coming in from a cold environment...let the finish and wood slowly/gradually/uniformly warm up to room temp. And vice versa if going from a hot environment to a cold one.
Exactly. And it is usually temperature related. Sudden cooling causes the finish to contract more rapidly than the wood causing checking. Sudden warming = just the opposite. That's why you should always leave your guitar in its case for a while before opening if coming in from a cold environment...let the finish and wood slowly/gradually/uniformly warm up to room temp. And vice versa if going from a hot environment to a cold one.
Last edited:
Re: Center block of semi hollows electric guitars
I read online that checking usually occurs on nitrocellulose finishes. Not Polyurethane.
I read online that checking usually occurs on nitrocellulose finishes. Not Polyurethane.
Chris Pile
Well-known member
Re: Center block of semi hollows electric guitars
And how many times has the internet been wrong?
When poly checks, it's UGLY - big cracks. Like tectonic plates shifting.
And how many times has the internet been wrong?
When poly checks, it's UGLY - big cracks. Like tectonic plates shifting.
Chris Pile
Well-known member
Re: Center block of semi hollows electric guitars
Back in the 80's, had a client drive 2 hours in the dead of January to have his vintage Les Paul refretted. Instead of putting the guitar in the back seat, he had it in the trunk. I didn't know. He walked in with it, and opened the case..... You heard this weird sizzling as the cracks spiderwebbed across the goldtop, then it fogged up. I tried to close the case, but it was too late. He thought I could fix it.... Boy, was he sad.
Back in the 80's, had a client drive 2 hours in the dead of January to have his vintage Les Paul refretted. Instead of putting the guitar in the back seat, he had it in the trunk. I didn't know. He walked in with it, and opened the case..... You heard this weird sizzling as the cracks spiderwebbed across the goldtop, then it fogged up. I tried to close the case, but it was too late. He thought I could fix it.... Boy, was he sad.
