Chambered vs. solid
- Thread starter SJ318
- Start date
Re: Chambered vs. solid
Impossible to tell.
Wood is not homogeneous - its not like a maths problem where you could start with say a steel casting which has a known makeup - and be able to predict based on an algorithm how much is left and its exact properties. You could get rid of the heavier parts of the wood, or the lighter ones. Or the part that would have made that guitar a dog, or left the part that makes it a dog.
Impossible to tell.
Wood is not homogeneous - its not like a maths problem where you could start with say a steel casting which has a known makeup - and be able to predict based on an algorithm how much is left and its exact properties. You could get rid of the heavier parts of the wood, or the lighter ones. Or the part that would have made that guitar a dog, or left the part that makes it a dog.
Chris Pile
Well-known member
Re: Chambered vs. solid
No such thing. God grows every tree differently.
No such thing. God grows every tree differently.
Re: Chambered vs. solid
I've heard chambered bodies sound brighter than their solid counterparts, and some have more mids. It is really impossible to tell as no 2 pieces of wood are exactly the same. I do know that some chambered bodies will really unbalance a guitar, so try it out first.
I've heard chambered bodies sound brighter than their solid counterparts, and some have more mids. It is really impossible to tell as no 2 pieces of wood are exactly the same. I do know that some chambered bodies will really unbalance a guitar, so try it out first.
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: Chambered vs. solid
Not sure as I've never had 2 bascially identical Strats with the difference being one was chambered and the other solid.
But I did build/assemble a Semi-Hollow Strat, it was noticeably louder and more full sounding unplug than any other Strat I've played, not brighter...big disclaimer, it was a Mahogany Strat with a Sitka Spruce top (F hole too) so not your traditional Strat by any means.
Not sure as I've never had 2 bascially identical Strats with the difference being one was chambered and the other solid.
But I did build/assemble a Semi-Hollow Strat, it was noticeably louder and more full sounding unplug than any other Strat I've played, not brighter...big disclaimer, it was a Mahogany Strat with a Sitka Spruce top (F hole too) so not your traditional Strat by any means.
allbutromeo
Well-known member
Re: Chambered vs. solid
I know every guitar is unique so this isn't always true, but IMOE with fully solid and chambered Les Pauls and a solid vs Thinline Telecaster Deluxe, the solid bodies were brighter on the highs and tighter in the lows, where the chambered were smoother in the highs and rounder/looser in the low end. Kind of like an A5 vs an A2 pickup, or less drastic like an A5 vs A4
I know every guitar is unique so this isn't always true, but IMOE with fully solid and chambered Les Pauls and a solid vs Thinline Telecaster Deluxe, the solid bodies were brighter on the highs and tighter in the lows, where the chambered were smoother in the highs and rounder/looser in the low end. Kind of like an A5 vs an A2 pickup, or less drastic like an A5 vs A4
LtKojak
New member
Re: Chambered vs. solid
If you could try A/B an ES Les Paul and a normal one, then you'll have your answer.
HTH,
Steve, if you're not wood- and chamber-specific, that's a question impossible to answer.
If you could try A/B an ES Les Paul and a normal one, then you'll have your answer.
HTH,
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ehdwuld
A Ficus
Re: Chambered vs. solid
I have an Epiphone Florentine and a Gibson Studio
While it's not a good comparison
The Epi is mahogany with a maple cap and F holes
The Studio is chambered swamp ash
My Florentine is no brighter than the Studio
I do notice a more mid heavy 335 like tone
An airy sound.
Like I said maybe not the best example
I have an Epiphone Florentine and a Gibson Studio
While it's not a good comparison
The Epi is mahogany with a maple cap and F holes
The Studio is chambered swamp ash
My Florentine is no brighter than the Studio
I do notice a more mid heavy 335 like tone
An airy sound.
Like I said maybe not the best example
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: Chambered vs. solid
This lines up with my experience.
Solid bodies had more snap and a more aggressive attack. Chambered bodies had less attack and a more mellow response.
This lines up with my experience.
Solid bodies had more snap and a more aggressive attack. Chambered bodies had less attack and a more mellow response.
Re: Chambered vs. solid
Thank you,
Those responses are enough for me to understand. The thing that seemed to be missed a couple times was, of course no two woods of the same kind will ever be the same tone exactly, but that was my intro: "Theoretically" "Exact". But that's ok, the broad overall opinion is that solid is snappier, or more high end sounding than chambered. I did mean chambered and NOT weight relieved.
I did say chambered also.
edwuld-
That green LP Studio, with the two pots and 1 switch, That is the Gibson Studio? It looks beautiful, streamlined, like a cut down racing car. I really like it. Is that still made? With the chambered Swamp Ash Studio, is there any way you could tell me how much it weighs? I really do want to know. I just love the layout. I really haven't been paying attention, as I would have looked at that hard, a possible purchase for my early golden years.
You fellows and ladies are such a great resource for bouncing ideas around.
Steve Buffington
Thank you,
Those responses are enough for me to understand. The thing that seemed to be missed a couple times was, of course no two woods of the same kind will ever be the same tone exactly, but that was my intro: "Theoretically" "Exact". But that's ok, the broad overall opinion is that solid is snappier, or more high end sounding than chambered. I did mean chambered and NOT weight relieved.
I did say chambered also.
edwuld-
That green LP Studio, with the two pots and 1 switch, That is the Gibson Studio? It looks beautiful, streamlined, like a cut down racing car. I really like it. Is that still made? With the chambered Swamp Ash Studio, is there any way you could tell me how much it weighs? I really do want to know. I just love the layout. I really haven't been paying attention, as I would have looked at that hard, a possible purchase for my early golden years.
You fellows and ladies are such a great resource for bouncing ideas around.
Steve Buffington
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Re: Chambered vs. solid
Remember that if you go a chambered guitar it needs a cap. A strat with an arm contour and chambered is not going to be likely unless you find a luthier with a steam/vaccuum press - and even then its potentially impossible as it depends on how something like a 1/4" cap bends.
Or go for something like Paulownia - which is probably going to be lighter than any chambered guitar and be solid.
Remember that if you go a chambered guitar it needs a cap. A strat with an arm contour and chambered is not going to be likely unless you find a luthier with a steam/vaccuum press - and even then its potentially impossible as it depends on how something like a 1/4" cap bends.
Or go for something like Paulownia - which is probably going to be lighter than any chambered guitar and be solid.
ehdwuld
A Ficus
Re: Chambered vs. solid
Mr Buffington
The Custom Studio is indeed still made
In several colors
Look on Amazon
Mine is reptile green
They have a transparent red
Whiskey gold
Blue denim
And transparent black
I also like the switch placement
And master tone and volume
The swamp ash and maple are extremely light
Weighs about 7.5 lbs
Slightly more than my RG2 hardtail basswood body Ibanez
About the same as my chambered Florentine and a bit less than my MIM strat
Mr Buffington
The Custom Studio is indeed still made
In several colors
Look on Amazon
Mine is reptile green
They have a transparent red
Whiskey gold
Blue denim
And transparent black
I also like the switch placement
And master tone and volume
The swamp ash and maple are extremely light
Weighs about 7.5 lbs
Slightly more than my RG2 hardtail basswood body Ibanez
About the same as my chambered Florentine and a bit less than my MIM strat
Re: Chambered vs. solid
Thanks ehwuld, AlexR,
I did have the finest lutherie in a 60 mile radius do just that with the cap. Say, I wonder, "in GENERAL" is basswood as light or lighter than Poulonia. Is basswood likely to have more high end than Paulonia? Remember - these are in GENERAL a "I bet you 5 bucks" kind of question, so no need for what type of music I play, amp, pedals, etc.
ehdwuld - for some reason that guitar is just striking, very cool. Can't say why. Maybe the way better layout. I don't supposed it comes with a push/pull coil splitter? Probably not.
Someone was nice enough to post a wiring sceme for a simple one, (Lt. Kojak, AlexR, I'm sorry if I got it wrong) but it would be too much twisting and bending on my part, Dr.'s orders.
Thank you guys,
Steve Buffington
Thanks ehwuld, AlexR,
I did have the finest lutherie in a 60 mile radius do just that with the cap. Say, I wonder, "in GENERAL" is basswood as light or lighter than Poulonia. Is basswood likely to have more high end than Paulonia? Remember - these are in GENERAL a "I bet you 5 bucks" kind of question, so no need for what type of music I play, amp, pedals, etc.
ehdwuld - for some reason that guitar is just striking, very cool. Can't say why. Maybe the way better layout. I don't supposed it comes with a push/pull coil splitter? Probably not.
Someone was nice enough to post a wiring sceme for a simple one, (Lt. Kojak, AlexR, I'm sorry if I got it wrong) but it would be too much twisting and bending on my part, Dr.'s orders.
Thank you guys,
Steve Buffington
Re: Chambered vs. solid
My latest builds are chambered with belly and forearm relief. Maple cap. NO bending of the cap required...it's contoured. I design the chambering with the end product in mind.
My chambered guitars are about 6 1/2 pounds...still lighter than solid paulownia!
My latest builds are chambered with belly and forearm relief. Maple cap. NO bending of the cap required...it's contoured. I design the chambering with the end product in mind.
My chambered guitars are about 6 1/2 pounds...still lighter than solid paulownia!
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Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Chambered vs. solid
I would say that my solid Les Paul Historics are brighter sounding than my other chambered Les Pauls (two Supremes, Elegant, two Classic Antiques). But there are significant differences in neck joints and pickups. I'd put the two weight-relieved 1960 Classics closer to the Historics than the chambered guitars.
Bill
I would say that my solid Les Paul Historics are brighter sounding than my other chambered Les Pauls (two Supremes, Elegant, two Classic Antiques). But there are significant differences in neck joints and pickups. I'd put the two weight-relieved 1960 Classics closer to the Historics than the chambered guitars.
Bill
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