If you only had one semi-hollow

Re: If you only had one semi-hollow

Just one semi-hollow? That would be some sort of chambered Les Paul, without the F hole.
 
Re: If you only had one semi-hollow

The older Gibson Howard Roberts has that honk, too..sort of a larger LP shape, with F-holes, maple ply construction, with a strange balsa wood center block.
 
Re: If you only had one semi-hollow

Never played one...let aside owned one...not a fan of their "grandpa-ish" look..

But...I kinda like this...

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Right up my street.. ..$200 ..Chinese ...looks pretty cool/well-made for a hollow/semi-hollow or whatever it is..

..so yeah, it's pretty sweet :D Might pull the trigger just to see what all the fuss is about :bigthumb:
 
Re: If you only had one semi-hollow

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I only have one semi-hollow. I picked up this back in January. Wasn't looking for a Semi-Hollow... Was actually looking for something completely different, but whenever I played this one there was something cool about it that I dug, so I brought it home.

It's firmly in the hollowed out solid-body with a carved top camp. Retains much of the solid body sound with a far more mellow/muted attack. i thought it was the pickups that were compressing until I learned it was a characteristic of a SH guitar. Very cool for soloing on.

That said... if I had unlimited money I'd have a 335.
 
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Re: If you only had one semi-hollow

That semi hollow PRS is a beauty.
I've wanted one of those since they first came out. I'd trade one of my McCartys for a semi hollow version of it without a second thought.
 
Re: If you only had one semi-hollow

I'm gonna throw in a recommendation for Ibanez. Like others have said, for years I thought that semi-hollows were pointless "old man" guitars, but about a year-and-a-half ago I bought a used 2005 AS83 (Ibanez replaced it in with the AS93 in '06 or '07 I think).

I loved Rachel (yes, I name my guitars) right from the git-go, but a few months ago I replaced the stock pickups with P-Rails and now I REALLY love her!

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...and here's a pic of me rocking her at a gig this past Friday:

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I really don't think that you can get the true semi-hollow tones from a smaller body. I'd kinda like to get a semi-hollow Les Paul, Thinline, or a 339 styled guitar, but I don't hold any illusions about them having that full, big-body sound.

The Ibanez is a great playing, very well-made guitar for a reasonable price... and they're gorgeous. However, if I could afford one, I'd be all over a 335 or a Johnny A!


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If you only had one semi-hollow

I know the mighty 335 wins the thread, but I love my Gibson Memphis 339 Studio. It's the 2016 four-knob version.

Yes, it does feel "alive" in my hands, but still musical feedback is there if you're willing to get friendly with a loud amp.

It's not a Les Paul; it's not a 335. It's just its own bad self.

Here are a couple of shots, including one from Sweetwater:
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Re: If you only had one semi-hollow

Yes, it does feel "alive" in my hands, but still musical feedback is there if you're willing to get friendly with a loud amp.

Isn't that FUN?! Playing with the feedback on a semi-hollow is GREAT! :fing2:


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Re: If you only had one semi-hollow

345, cherry red, Bigsby.
 
Re: If you only had one semi-hollow

The problem with Bigsby's is that you always have the added stress of tuning problem, even if it's dialed in. It's no Floyd.

At least with TOM bridges you can count on it staying in tune after tuning it.
 
Re: If you only had one semi-hollow

The problem with Bigsby's is that you always have the added stress of tuning problem, even if it's dialed in. It's no Floyd.

At least with TOM bridges you can count on it staying in tune after tuning it.


Don't you lose some tone with a Bigsby too? They add some weight too.
 
Re: If you only had one semi-hollow

Never played one...let aside owned one...not a fan of their "grandpa-ish" look..


Hey, I'm a grandpa! I was the same way for decades, until I finally played one, and realized what I was missing. There's too many players that have used 335's, even as young men, to dismiss the design. Since I've found out what great tones they have (15 years ago), I think they look far better than single F hole guitars.
 
Re: If you only had one semi-hollow

haha...I'm no spring chicken myself. I'd just rather not rock a guitar that keeps reminding me of that :lmao:
 
Re: If you only had one semi-hollow

Hey, I'm a grandpa! I was the same way for decades, until I finally played one, and realized what I was missing. There's too many players that have used 335's, even as young men, to dismiss the design. Since I've found out what great tones they have (15 years ago), I think they look far better than single F hole guitars.

Yeah, the single F-holes always look little off balance to me.

haha...I'm no spring chicken myself. I'd just rather not rock a guitar that keeps reminding me of that :lmao:

Lol... I don't worry too much about whether or not my guitar makes me look old. My gray hair does that for me!


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Re: If you only had one semi-hollow

haha...I'm no spring chicken myself. I'd just rather not rock a guitar that keeps reminding me of that :lmao:


Seeing Clapton in his early 20's in Cream getting great tones from his 335 and several stacks of Marshalls, went a long way towards dispelling my stupid idea that 335's were 'old man' guitars.
 
Re: If you only had one semi-hollow

I don't worry too much about whether or not my guitar makes me look old. My gray hair does that for me!


Grey thinning hair and a middle age figure. No guitar is going to make up for that and become a fountain of youth. If you think a 'cool' modern guitar is going to make a baby boomer look young and hip, you need to talk to some of the young women in the audience. They'll clear that up pretty quickly.
 
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