Is a Semi Hollow Body for me?

B

BluesGuyJ

New member
I've been thinking about getting a new guitar. I've been playing for 2 and 1/2 years and I can honestly say that I'm well achieved for that amount of time. I'm going to be going to a music program at UNH on a scholarship and I think I deserve to make the jump to a nice high end guitar. Here's a little info about my playing that may help in your thought as to what I should do:

I do not play metal by any means.
The heaviest stuff I'll be playing is AC/DC, Foreigner, 80's rock.
Big on Blues, BIG
Really starting to get into Jazz.

Now compared to solid bodies, do Semi Hollow's have more sustain due to the sound holes that pickup the notation of the strings like on an acoustic? I'm also looking for a thick, sustaining, clear, bright tone. For an amp, it'll either be a Marshall JMP, Soldano Avenger, or a Fender Twin?SR/Hot Rod. Thought that info might help. Well thanks for any advice, and keep on playing!
 
Re: Is a Semi Hollow Body for me?

I have a LP and a 335. To make a comparison I like the sound, feel and tones I get out of my 335 more so than the LP. The 335 is also easier to play due to the double cutaway. The tone is also different. A LP tends to be harsher in a Gain driven amp vrs the 335. In a clean Amp the 335 is a little sweeter. I feel I can get a little better response from the 335 using the 2 volume and tone controls than I can with the LP. The LP is also a great guitar, but for me I will usually pick the 335 when I am looking for the Humbucking tone.
If there is any negative to this style of guitar they can have a tendency to feed back with HIgh volume and high gain more so than a LP does. You have to give yourself greater distance from the Amp, and find a volume level and gain level that is managable. The other negative about a 335, 345, or 355 is any electronic work needs to be accomplished through the "F" holes. This can be very difficult, and may require you to have any service done by a qualified tech. If this is a concern to you consider the "Lucille". It sounds very much like a 335 (with the varitone wide open), but this model has a rear access panel and also does not have any "F" holes. These guitars have a solid block running through them and all the PUPS are mounted in this block, so I don't think sustain will be greater or less than a solid body. In essence these guitars will respond very much like a solid body. In any case the 335, 345, 355, the Epiphone shearton, Casino(has P90 PUP) or the Lucille models are all excellent guitars for that "semi" sound. It really comes down to $ and what feels good in youir hands.
 
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Re: Is a Semi Hollow Body for me?

I just had my Gibson ES-137 Classic set up with .011's, a Junior wrap over the tailpiece, and a new bone nut, and it sounds and plays great -- especially after I lowered the pickups. It's something to consider if you can't swing the money for a 335. I actually prefer the single cutaway look, but the upper fret access is better with a double cut, so it's a matter of style and preference.
 
Re: Is a Semi Hollow Body for me?

If your big into Blues and lke Jazz, A semi-hollow body would be a
great addition to have in your arsenal. I woundn't say they sustain
more, But they resonate in a certain way that gives you a distinct
sound. Best thing to do, is go down to you local Guitar shop and
play a few 335s That's the only way to know if it's right for you.
A Gibson will run close to $2000 But there is alot of bargan Knockoffs
if ya can't swing the cash for a Gibby. I have a Samick San-450
It's almost a dead on knockoff !! I put a pair of Duncans in it and
it sounds great!!
 
Re: Is a Semi Hollow Body for me?

Try looking at used Hamers. Very nice guitars that don't cost as much as a real Gibby.
 
Re: Is a Semi Hollow Body for me?

For blues & jazz, a semihollow body is great. You might consider a Heritage 535 like this one <---------- Came with S-D Antiquities from Wolfe Guitars. Great online retailer and a great guitar for the money.

Chip
 
Re: Is a Semi Hollow Body for me?

yup yup ... gotta love a semi hollow for blues/jazz ... you can even score a tokai 335 knock off that is TOP Quality with enough coin left over to pop for a set of seths ... listen to marin blues's sound clips to be convinced

if you have the dollars, the heritage is just about as much amazing guitar as you could ever really need

good luck

cheers
t4d
 
Re: Is a Semi Hollow Body for me?

I really like my 135, but when it comes down to choosing what I'm playing for the night, in the end, I ultimately turn to the Les Paul. The 135, with my current guitar rig, has a tendency to feed back outrageously. The Paul sustains better, but doesn't really have the sweet tone that the 135 has. It's an ear decision. What do you want to hear more?
 
Re: Is a Semi Hollow Body for me?

Benjy_26 said:
Try looking at used Hamers. Very nice guitars that don't cost as much as a real Gibby.
Click to expand...

This would be a very wise move, IMHO. Another alternative would be a Gibson es-333. It's a 335 with an access panel in back, thus eliminating the F-hole drama. They aren't finished as nice as a 335, but I've played several and found them to be pretty nice, esp. for the price. They do tend to have the thinner 60's neck profile.
 
Re: Is a Semi Hollow Body for me?

Excellent post by Bludave. I can't add much, except to say that I love my 335 and would never part with it. From what you say I'd say yes, a semi-hollowbody would be for you.
 
Re: Is a Semi Hollow Body for me?

I have an Orville by Gibson 335 and I love it. It's funny that you mention ACDC because I really enjoy playing their tunes on that particular guitar.

Sure, you might get a bit of feedback here and there, but there's nothing quite like feeling a blast of air coming from the f holes.

It's also great unplugged!
 
Re: Is a Semi Hollow Body for me?

Bludave said:
I have a LP and a 335. To make a comparison I like the sound, feel and tones I get out of my 335 more so than the LP. The 335 is also easier to play due to the double cutaway. The tone is also different. A LP tends to be harsher in a Gain driven amp vrs the 335. In a clean Amp the 335 is a little sweeter. I feel I can get a little better response from the 335 using the 2 volume and tone controls than I can with the LP. The LP is also a great guitar, but for me I will usually pick the 335 when I am looking for the Humbucking tone.
If there is any negative to this style of guitar they can have a tendency to feed back with HIgh volume and high gain more so than a LP does. You have to give yourself greater distance from the Amp, and find a volume level and gain level that is managable. The other negative about a 335, 345, or 355 is any electronic work needs to be accomplished through the "F" holes. This can be very difficult, and may require you to have any service done by a qualified tech. If this is a concern to you consider the "Lucille". It sounds very much like a 335 (with the varitone wide open), but this model has a rear access panel and also does not have any "F" holes. These guitars have a solid block running through them and all the PUPS are mounted in this block, so I don't think sustain will be greater or less than a solid body. In essence these guitars will respond very much like a solid body. In any case the 335, 345, 355, the Epiphone shearton, Casino(has P90 PUP) or the Lucille models are all excellent guitars for that "semi" sound. It really comes down to $ and what feels good in youir hands.
Click to expand...

Just so you know, the Epi Casino (and gibson 330) are fully hollow, and feed back pretty easily.

I really like semihollows, and am looking around for one. If you're on a budget, check out the ibanez artcore range. Ridiclous bang for buck.
 
Re: Is a Semi Hollow Body for me?

I'll say this now since I got rid of my Les Paul, but as great as my Les Paul sounded... I like my $500 Dean Chafin Del Sol better. ;)

I love semi-hollowbodies to death. I love the airy quality to the notes. Clean tones sound better and while the distortion isn't quite as focused, it can still kick plenty of ass!

I wouldn't need another guitar if I was sticking with just blues and jazz as this guitar covers it, but I want something that's versatile enough for anything... so that will be revealed in a little bit :D
 
Re: Is a Semi Hollow Body for me?

And one more from the cheap seats, the new Peavey JF-1 ($249 retail):

Peavey_JF-1_EXP_01.jpg


I checked it out in the guitar store, and liked it enough that I'm picking one up in the next week or so. ;)
 
Re: Is a Semi Hollow Body for me?

Peavey looks like a good bargin but I'm looking to do it big time. I'd like to get my hands on a guitar I'm proud to hold, no more $350-ish guitars. I'd like something that's great and awesome and that will make me want to play more. I'm not saying that I dont want to play, I already play 4 + hours a day. But I'm thinking about a Epiphone Lucille and then throwing some Seth's in, or a ES 137 Classic, or a used ES 335, or 345 used. I'll check out the Dean EVO Del Sol. I've got two guitars from that line and even though they are cheap, Dean makes high quality guitars.
 
Re: Is a Semi Hollow Body for me?

BluesGuyJ said:
Peavey looks like a good bargin but I'm looking to do it big time. I'd like to get my hands on a guitar I'm proud to hold, no more $350-ish guitars. I'd like something that's great and awesome and that will make me want to play more. I'm not saying that I dont want to play, I already play 4 + hours a day. But I'm thinking about a Epiphone Lucille and then throwing some Seth's in, or a ES 137 Classic, or a used ES 335, or 345 used. I'll check out the Dean EVO Del Sol. I've got two guitars from that line and even though they are cheap, Dean makes high quality guitars.
Click to expand...

To be honest, I've played the Gibosn hollowbodies, but I still like the feel and tone of my Dean Chafin Del Sol more. It's hard to explain, all I have to say is just try it out at a store if you can. The stock pickups are a bit hot and are great for blues, but I switched them out for Dimarzio Virtual PAFs. In fact, I just got it back from the shop today (wiring implications with the archtop), and it sounds unbelievable. All the tones are so rich and I can do anything from funk to high gain to sparkling chimey cleans without breaking a sweat. The neck pickup gives it just enough thickness to cut through on blues.

It's all about how it fits the individual. You may like the guitar because you like Deans yourself. I love the looks (the sun inlays are killer and the flame on it will surprise you), the build quality, the simplicity of it all (one volume, one tone & a three way) and most importantly the tone.

With that said, if I were to do it all over again, I'd consider either a P90 equipped Hamer archtop or a Heritage ES-335. Still, I love my guitar and it's superior to a lot of guitars I've played.
 
Re: Is a Semi Hollow Body for me?

You've got the solidbody Deans already so a semi-hollowbody would be a great addition. I have a semi-hollow Les Paul and of the 9 or 10 Pauls I've owned, it is my favorite. The hollow body adds a nice resonance and sweetness lacking in solid guitars. Play as many as you can and get the one that feels and sounds best to you.
 
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