Looking at a semi-hollow... thoughts?

[The Dali]

Re: Looking at a semi-hollow... thoughts?

The masses have spoken!!!

All this discussion gave me some serious GAS so I started poking around and found an amazing deal (I think) on a Sheraton. $365 shipped. Mint condition with a hardcase. Here is a picture:

I'll give ya a quick review once I get my hands on her.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Looking at a semi-hollow... thoughts?

Quite honestely, much of that selection is made in the same Korean facility anyway, and they have a very similar feel finish-wise, fretting-wise etc.

I have to recommend against the Soapbar PRS SE models since their pickups are smaller than U.S. made soapbars and American pickups will only fit without cover. In general, special pickups of any kind are bad new. At least with PAF format humbuckers you know that you can drop in whatever you want.

I would buy the more exotic things only if you play one in person and meet a knockout.

 

[freddarl82]

Re: Looking at a semi-hollow... thoughts?

So, everything comes out the one F-hole? Hmm...

I see you went with the Sheraton - it looks great! Congrats!

Back to wiring issues: Going through the f-holes vs. the bridge cavity, it depends on the guitar -- some are easier one way, others are easier the other way.

Another thing to consider (I did this on my 335-type): if you want to sample a number of different pickups, you can run your pickup leads (extenders, if you will) from the volume pots to the bridge pickup cavity. Then, if you want to swap pickups, all you have to do is remove the pickups, un-solder them at the leads in the bridge pup cavity, and resolder your new pups onto the leads.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Looking at a semi-hollow... thoughts?

The masses have spoken!!!

All this discussion gave me some serious GAS so I started poking around and found an amazing deal (I think) on a Sheraton. $365 shipped. Mint condition with a hardcase. Here is a picture:

I'll give ya a quick review once I get my hands on her.

Good deal on the Sheraton! Let us know when you get it.

 

[The Dali]

Re: Looking at a semi-hollow... thoughts?

Another thing to consider (I did this on my 335-type): if you want to sample a number of different pickups, you can run your pickup leads (extenders, if you will) from the volume pots to the bridge pickup cavity. Then, if you want to swap pickups, all you have to do is remove the pickups, un-solder them at the leads in the bridge pup cavity, and resolder your new pups onto the leads.

Thanks - good idea, I think I'll try that!

 

[Markk]

Re: Looking at a semi-hollow... thoughts?

I see you went with the Sheraton - it looks great! Congrats!

Back to wiring issues: Going through the f-holes vs. the bridge cavity, it depends on the guitar -- some are easier one way, others are easier the other way.

Another thing to consider (I did this on my 335-type): if you want to sample a number of different pickups, you can run your pickup leads (extenders, if you will) from the volume pots to the bridge pickup cavity. Then, if you want to swap pickups, all you have to do is remove the pickups, un-solder them at the leads in the bridge pup cavity, and resolder your new pups onto the leads.

As long as you don't start cutting off leads from pickups. So run a different wire from the pots and just coil the pickups wire in the cavity?

 

[Markk]

Re: Looking at a semi-hollow... thoughts?

Btw, excellent choice in guitar!

 

[freddarl82]

Re: Looking at a semi-hollow... thoughts?

As long as you don't start cutting off leads from pickups. So run a different wire from the pots and just coil the pickups wire in the cavity?

Yes, thanks for pointing that out. Leave plenty of lead ON THE PICKUP! You can wrap it around the screws/springs of the pickup in most cases and carefully lower it into it's cavity. With the excess wire in the bridge cavity (i.e. you have to leave enough slack to make it possible to do your soldering), I gather it up and use a small plastic wire-tie to keep everything neat (and to prevent it from falling down and showing through the f-hole).

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Looking at a semi-hollow... thoughts?

Nothing wrong with the Sheraton at all. I had one years ago, and loved it.

But my real answer is to save money, sell some dead gear, and sit on Craigslist, waiting like a bottom feeder for a late model Gibson ES-335 or ES-339. Then, you'll have the real deal....a lifetime keeper of real quality that you'll be proud to own and play for a lifetime.

For obvious financial reasons, everyone always wants the easy way out, especially on semi-hollows, and it's a mistake IMO. A real Gibson is far and away a better instrument. And luckily ES-339's aren't priced out of the ballpark, and are a true modern classic. Go play one.

 

[freddarl82]

Re: Looking at a semi-hollow... thoughts?

Nothing wrong with the Sheraton at all. I had one years ago, and loved it.

But my real answer is to save money, sell some dead gear, and sit on Craigslist, waiting like a bottom feeder for a late model Gibson ES-335 or ES-339. Then, you'll have the real deal....a lifetime keeper of real quality that you'll be proud to own and play for a lifetime.

For obvious financial reasons, everyone always wants the easy way out, especially on semi-hollows, and it's a mistake IMO. A real Gibson is far and away a better instrument. And luckily ES-339's aren't priced out of the ballpark, and are a true modern classic. Go play one.

For all those out there with 335-lust: if you choose to wait it out and buy a good one, as suggested, a few other alternatives for "Good" ones are Heritage (made at the original Gibson plant in Kalamazoo), or the good japanese brands (Greco, Orville, etc). I have a Greco SA-59 that is a dead-on copy of a '59 Gibson ES-335 Dot. It cost about $1200 - but I would put it up against any Gibson ANY day - and I own 3 other Gibsons (LP, SG, LP Special). Just presenting another alternative...

 

[The Dali]

Re: Looking at a semi-hollow... thoughts?

Got the guitar today and it IS MINTY FRESH! Wow!!!! Plays very well. The pots are scratchy. The pups aren't half bad, but they will go.

I have half a mind to upgrade the hardware to nickel and go with zebra pups... any thoughts? I think the only thing that would be gold plated would be the anchors. The gold is ok, but I know I ain't gonna like the pups with nickel/chrome screws against the rest of the gold hardware. I could likely get Grover/Schaller tuners, Gotoh bridge and tailpiece and I'm in business...

 

[The Dali]

Re: Looking at a semi-hollow... thoughts?

I'm thinking of a nickel neck pup and a zebra bridge. Sorta similar to the JP gibby since I'll be doing that wiring anyhow... I would go with a black bridge pup but I already have a 498t in zebra...

 

[david kornblatt]

Re: Looking at a semi-hollow... thoughts?

Well I would say get a 335 put pickups in it get the rs guitarworks harness and with Gibson p94s in it you have a guitar ted Mccarty and Seth Lover would like and it would kill your LES PAUL lust in a second.