Need advice: semi-hollow without laminate!
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ericmeyer4
New member
Re: Need advice: semi-hollow without laminate!
You shouldn't treat semi-hollow electric guitars the same way you would treat an acoustic guitar. Typically, solid wood acoustic is better than a laminate acoustic. The same does not apply for semi-hollow electric guitars.
However, if a solid wood semi-hollow is a must I believe the Taylor electrics are as well as the thinline Telecasters.
You shouldn't treat semi-hollow electric guitars the same way you would treat an acoustic guitar. Typically, solid wood acoustic is better than a laminate acoustic. The same does not apply for semi-hollow electric guitars.
However, if a solid wood semi-hollow is a must I believe the Taylor electrics are as well as the thinline Telecasters.
Last edited:
ehdwuld
A Ficus
Re: Need advice: semi-hollow without laminate!
Laminated sides and back are structurally better
The top should be solid bit if you get a flame, quilt, or burl then that's gonna be a Laminated ply on top
Won't hurt
Just that's why you don't see those type tops on acoustics
A semi hollow is kinda between
Laminates don't affect the magnetic pickups at all
And would have little to do with the amplified tone
*(Sent from my durned phone!)*
Laminated sides and back are structurally better
The top should be solid bit if you get a flame, quilt, or burl then that's gonna be a Laminated ply on top
Won't hurt
Just that's why you don't see those type tops on acoustics
A semi hollow is kinda between
Laminates don't affect the magnetic pickups at all
And would have little to do with the amplified tone
*(Sent from my durned phone!)*
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Need advice: semi-hollow without laminate!
Laminate helps defeat feedback on completely hollow guitars. Even the Gibson J-160E acoustic has a laminate for this reason, since it has a P-90 at the fretboard. If the guitar has a center block, then I believe then you're ok with solid. The key is, what are the laminate layers? For example, my Elitist Casino is 5-ply maple-birch-maple-birch-maple. The top of the line made like the vintage ones in the 1960's are 5-ply maple.
Laminate helps defeat feedback on completely hollow guitars. Even the Gibson J-160E acoustic has a laminate for this reason, since it has a P-90 at the fretboard. If the guitar has a center block, then I believe then you're ok with solid. The key is, what are the laminate layers? For example, my Elitist Casino is 5-ply maple-birch-maple-birch-maple. The top of the line made like the vintage ones in the 1960's are 5-ply maple.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Need advice: semi-hollow without laminate!
Gibson's been using laminated tops on hollow and semi-hollows since the 1950's. You don't think any of their guitars since then sound good?
Gibson's been using laminated tops on hollow and semi-hollows since the 1950's. You don't think any of their guitars since then sound good?
ericmeyer4
New member
Re: Need advice: semi-hollow without laminate!
+1
Different body shapes, construction, electronics, bridge, scale length, woods, etc
+1
Different body shapes, construction, electronics, bridge, scale length, woods, etc
ericmeyer4
New member
Re: Need advice: semi-hollow without laminate!
Prs is 25" from nut to bridge. Gibson is 24.75".
Prs is 25" from nut to bridge. Gibson is 24.75".
ericmeyer4
New member
Re: Need advice: semi-hollow without laminate!
It's carved out like the prs, but they are still going to be very different guitars for the reasons I stated above.
It's carved out like the prs, but they are still going to be very different guitars for the reasons I stated above.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Need advice: semi-hollow without laminate!
Mincer got it right--what you want is a Gibson CS-336 or a CS-356. The back and sides are from a slab of mahogany, and then a maple cap is laid over the top. They are closer in construction to a Les Paul than a 335. These are hard to find, and make sure you have deep pockets if you go looking for one. I think they used Classic '57s, though some of the Custom Shop models came with BB1&2s.
Come to think of it, there are several models of the Les Paul that are semi-hollow: the Supreme, the Elegant, Classic Antiques, some Classics and newer Standards. The Bantam and the Florentine have F-holes. The Cloud 9 series were done with Historic Reissue specs, but hollowed out. Many of these are real featherweights, and they sound great. The Guild Bluesbirds are another semi-hollow single-cutaway.
And there are some other Gibson versions of their archtops that came in thin models, like the George Gobel L-5 and the ES-350T, and I think these were all solid woods.
Fender has their Thinline Teles; I had an original '68-69 in ash and it was a great guitar. They have reissues of these, and the later '72 models have HB pickups. I think they even have versions with P-90s and one with Filtertrons. And there's always the Fender Custom Shop.
G&L can build you semi-hollow ASAT with or without F-holes, and they also offer their Strat-bodied guitars (S-500, Legacy, Comanche) in semi-hollow form with an F-hole. These are my favorites, and they are durned SEXY!
Schecter had a version of their C-1 Series that was an all solid wood semi-hollow, and a 12-string, too. I always thought these were really nice, but I would have upgraded the "Duncan-Designed" pickups.
Collings is another builder you might look at. Take a look at his City Limits Jazz model--instant drool!!! And if you're a Phish fan, I think Trey's Languedoc is built like that. Alembic is another one that comes to mind.
Lots of choices...
I will say that I played four PRS hollow-bodies a few years ago when I was first contemplating an ES-335. One had the deeper body and the spruce top; the others were thinner, with the maple tops. They are exquisitely built instruments, without a doubt. But even taking the money out of the equation, I still preferred the tone of the ES-335, for being woodier, warmer and more versatile than what I heard from the PRS offerings.
Bill
Mincer got it right--what you want is a Gibson CS-336 or a CS-356. The back and sides are from a slab of mahogany, and then a maple cap is laid over the top. They are closer in construction to a Les Paul than a 335. These are hard to find, and make sure you have deep pockets if you go looking for one. I think they used Classic '57s, though some of the Custom Shop models came with BB1&2s.
Come to think of it, there are several models of the Les Paul that are semi-hollow: the Supreme, the Elegant, Classic Antiques, some Classics and newer Standards. The Bantam and the Florentine have F-holes. The Cloud 9 series were done with Historic Reissue specs, but hollowed out. Many of these are real featherweights, and they sound great. The Guild Bluesbirds are another semi-hollow single-cutaway.
And there are some other Gibson versions of their archtops that came in thin models, like the George Gobel L-5 and the ES-350T, and I think these were all solid woods.
Fender has their Thinline Teles; I had an original '68-69 in ash and it was a great guitar. They have reissues of these, and the later '72 models have HB pickups. I think they even have versions with P-90s and one with Filtertrons. And there's always the Fender Custom Shop.
G&L can build you semi-hollow ASAT with or without F-holes, and they also offer their Strat-bodied guitars (S-500, Legacy, Comanche) in semi-hollow form with an F-hole. These are my favorites, and they are durned SEXY!
Schecter had a version of their C-1 Series that was an all solid wood semi-hollow, and a 12-string, too. I always thought these were really nice, but I would have upgraded the "Duncan-Designed" pickups.
Collings is another builder you might look at. Take a look at his City Limits Jazz model--instant drool!!! And if you're a Phish fan, I think Trey's Languedoc is built like that. Alembic is another one that comes to mind.
Lots of choices...
I will say that I played four PRS hollow-bodies a few years ago when I was first contemplating an ES-335. One had the deeper body and the spruce top; the others were thinner, with the maple tops. They are exquisitely built instruments, without a doubt. But even taking the money out of the equation, I still preferred the tone of the ES-335, for being woodier, warmer and more versatile than what I heard from the PRS offerings.
Bill
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Need advice: semi-hollow without laminate!
The Johnny A signature is also carved hollow from a single slab of mahogany. The top is two-piece maple, but I don't believe it's laminate. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong.) Quarter-sawn neck and longer 25 1/2" scale.
The Johnny A signature is also carved hollow from a single slab of mahogany. The top is two-piece maple, but I don't believe it's laminate. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong.) Quarter-sawn neck and longer 25 1/2" scale.
TIGEREYELASER
New member
Re: Need advice: semi-hollow without laminate!
Carvin also has some carved top hollow and semi-hollowbody guitars to get back to the question asked in the OP. http://www.carvinguitars.com/customshop/semihollowcarvedtop.php They're a mite expensive but they're customized to what you want in a guitar. Paint, pup covers, wood selection for the body, neck and fretboard, etc...
Carvin also has some carved top hollow and semi-hollowbody guitars to get back to the question asked in the OP. http://www.carvinguitars.com/customshop/semihollowcarvedtop.php They're a mite expensive but they're customized to what you want in a guitar. Paint, pup covers, wood selection for the body, neck and fretboard, etc...
