Simple question, how do semi-hollow body guitars perform under high gain? For example, Thinline Teles, some of the Gibsons (ES-333 etc.) or guitars that are just chambered. What would a reduction in wood do to the tone of the guitar? Clean tones I imagine would be spectacular, but how would a guitar like this (paired with higher output pickups) perform under high gain? Is it worth going out of my way to find a semi-hollow body in searching for a custom sound?
Semi-hollow bodied guitars with high gain?
- Thread starter The Don
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drew_half_empty
Looking for Real Life
Re: Semi-hollow bodied guitars with high gain?
it'll feed back a lot more, but it'll sound fatter
it'll feed back a lot more, but it'll sound fatter
Fresh_Start
New member
Re: Semi-hollow bodied guitars with high gain?
I only have limited experience with a 335 clone equipped with Antiquities... it can sound wonderfully raunchy under high gain
A hollow body contributes to feedback much more easily - can be good depending on what you're trying to hear, but obviously can be a problem performing live.
Personally, I'd love to try this guitar with some Phat Cats if that gives you any idea. Also, George Thorougood (sp?) always plays a hollow body, and IIRC Ted Nugent played one too... not exactly clean tone kinda guys!
Chip
I only have limited experience with a 335 clone equipped with Antiquities... it can sound wonderfully raunchy under high gain
A hollow body contributes to feedback much more easily - can be good depending on what you're trying to hear, but obviously can be a problem performing live. Personally, I'd love to try this guitar with some Phat Cats if that gives you any idea. Also, George Thorougood (sp?) always plays a hollow body, and IIRC Ted Nugent played one too... not exactly clean tone kinda guys!
Chip
ericmeyer4
New member
Re: Semi-hollow bodied guitars with high gain?
i have a hollow body i use with high gain ocasionally. i never really had a problem with feed back once you find the right place to stand. this was at gigging volume too.
i have a hollow body i use with high gain ocasionally. i never really had a problem with feed back once you find the right place to stand. this was at gigging volume too.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Semi-hollow bodied guitars with high gain?
I played an ES-335 laste week with a pair of Iommi pups in it...the feedback issue is not near as bad as people make it sound...just don't seet the gain for stun AND stand right in front of the speakers! It had a killer sound, I want a Les Paul Signature(Which unlike any other Paul is a semi-hollow), when I get one it will get new pups...and they will be quite hot! I love this sound. Hell, I even put hot pickups in total hollow body guitars, I used to have an Ibanez 175 copy, I put a 59 in the neck and a Duncan Distortion in the bridge!!! Loved it! Good luck
The guy who invented fire
I played an ES-335 laste week with a pair of Iommi pups in it...the feedback issue is not near as bad as people make it sound...just don't seet the gain for stun AND stand right in front of the speakers! It had a killer sound, I want a Les Paul Signature(Which unlike any other Paul is a semi-hollow), when I get one it will get new pups...and they will be quite hot! I love this sound. Hell, I even put hot pickups in total hollow body guitars, I used to have an Ibanez 175 copy, I put a 59 in the neck and a Duncan Distortion in the bridge!!! Loved it! Good luck
The guy who invented fire
Re: Semi-hollow bodied guitars with high gain?
My '335 copy with '59s sounds superb under high-gain. It tends to feedback a little but you can definitely deal with it.... One of the guys from Poison the Well uses a 333 and they use more than enough gain...He would sound great if he wouldn't have turned his sound into pure mud during the last two albums...
My '335 copy with '59s sounds superb under high-gain. It tends to feedback a little but you can definitely deal with it.... One of the guys from Poison the Well uses a 333 and they use more than enough gain...He would sound great if he wouldn't have turned his sound into pure mud during the last two albums...
tone4days
Heel Whacker
Re: Semi-hollow bodied guitars with high gain?
my ibanez am-50 has bill lawrence 500XLs in it (quite hot pups) .. it sounds great with high gain and i've only gotten feedback from it when i wanted to ... it has a solid core and is a smaller body than a typical 335 clone, so this might help with the feedback control
my ibanez am-50 has bill lawrence 500XLs in it (quite hot pups) .. it sounds great with high gain and i've only gotten feedback from it when i wanted to ... it has a solid core and is a smaller body than a typical 335 clone, so this might help with the feedback control
DiminisheD-7th
New member
Re: Semi-hollow bodied guitars with high gain?
i've played a realy cool Brian Moore MC1 that has a chambered mahogany body, quilted maple top and a graphite neck
its not exactly a semi-hollow but the guitar had this resonant quality in her 'voice' which is absolutely sweet for legato work, sort of a floating sound but not exactly - cant realy describe it.
i've played a realy cool Brian Moore MC1 that has a chambered mahogany body, quilted maple top and a graphite neck
its not exactly a semi-hollow but the guitar had this resonant quality in her 'voice' which is absolutely sweet for legato work, sort of a floating sound but not exactly - cant realy describe it.
strat_master
New member
Re: Semi-hollow bodied guitars with high gain?
it can be done. Tom delonge has a semi hollow body guitar with a dirty fngers in the bridge into mesa triple rectos! imagine that kind of gain! And he seems to manage playing live with out alot fo feedback.
it can be done. Tom delonge has a semi hollow body guitar with a dirty fngers in the bridge into mesa triple rectos! imagine that kind of gain! And he seems to manage playing live with out alot fo feedback.
T
theodie
Guest
Re: Semi-hollow bodied guitars with high gain?
I played a freinds Michael Kelly hollowbody and to my suprise it sounded great under high gain. It still has me scratching my head.
I played a freinds Michael Kelly hollowbody and to my suprise it sounded great under high gain. It still has me scratching my head.
Hellion
New member
Re: Semi-hollow bodied guitars with high gain?
I don't normally use my 135 with my normal rig because it has such a high gain factor. The response is amazing; it's like the notes explode out of the guitar, but a lot of the places that my band plays don't allow for a lot of stage room and feedback was a problem. I haven't noticed an increase in sustain (although it's not a problem with the LP or even the Bastard Tele), but the response seems to be the ticket.
I don't normally use my 135 with my normal rig because it has such a high gain factor. The response is amazing; it's like the notes explode out of the guitar, but a lot of the places that my band plays don't allow for a lot of stage room and feedback was a problem. I haven't noticed an increase in sustain (although it's not a problem with the LP or even the Bastard Tele), but the response seems to be the ticket.
Re: Semi-hollow bodied guitars with high gain?
I dig my 335 under fairly high gain. Larry Carlton through a Boogie seemed to work pretty well. If you have a major problem with feedback, stuff the thing with cotton. That usually will tame it down a bit but will allow it to retain the throaty sound.
I dig my 335 under fairly high gain. Larry Carlton through a Boogie seemed to work pretty well. If you have a major problem with feedback, stuff the thing with cotton. That usually will tame it down a bit but will allow it to retain the throaty sound.
That90'sGuy
DyzaBoyzologist
Re: Semi-hollow bodied guitars with high gain?
It's funny, but someone I've known for quite a while (he's a pro player and a guitar/amp repairman) told me that semi-hollowbody and hollowbody guitars don't have quite the immediate response of a solidbody. After much listening, I tend to agree with him.
With all that said, I think some sort of a hollow guitar is an essential part of a musician's collection. I like that there's a bit of "air" to the notes. Probably not the ideal shredder axe, but for strumming it does wonders. These are the only type of guitars that will really help get a good jazz tone, I can emulate it on my solidbody, but it just isn't the same.
Many guitars made today do address common feedback problems that plagued the past ones. The only time I really see them as a problem is if you want to play high gain and face your amp up close, otherwise there usually isn't an issue at all. Pickups make a huge difference as well. With the right pickups (59s work good), it can handle higher gain well.
It's funny, but someone I've known for quite a while (he's a pro player and a guitar/amp repairman) told me that semi-hollowbody and hollowbody guitars don't have quite the immediate response of a solidbody. After much listening, I tend to agree with him.
With all that said, I think some sort of a hollow guitar is an essential part of a musician's collection. I like that there's a bit of "air" to the notes. Probably not the ideal shredder axe, but for strumming it does wonders. These are the only type of guitars that will really help get a good jazz tone, I can emulate it on my solidbody, but it just isn't the same.
Many guitars made today do address common feedback problems that plagued the past ones. The only time I really see them as a problem is if you want to play high gain and face your amp up close, otherwise there usually isn't an issue at all. Pickups make a huge difference as well. With the right pickups (59s work good), it can handle higher gain well.
Marty Horne
New member
Re: Semi-hollow bodied guitars with high gain?
Of the numerous Les Pauls I've owned, my semi-hollow Custom Shop Elegant sounds sweeter clean or overdriven than all my solid ones. It also sustains better.
Of the numerous Les Pauls I've owned, my semi-hollow Custom Shop Elegant sounds sweeter clean or overdriven than all my solid ones. It also sustains better.
Bludave
New member
Re: Semi-hollow bodied guitars with high gain?
I own a 335. A 1985 Dot RI. It has Paf RI PUPS in it. It is by far my favorite HB guitar. (I own a LP & SG, and a custom with HB). I use a Marshall 900 with the gain set at about 5, and master at 7 or 8. I A/B this with a69 Super reverb. The feedback was at one time a problem, but now it is not. I will give you a couple of tidbits that you can do to minimize the feedback.
1. If you are planning on replacing the PUPS as you said, take a few extra minutes and wax dip the pups. This will almost completley eliminate the feedback issue if it is comong from the PUPS.
2. Buy some dark foam and stuff it in the "F" holes. Most feedback is coming from air caught in the body chambers which is causing the feedback.
3. Consider buying the B.B. King model. This guitar is a 335 style without the "F" holes this will definatley eliminate most of the feedback!! LOL Dave
I own a 335. A 1985 Dot RI. It has Paf RI PUPS in it. It is by far my favorite HB guitar. (I own a LP & SG, and a custom with HB). I use a Marshall 900 with the gain set at about 5, and master at 7 or 8. I A/B this with a69 Super reverb. The feedback was at one time a problem, but now it is not. I will give you a couple of tidbits that you can do to minimize the feedback.
1. If you are planning on replacing the PUPS as you said, take a few extra minutes and wax dip the pups. This will almost completley eliminate the feedback issue if it is comong from the PUPS.
2. Buy some dark foam and stuff it in the "F" holes. Most feedback is coming from air caught in the body chambers which is causing the feedback.
3. Consider buying the B.B. King model. This guitar is a 335 style without the "F" holes this will definatley eliminate most of the feedback!! LOL Dave