Semi-Hollow vs. Solidbody

[Infinite Dreams]

Could someone please describe the differences between these two types of guitars? (other than the obviuos physical characteristics). i've been looking at a few semi-hollow electrics, not a full size jazz type guitar but a standard body size that's semi hollow. what are the advantages or differences of these types of guitars?

Thanks everyone.

 

[Jimbojsr]

Re: Semi-Hollow vs. Solidbody

I own an Epiphone dot - basically a cheap Gibson 335, which is aboutt he most popular semi out there.

Sound-wise, semis have more of an... well, 'honk' to them. They also tend to be loaded with lower output pickups, so they don't work too well for punk or heavy rock, and certainly not for metal. Having said that, they can sound absolutely glorious played clean or just approaching that 'break-up point', and I play mine just with a decent crunch for that classic 90's british music sound. Not always the best for playing lead, but its tough to find a better rhythm guitar. What style of music would you be playing?

Also, after playing a semi (which is very big and very heavy!) things like strats just seem so flimsy... one of the things I love about my guitar is the way you can just get stuck in with ruddy great crunchy chords and not worry about whacking your plec off a pickup. High-end widdling s the price u pay for this though, the action tends to be pretty high was you go past the 12th fret.

John Lee Hooker and BB King have both used semis I believe, but fo a rockier interpretation go for Oasis or BRMC, as they both play 335s.

 

[Fresh_Start]

Re: Semi-Hollow vs. Solidbody

Feedback can be a bigger issue with a semi-hollow body. B.B. King's Lucille doesn't have any f-holes because he covered up the f-holes on a 335 first to reduce feedback and then Gibson made him a variant without the f-holes.

Ted Nugent played a semi-hollow IIRC and used the feedback to his advantage. George Thorogood is another semi-hollow player, but he uses a bigger box than a 335.

I've got a couple of Strats and a Heritage 535 (to the left). I love the 535, but if I could only keep one guitar it would be a Strat.

Chip

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Semi-Hollow vs. Solidbody

I think that you can get some great lead sounds out of a semi-hollow body, and if you stand in the right spot (not facing the amp) feedback shouldn't be much of an issue for you. The biggest problem with my Dot is that I'm always worried about dropping it . . . because if it did fall and hit the ground hard i'd pretty much need a new guitar. The benefits are that you can get a good LPish sounding guitar that's a lot lighter than the typical 8-9 pounds of a LP.
Oh yeah, btw . . . if the guitar that you're looking at only has f-holes to access the electronics through, it's gonna be a HUGE pain to change any of the electronics on the guitr. This might or might not make a big difference to you . . .

 

[Infinite Dreams]

Re: Semi-Hollow vs. Solidbody

I would be playing mostly rock-type music with it (probably a lot more rythym stuff). From what you guys have said, it might be a cool guitar to look into. I need to get out and try one for myself and see how i like them, I've never played one but they've always appealed to me.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Semi-Hollow vs. Solidbody

There will be much more meat hanging off the notes when playing a semi hollow. Also, consider that during most of the 60's and 70's, semi hollows were the session guitar of choice, indicating a high level of versatility from these instruments.

I play an Epi Sheraton loaded with Seymour Duncan Phat Cats and have no trouble getting country spank, jazzy chords, funk riffs, classic rock grit, modern rock chunk & thump, and screaming metal leads from this guitar.

Besides, everybody else plays a Lester and a Strat. Let's be different. :burnout:

 

[Hellion]

Re: Semi-Hollow vs. Solidbody

I've got a really nice ES-135 that I've modified a bit (put in a stud tailpiece as opposed to the trapeze, I guess making it a poor man's 137) and it's a really nice instrument. It sounds big and open. But I don't gig with it too much, probably because I'm handcuffed to the Bastardcaster Tele and my LP Custom. Having said that, I can get both Tele and LP tones with the 135, it just requires some EQ at the amp.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Semi-Hollow vs. Solidbody

I really dig semi-hollowbodys. Outside of modded strats, they're my favorites. I love the airiness that a good semi - hollowbody will lend to the notes. There's a "breathy" type of quality to them and it usually takes a good amount of distortion to make feedback an issue. They work great as rhythm guitars and can handle lead within reason. If you want a more direct and focused sound, I'd say to look elsewhere, but if you want tone with a little more presence, it will do very nicely.

 

[TS Anderson]

Re: Semi-Hollow vs. Solidbody

If you are seriously looking at semi-hollows, definitely give the Guild Starfire IV a look. I own one (picutured left) and the build and attention to detail is very hi-quality. The SF-IV can handle most styles... except hardcore metal and the such. Also, they tend to be expensive retail, but their re-sale value isn't as strong as the Gibson 335... therefore it's easy to find one for about half the cost of a Gibson used. I found mine used and paid just about a grand for it.

The Guild stock humbuckers are regarded as very good for their sound. I'm actually in the process of pulling them out and dropping in some Duncans to give it a heavier sound.

Just a note about electronics in semi-hollows, some actually have a cut-away in the solid-block below the bridge pup. You can pass your pots, etc. through there. Otherwise, you will have to get the pots through your f-holes (a little painter's tape in the right places will help your f-holes from getting scratched).

Good luck.

TS

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Semi-Hollow vs. Solidbody

If you are seriously looking at semi-hollows, definitely give the Guild Starfire IV a look. I own one (picutured left) and the build and attention to detail is very hi-quality. The SF-IV can handle most styles... except hardcore metal and the such. Also, they tend to be expensive retail, but their re-sale value isn't as strong as the Gibson 335... therefore it's easy to find one for about half the cost of a Gibson used. I found mine used and paid just about a grand for it.

The Guild stock humbuckers are regarded as very good for their sound. I'm actually in the process of pulling them out and dropping in some Duncans to give it a heavier sound.

Just a note about electronics in semi-hollows, some actually have a cut-away in the solid-block below the bridge pup. You can pass your pots, etc. through there. Otherwise, you will have to get the pots through your f-holes (a little painter's tape in the right places will help your f-holes from getting scratched).

Good luck.

TS

Good advice. I looked at a ton of different semi-hollows and the Starfire IV actually caught my interest the most. Guild makes great acoustics and great jazz boxes.