Hollow bodies vs. solid bodies

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Kill

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Ok guys, I'm looking for a new guitar and I'm used to my solid Fender. I am a big fan of Troy Vanleeuwen and I read that he uses a semi-hollow body guitar. Now I'm not going to run out and buy one on a whim, but I was just wondering if anyone could give me a few disadvantages and advantages of a semi-hollow body as opposed to a solid guitar. And what are some good (not too expensive) semi-hollow bodied guitars? Thanks for any feedback.
 
Semi-hollow body guitars tend to be more resonant, and a little mellower than solid bodies. They are also, however, a lot more prone to feedback, because of the additional resonance. They are also lighter, though for some people they feel neck heavy.

I can't help you on models, sorry, but I would imagine someone here could.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
I would agree w/ Light's offering that semi-hollow bodies tend to be neck heavy and that they feedback easier.

One thing he didn't mention that's a big deal to me is that semi-hollow bodies tend to suit people w/ bigger frames better. I'm a big dude and me on a telecaster makes me look like I'm playing a toy.

It's not a sound factor but it more of a presentation issue.
 
thanks for the feedback thus far guys. How about tone wise, what's the major difference? Is the feedback a big issue, can it be controlled? Thanks again.
 
Have you thought about a Thinline Telecaster?
Same shape as the standerd tele, but with an f-hole.
Just a thought.
Peace.
 
Anyone have any thoughts on the Carlo Robelli USH-500 Hollow Body? is this a decent guitar for a hollow body novice like myself? If not, what is a good hollow body guitar?
 
I have a '70 Gibson 150 and just love it. The feedback issue is what I like about it. It brings a new dimension and sound to your playing. It does take a bit to get used to controling it, the volume knob setting is critical. Once you figure it out though, it is a blast. You will pay at least $2000 for a used 150.
http://home.comcast.net/~bonrox/guitars/150dc.htm

Now I just picked up an Ibanez hollow for a friend of mine. While I am not a fan of Ibanez, I did like this one. It plays good, sounds great and appears to be fairly good quality. For the new price of $250, it's a very good deal.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...4460255/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/519453/

One other thing. I am a big fan the the Ted Nugent sound. Lots of watts through a hollow body. I am currently looking for a Birdland
 
Hey thanks a lot Just, I'm checking out both those models now. Thanks to everyone who posted a response thus far, of course any further info would be greatly appriciated.
 
Kill said:
thanks for the feedback thus far guys. How about tone wise, what's the major difference? Is the feedback a big issue, can it be controlled? Thanks again.
Click to expand...


It can be controlled to an extent, if you play with a lot of saturation at high levels of volume then it will be a bit more difficult to tame. However if your volume levels are nominal then you will have no problems, I do however find myself reaching for my hollowbody more often especially on tunes with more clean tones, in this area, to me, they cannot be beat.

Tone wise, hollowbodys are a God sent. They have magnificent resonance and the body vibrates beautifully with the strings.
 
There's a boat load of nice, affordable semi's out there. I have a Hammer Echotone that's works great for me. But theres Ibenez, Epiphone, Jay Tursers ;-), etc. that fall in the sub-$500 range.

Best bet is just to go to the store and start trying them out.

I like the feedback aspect personally - I can't hardly get my strat to feedback at all.

It's probably wise to try out the Gibsons as well, but really be sure to check out the cheap one's on the same trip. You'll be surprized how nice some of those play and sound.
 
Check out the Epiphone Wildkat. It is my main axe, and you can score it for under $500 I am sure. Gorgeous looking, Bigsby trem, P90 pickups. It is a semi-hollow. I have it and a Strat. I find I use the strat for real clean sounds (chimy stuff like Edge or Knopfler style), but the wildkat is my main jazzy guitar, or my main heavy rocker. I love the sound of the overdrive it sends my amp to using the neck pu with the tone all the way off. It feeds back pretty harshly with high gain (I would never use it for metally sounds), but for good rock overdrive/distortion it is fantastic. It can sound very similar to a Gibson SG if you can keep the squeal under control.
 
great stuff guys, thanks a lot. Anyone know about either of these models:

Carlo Rolbelli USH-500
or the
Ibanez AS73
?????
 
I have enjoyed my Epi Sheraton VSB, I paid about $500 in 1988 for it. It can scream if you like it loud and distorted and can be very mellow if you're into jazzy stuff.
rpe
 

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A while back I acquired up an Epiphone Casino. It has a very retro sound and the single coils give it a nice folk-rock sound.

I also have one of the 1972 reissue thinline Telecasters. The humbuckers make it the ultimate "Twang" machine.
 
Epiphone Casinos

I would second the Epiphone Casino and Epiphone Wildkat recommendations. I have a 1997 Korean Epiphone Casino that I picked up used for a very reasonable price. The P-90 single-coil pickups are not bad quality compared to what I expected. However, the electronics in the guitar leave something to be desired. After some intermittent electronic problems, I swapped the electronics out myself with better quality electronics (pots, caps, switch, jack). I also installed a Bigsby tremolo on it for a total 50's rockabilly vibe. It is by far the easiest guitar to play of the seven I own, due in part to the very fast and slim neck. The single-coil P-90's also have that distinctive P-90 midrange growl to them when pushed. Plus, the guitar is fully hollow, not semi-hollow like Gibson ES-335 types. The Epiphone Wildkat I played at a music store had similar qualities to my modded Casino. For the money, the Epiphone guitars are built pretty solid... you just have to anticipate replacing the electronics at some point.
 
Yamaha SA2100

I own 2 80's Japanese made Yamaha SA2100 guitars and they are smoking guitars. They are of the 335 ilk but with higher class appointments. These are sleepers. Ebony fretboards, real Mother of Pearl inlays. I play loud indie/pop/rock through a Marshall and feedback has never been a real issue. I think it is because these models have a solid block running the length of the body. Coil taps too. Very versatile and play like butter. If you into heavy metal this may not be your guitar. But, nonetheless a very good consideration. These can still be found for around $500-800 bucks. These guitar sold for around $1200 bucks in the 80's they are not cheap guitars. I own a '89 PRS that sits in a stand because it doesn't have the 'girth' of these guitars. I love that big resonant sound you get with these guitars. You can see them here in action: http://www.meetgoodwin.com/images.html

Good Luck,
Daniel
www.meetgoodwin.com
 
aha! here's the deal!!

HollStratXsec.jpg


go to warmouth, getcha a body like this!

then, pick whatever style neck you want (i'd go for the conversion neck- gibson scale length)

have em do a coutoured top with some high quality wood, and do a sunburst finish!!

super sweet!!
put a fixed bridge on it, and you've got a tone machine.

this is basically how i had my custom axe done, but it's not a bolt on neck, it's a glue in neck like a les paul, but it looks like a strat....
with an explorer headstock!!

LOL

here's mine

lg-257404.jpg
 
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Re: Yamaha SA2100

Goodwin Audio said:
I think it is because these models have a solid block running the length of the body.
Click to expand...


All 335 style guitars have this. That is the design, and preaty much what defines a semi-hollow guitar.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
The older late 80's earlly 90's Ibanez Artist Semis{335 Style} are really very nice..Dare I say nicer than some of the Gibsons of the mid 70's and early 80's..And if you look you can get one for about say 300.00 or so..Ditto on what Light says that they all have the "block"


Don
 
I have a Ric 330 that I absolutely love. Great for Jangle, of course, but also sounds great when it gets pushed a bit on a tube amp. It's definitely hotter than my tele.

Lately I've been jonesing for one of these

They are Korean made, but pretty solid and they sell for $829 at MF. Much better than paying $2000 for the real (made in Japan) deal. Now all I need is a Nudie suit.
 
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