Semi-hollow bodies

  • Thread starter Thread starter sile2001
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sile2001

sile2001

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Ok, I'm in the market for some form of semi-hollow electric. When I first started, I was looking at the Fender '72 Thinlines, and I still like the general design and sound of the guitar, but I'm somewhat turned off to Fender right now. Would anyone care to throw out their experiences with various hollows or semi-hollows? I'm open to hearing about absolutely any guitar. Thanks!
 
The Ibanez Artcore series are pretty nice. I've been looking into semi's myself recently, and played one at GC and really liked it. The Epiphone Dot series ain't too shabby for the price.
 
Here here for the artcores, I've got one and love it. It outplays, in my opinion, most every gibson I've played. The only thing that I find matches its sound are the new Gretches, but personally I don't like the way those play (the necks are way too thin). If you're looking for a hollow that feels like a solid and willing to drop $1k+, I'd say check out some of the new Gretch's. If not, hands down, go with the Artcores.
 
I own an Epi DOT - it plays well can provide a good range of tones and at $400 was in a decent price range.

I have played a couple of the Ibenez Artcores and I really liked them (almost bought one - but since I already had the DOT - decided not to).
 
Does anyone have any experience with the roller saddle bridges on the tremolos used on the Artcore's? I've had bad experiences with tremolos in the past, so both of my current guitars are fixed bridge. Can they stay in tune?
 
The Artcore I tried had a fixed bridge. There are a few different models.
 
another vote for the Artcore series and Epiphone Casino. If money is no object, go for the Hofner thin line.
 
sile2001 said:
Does anyone have any experience with the roller saddle bridges on the tremolos used on the Artcore's? I've had bad experiences with tremolos in the past, so both of my current guitars are fixed bridge. Can they stay in tune?
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I don't use the tremelo much on my Artcore but I found that when I push down on it when I'm screwing around it might send it slightly out of tune. I found that if I pull up on the bar a couple of times it usually goes back.

You mentioned in your initial post that you were interested in a semi-hollow body. The Artcore that I have which I think is the ASF75TD is a full hollow body. I think a semi has a plank of wood running down the middle with hollow wings but I could be wrong. Either way I love the guitar. It playes nice and sounds nice.
 
Semi-Hollow Body

I play a red Gibson ES-335, and am very happy with it. Classic tone and looks. Quality is very good - no problems.
 
sile2001 said:
Ok, I'm in the market for some form of semi-hollow electric. When I first started, I was looking at the Fender '72 Thinlines, and I still like the general design and sound of the guitar, but I'm somewhat turned off to Fender right now. Would anyone care to throw out their experiences with various hollows or semi-hollows? I'm open to hearing about absolutely any guitar. Thanks!
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I always wanted the original Fender thinline until the day I bought one of these.

http://www.glguitars.com/instruments/pics/large/ASAT-SPECIAL-SEMIHOLLOW-bla.jpg

http://www.glguitars.com/instruments/pics/large/ASAT_CC_SH.jpg


C
 
I play an Epi Wildkat, nice mid price guitar, P-90 pups. Smooth and jazzy or really dirty and overdriven it is awesome.
 
I recently got an Ibanez Artcore AM73, and I've just fallen in love with it. It's rapidly shouldered aside my Strat and my Paul as the first guitar I reach for.
 
gvarko said:
C-1 E/A.. I think these things are fine...


http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM03/Content/Schecter/PR/C-1-E-A.html
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Oooohhhhhh.......hmmmm....a little more than I was planning on spending. guess I'll have to try and find one in a store and play it. I like the fact that it has the piezo pickup.

Thanks for all the feedback guys! CGibson, yeah, I'd seen the ASAT and I know they are great guitars, but I'm looking for something with humbuckers, not single coils. Thanks though!

Looks like I'll be going after either an Artcore (not sure which yet) or the Schecter....the ears will have to decide.
 
new semi

well, this thing blows me away $129 and it works....

poor lighting down here, picture doesn't do it justice, it's a beaut.
 

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junplugged said:
well, this thing blows me away $129 and it works....

poor lighting down here, picture doesn't do it justice, it's a beaut.
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What model is that?
 
A vote for the H-535

I own a Heritage H-535, which is basically an ES-335 with a thinner body and diferrently styled center block. I love this guitar, and it's just starting to open up nicely. Although the stock model is equipped with Schaller roller bridge and Schaller pickups, the style I have is tune-o-matic and Duncan 59's. I hear you can get the VIP pickups straight from Heritage, and those are supposed to be crazy good.
As for the sound of the H-535, it's a bit brighter than most ES-335's due to the thinner body and chimes very well at the middle position. With the proper eq'ing and pedals/amp, you can go from Jazzy stuff like Grant Green to BB King to Phish to Weezer to...but then again, I guess any guitar can do that, right ;) ?
Anyways, my vote for the H-535. It sounds great, looks better, and "costs better" than Gibsons (I think mine was under $2000 by a fair margin).

EDIT: Sorry, didn't see the post about the price ranges...
 
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Real world pricing..

sile2001 said:
Oooohhhhhh.......hmmmm....a little more than I was planning on spending. guess I'll have to try and find one in a store and play it. I like the fact that it has the piezo pickup.

Thanks for all the feedback guys! CGibson, yeah, I'd seen the ASAT and I know they are great guitars, but I'm looking for something with humbuckers, not single coils. Thanks though!

Looks like I'll be going after either an Artcore (not sure which yet) or the Schecter....the ears will have to decide.
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$699 at Guitar Center..

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/fg=42/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/518184/

I just played one at lunch today, they are awesome..
 
I have a Gibson ES-135 that sounds great. These are the discontinued models that were replaced by the ES-137 - the new 135's don't even have f-holes :-( . Aside for some obvious QC flaws, the guitar looks and sounds great, it has '57 humbuckers and does the Les Paul/ES-335 thing very nicely. They can be found on ebay for well under $1000.
 
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