Hollow or Solid?

[spacehead333]

So i have been wondering. What is the big difference between solid bodys, and hollow. Like treys guitar, what is the tone difference. What do you guys prefer?

[I'm on the Bozo Bus]

So Far Space.... We're at 100% Solid.....

I have played several "Hollow" body guitars. WAY back when, I owned a Kent Semi-hollow body. Needless to say that poor guitar should have been put out to pasture long before it hit my hands.... I was perhaps 10 years old....

Big difference, in my opinion, between a true hollow body and a semi-hollow body. A true Hollow body at a high volume, high gain configuration on ones amp configuration will likely produce some interesting feed-back. Some welcome, some will sterilize cats at 100 yards...
Again in my experience, the Semi-hollow body will nto produce as much feed back using the same sound config.
Solid bodies... You know those sounds already.

I have been told... Even the finish on a hollow body will make a difference in the tone of the guitar... With the constant ringing in my ears these days, it can be difficult to hear sometimes.
I go with what I know ... Solid bodies all the way. Not to say I could get all wrapped up in a "Doc" or a good (old) 335...

I would like to know others opinion...
PEACE,
Phil

[smile_smile_smile]

i have a 2002 Gretsch Historic Series Streamliner G3161


except i removed the pickguard. I loved it the minute i picked it up, the sounds i can create are just exactly what i was looking for. I don't play rockabilly or jazz, this baby is great for those things, but the feedback sound when you play through distortions and wahs, I get a great distinct, bluesy, distorted sound that i love. And as regards to the above poster there are things you can do to prevent that feedback when not playing.

[Tennessee Jedi]

Nice git box.
What that cost you?

[alcorelectric]

The Hollow Bodies, as others have mentioned really have way too much feedback. From what I understand that was the reason for the invention of the semi-hollow.
1981 Ibanez AS100 (semi-hollow)
1964 Gretsch (hollow)
1964 Gibson ES330 (hollow)
T

[Panda Licker]

I voted hollow, because for the most part my favorite guitar tones are on a hollow body

It seems to suit Rythm more than lead. It just gives an rounder tone, that I absolutely love.

My favorite two holowbodies would have to be the Casino and the Hollow Rics


I've been praying to god for 2 years now that Ric will reissue their hollow 4005 bass for that old 60's vibe. But I might just have to settle for a Lakland instead, because praying for that is much like praying for mountains to crumble or glaciers to disapear

Oh wait..

[I'm on the Bozo Bus]

So true Smile...
I have tried not to let that old Kent and a 400 watt solid state Peavy head cloud my judgement to bad.
You are 100% correct, that you can avoid feed-back. However at the time, playing in a very small room, very loud "Brash" amp ... well let's just say I think the "Boys" would have been proud of the feed-back space I was creating. I have played some seriously SWEET hollow-bodies. The tome is there un-amplified (REF: a really old Gibson f-hole(s) Arch-top hollow-body - an uncles guitar ... but that is another story).
Personal opinion: I just feel like the guitars are fragile. Again, that is likely because the old Kent was a piece of garbage.... 3/4" of Action at the 22nd fret... I can smell it now...

PEACE,
Phil

[High Peaks]

To go even further-- I would rather have a set neck semi hollowbody then a production model bolt on solid. I have a highway 1 strat that i have modded to Garcia's specs and i just recently purchased a semi hollowbody. The strat just has no sustain at all. I don't know if its the guitar or what. After playing the semi hollow-- it made me realize how average my strat is.

But if i had a nice neck thru solid body with a hippie sandwich, theres nothing in my mind that gets a better tone.

[smile_smile_smile]

i agree they do feel fragile, and the fretboard is not long enough...oh how i love it though, anyone ever find their guitar, like it was an extension of them, thats how i feel with this baby in my hands....and Jedi i paid 700 for it, kinda steep but it was worth it and they only made a certain amount too

[I'm on the Bozo Bus]

Just like the hokey-pokey, Smile, smile, smile...

That IS what it's all about
PEACE,
Phil

[CaptainTrips]

Myself, Im a fan of Telecasters. So obviously I like to have a nice big slab of wood to play with, but I wouldnt be adverse to picking up one of those semi hollow telecasters, but I dont think Id ever go for a full hollowbody.

[spacehead333]

i think im going to try and get a cheap epiphone dot, semi-hollow to see how i like em, before i pick a solid body mccarty, or a semi hollow mccarty