Hollow/Semi-Hollow for rock music?

[cmds]

So, after not playing electric for 4 years, I'm ready to get back into it. Now, the last time I played electric, I was a metalhead shredder, 100% committed to ruler-thin necks on Ibanez/Jackson and the like.I'm now discovering that my tastes have radically changed, so I'm lost in the world of electrics again. In the past 2-3 weeks, I've made a good 4 or so pilgrimmages to local shops to get my hands on as much as I could. I've basically come down to playing a larger body semi/hollow or a strat-style.

I feel very comfortable playing on both, but there's something about the semis and hollows I've played that's really spoken to me (Gretsch 5120, Epiphone Sheraton, Ibanez Artcore, Hagstrom HJ-500). Optimally, I would just buy a semi for jazz and a strat for rock, but I'm not in a position to make that purchase, so I'm looking for something to cover all bases. I'm not looking to go absolutely crazy these days, maybe as heavy as Sabbath on occassion, are these style guitars going to be able to handle that in a performance setting, or am I looking at a maelstrom of feedback if I even try?

I now turn to the much more knowledgeable AGF for a bit of guidance. All your help is greatly appreciated.

[Bob Womack]

The semi-hollows (E335 and ES355, etc.) have a solid center section that neck, pickups, and bridge/tailpiece are mounted on. That makes them much less susceptible to feedback than totally hollow guitars. I can gain up my ES335 pretty far with lots of volume and not have a problem with feedback.

Bob

[j3ffr0]

If you want the best of both worlds you might consider a semi-hollow with a coil splitter for both hum buckers. You'll have all of the semi-hollow sound and maybe 70% of the strats sound.

[alexevans917]

If you can find an 80's Epiphone Sheraton.... those guitars are brilliant and surprisingly affordable. They could definitely cover jazz and rock.

[mc1]

a gibson es-135 or howard roberts fusion would fit the bill. quite versatile, although not a strat sound. but good cleans and they handle distortion well. plus smaller and more comfortable than an es-335 (which is another super versatile guitar).

the artcores are nice for a lower cost alternative.

[cmds]

So the summary version of this is to avoid full hollows (The Gretsch and Hagstrom) and look for a semi with a center block, and I should be good.

[tractman]

I have a Sheraton II in natural that the bomb. Upgraded pots to CTS Thre is a Gibson burst bucket in the bridge. Killer tone. $500.00 shipped with mint hard case.

[franchelB]

So, after not playing electric for 4 years, I'm ready to get back into it. Now, the last time I played electric, I was a metalhead shredder, 100% committed to ruler-thin necks on Ibanez/Jackson and the like.I'm now discovering that my tastes have radically changed, so I'm lost in the world of electrics again. In the past 2-3 weeks, I've made a good 4 or so pilgrimmages to local shops to get my hands on as much as I could. I've basically come down to playing a larger body semi/hollow or a strat-style.

I feel very comfortable playing on both, but there's something about the semis and hollows I've played that's really spoken to me (Gretsch 5120, Epiphone Sheraton, Ibanez Artcore, Hagstrom HJ-500). Optimally, I would just buy a semi for jazz and a strat for rock, but I'm not in a position to make that purchase, so I'm looking for something to cover all bases. I'm not looking to go absolutely crazy these days, maybe as heavy as Sabbath on occassion, are these style guitars going to be able to handle that in a performance setting, or am I looking at a maelstrom of feedback if I even try?

I now turn to the much more knowledgeable AGF for a bit of guidance. All your help is greatly appreciated.

Ted Nugent, and Malcolm Young come to mind when it comes to guys playing rock music with semi-hollow guitars. I don't recall hearing either one sounding awful when they played their guitars.

[Gypsyblue]

I play just about anything I feel like playing on my ES-335. I play mostly a jazzy blues style. But you can rock out with a highly overdriven tone with an ES-335 just fine - long as you have the chops and the "right" amplifier for the job.

(You're going to get a 100 watt Marshall stack next - right??? :) Just kidding! )

Eric Clapton's solo on Crossroads is supposed to be an ES-335 and it's one of the greatest rock guitar solos of all time. For heavier music (like Van Halen or metal) you'd do better with a solid body guitar - maybe a Strat style with humbuckers and with a Floyd Rose locking vibrato.

[Dru Edwards]

The semi-hollows (E335 and ES355, etc.) have a solid center section that neck, pickups, and bridge/tailpiece are mounted on. That makes them much less susceptible to feedback than totally hollow guitars. I can gain up my ES335 pretty far with lots of volume and not have a problem with feedback.

Bob

+1. Semi hollow will have less issues with feedback than a hollow body. I think a semi hollow would give you "something to cover all bases" (as you posted).

[cmds]

(You're going to get a 100 watt Marshall stack next - right???

Oh no sir. 100w is SOOOO 80's. I'm going straight to that 350w Crate Shockwave. ;)

I don't anticipate a lot of rock or metal stuff, but it'd be nice to fill in for friends bands if the need ever arose. Sounds like a solid center semi is going to fit the bill perfectly.

As usual, AGF came through in swift fashion. Thanks for all the help, guys.

[leeasam]

Taylor T3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZAeFuW-PCk

[Dru Edwards]

Oh no sir. 100w is SOOOO 80's. I'm going straight to that 350w Crate Shockwave. ;)

I don't anticipate a lot of rock or metal stuff, but it'd be nice to fill in for friends bands if the need ever arose. Sounds like a solid center semi is going to fit the bill perfectly.

As usual, AGF came through in swift fashion. Thanks for all the help, guys.

You make my 100w Marshall TSL-100 seem so out of date! The Traynor I bought was 50 w and much more manageable is smaller places. I'm starting to prefer smaller wattage amps.

Anyway ... back to your topic. Is there any semi hollow that you're considering?

[cmds]

The ones I enjoyed the most were the Epi Riviera Epi Casino and Ibanez Afs80t. I also quite enjoyed the Sheratons I played, though I was sightly annoyed at the lack of a Bigsby.

[leeasam]

another video of the t3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YlXDUqiynY&feature=related

[Jeff Brisbin]

how about a Taylor T-5 ????

[steveyam]

Take a look at Eric Clapton playing a 335 through two Marshall stacks at Cream's farewell concert in 1969:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16h6vLy6n4A&feature=related

Power, tone and playability..

[alexevans917]

If you can afford a T3 (especially a Koa top...), they're beautiful guitars that sound excellent. Really thick, driving rock tone. Could definitely be backed off a bit for jazz though.

[Bradmeister]

I went looking for a semi-hollow myself years ago. I was in love with Gretsch guitars. What I found was an awesome deal on a Yamaha AES1500B. It is a lot like an ES-335, but also has coil taps for both pickups. You can get some really nice single coil sounds from those settings. It is, by far, the most versatile semi-hollow I saw at the time. (Except maybe some with synth access, too.)

I love that guitar, and it started me down the path of dual-humbucker guitars...I'm now a proud Les Paul owner. :)

Anyway, I highly recommend it. They are lovely, well made, and excellent sounding guitars. Yamaha makes great stuff.

-Brad

[RockerDuck]

The Ibanez Artcore AS73 is really well made as compared to the higher priced Gretch guitars which are true hollow bodied. Get one with the center block whether it be Ibanez or Epipone.

[cmds]

Well I'm off a couple nights this week, I'll be back in stores making a final decision. It looks like it'll be either a Sheraton II or Riviera ... leaning towards the latter so I don't have to deal with installing a Bigsby.

[Herb Hunter]

Below are two made-in-USA guitars you should consider before making a decision. The first has a solid, carved top (though some prefer the sound of a plywood top that was bent into a curved top) and the second is made in the original Gibson factory by former Gibson employees left behind when Gibson moved away from Kalamazoo. Both have reputation for consistent quality.

http://www.carvinguitars.com/catalog/guitars/index.php?model=sh445

http://www.heritageguitar.com/models/h535almsb_specs.html

[j3ffr0]

I can vouch for Carvin guitars. I own a few -- including the very versatile AE185 (A semi hollow with a single F hole, a piezo under the bridge (for acoustic sounds), and two humbuckers with coil tap). It is the most versatile guitar I've ever seen -- From AC/DC to Dust in the Wind, this guitar has it covered.

[Alexrkstr]

I see you are in Houston. Fuller's guitars has a GREAT selection of guitars, anything from $200 to $20,000 guitars. They carry Taylor, Gibson, Epiphone, Fender, and Gretsch among others. I would just go there and talk to Eric (tell him I sent ya, (Alex)).

Honestly, only you know the sound and flexibility you are looking for. I didn't realize that I would be so happy with my ES 335 until I played it non-stop last night for 4 hours. I was able to get pretty much any tone I wanted (from U2 to Chuck Berry, to some jazz stuff). The amp you are going through is also important, for semi hollows, I would recommend an amp that has enough clean room and has a sweet breaking spot where you can hear the full tone and warmth of the semi hollow with the tube saturation.... mmmmm....

If you are in a budget (under $600)
I have seen great Washburn HB35s and Japanese Epiphone Sheratons with upgraded pickups (57 Classics) on CL and eBay - expect to shell out $500-$600 for these guitars. With a good set up you are good to go.

If you have more cash to spare ($1,000-$1,500)
I would lean towards used gibson 137s and 333s. The ES 333 is the old Satin 335, they usually sell for $1,000 - $1,200 depending on the condition and the upgrades. The original guitar sold for $1,200 at Guitar center and people realized they were pretty much a 335 for $1k less, so Gibson had to shut down that production. They then came up with the satin 335 which sells for $1,500 used and has all the specs of the gloss 335. In summary, if you can find an ES 333, go for it, you will not regret it.

Naturally you will see more people suggest the T3 as this is primarily an acoustic guitar forum and Taylor is a great acoustic brand (and electric), but the customer loyalty here is greater for acoustic guitar brands.

Good luck with your search!

[franchelB]

...

If you are in a budget (under $600)
I have seen great Washburn HB35s and Japanese Epiphone Sheratons with upgraded pickups (57 Classics) on CL and eBay - expect to shell out $500-$600 for these guitars. With a good set up you are good to go...

Good luck with your search!

I can't vouch for the HB-35 (or "MIJ" Epi Sheratons), but I DO have the Washburn HB-30...(think of it as a Washburn's version of the "335ES-Dot"), and after upgrading the bridge pickup (with a Dimarzio Fred), I love the guitar even more!

It's definitely worth looking for the Washburn's HB-30

[jomaynor]

The Telecaster - both the traditional solidbody, or the semi-hollow Thinline - is an extremely versatile instrument which sounds great for jazz, as well.

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=bill+frisell+telecaster&hl=en&safe=off&biw=1280&bih=685&gbv=2&tbm=isch&tbnid=61482hVqAQLC7M:&imgrefurl=http://www.piacenzajazzclub.it/index.php%3FID_L3_menu%3D530&docid=D-slQlpVjQ388M&imgurl=http://www.piacenzajazzclub.it/imgscontenuti/small/Frisell_web.jpg&w=320&h=395&ei=P--wTpTHDMOCtgeb_qmHAg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=1037&vpy=180&dur=4494&hovh=249&hovw=202&tx=101&ty=136&sig=105984912911109958513&page=3&tbnh=158&tbnw=148&start=38&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:38

[phuufme]

I have a knock of a Gibson ES-135 or ES-137 (depending on the year). George Thorogood uses a white Gibson ES-135 -- see here --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7VsoxT_FUY

[ghostnote]

I've got a few of those things:
Epiphone Dot Deluxe
Gretsch 5120
Epiphone Casino
Rickenbacker 330

All cool in their own way. I put Gibson 57 Classics in the Dot and it sounds killer now, like a 335, and it always played great. I played the Ric for years in a Beatles cover band - great guitar also. I think I like the Casino best to play, but I play the Gretsch the most lately. I think guitars like these are the most fun to play.

[NoPicks]

Ted Nugent, and Malcolm Young come to mind when it comes to guys playing rock music with semi-hollow guitars. I don't recall hearing either one sounding awful when they played their guitars.

Nugent's trademark axe is not a semi-hollow. That's a full hollowbody Byrdland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibson_Byrdland) with the pickup switch wiring modified to have a 'kill switch' position - the only way he can keep the thing under some semblance of control at the volume levels he plays at. He also spent many years working out exactly where he needs to stand in relation to the amps in order to make particular notes feed back, or not

I can tell you from hard-won experience that getting useful musical output from a full hollowbody at high volume is no easy trick. In my case, I spent the better part of a year trying to get my ES-175T to behave under those conditions and eventually had to throw in the towel

OP would be far better served with a semi-hollowbody IMO. Much more controllable at "Rock & Roll" volume levels. Beyond the excellent suggestions made by other posters in this thread, it might be worth looking into an ES-339. Gibson has been making two different variants of this model for about 10 years now (Fat Neck and Slim Taper neck) and they're pretty versatile

There is also apparently an Epiphone version (http://www.guitarlifestyle.com/archives/2011/08/01/epiphone-es-339/) of this same model in the pipeline right now, at a much more affordable price....

[imwjl]

These economic times have PRS HBs show up at good prices new and used.

Tonedr (aka maplebaby) is playing one in each pickup position, same amp for a taste of how it goes jazzy through rock and both jazz and metal players use these.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FB2E6jOMVY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmeBZSJMlvA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPTNsuYNM8Y

I have one and one and offer these observations. They have quality most Gibsons lack, make tone unplugged because they're solid wood, but are not prone to feedback.

The downside for some is they're not traditional and have a voice more their own.

I compared mine to a Taylor T3. They both have high build quality but the Taylor is kind of like the GM car approach using parts from others off the shelf, and doesn't have the same fret access.