A semi-hollow for an acoustic flatpicker

[Charlie Bernstein]

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

I think you'll find there's nothing particularly "acousticy" about a semi hollow guitar.

No, indeed. A hollowbody is somewhat acoustic, sounding, though not usually as loud. A semi-hollowbody doesn't sound acoustic at all.

And it's good of you to make that clear for Hotroad. Got that, Hotroad?

[FrankHudson]

As some have already said, many semi-hollow guitars have larger bodies and what with air you see inside the f-holes they look like they should be sorta acoustic guitar like. But as some have already pointed out, you may not hear what your eyes "hear."

You'll get more acoustic like feel and response, even if not exactly acoustic guitar sound, if you string up with what electric players call a medium gauge set with a wound G string. Similar gauged string sets for acoustic guitars are light or custom light, but the idea is that you'll get a similar string feel with a similar touch. I play both acoustic and electric, over the years more or less equally. Most of my electrics are strung with light electric strings (.009 top E string sets). But I always keep at least a couple of electrics with those wound G medium electric sets.

Amps are yet another thing, and are an important part of the system of sound from an electric guitar. You haven't asked, so I'll leave that off.

Other have mentioned that many (most?) folks play the electric guitar with a different touch, techniques, and aims than acoustic. I do that too much of the time, and the differences are part of my enjoyment of guitar playing. If you enjoy what you hear from popular electric guitarists you may find that siren song of electric guitar will cause you to approach the electric guitar differently that you do an acoustic one.

You haven't mentioned budget. Lots of very usable Asian made semi-hollows out there new and used, and of course Gibson will be glad to sell you one. My semi-hollows have all been Asian made and I've been happy with them.

[Jeff Scott]

Maybe something nice and vintage.

[CASD57]

I just went through the same thing.. But I was thinking Hollowbody to get closer and it is...
But I also figured out the hollow body does not like a heavier hand I have...ie..,picking dynamics
Sure I could learn to adjust how hard to pick but I've got a semi-hollow ES339 with P90's So I'm sticking with that but I would like to beef up the tone without being bass-heavy
Compressor?
The reason I bring this up is the OP could run into the same problem with a Semi-Hollow

[dilver]

OP - try an ES-175 or a 6120. Both are HOLLOWBODIES, but have acoustic qualities that I think you’ll appreciate.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by CASD57

I just went through the same thing.. But I was thinking hollowbody to get closer and it is...
But I also figured out the hollow body does not like a heavier hand I have...ie..,picking dynamics...

IME a full-hollow guitar (thin or full-depth) should be more responsive to picking dynamics - one of the reasons mainstream jazzers and roots/rockabilly players still favor them...

Don't know what you're presently using, but a lighter and/or softer pick might just do the trick: BTW I also have a heavy hand, and I've been using nylons since Herco first came out with them almost 60 years ago - presently use Dunlop Nylons in four different gauges depending on the instrument/application...

[mr. beaumont]

Hollow bodies love to be played hard! But you can't put .09s on them and expect to play swing rhythm...

I think the biggest dilemma folks run into is always that the plugged in sound of a true hollow body is often NOTHING like the unplugged sound...so if you haven't tried one in person, you kind of need to to figure out what you're getting in to.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Originally Posted by dilver

OP - try an ES-175 or a 6120. Both are HOLLOWBODIES, but have acoustic qualities that I think you’ll appreciate.

Yup. I used to have a single-pickup ES-150. It didn't sound great unplugged, and it wasn't loud, but you could hear it. It really wanted to be amplified.

Hotroad, it might be hard finding a semi-hollowbody or hollowbody that delivers the sound you want. Let us know what you learn and what you get.

[Russ C]

I too think that you need to go hollow (330, Casino, 175, etc) to get any recognisable acoustic quality in your electric notes.
I enjoy that difference between my 330 and my Les Paul but if I’m gigging at 40W or more the 330 will give trouble.

[phcorrigan]

I've been playing acoustic nearly all my life, and I got my first electric, A MIK Gretsch G5420TG hollow body. I love it! With a couple of inexpensive Behringer pedals and a Bugera V22 Infinium tube amp I get exactly the sound I want! Also, I have no problem switching between the Gretsch and my acoustic.

BTW, Steve DeRosa is the resident Gretsch expert here, so you might seek his council.

[phcorrigan]

Originally Posted by fpuhan

Yes. Another maker I'd suggest checking out is Ibanez. They make the ArtCore series of guitars, and I am very impressed with the build quality, the playability and the pricing.

IMO, the Ibanez ArtCores are underrated, and therefore can usually be picked up used at great prices.

[Turp]

Not sure if this was mentioned. The Carvin AC275 or former AC375

I'm not a fan of the current model's fret markers, but these sound and play great. It's the most acoustic hybrid I'm played or observed. The most "electric" quality about it is the sustain as it has a neck through construction.

These occasionally surface on the used market.

These flew under the radar for me and I truly wish I'd found this guitar many years ago.

[nostatic]

fwiw, I find a good eq to be your friend if you're trying to cop a bit more acoustic sound from a hollow, semi-hollow, or even solid body. Usually start with a mid scoop, then go from there. Of course you'll lose some of the punch of an electric (of any flavor) but depends on your application. You also can mess with acoustic guitar IRs. I find the Barberra one in the TC Implulse to be pretty good, but the D28 less usable.

That way you just go with whatever guitar you like from a playability (and looks) perspective. I've had fully carved arch tops, laminated, and solid bodies, and frankly with my ParaEQ I can get my solid body P90/Hum Anderson to lean more towards the acoustic vibe.

[imwjl]

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Hollow bodies love to be played hard! But you can't put .09s on them and expect to play swing rhythm...

I think the biggest dilemma folks run into is always that the plugged in sound of a true hollow body is often NOTHING like the unplugged sound...so if you haven't tried one in person, you kind of need to to figure out what you're getting in to.

My other fun learning along those lines was a solid wood vs plywood that is a same or similar sound much different unplugged but much more the same when amplified. Also, I think outside of some very jazz or '30s - 40's style band music, our (Homo sapiens) brains really like the amplified end result sound of the iconic 1950s composite wood and that era style pickups in all sorts of music.

It was a lot of long and expensive pleasure learning and trying all that stuff.

[PapaLobo]

I have a 335, 339 , 356 and Heritatge H535.

The 7/8 bodies of the 339/356 ( also 336) are a bit more friendly to play and give nothing up on tone. They also relocate the jack to the side , way better .