Hollow Body Electric - Page 2

Livingston · #16 08-11-2002, 02:13 PM

I have a Ibanez GB100. It's not my dream archtop but it has been a great workhorse. I like it's sound, playability, and 14.5" lower bout. I wish Ibanez would have used better materials in the inlays, bindings, tuner keys, etc. but like I said, it's a very playable guitar and a reliable workhorse.

I see that D'Angelico has a new model that has similar dimensions to the GB. It is an all solid maple guitar with a real carved top, 14.5" lower bout and floating pick ups. I'd like to try one of those.

Otherwise, I haven't really figured out which archtop to set my sights on. It will be something in the range of a Benedetto, Motoro, Buscarino, etc., etc.

Also waiting for the Taylor KBSM (Kenny Burrell Signature Model)!

SteveRB · #17 08-11-2002, 10:41 PM

I have a Hamer Echotone. It's a 335-style semi-hollowbody that comes with Seymour Duncan pickups. I play blues, classic rock, and jazz with it. It's also good for getting 60's guitar sounds.

It's only a $500 guitar but it's well made and it changed my mind about how good a budget priced electric can play and sound.

www.hamerguitars.com

Yamaha, Heritage, Ibanez, Hamer, Epiphone, and Gibson all make some really nice semi's. Too bad they can be so hard to find.

david eaton · #18 08-12-2002, 12:09 PM

I have a PRS Hollowbody with the Piezo option. I played several others, a McInturff Royal which was nice and a 335 which was much darker sounding, but the PRS was it for me. The piezo option adds an incredible amount of tonal variety.

charlemagne52 · #19 08-12-2002, 12:40 PM

I have a '57 ES 125, great chunky sound. I use flatwounds on it.

Mike Carter · #20 08-12-2002, 01:11 PM

I have 56 ES 125 in mint condition, and also use flat wound strings. It is a remarkable guitar.

I also have ES 335 and love it to death it is so versatlile that you can play Blues, Jazz, country and Rock producing the most amazing sounds in all categories.

another awesome semi hollow is the 61 Gretsch Chet Atkins Tennesean. It is just like the one George Harrison played. It has a very unique sound that classic rock was built on.

The grand daddy of them all is the Gibson L-5 Cesn.
It is one of the most Beautiful guitars I have ever seen.
It plays like butter and produces tones that I can't even describe.
Only my ability to play or lack there of, limits what this simply Incredible Guitar can do.

I sincerely hope that Bob Taylor one day decides to built an archtop. There is no doubt in my mind it would be Fantastic.

Livingston · #21 08-13-2002, 08:15 AM

Mike C,

Glad to hear another voice in favor of a Taylor archtop. I too believe Taylor can achieve a noteworthery F holed masterpiece.

James Willer · #22 08-13-2002, 10:14 AM

I too would like to see Bob build an archtop, also a mandolin!

Boogie · #23 08-23-2002, 10:29 AM

I sugest that you try a Guild Starfire IV. I have played and owned many guitars including a 68 175, a 60's country gent an SA200, a vintage guibson L (mid 40's) and Two starfires (plus a slew of solid bodies).

The new starfire IV's are very nice and have really good workmanship. Better than any new 335's that I have played.

#24 08-23-2002, 10:45 AM

Just another vote for the Gibson ES-335!

A great guitar!

mojo · #25 08-23-2002, 11:19 AM

Hey Taylor Fanatics,

G&L junkie here...
GbL-LE, chambered mohagony body, f-hole
ASAT Jr, chambered mohagony body, no f-hole
Heritage Prospect Custom

I would love to see Bob Taylor do an archtop.

mojo

stratokatsu · #26 08-26-2002, 07:56 PM

When they first came back out a few years ago, I bought a natural colored D'Armond Starfire Classic with the USA made humbuckers. The guitar may have been imported, but the workmanship was lovely and the electronics were first rate. For a cheap guitar, it was a great value and considering the direction I have turned, it's probably one guitar I wish I still had. Now that they have been replaced with the Squier name on them, I'm not sure how good they are. Steve314 - jump in here...

I currently have a USA Hamer Vanguard 25th anniversary model. It's got P90's and is one great guitar.

Hondo · #27 08-26-2002, 08:04 PM

Actually, I think the best two hollow bodies I've ever had were a Gibson L5 and a Gibson Byrdland.

Can you believe I sold those?

I always seem to be cash strapped when I own really fine guitars.

James Willer · #28 08-28-2002, 11:21 PM

Quote:

I always seem to be cash strapped when I own really fine guitars.

Been there, done that! Now I'm keeping them no matter what!

Hondo · #29 08-29-2002, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by James Willer
Been there, done that! Now I'm keeping them no matter what!

Don't I wish?

Mike Carter · #30 08-29-2002, 07:39 PM

Hondo my brother, I feel your pain.

I also have has some simply awesome guitars through the years that I had to part with when I was PO.

No other way around it at the time. I was in college and work at Mr Donut in state college pennsylvania night and a trash company in pleasant gap on the weekends. NOT GOOD.

Anyway I sold the best guitar I ever had, an early 60s super 400 due to the fact I had eaten nothing but Donuts and cheese sandwiches for over a month straight.

In the long run it paid off. I now own some of the finest guitars I never even imagined I would own back then including a L-5

Anyway the moral here is sometimes ya have to do what ya have to do,
but if you stick to the path it all comes around in the end.