#1
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Suggestions for smaller semi- or hollowbody guitar
I've started getting more into jazz-adjacent stuff (I'm definitely not a purist). I tried getting a warmer tone by putting flatwounds on my Tele, but I'm thinking a better answer (of course!) might be a semi or full hollowbody guitar.
My guitar teacher let me try his Chet Atkins Country Gentleman and holy Moses that was like playing a Buick! I loved the sound but not the size. I'm looking for a smaller bodied guitar and am willing to give up some tone for comfort. So far I've tried out a Guild Aristocrat and didn't love it. Some other contenders might be an Epiphone Wildkat or Gretsch Electromatic Center Block Jr. model. What other suggestions do you fine folks have?
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Yamaha FS 800/Martin 0-18/1948 Stella H928/Guild M-20/Fender American Performer Telecaster |
#2
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Last year I bought a Taylor GS Mine-e in Koa, and I've been in love with it since. Only when I sit it next to a fuller-size guitar does the size become obvious. I just put a set of Stringjoy Naturals light gauge (.012 - .054) and the lows are deep and resonant and the highs just chime. The overtones go on forever.
It's lightweight, small, and 14 frets to the body let me play everywhere I go. And the best part of it is I didn't have to sell my first child to pay for it!
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I own 41 guitars. Most are made of wood. Some are not. |
#3
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Well, Epiphone has the full size (still smaller than the Gretsch you played) ES-335 types and the smaller ES-339 models. I had an ES-339 with P90s for a while and there wasn't a single thing wrong with that guitar. Also, Ibanez makes fantastic semi-hollows. The full size AS models and the smaller AM models. I've had both in the past and if I wanted a semi-hollow with humbuckers (I really prefer P90s), I'd still be playing one of those. Definitely worth checking out...
-Ray
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"It's just honest human stuff that hadn't been near a dang metronome in its life" - Benmont Tench |
#4
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I love my Epiphone ES339. Its body is smaller than the 335-size like the Dot or Sheraton models. Mine is the humbucker version but, I think, there might be a P90 version available, too. If I had the $s I'd probably gotten the Gibson ES339, but that said, the Epiphone seems to hold its own pretty well.
Frank |
#5
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The Country Gent is built on a 17" platform - think Gibson J-200 or Guild F-50 with a thinner body...
The full-size Gretsch Electromatic 5400-Series full-hollowbodies are built on a 16" platform - with the slim body depth they handle more like a 000/OM acoustic than a dread/small-jumbo, and they're probably at least a pound or so lighter than your Tele... If you're serious about the jazz-tinged thing, a Korean-made Gretsch Electromatic 5420/5422 hollowbody (IME the Chinese stuff - including the current E-matic 5655 Juniors, of which I've played a couple - don't measure up in tone or QC) with a set of flatwound 11's/12's will provide a clean, articulate sound through the neck pickup - while still allowing you to explore your rockabilly side should you so desire... BTW speaking as a former Tele owner you can get some jazzier tones, while still retaining the classic pickup combinations, by rewiring with a 5-way switch and the proper caps (and, of course, the aforementioned flatwounds); my own late-CBS '52 RI had the following setup:
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) Last edited by Steve DeRosa; 05-26-2021 at 06:44 PM. Reason: Clarification/additional info |
#6
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I would also vote 339.
When I owned an ES-335 in the late 70s/early 80s, I would have killed for a 339 instead (difficult to find then). Perfect size for me.
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-Gordon 1978 Larrivee L-26 cutaway 1988 Larrivee L-28 cutaway 2006 Larrivee L03-R 2009 Larrivee LV03-R 2016 Irvin SJ cutaway 2020 Irvin SJ cutaway (build thread) K+K, Dazzo, Schatten/ToneDexter Notable Journey website Facebook page Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art. - Leonardo Da Vinci |
#7
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These look interesting. Thinner than the G5420Ts:
https://www.gretschguitars.com/gear/...sby/2506831505 I believe they are made in Korea, so the quality should be similar to that of the Korean-built G5420Ts.
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Patrick 2012 Martin HD-28V 1984 Martin Shenandoah D-2832 2018 Gretsch G5420TG Oscar Schmidt Autoharp, unknown vintage ToneDexter Bugera V22 Infinium |
#8
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I have owned the Epi Wildkat and it was a fun guitar. I found it very dark sounding though.
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https://www.mcmakinmusic.com |
#9
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outside of the box, and most definately not in jazzer territory, try out one of the newer Epiphone Olympics.
You might check out a B&G Little Sister Crossroads hollow body, too. |
#10
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Takamine Hirade classical cutaway with cooltune amplification on board. Maybe a “crossover”, maybe not. Or Cordoba and so on, which are very popular here and widely available.
As you’ll hear sooner or later, jazz is about the music and its conception/production. Yes, true, but the instrument must also play a role. Were you planning on fingerstyle or flatpick? Is your music more about swing, bebop, Gypsy, Herbie, Ellington Latin/Brazilian? Do you want to improvise after stating the “head” a time or 2, or are you wanting to play Over the Rainbow and A Train just for the sheer fun of producing the harmonized melody? More simply, can you give an example or 2 of someone inspiring to you that you think you could work on emulating. Benson, Charlie C, Kenny B, Roland Dyens, Freddie G etcetcetc. It’s a big topic. Don’t let it flummox you, but it’s going to take effort, and good luck. |
#11
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I picked up a Collings I30 and put flatwounds on it. Extremely versatile tones, very light weight joy to play and smaller than the 335 style.
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#12
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Eastman T185MX
Smaller body than an ES 335, costs less, sounds and plays great.
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1950 Martin 00-18 RainSong Concert Hybrid Orchestra Model 12 Fret Eastman E20OOSS. Strandberg Boden Original 6 Eastman T185MX G&L ASAT Classic USA Butterscotch Blonde Rickenbacher Lap Steel Voyage-Air VAD-2 Martin SW00-DB Machiche 1968 Guild F-112 Taylor 322e 12 Fret V Class |
#13
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If you're looking for a smaller size Epiphone has the Casino Coupe and the ES-390. Prs SE series has semi-hollow Customs and Hollowbody Standard and Hollowbody II. Also a new hollowbody with piezo pickup. Plenty of reviews on YouTube.
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#14
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Quote:
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#15
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My error, Epiphone has the ES-339, not the ES-390. The 390 is a Gibson and a pricier option.
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