Suggestions for smaller semi- or hollowbody guitar

[acoustigoat]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

That's cool - I've often said that Gretsch guitars aren't for everybody (and were never meant to be) - but the white/gold Tri-Five shouldn't be too hard to live with visually, drawing from the more conservative side of the Gretsch color palette

On the Gretsch colors, I don't mind some of the funky choices, it's just the Tri-Five ones are less appealing. I should be able to try one out and see how they look in person.

Originally Posted by s2y

Ever look at the Taylor T3 series? I've been playing those for a while. The body isn't small, but I find that smaller bodied acoustics make for a longer first position reach most of the time, which is critical for me since I'm a short guy with small hands. While the body isn't the smallest, it's much thinner than a Gibson or Gretsch.

I've played one of these, but not in a couple years. Thanks for this reminder.

Originally Posted by FrankHudson

Well a good Tele (with or without flats) is a fine guitar for traditional jazz sounds IMHO, but you've tried that and are still searching.

I have an Epi 339 with P90s. The body size is nice, and I love, love, love the P90s on it. I had to do a little fretwork on mine to fix an issue and the neck shape isn't to everyone's liking (I guess I could call it a "hard U" shape) Though I love the pickups, if you have hum issues where you play, you will find out why humbuckers became a thing.

The import Guild Starfires are worth considering too.

Here's a left-field choice for someone who tells us they aren't concerned with "traditional Jazz": Fender Jazzmaster. Yes, I know the name became a well-except-for-that-one-time-Joe-Pass joke for many years. Nice vibrato system. That rhythm circuit where it's retained is useful for "Jazz tone". The original bridge was designed with heavier flats in mind, and so if you go that route you're doing what Leo Fender expected.

I have the Squier J. Mascis model. Comes out of the box with a tune-o-matic style bridge (a common mod done to allow lighter gauge strings to work on the Jazzmaster) and retains the rhythm circuit. I've never put flats on mine, but of course that's an option.

The Jazzmaster body shape very ergonomic, better than a Strat for me when I play sitting.

Oooh, these are tempting thoughts. I tried out the Guild Aristocrat but not any Starfires.

I think I've got a good sense of what to look for and play next week when I venture out.

[FrankHudson]

Originally Posted by acoustigoat

On the Gretsch colors, I don't mind some of the funky choices, it's just the Tri-Five ones are less appealing. I should be able to try one out and see how they look in person.



I've played one of these, but not in a couple years. Thanks for this reminder.



Oooh, these are tempting thoughts. I tried out the Guild Aristocrat but not any Starfires.

I think I've got a good sense of what to look for and play next week when I venture out.

If you try out a Jazzmaster, aim to try some that retain the original rhythm circuit, since the Jazzmaster model name gets used on models that don't have it, though the Squier J Mascis has it as does the current Fender Vintera and Professional III Jazzmaster I believe.

It's kind of a similar idea to what Steve DeRosa was talking about with a Tele mod: You have your bridge and neck pickup like most two pickup guitars but then you have your neck pickup with a somewhat-to-much darker sound available with that upper horn switch.

Have fun on your search!

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by phcorrigan

I don't think you would. I was just saying that if I didn't have it I might be tempted to buy one of these.

Hey, buy it anyway - you only go around once in life...

[RickRS]

One semi hollow I own and really love, D'Angelico single cutaway Excel. These are 15 inch lower bough, so a lot easier to hold than that Country Gentleman. They are built in Korea and very well crafted and finished. Mine is about 4-5 years old, with Kent Armstrong humbuckers.
https://dangelicoguitars.com/guitars...s/#DAESSVNATGT

Finding one can be problematic because D'Angelico's doesn't have the music store network other brands have. Mine came from Musicians Friend.

[acoustigoat]

OP here - I was able to go play a good number of guitars today and came away with some preferences confirmed and some surprises.

I'll start with the biggest confirmed preference: Thinline bodies are a must. I tried a few Gretsch models in the larger hollowbody size and they were uncomfortable to get my arm around. I will keep a lookout for the thinline models, but that was a big category to cross off the list. I'm also now less convinced I need a Bigsby so that may complicate or simplify things. We'll see!

A surprise: I really thought I wouldn't like doublecut models but I played some Gretsch models and one of the new Epiphone 339 (inspired by Gibson) that I liked quite a bit. I also played a Hagstrom Viking that had a nice tone, unplugged and plugged in.

I didn't much like the D'Angelicos I played and I couldn't get past the Guild Starfire's finish.

The biggest surprise? The PRS Hollowbody. The salesperson suggested I play it and remembered 29ers' comment here. Although the action was a bit high it played really well and I loved the tone. It was super light.

This was just the first foray, so the fun of the hunt continues. Thanks to all for your ideas so far!

[phcorrigan]

Originally Posted by acoustigoat

Although the action was a bit high it played really well and I loved the tone.

The action can be fixed. The action on my Gretsch was high when I bought it, but a bit of filing of the nut slots was all it needed. I bought it used from GC, and I suspect the high action was why the first owner sold it.

[ataylor]

Epiphone Casino — since it's fully hollow, it's lightweight and the neck joint is such that it feels kinda like a 12-fret acoustic compared to something like an ES-335 or even a Fender.

Speaking of Fender, how about a semi-hollow Thinline Tele?

[neilca]

Has anyone played the Ibanez Artcore AG75? It is a true hollow body and I was wondering if it sounds like a Loar LH300.

[HesNot]

Originally Posted by acoustigoat

OP here - I was able to go play a good number of guitars today and came away with some preferences confirmed and some surprises.

I'll start with the biggest confirmed preference: Thinline bodies are a must. I tried a few Gretsch models in the larger hollowbody size and they were uncomfortable to get my arm around. I will keep a lookout for the thinline models, but that was a big category to cross off the list. I'm also now less convinced I need a Bigsby so that may complicate or simplify things. We'll see!

A surprise: I really thought I wouldn't like doublecut models but I played some Gretsch models and one of the new Epiphone 339 (inspired by Gibson) that I liked quite a bit. I also played a Hagstrom Viking that had a nice tone, unplugged and plugged in.

I didn't much like the D'Angelicos I played and I couldn't get past the Guild Starfire's finish.

The biggest surprise? The PRS Hollowbody. The salesperson suggested I play it and remembered 29ers' comment here. Although the action was a bit high it played really well and I loved the tone. It was super light.

This was just the first foray, so the fun of the hunt continues. Thanks to all for your ideas so far!

Sounds like you're making some real headway! I was going to suggest a PRS semi hollow myself - I've got two others a Rickenbacker 330 and an old MIJ Epiphone Sheraton (1982) that is of course a full size 335 shape. But my PRS semi is amazingly comfortable - and if pressed would be the one electric I'd keep, even if by a nose. I also think across the range from the US and off shore models the quality control is the best in the industry. There are of course variations but the SE models are really great instruments and are generally 75% the guitar for half or less the price. Good luck!

[acoustigoat]

Originally Posted by ataylor

Epiphone Casino — since it's fully hollow, it's lightweight and the neck joint is such that it feels kinda like a 12-fret acoustic compared to something like an ES-335 or even a Fender.

Speaking of Fender, how about a semi-hollow Thinline Tele?

I will keep an eye out for a Casino. You know, I did see a thinline Tele and am now kicking myself for not trying it out. Next visit!

Originally Posted by HesNot

Sounds like you're making some real headway! I was going to suggest a PRS semi hollow myself - I've got two others a Rickenbacker 330 and an old MIJ Epiphone Sheraton (1982) that is of course a full size 335 shape. But my PRS semi is amazingly comfortable - and if pressed would be the one electric I'd keep, even if by a nose. I also think across the range from the US and off shore models the quality control is the best in the industry. There are of course variations but the SE models are really great instruments and are generally 75% the guitar for half or less the price. Good luck!

I did really like the PRS hollowbody and will look for a semi to try as well. We are headed to LA in July and I'm thinking there may be more selection in the "big city."

[Ray175]

Don't forget the Ibanez George Benson models.... lots of choice at various pricepoints.

[The Watchman]

+1 on the Ibanez George Benson model.

[TobyB]

PRS hollow's are great ... nephew has the SE Semi, I have the Hollowbody II with piezo's ... both nice to play, SE fantastically good value, my Hollowbody is fun with a Marshall and a Fishman Loudbox amps. Very versatile!

[fuman]

D'Angelico has a bunch of nice options at various price points, single- and double-cutaway.

[M19]

Originally Posted by acoustigoat

OP here -

The biggest surprise? The PRS Hollowbody. The salesperson suggested I play it and remembered 29ers' comment here. Although the action was a bit high it played really well and I loved the tone. It was super light.

I got a PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo this year, and am quite smitten with the tone "colors" you can get with the piezo ("acoustic") and humbuckers in combination. I play them both into my PA (piezo direct and humbuckers through a Zoom G3), though some play the piezo into an acoustic amp and the "electric" into effects and an amp (^^^ TonyB), kind of a wonky stereo effect I guess.