Members GuitarHitman Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 I've never had the privlidge of playing a semi-hollow body So I was wondering how they compare tone wise I'm on the hunt for a PRS SE Semi Hollow Soapbar but all I can seem to find in most places is the solid body version What differences should I expect tone wise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 211dave112 Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 in my admittedly limited experience, they are a bit more open and airy than solid body guitars. Although there isn't loads in it, not like for example a full hollow body (i.e big gretsches, epi casino etc) compared to a solid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Zacman0126 Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 Call me crazy, but i swear to god my semi-hollow gives my tone a kind of natral reverb effect to whatever i'm playing, it sounds alot more airy. Kind of like comparing Direct line recording to Mic'd recording is how i would describe it. But hey thats just me i am probably wrong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Burgess Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 In my experience (and yes, I have 3 semis) not a ton of difference between a semi and a solid. In fact I'd suggest they were way closer sonically to a solid than most of the uninitiated realize. They do resinate quite well and their sustain under high volume is one of the best kept secrets in rock'n roll. but really not that different than a solid. If you slap some flats on them they can do a pretty good imitation of a jazzbox but an actual full hollow jazzbox is a whole 'nother beast altogether. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NEWYORK Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 Call me crazy, but i swear to god my semi-hollow gives my tone a kind of natral reverb effect to whatever i'm playing, it sounds alot more airy. Kind of like comparing Direct line recording to Mic'd recording is how i would describe it. But hey thats just me i am probably wrong Your are definitely dead right!Tha's why a lot of people that buy one are converts for life.They sound like a hollow body with the sustain of a Les Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Oldskool Texas Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 Tha's why a lot of people that buy one are converts for life. You just described me to a "T". I got no use for slabs and planks now that I have seen the light! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GuitarHitman Posted September 26, 2008 Author Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 Ok that's food for thought Is the hollow body really worth the extra money in my case then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members EllenGtrGrl Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 Ummm, yes and no. Me, I love Semi-Hollowbodies and Hollowbodies. It depends upon what you want them for. In my experience (and I've been playing semis for over 20 years), I like them for that resonant, bassy sound they can get. Solid bodies can get bassy too, but the note's attack is a bit sharper than it is in a Semi. The overtones in a semi are similar, but not quite the same as say a Les Paul. I don't know - they seem to be less midrangey sounding (I don't like tons of midrange). In general, it's like the overtones of the notes, cover more of the sound spectrum. The notes played on Semis (and even moreso full-on hollowbodies) seem to have more high frequency shimmer behind them than your typical solidbody (and I'm not talking about the piercing treble some solidbodies have either). If you like playing with feedback (as long as you can control it), you'll love semi-hollowbodies. They are not necessarily lighter than solidbody guitars. My Ibanez Artstar AS-120, weighs about as much as a Les Paul, and the Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion I used to have, weighed even more than a Les Paul! With all of that said, I do like some solidbodies too. I like both kinds of guitars for their sound characteristics. When I want a more percussive punch, I prefer solidbodies. When I want full throated roar, I use a semi-hollowbody. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Electric Blues Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 Although I'm always open to try any guitar that crosses my path, I always like the semihollows and hollows best. What most of the guys have said is true. Semis have a different feel and sound to them, it's like there's more wood in the tone and they're more versatile too. Kind of a bitch to work on though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members AndersonTech Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 Kind of a bitch to work on though... It depends on the guitar. This one has a control cavity just like the solid body version. I guess you could call it a "semi-semi-hollow body." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NEWYORK Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 You just described me to a "T". I got no use for slabs and planks now that I have seen the light! You and me is brothers, bro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GuitarHitman Posted September 26, 2008 Author Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 I think I'm going to make the plunge for the semi-hollow I just need to explain it to my other half I need to come up with a convincing competition win Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lukeswall Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 they're all semi-hollows nowadays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members D Carroll Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 You just described me to a "T". I got no use for slabs and planks now that I have seen the light! +1. All I need are split hums, and a bigsby, then I am set for a damn long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Electric Blues Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 I just need to explain it to my other half The explanation should be the easy part! Deciding on which one should prove difficult at best. There are a whole bunch of options for hollows and semis now and in all price brackets. Before you start your new "Which one" thread, I'll go ahead and give you my vote right now; Epiphone Sheraton. Here's a picture of mine. All semihollow and P90 sweetness! Have fun!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GuitarHitman Posted September 26, 2008 Author Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 The explanation should be the easy part! Deciding on which one should prove difficult at best. There are a whole bunch of options for hollows and semis now and in all price brackets. Before you start your new "Which one" thread, I'll go ahead and give you my vote right now; Epiphone Sheraton. Here's a picture of mine. All semihollow and P90 sweetness! Have fun!!! I was thinking the PRS SE Soapbar Semi-Hollow I'm just seriously GAS'sing and I can get the guitar on a 10 month interest free loan so I'm getting one My only problem is finding somewhere I can try it out. And without the other half working it out You haven't met my other half. Finding the guitar is the easy part I'm going to get hours of "Which one are you selling?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Cool Hand Luke Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 In my experience (and yes, I have 3 semis) not a ton of difference between a semi and a solid. In fact I'd suggest they were way closer sonically to a solid than most of the uninitiated realize. They do resinate quite well and their sustain under high volume is one of the best kept secrets in rock'n roll. but really not that different than a solid. If you slap some flats on them they can do a pretty good imitation of a jazzbox but an actual full hollow jazzbox is a whole 'nother beast altogether. +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members EllenGtrGrl Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 I was thinking the PRS SE Soapbar Semi-Hollow I'm just seriously GAS'sing and I can get the guitar on a 10 month interest free loan so I'm getting one My only problem is finding somewhere I can try it out. And without the other half working it out You haven't met my other half. Finding the guitar is the easy part I'm going to get hours of "Which one are you selling?" I thought the regular SE Soapbar I tried sounded good (the semi-hollow version wasn't available yet at that time). IMO, the semi-hollow version will probably sound even better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NEWYORK Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 The explanation should be the easy part! Deciding on which one should prove difficult at best. There are a whole bunch of options for hollows and semis now and in all price brackets. Before you start your new "Which one" thread, I'll go ahead and give you my vote right now; Epiphone Sheraton. Here's a picture of mine. All semihollow and P90 sweetness! Have fun!!! That's Sheraton of yours is positively delicious ! Pure Porn ! Which P90's is it loaded with ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Electric Blues Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 That's Sheraton of yours is positively delicious ! Pure Porn ! Which P90's is it loaded with ? Those are Bryans (BG) Pure 90s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members iansmitchell Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 The sound is like the difference between a 2x12 and a 4x10. The sound isn't bassier as much, but more defined low end, high end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BlackCat Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 ...Tha's why a lot of people that buy one are converts for life... I know I've seen the light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GuitarHitman Posted September 26, 2008 Author Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 I thought the regular SE Soapbar I tried sounded good (the semi-holow version wasn't available yet at that time). IMO, the semi-hollow version will probably sound even better. You've made me want it even more now I've got a little guy on my left shoulder telling me I shouldn't and that I can't afford it.... while I've got Jimi sat on my right shoulder trashing a Strat over my ear to go and buy it right now Jimi knows best Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Electric Blues Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 I've got a little guy on my left shoulder telling me I shouldn't and that I can't afford it.... Brush the little guy off your left shoulder, flatten the little prick with your boot and go to the store right now. We'll be expecting the HNGD pictures this evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Dessalines Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 In my experience (and yes, I have 3 semis) not a ton of difference between a semi and a solid. In fact I'd suggest they were way closer sonically to a solid than most of the uninitiated realize. They do resinate quite well and their sustain under high volume is one of the best kept secrets in rock'n roll. but really not that different than a solid. If you slap some flats on them they can do a pretty good imitation of a jazzbox but an actual full hollow jazzbox is a whole 'nother beast altogether. +1:thu: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.