Semi-Hollow GAS... - Opinions and Polls

Re: Semi-Hollow GAS...

CitiZenNoir — Mon, 26 May 2008 19:18:24 +0000

Never heard a 335 described as sounding "bland" before. Takes all kinds... :lol: You Scorpio's! Always trying to stir up trouble! :twisted: Ken

Re: Semi-Hollow GAS...

Ricochet — Mon, 26 May 2008 18:12:13 +0000

Never heard a 335 described as sounding "bland" before. Takes all kinds... :lol:

Re: Semi-Hollow GAS...

notes_norton — Mon, 26 May 2008 17:32:18 +0000

Hey Notes.... Nice guitars 8)
And welcome aboard :D
<...snip...>
Ken
THANX!

Notes

Re: Semi-Hollow GAS...

CitiZenNoir — Mon, 26 May 2008 00:07:14 +0000

Hey Notes.... Nice guitars 8)
And welcome aboard :D

Hmmmm....
Well, several times a Gibbo 335 has ended up in my hands at Guitar Center.
They certainly do look nice, play/feel nice, and are well crafted.
I have to say though, that to me anyway, the sound is rather bland from a 335.

That can be a good thing, or a not so good thing.
If you have a Strat, you may think that a 335 doesn't compare to the twangy, woody, multi-dimensional character of the Strat.
On the other hand, you may think that the Strat is a one trick pony that no matter what - ALWAYS sounds like a Strat....
in which case, a nice bland sounding 335 type guitar is the perfect 'building block' for many tonal variations.

In my own case - I prefer one trick pony types as far as guitars and amps go - they may only do ONE thing, though they do it really well.

That being said - my very first favorite guitar hero (after my several year fascination with the Beatles came to an end),
was Alvin Lee in Ten Years After playing his Gibbo ES-335!

I have picked up a couple Epi Dots at GC.... Never got as far as plugging them in to an amp.
Not because they are bad guitars - the set-ups were just awful on the ones I've seen at the store so far.
Smokin'Dog here at GN LOVES his Epi Dot, and he sure can make it scream! :twisted:

As far as the 69 Tele Thinlines go - One of the best sounding guitars I've ever heard: The late 80's MIJ versions.

I've also tried Epi Casino's at GC.... again, very poor set-ups had me abort plugging them in.

Although one of my guitar teachers had a 60's Epi Casino, and it was an AWSOME guitar.... He played it til it was no longer playable :cry:

I also knew a guy back in Ill. that was the original owner of a '65 Gibbo ES 330.... Beautiful guitar, unfortunately I never got to plug that one in.... I did however play it a few times acoustically; Nice, though not a stellar acoustic sound.
Wish I could have plugged her in.

I also knew someone back in Ill. that had an early 60's Gibbo ES 125 - Fantastic guitar! Well worth looking into if you want a nice playable hollow body that will be a good investment.

I've played more than my fair share of Gretsch's - Old aniversary models, a 66-67 Monkees model, a 64 Chet Atkins, a late 80's Jet, and these new Korean Electromatics.... I've always wanted to like Gretsch guitars.... I haven't really found one that I thought was worth the money they charge for them.... and the Electromatics I think are a bit 'In Need'.
Hopefully someday I'll find one that I really like :wink:

My pick for an archtop would have to be the full hollow bodied Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II.
Very well made, and fantastic playability. It sounded decent acoustically (Not like an acoustic guitar though).
I didn't have time to plug it in - though I submit this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uyd-gbsMOGE
A nice blues improv thru what looks like a Marshall 1/2 stack.

They also make excellent jazz guitars.

The only finish issue I saw on the one that I played was some excess glue on one of the F-hole bindings.

They can be had for $600.00 U.S.

Ken

Re: Semi-Hollow GAS...

notes_norton — Sun, 25 May 2008 17:59:55 +0000

I'm in a similar boat...

How about a casino? Not sure if new ones measure up to the old (probably not)... I have a 2001 MIK Casino and it is a great guitar. I LOVE the P90 sounds, the neck is touch-and-go (better for my hands than the Ibanez Artcores I tried), it is lightweight, and it is extremely well made.

I also have a 1970 Gibson ES-330. Plugged in, they are equal guitars, unplugged the Gibson has better tone, but I don't play them unplugged unless I'm practicing.

And that is an advantage to a full-hollowbody instead of a semi-hollowbody, they are acoustic guitars.

I've heard they feedback in high volume situations, but I only play in low to medium volume situations (85-110dba). Besides, did anybody ever tell Hendrix that feedback was a no-no?

Personally, I think every guitarist should own a solid and a hollow guitar, and every guitarist should have one guitar with humbuckers and one with single-coil pups.

Whether the Casino is right for you, I can't say, but it is worth looking into.

Insights and incites by Notes

Re: Semi-Hollow GAS...

Rob77 — Sat, 24 May 2008 04:33:29 +0000

I played a $4500 Gibson 355 the other day in the local GAS therapy centre. Granted it hasn't been set up yet, but I'll take my $1700 Gretsch thanks - was a bit dissapointed - it felt clunky & didn't sound as good acousitcally - didn't plug it in though.

I've given up on expensive guitars, because I've (personally) found so many cheaper ones that with a little set up sound & play as nicely. Maybe I've got cheap ears!! Did play a new Casino as well, & again would go with the Gretsch.

I then played an Ibanez Artcore & tell you what - it was OK! Neck was a bit thick but otherwise cool. Played their White Falcon Copy & wanted to take it home - even though bigsby was soooo heavy... but that can be changed!
What else..... played a Hagstrom & it was pretty good for the money $1000AUD. But if you can - try a Micheal Kelly. I was really impressed with how they played & felt. They were listed at $1000AUD (ish). But I did notice that two strings were close to touching on the headstock because of a shap angle to the pegs - a future tuning stablitiy issue I wonder?

You can also get things like a 1960's Hofner Congress for a couple of hundred bucks & they go GREAT with a couple of P90's in them...

In another thread I've mentioned my Legend guitar - I've figured out it's a re-badged ARIA most likley made in the Ibanez factory...$340 bucks with a case!!!!! Good luck GASing!!!! :lol:

Re: Semi-Hollow GAS...

bdkauff — Sat, 24 May 2008 04:02:25 +0000

How does the AS-820 measure up to an actual gibson 335 (or is it 355?) or to an epi Casino?

Re: Semi-Hollow GAS...

Ricochet — Fri, 23 May 2008 21:03:47 +0000

My favorite electric is an Agile AS-820. Mine has P-90s on it, but I'm sure it's perfectly lovely with the standard humbuckers as well.

Re: Semi-Hollow GAS...

bdkauff — Fri, 23 May 2008 08:59:50 +0000

I'm in a similar boat...

How about a casino? Not sure if new ones measure up to the old (probably not)...

Re: Semi-Hollow GAS...

Rob77 — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 05:20:46 +0000

Hey Philly - I swear by hollowbody guitars, especially f-hole archtops! If you get one with a tune-o-matic style bridge as apposed to a floating bridge then you can play ANY style you like (or get the floating bridge secured after set-up). Take a look at "The Living End" a great Aussie band. They started out a psychobilly & now play everything from sweet ballads to really heavy stuff & most of it (99%) is done on a Grestch White Falcon (some on a duo-jet).

I play everything on my Grestch Electromatic from Johnny Cash to Metallica & it only cost me $1500 'kangaroo' dollars brand new (no doubt less in Seppo bucks, & Pommy Pounds). I've heard that the Epiphone Dots are really good too - but as with all guitars check the individual's construction quality & PLAY IT UNPLUGGGED befor you buy - this will give you a feel for the instruments acoustic qualities, which I feel is the main thing.

The other good / bad thing about hollowbodies is feedback at high volumes or really high gain. This can be alot of fun to play with unless it's happening all the time. Different styles of bracing etc help with this, so check that out too. Where you're standing in relation to the amp plays a big part too. (There was a cool gig once where it was all just (co-incidnetally) set up so I could take a step forwards, get some singing sustained feedback for my solo's & then step back & it dissappeared - I wish I could re-create that every time!!)

I haven't tried ceramic pick-ups in one for that real metal tone, but that's in the future. If you're playing anything other than really fast, heavy metal, I'd get one.

Plus, they're pretty!! Happy hunting!