Bandini Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I'm curious about something. I guess semi hollows could be described as hollow bodies with a block of wood in the center. I've only tried a few. Unplugged, some have sounded almost like full hollows, and others more like solid bodies. Would these look different inside? I imagine the blocks of wood differ in size, shape and material, but that's hard to see through the F holes. Any insight appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayyj Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 The Gibson ES-335 family, and Epiphone Sheraton and Riviera, have a solid Maple block running through the centre of the guitar with a kerfed Spruce section mating the Maple block to the top of the guitar. In many guitars the centre block is cust away to allow electronics to be passed through the pickup cavity. Some 70s 335s have smaller blocks that don't run the entire length of the body. Maple is most common for the centre block but some Gibsons such as the ES-135 and Country Gent have a Balsa type centre block, and I've seen other brands of semi with Mahogany or Spruce blocks, which will have an inevitable impact on tone. The Epi Casino and ES-330 have the spruce kerfed section but no Maple block, making them lighter and more resonant unplugged. They are generally considered to have less sustain and are more prone to feedback. Some also have sound posts - a small block of wood further supporting the top. Other guitars that have no centre block are more like archtop jazz guitars with longitudinal braces supporting the top. There's a useful article on 335 construction at http://www.es-335.org/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parabar Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Another method of semi-hollow construction is chambering, as with the Epiphone Wildkat, where a solid body is extensively routed to make resonant hollow areas (and lighter weight) while keeping solid sections at the neck joint, bridge and other stress points. As you may also have noticed, some semi-hollows use a stop tailpiece, while others use a trapeze style or vibrato (like a Bigsby). Generally, the stoptail will impart more solid-body characteristics while the trapeze is more typical of full hollow bodies. Each has its own advantages, and one reason semi-hollow guitars are so popular is their tonal versatility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thawk Dean Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 I'm a relative newbie to guitar, much less semi-hollows. I have 3 acoustics, 2 of which are Epi's. I have developed an interest in semi-hollows. I've posted a few questions here in the past on the subject and have followed up on the suggestions. I've played a few and came to the conclusion that I need the wider nut that Epi offers. Living in the middle of no where in northern WI, USA, I don't have easy access to music shops to try a lot of gits. My goal is to find one that will sound reasonably well unplugged as well as plugged. Cost-wise, the DOT would get me going, but how are they unplugged? Any suggestions what Epi models I should look for? Thanks and Keep It Fun, Dean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 My goal is to find one that will sound reasonably well unplugged as well as plugged. You might consider a Casino - full hollow body, but slim semi-hollow shape, and they come in a variety of prices ranges from $599 upwards. On the used market, you can usually find them for around $400 sometimes with case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poopcicle Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 I'm a relative newbie to guitar, much less semi-hollows. I have 3 acoustics, 2 of which are Epi's. I have developed an interest in semi-hollows. I've posted a few questions here in the past on the subject and have followed up on the suggestions. I've played a few and came to the conclusion that I need the wider nut that Epi offers. Living in the middle of no where in northern WI, USA, I don't have easy access to music shops to try a lot of gits. My goal is to find one that will sound reasonably well unplugged as well as plugged. Cost-wise, the DOT would get me going, but how are they unplugged? Any suggestions what Epi models I should look for? Thanks and Keep It Fun, Dean I would have to say a Casino or Es-175 for my best sounding non plugged in electrics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bandini Posted March 2, 2012 Author Share Posted March 2, 2012 That's a very nice site, jayyj. Thanks. So would you say that typically with semi-hollows the two chambers are not connected. The center block goes top to bottom and front to back, with a few exceptions. I call Casinos and 330's full hollows, so that's different. I wasn't aware that those even have the spruce section. Interesting. I guess in theory at least you could have a Casino or 330 with a stop tailpiece. My full hollow Epi ES-175 reissue resonates like a small acoustic. In comparison, I played a new Dot 335 that was mute as a Les Paul (in fact, I may want to get one for headphone practice when silence is required). I also know of a Gibson ES-137 that's somewhere in between. I suppose this varies between individual instruments, because for all I know a 137 is similar to a 335 inside. But then, I don't know a whole lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thawk Dean Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 You might consider a Casino - full hollow body, but slim semi-hollow shape, and they come in a variety of prices ranges from $599 upwards. On the used market, you can usually find them for around $400 sometimes with case. Thanks, that is VERY helpfull. The next time I get tpo the "Big City", I'll try to find a shop that has a Casino or 175. Keeping It Fun, Dean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fungus Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 I've got to say, I have seen a bunch of DOT's on craigslist here in the Seattle area going from 250-400ish.......if they were lefty's, I'd snag them up for that price and hold onto them a while..... a coupe have cases with them. I did see one guy wanting 750 for his DOT Studio with the newer tsa approved case......not sure if that is in the ball park or not, seems a little high to me...but then again, I'm a scrounger who can for the most part leave emotions out of my buying..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayyj Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 That's a very nice site, jayyj. Thanks. So would you say that typically with semi-hollows the two chambers are not connected. The center block goes top to bottom and front to back, with a few exceptions. I call Casinos and 330's full hollows, so that's different. I wasn't aware that those even have the spruce section. Interesting. I guess in theory at least you could have a Casino or 330 with a stop tailpiece. My full hollow Epi ES-175 reissue resonates like a small acoustic. In comparison, I played a new Dot 335 that was mute as a Les Paul (in fact, I may want to get one for headphone practice when silence is required). I also know of a Gibson ES-137 that's somewhere in between. I suppose this varies between individual instruments, because for all I know a 137 is similar to a 335 inside. But then, I don't know a whole lot. I think it's reasonable to assume that, yes, although the term is pretty vague as definitions go, so as long as there's a centre block of some sort you could call it semi hollow. I've seen a 330 with a retro fitted stop bar so I guess it's possible, but I wouldn't recommend it! Spruce crushes and compacts pretty easily, and I can imagine issues coming up further down the line. If you're not a fan of trapeze tailpieces try a Bigsby loaded one - I find them to sit somewhere between a stop bar and trapeze in terms of sound and playability, and it's my preferred tailpiece on a semi. 335s seem to vary quite a bit in terms of acoustic resonance. I've played some that sounded extremely lively unplugged, and that generally translates into a pretty dynamic plugged in sound. My 355 is much quieter but still with plenty of sustain and high frequency energy unplugged, and is a pretty brash, grungey guitar - ideal for Neil Young impressions. I've also played 335s that were dull and lifeless unplugged, and when that's the case they generally don't impress me when the time comes to plug in. No 335 is anywhere near as much fun as a Casino or 330 for unplugged playing though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueman335 Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 335s seem to vary quite a bit in terms of acoustic resonance. I've played some that sounded extremely lively unplugged, and that generally translates into a pretty dynamic plugged in sound. No 335 is anywhere near as much fun as a Casino or 330 for unplugged playing though! +1. 335's vary acoustically, depending on the wood's individual character. Casinos are louder unplugged, but on stage thru an amp, you have to watch feedback, which means being careful where you stand relative to your amp, and when you're not playing, either turning down your guitar's volume, or holding the strings with you hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fungus Posted March 5, 2012 Share Posted March 5, 2012 I wanted to add that my left DOT sounds wonderful unplugged. Even better plugged in........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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