hollowbody versus semi or solid

[sethdekkenga]

I'm typically a one guitar kinda guy (for money reasons more than anything). I have one bass, one acoustic/electric, and one electric (until recently...). I just sold my mexi strat a couple months ago to put towards a telecaster as I've wanted one for a while. I lead with acoustic 99% of the time, and have led with electric a couple times and enjoyed it for the most part.

After looking at telecasters, I really got into the thinline semi-hollowbody teles (played a couple at a local music shop and sounded and played great also). The more I looked and researched, I thought it would be worth checking out a full hollowbody. I found a used Ibanez Artcore AK86 (don't make that model anymore) for around $400. I tried it out over this past weekend and led on it through a Fender Princeton Chorus 2x12. I even used the amp's dirty channel more than I thought I would... both clean and dirty sounded pretty sweet.

I'm still stashing money in my piggy bank for whatever I decide on, but I'd love to hear your thoughts/experience with hollowbody (semi or full) guitars. I'd love to have a hollow body guitar like the artcore or (if I'm lucky) a Gibson 335 as well as a semi-hollow or solidbody telecaster. At this point, I think it's a matter of which I get first. Much love.

[Bigredhaus]

I have a strat, tele and hollowbody (Yamaha AES1500B) that I'll use when I lead. Which guitar I use depends on the song and the tone I'm going for. In the big picture does it matter? Not really. I'm not sure most people in the fellowship would even hear the difference ... but I do!! All three guitars have a unique sound. There have been times I've even changed guitars during a set. In the end I think of it as having more colors to paint with.

[csanders]

I was curious of the same thing. I started researching last night on the same subject. The local guitar shop had a Ibanez hollowbody that I really liked, but their is also a solid body Ibanez I really like.

[ssutter]

I frequently use an epiphone sheraton ii to lead worship - it's a semihollow body - i really like how full it sounds.

[simon]

I always lead on an acoustic (current band isn't quite set up for electric yet) but prefer the feel of electric. The compromise I am working towards is an ES335 with a fishman tune-o-matic powerbridge. The hope is that this will give me a pretty good acoustic sound on an electric guitar and hence the best of both worlds.

However before I shell out the cash I'm trying to work out the best wiring. I'm not sure if I should set it up with a single jack and a switch between the two pick-up types or if I should install a stereo jack/two jacks in order to have two separate signals and hence the opportunity for layering. I'm tending towards the latter however am still not sure if I want/can afford two distinct signal paths.

Has anyone else any thoughts/experiences?

[ssutter]

is there any demo audio? that looks sweet.

I run my Sheriton through a boss acoustic simulator - which splits the signal - some songs I go to amp, then i hit the petal and go to acoustic through system it sounds pretty good - most ppl think it's a real acoustic sound, but i'd be interested in hearing what the fishman sounds like...

[Merlyn4life]

Try Taylor T5

[RiveraRa]

I came from a solid body LP and now I love my Gretsch! So much more full sounding. Bottom end is nice since its thicker than most hollow bodies. If I had to stick with one electric forever it would be a hollow body. Of course if I had them I would still play strats, teles, LP's, etc. Just depends on the sound Im going for. But if I had to pick only one....hollowbody is my cup o tea!

[Moosicman]

I use a Taylor 415ce w/ Elixer strings ONLY when I play acousting 90% of the time. For electric I use a Schecter Tempest Custom which I LOVE but the upper neck isn't very fast (not that I blaze through many solos up there when worshipping, but when I'm not I do miss something with a more "Ibanez" like neck feel). You can see it here: Amazon.com: Schecter Tempest Custom Electric Guitar (Vintage White) (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B000315X1M/ref=dp_otherviews_0?ie=UTF8&s=musical-instruments&img=0).

But the versatility of this guitar mixed with my incredibly versatile Egnater Renegade 65watt head and matching 4x12 Egnater cab give me everything else I have needed to ask for. I'm very, very pleased with them!

[chipshot0701]

I play an Epiphone Regency, no longer made. But the link down there is for the new model. Mine has mini humbuckers. A smooth playing neck and works wonderfully for many styles of play. I run through a GNX4 modeler. Ain't much I can't dup with my setup except limited by my own short comings in ability. :eek:

I recommend it to church guitarist due to its versatility.
Follow this link to epiphone dot com to see one.

Epiphone Musical Instruments - Archtop Collection (http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?ProductID=11&CollectionID=1)

Visit GuitarCenter to play one.

[Stephen Nettles]

i'm a big fan of solid bodies for the way the solid wood body sustains notes... but thats more of an advantage in lead guitar. a semi hollow or hollow body might work great for rhythm guitar.

[Edwin]

I went from acoustic to electric about a year ago with a telecaster and the other guitar player hated it not because of the sound but the shape of the headstock. He has an Ibanez JS another plank. He was wanting a hollow body to get more difference in sound between the two guitars. I just bought an Epiphone sunburst dot for his birthday and he hasn't put it down. What I think is Bigredhaus is right. The group we play to can't tell the difference. It is what you feel comfortable with or what appeals to your senses, Strat,335,Les Paul or Dano. It's up to you.

[Ben Hain]

I don't have a ton of experience in this sort of thing, but I've learned that I prefer leading worship on a semi-hollow electric guitar (Ibanez Artcore AS73). However, if I'm focusing more on playing lead guitar parts, I prefer a solid body. I don't actually own one, and the Artcore gets the job done for lead parts too. I just feel like I'm able to be more creative on a solid body. All in all, it just depends on what feels good to you. You can basically get any sound out of any guitar, it just depends what feels right to you.

[newdaytoday]

I have MIM 50's Players strat and a Taylor GA3 with added Fishman Matrix pickup. I agree that it's alot about personal preference. I love the strat sound, and have tried a Les Paul, hollow-body etc,nothing worked like the strat. Although the Taylor gets the majority of work!