Can you hear the "hollow" in an electric guitar?

[RVA]

For those who have arrived at the conclusion that there is no such thing as tonewood (like me), have you also come to the conclusion that hollow or semi-hollow body construction does not have an influence on sound (other than feedback)? I do not hear a softer tone from my semi hollows, but I have not done any real testing.

 

[eSGEe]

I can detect a tonal difference between say a Gretsch white Falcon and an SG but given time and patience one can get say a Les Paul to sound VERY close to a BB King Lucille type tone........or even a Chuck Berry 335 ish tone

 

[DonP]

Provided I have the amp totally clean I can hear the difference between my solids and my ES339. But then again I can hear the difference between all my guitars, hollow or not.

 

[RVA]

Provided I have the amp totally clean I can hear the difference between my solids and my ES339. But then again I can hear the difference between all my guitars, hollow or not.

I hear variance as well, I just cannot imagine how it is attributable to the acoustic qualities of a hollowed electric guitar when strictly listening to the amp. I think any differences are more attributable to the pups that are generally placed in these guitars. Place some red hot pups in a semi-hollow, you get a hot guitar

 

[DonP]

There is one way a hollow body will affect the sound. Because it is naturally loud (acoustically), it pulls energy out of the strings faster than a solid body. That will decrease the sustain a bit.

 

[Tony M.]

Be very careful Ray.
You are approaching "all my guitars sound the same" territory.
Very dangerous place for you, may as well have only 1 then.
PM me for my address to bring me the rest of them.

 

[eSGEe]

dAMNIT Tony ya beat me to it

 

[Inspector #20]

For those who have arrived at the conclusion that there is no such thing as tonewood (like me), have you also come to the conclusion that hollow or semi-hollow body construction does not have an influence on sound (other than feedback)? I do not hear a softer tone from my semi hollows, but I have not done any real testing.

I can hear a much different tone in a 335 compared to a solid body, although I cannot tell you what it is....

 

[DonP]

I can hear a much different tone in a 335 compared to a solid body, although I cannot tell you what it is....

Would you say a 335 has less sparkle than a solid body - a bit more thud to the tone?

 

[RVA]

Be very careful Ray.
You are approaching "all my guitars sound the same" territory.
Very dangerous place for you, may as well have only 1 then.
PM me for my address to bring me the rest of them.

You are right, so let me clear this up.

They sound different because I put different electronics in each. They all FEEL different, so there is that!

 

[67plexi]

I don't think any guitar sounds the same. I do like the sound of this long pickguard early 335

 

[syscokid]

Would you say a 335 has less sparkle than a solid body - a bit more thud to the tone?

I'm saying yes to this. Acoustically, the lower strings have a more wooly sound to them. I think hollow bodies make the guitar resonate differently. Not better or worse, just differently.

 

[RVA]

I'm saying yes to this. Acoustically, the lower strings have a more wooly sound to them. I think hollow bodies make the guitar resonate differently. Not better or worse, just differently.

How does the guitar resonating get to the amp (other than the manner Don described before - which is more like sound NOT getting to the amp)?

 

[eSGEe]

Well this sounds WAY different ahn the post 11 tone......

and this again sounds WAY different than the other 2..........

but --- there are UNLIMITED variables in room dynamics--- crowd VIBE-- amp wattage, wood, construction,geometry,speaker cone volume, material(paper metal) --number of pedals(battery powered or wall warts) - cables---strings---tone woods-- playing styles---recording quality/technology----pythagorean theory---air speed velocity of Laden Swallows.....and how many MICe you can find in an Elsinore beer--- not to mention some amps go to 11 ------speakers YOU are listening to any of it through--- are you on a WiFi or a hardline download???could effect tone-----

who can ever really say ---

 

[eSGEe]

And dont for get Pots caps inner wiring is it shielded cable? unshielded....is it a brass/tusq/plastic/wood/metal NUT??? are the tuners locking or Robo or cheap imports??? strings??? gauge material--- what PICK are you using ---or are you or ---- is it Spring? are you in the same hemisphere as the original recording---- did you where dungarees or satin underwear ---did your ears hang low? are you tanned or not --- did you eat enough iron and fiber that week ????

meh

 

[smitty_p]

which is more like sound NOT getting to the amp)?

You're getting warmer!

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

Another factor for sound differences of solid vs semi/hollows are the type tailpiece/bridge used on each as well.

I mean, my ES135 sounds way different than my Tele and even my other Gibsons for instance.

 

[eSGEe]

oh the TAILPIECE! E I forgot that --- and is there a Trem? and are the strap buttons large or small......and ....and ....and ....and ....and uhm--- ergh

 

[Inspector #20]

Another factor for sound differences of solid vs semi/hollows are the type tailpiece/bridge used on each as well.

I mean, my ES135 sounds way different than my Tele and even my other Gibsons for instance.

I had aluminum tailpieces made for the 6 and 12 string necks on my double neck by MojoAxe. I am using a Faber TP-59 aluminum tailpiece on my Gibson SG.

 

[eSGEe]