Help with colors...

[DavidRome]

I don't have a 335, but I would not characterize a semi hollow as being more like it than an HBII.

Thanks for your thoughts. I was told the reason that the semi-hollow is closer is because the 335 is actually center-blocked making it more semi-hollow than a true hollowbody. I don't think anyone is saying the sound is the same. Just that it has more of that midrange bark for lack of a better word. Lol

 

[DavidRome]

You guys are gonna hate me....after all this talk of colors I am finding myself looking at this a bit differently. I'm having trouble deciding for sure which model of guitar to buy.

Here’s what I have:

Guitar #1. 2012 - P22 Stoptail 10 Top - Fade Blue Burst with Blue back and neck (I think it’s a custom color) It has factory replaced HFS and Vintage bass pickups in leu of the 57/08’s (Any opinions about 57/08’s vs the HFS would be welcome, I’m interested in your thoughts)

Guitar #2. 2005 – Hollowbody i (Natural Color) anniversary model with archtop pickups and piezo. – (This could also be upgraded to newer pickups if I decided to go that route)

Guitar #3. 2014 – S2 Custom 24 Scarlet Red (HFS, Vintage Bass pups) that I like but might sell if I don't feel I need it anymore and that's where my request for your thoughts comes in.

Also have 2 acoustic guitars either of which could be used live. 1997 Taylor 815Ce and a 2015 PRS SE Angelus Alex Lifeson (incredible bang for buck) - So I don’t have to rely on the electric guitar piezo’s but they do make changing sounds quick and painless.


I’m torn between ordering a new HBii w/piezo or buying a new Semi-hollow Cu24.

Option 1: HBii w/piezo but no coil taps (Stoptail) 58/15’s Artist Package, Hybrid Hardware and Rosewood Neck (? unfinished or satin finish) – Limited to standard color option

Applicable Video:

Option 2: Custom 24 Tremolo no/piezo but has coil taps (But piezo could be added later) 58/15’s Artist Package, Hybrid Hardware and Rosewood Neck (? unfinished or satin finish) – Custom color from wood library. – I do like these colors better. (Could also go Custom 22 if I wanted but probably different color or options)

Applicable Video:

Since I can’t say exact pricing I think it would be okay to say that option 2 saves me a little over $2K. I'm concerned that I could spend more on the HBii, wait 6 months to get it without any true benefit.

The semi-hollow makes me feel more comfortable selling the S2 because I have the tremolo and the 24 fret covered as well as the HFS sound in my P22.

Also, I’d like to say I’ve compared the PRS HBi that has the old archtop pickups to my hollowbody Gretsch 5422TG with filtertrons side by side. I was quite surprised how close the two are and while it’s a pleasing tone I might consider upgrading to newer PRS pickups at some point. (I’m going to be selling the Gretsch which is why I didn’t list it) – So this older PRS covers a nice range of tones that none of my newer PRS’s will cover. At least that’s my thinking so far.

I’d love to hear thoughts on anything but here’s some bullet points of what I’m most interested in from those of you who have direct experience with these things.

-A. Tonal thoughts on differences between the Semi-hollow and HBii.
-B. How the tones compare to 335 type sounds (Btw, I’m not trying to get that exact sound or I would just buy a 335)
-C. Tonal thoughts on 58/15’s vs HFS, Vintage Bass (There's no comparison videos of these two)
-D. Anything else I’m missing.
-E. Also, considering picking up a used PRS, NF3 after all this is done.

Sorry to bother you guys with this but this is a big decision for me and I want to make sure I’m factoring in everything I should be. Thank you.

 

[DavidRome]

I just posted this to a new thread of that's okay. Please respond here instead. Thank You.

http://forums.prsguitars.com/threads/prs-semi-hollow-vs-hollowbody-ii-core-guitars.22421/

 

[DavidRome]

Well I wanted to thank all those who took the time to talk with me about colors and body styles etc.

For an update:
I ended up going with an existing brand new semi-hollow instead of a HBii. It's a Custom 24 tremolo with 58/15 and like the HBii is also an artist package, with rosewood neck, hybrid hardware and abalone birds. It's also the custom color I was wanting in the HBii that they wouldn't let me order. I got a great price on it and saved a couple grand. I might still buy an HBii with 58/15's but won't order one. I can get an existing one for considerable savings in a different color. So in a few months maybe I'll get a green one or even black gold. How many guitars do I need? Lol 4 PRS's might be enough until I want the 5th.

Here' some pics of the guitar. It's Violet Purple Burst. What looks like black is actually a deep purple. But I won't be playing Smoke On The Water. Lol

 

[Tosca]

Very very nice!!

 

[DavidRome]

Very very nice!!

Thanks. Can't wait til it gets here.

 

[Alan Manning]

Sexy.!!!