Hollowbody vs S2 Semi Hollowbody

TimPA

Ain't nobody till you get a Hollowbody
Joined
Mar 14, 2015
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34
Location
San Antonio
Quick question for the Hollowbody lovers. I bought my dream guitar, an HBII, last year and I may be looking to add to my collection. I love the sound and resonance of the guitar, but really don't want to bring it to gigs. I know it's made to be played, but I really do baby the guitar. I was looking at the S2 singlecut semihollow and saw that it has the #7 pickups. I've watched reviews and listened online, but haven't gotten my hands on one in town. If I bought it and kept it stock, would it be somewhat comparable to my HBII? I play mostly 90s alt and some modern rock/metal. Yes the HBII does great for both. I play through a Mesa Tremoverb.
 
To be honest, nothing is going to come close to the HB, the S2 semi hollow and even the SE semi hollow are decent workhorse pieces, but the HB is in a class all it's own.
Just between you & me, I'm the same way and don't take it out for jam sessions or bar gigs. Paying recording sessions or special jazz gigs are the only times it leaves the house.
 
`99 HBII and `15 CU22SH here. Very different animals but stoptail vs trem are significant factors. Short of going full HB, SH with stoptail might feel lively.
 
My spruce HB sounds much more "alive" than my ZM (an SE Semi-hollow). The difference is very similar to what I encountered when I bought an Epiphone Casino - I tried the other semi-hollow 335-style Epiphones on hand, and they just don't ring out acoustically like a full HB.

That being said, a semi-hollow still has some nice sound when plugged in. But it is not a replacement for full HB. Just different.

If you really want that HB sound for gigging, why not pick up a second HB, maybe a HB I, with perhaps a little more "experience" under its belt (i.e. used and not mint)? You might find the "beater" guitar plays just as nice, sonically, and you won't fret about dragging it out to gigs.
 
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They will be different beasts, but a great pair. I am trying to resolve to play my HBII at more gigs, but the dang S2 is so great to play and so versatile.

I am guilty of babying the HBII a bit. I generally won't take it to a gig unless I know it's a venue where I can keep it safe.
 
I too am guilty of trying to keep my Hollowbody II out of harm's way... I would however suggest you try a Zach Myers SE for a gigging alternative. They aren't the same, that is true, but honestly do you think you're likely to hear the subtleties of the Hollowbody's woodiness and warmth playing a bar rock gig? I doubt I would; and the Zach is a comfortable and giggable guitar that doesn't cost many bones. I've very fond of my ZM and it stands up to any S2 semi I've played easily...
 
I have both the Zach Martin and an S2 Singlecut Semi-hollow. Of the two, the S2 (7lbs) is much more lively and exhibits more acoustic qualities. With regard to pickups / electronics, the S2 has a set of Duncan Antiquitys and the ZM has a Gibson 57 Classic / Classic + set. Each a good fit for their respective instruments, I did not care for the stock pickups / found them to be generic sounding. Get yourself a nice light (Sweetwater allows you to screen for weight) S2 single semi... Add the Duncans or something similar. While at it replace the electronic package. I think you will be very pleased. I have a few pictures... let me know.
 
Both of those last two (repeated previously) are excellent suggestions. But the overall point is, compromise. It's perfectly normal -- lots of huge bands had to use different tones for live concerts. Rush did. So find a guitar that will get "close enough" that you won't cry if it gets...well, let's not think about that too much. You get my meaning.

But get a guitar that you will enjoy playing, and gets close enough.
 
What I have found out over the many years of playing is that I am stupid to baby a guitar and not enjoy playing it at a job, even in a bar, if the bar is not some place with dirt floors.

My rationale is that babying a guitar I own, sooner or later will be either sold or I will die. In either case, why let some stranger play your near mint guitar and have bought it at a lower price then you might have paid for it?!

Honest wear is normal, and only adds to the character of the guitar. I have never had a single problem bringing 5k guitars to everyday bar jobs. I NEVER use guitar stands any longer as even bandmates might trip over them on stage. I use the case for the guitar instead. If I have a gig bag for a specific guitar it gets tucked out of the way of everyone on breaks.

Play and enjoy your beautiful guitars before someone else acquries them. They WILL play them out.
 
My spruce HB sounds much more "alive" than my ZM (an SE Semi-hollow). The difference is very similar to what I encountered when I bought an Epiphone Casino - I tried the other semi-hollow 335-style Epiphones on hand, and they just don't ring out acoustically like a full HB.

That being said, a semi-hollow still has some nice sound when plugged in. But it is not a replacement for full HB. Just different.

If you really want that HB sound for gigging, why not pick up a second HB, maybe a HB I, with perhaps a little more "experience" under its belt (i.e. used and not mint)? You might find the "beater" guitar plays just as nice, sonically, and you won't fret about dragging it out to gigs.

I "second" the motion of picking up a "second" HB. I have a 2014 HB II which does not leave the house and I also have a 2008 HB spruce top (no piezo), which does go to rehearsals and gigs.
 
This YouTube video demonstrates the difference between hollow, semi-hollow, and solid models. He seems to be using just the camera mic at a distance and too much reverb on the amp. So you have to listen closely through the poor audio quality to distinguish the subtle differences. But I can hear the differences anyway.

 
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Thanks for posting the video. I could hear the differences as well despite the presence of too much reverb and perhaps very poor sound acoustics in the room.
I have to say that the tone of the coil split core CU22 on the neck pickup sounded really nice
 
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Again, I blame you all. :)
The spruce definitely makes the guitar brighter acoustically and plugged in. I really thought the arch top pickups wouldn't push the amp as much as the 57/08s but they rock just as hard.
 
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