These guitars are just not stocked in my area and its hard to find info on this. Can someone post a pic of both, or describe the different bracing/blocking used in these. There are a few new hollowbody IIs I am interested in, but not if thay are not as acoustic as the McCarty versions. What about the re issue hollowbody Is? Dealers seem to be stumped by this as well. Thanks for the help anyone.
McCarty Hollowbody/archtop vs hollowbody II archtop bracing. Info or and pics needed.
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Tag - while you are waiting for answers here on your question, would you be so kind as to weigh in in my thread on how you feel chambered or semi-hollow bodies affect tone and in what directions?
Please post here:
http://forums.prsguitars.com/threads/zeroing-in-on-ps.16557/
Please post here:
http://forums.prsguitars.com/threads/zeroing-in-on-ps.16557/
veinbuster
Zombie Three, DFZ
I'm in a different country than my archtop for another week so can't take photos of the two together. Can't check what it is like inside either, but my recollection is that it is consistent with what was described in your other thread.If no one here can help me, can you kindly point me to someone/place that could? Thanks!
Is there something specific you want to see? I don't think I have any equipment to photo the insides.
Archtop is the original - mine is a 2009.
I have a late 90s and a 2009 HB.
Thanks for the reply. Do all hollowbody IIs have more of a sound post or block than the McCarty model I played? The one I played was like the one pictured in the other thread. Just a carved piece under the bridge from the top to the back. I believe your archtop would be the same as that. I think it was said when they dropped the mcCarty name, the bracing changed, or it was constructed different to make it more of an electric, vs acoustic guitar. Is that the right time frame, and what exactly changed? I would love to see any pics of the new way, since we havt that pic of the original. Also, do the newer hollow body 1s that came as artist packs only braced the new way or old way? There are a few new ones out there I am intetested in. But I do not eant to lose any of the resonance of the originals. What bracing does the single cut hollowbodies have? (Original, not the new ps model) The one picture I was able to find looked exactly like the original sound post on the McCarty hollowbody. Whew! I do not want to buy one of the new hollow body IIs only to dislike it and have to return it. There is also an archtop PS i am somewhat interested in, but dont think I can afford that. Thanks again for yours and anyone elses help. I am sure there are guys on here who own at least one of each model! Probably several of each. Lol!
veinbuster
Zombie Three, DFZ
Ok. I made it home to a 90s hollowbody II and Archtop and a 2010 hollowbody II. All three have the same bracing and similar carve. The only real difference is that the sides and bracing of the Archtop are much thicker.
Bracing:
There is a mahogany block below the bridge. It is a bit bigger than the one piece bridge in all dimensions, but not by much. On each guitar, the carve of the maple top and back is clearly visible around this block.
There is also a mahogany block at the neck joint. This is about the size of the neck pickup and its standard surround. My naked eye considers them a match in size.
Carve:
The carve of all three tops and backs is virtually the same. The inside is carved similarly to the visible outer carve, resulting in a shaped piece of wood all a common thickness.
Acoustic sound:
This is subjective and how my ear hears my guitars. The Archtop is a bit louder, but not by a lot. It does have a much deeper tone. I won't try to guess how much of that might be physical size versus heavier strings (12s vs 10s). The newer hollowbody is a bit bright than the old one. I've always attributed this to the ebony fingerboard - based on a 2009 with a rosewood board.
Hope it helps.
Bracing:
There is a mahogany block below the bridge. It is a bit bigger than the one piece bridge in all dimensions, but not by much. On each guitar, the carve of the maple top and back is clearly visible around this block.
There is also a mahogany block at the neck joint. This is about the size of the neck pickup and its standard surround. My naked eye considers them a match in size.
Carve:
The carve of all three tops and backs is virtually the same. The inside is carved similarly to the visible outer carve, resulting in a shaped piece of wood all a common thickness.
Acoustic sound:
This is subjective and how my ear hears my guitars. The Archtop is a bit louder, but not by a lot. It does have a much deeper tone. I won't try to guess how much of that might be physical size versus heavier strings (12s vs 10s). The newer hollowbody is a bit bright than the old one. I've always attributed this to the ebony fingerboard - based on a 2009 with a rosewood board.
Hope it helps.
Fantastic. I cant thank you enough. Just to clarify, your early one is a McCarty hollowbody Correct? (Important, because that is what I played and liked) The neck block is the same in all of them, as is the top thickness. The bracing is thicker on the archtop, but I take it thats from the added depth?
According to PRS which I called yesterday, the Hollowbody 2s top is slightly thicker and has a little more bracing for added strength and less feed back at volumes. They said it may effect acoustic volume, but it should not be a lot. Thanks again, and looking forward to your reply!
veinbuster
Zombie Three, DFZ
Yes my early HB is a McCarty, as is the Archtop.
The depth of the bracing on the Archtop is just to accommodate the additional depth. The length and width are the same as the HB.
The depth of the bracing on the Archtop is just to accommodate the additional depth. The length and width are the same as the HB.
Thanks! I am now very excited. May have a new HB 2 inbound soon!
