I've waffled between having a semi-hollow and a hollow-body for awhile. Over the last several years I've had some old Yamaha hollows, a beat old Ultrasonic, a Japanese Epi 335, an MP Starcaster, and a couple of Zaftigs. Coronados have really stuck with me as a hollowbody option, but I'd never had a chance to play one. Design-wise, sometimes I think they look really interesting, at other times sort of awkward, but I tend to think that of most archtops. And, of course, while there are fans, the online chatter about the resonance and pickups offer really mixed reviews. I used to have a Coro neck on a JM body, however, and loved that. Several videos also convinced me that a Coro might be a viable option, particularly
this one of Ira Kaplan with a gorgeous yellowed CAR one. I thought I might have the opportunity to try one at CME early next year. Then one popped up online in a color that was appealing. I grew up near there, and managed to hunt down the pawn shop where it was residing and work out a deal. So this '67 showed up the day after Thanksgiving:
Everything looks original on it, with the exception of the case, the switch tip (which disintegrated in shipping), one of the footing covers for the trem unit, and one of the intonation screws for the bridge. I'm assuming this is IBM rather than the rarer FMS, but either way it's lovely. Unplugged it rings out nicely The pickups sounded quite good too, and when I adjusted the pickup poles and added a shim, they were considerably better—sweet, full, harmonically-rich tones.
Luckily I had band practice that night for the first time in forever and was quickly shown that 1) whatever folks say about these, this one could definitely hold its own on stage 2) it sounded amazing through my effects, and 3) it would howl feedback like a blue-green banshee given the opportunity. #3 is ok for my purposes.
I'm still undecided whether I'll ultimately settle on a hollow or a semi-hollow, but this one is a good time.
More fun pics.
