Archtop/hollowbody Recommendations

For guitars of the straight waisted variety (or reverse offset).
User avatar
Unicorn Warrior
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 3491
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 5:58 pm
Location: Kentucky, USA

Re: Archtop/hollowbody Recommendations

Post by Unicorn Warrior » Wed Jun 15, 2022 12:13 pm

johnnysomersett wrote:
Wed Jun 15, 2022 11:57 am
I still, after 28 years of playing guitar, have never found a hollowbody I can fuck with for more than a month or two. Either I haven't met the right one or they're just not for me :(
Have you tried a Casino? I just got one of the newer ones and it has put me on this journey. It can do some cool things like behind the bridge playing similar to a Jm. Also, it’s light and cuts through the mix differently. Maybe better for leads

User avatar
JSett
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 8804
Joined: Mon Jun 01, 2009 1:33 pm
Location: Old Hampshire, Old England

Re: Archtop/hollowbody Recommendations

Post by JSett » Wed Jun 15, 2022 12:37 pm

Unicorn Warrior wrote:
Wed Jun 15, 2022 12:13 pm
johnnysomersett wrote:
Wed Jun 15, 2022 11:57 am
I still, after 28 years of playing guitar, have never found a hollowbody I can fuck with for more than a month or two. Either I haven't met the right one or they're just not for me :(
Have you tried a Casino? I just got one of the newer ones and it has put me on this journey. It can do some cool things like behind the bridge playing similar to a Jm. Also, it’s light and cuts through the mix differently. Maybe better for leads
I have, and I wasn't a fan. I think they remind me too much of Britpop and The Beatles (both things I truly cannot stand) and I can't see past it. I gave up looking really.
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?

User avatar
Unicorn Warrior
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 3491
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 5:58 pm
Location: Kentucky, USA

Re: Archtop/hollowbody Recommendations

Post by Unicorn Warrior » Wed Jun 15, 2022 12:49 pm

johnnysomersett wrote:
Wed Jun 15, 2022 12:37 pm
Unicorn Warrior wrote:
Wed Jun 15, 2022 12:13 pm
johnnysomersett wrote:
Wed Jun 15, 2022 11:57 am
I still, after 28 years of playing guitar, have never found a hollowbody I can fuck with for more than a month or two. Either I haven't met the right one or they're just not for me :(
Have you tried a Casino? I just got one of the newer ones and it has put me on this journey. It can do some cool things like behind the bridge playing similar to a Jm. Also, it’s light and cuts through the mix differently. Maybe better for leads
I have, and I wasn't a fan. I think they remind me too much of Britpop and The Beatles (both things I truly cannot stand) and I can't see past it. I gave up looking really.
The only reason I got a Casino was because of Neil from Slowdive. But, I get where you’re coming from.

User avatar
fuzzjunkie
Expat
Expat
Posts: 7277
Joined: Thu Oct 12, 2006 11:32 am
Location: Seattle

Re: Archtop/hollowbody Recommendations

Post by fuzzjunkie » Wed Jun 15, 2022 7:14 pm

I have had 2 Gretsch, 2 Rickenbacker, and a Kay Speed Demon.

The Kay was fun. A hollow arch top that’s not too thick. Maybe 1-3/4”. A Bigsby and a V shaped neck. The original speed bump pickups were replaced with P-90s.

Rickenbackers are thin, but not fully hollow, and not arch tops either. Nice jangle though.

One Gretsch was a Country Gentleman, which was 2-1/2” deep, which is thinner than an acoustic, but probably thicker than you would want. The other is a Silver Falcon, but the center block model. It’s only 1-3/4” thick and 24.75 scale compared to 2-3/4” and 25.5” scale for the full size Falcons. It is an awesome guitar. Has the woody Gretsch twang on a slightly smaller body.

I also like the Guild Starfire and the Gibson ES-135. A friend has the Gibson that’s a rockabilly model - I think it’s called a Wildcat? I prefer my Falcon. The Gretsch Streamliners with the cat’s eye sound holes are good guitars, but they range from 1-3/4” deep to 2-3/4” so be aware that there are different variations. The Gibson ES-125 is a nice simple guitar, but most dismiss it due to lack of upper fret access.

User avatar
seenoevil II
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1307
Joined: Tue Nov 19, 2019 12:59 pm

Re: Archtop/hollowbody Recommendations

Post by seenoevil II » Wed Jun 15, 2022 7:36 pm

I think you've got a handle on the available fair. My goodness that sparkle yamaha. I could cry.

The fact that you're this impressed with a modern era Casino makes me think your mind would be absolutely fricking blown by a starfire (vintage or new). Just know that every brand did a thin, single, single cutaway deal too. Epiphone Sorento, Guild T-100, Gretsch Clipper, Gibson Es-125 (certain eras).

The Loar is cool too. Funky fake gibson vibes, but with additional liveliness in the box.
If it wasn't for disappointment, I wouldn't have any appointments.

User avatar
JSett
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 8804
Joined: Mon Jun 01, 2009 1:33 pm
Location: Old Hampshire, Old England

Re: Archtop/hollowbody Recommendations

Post by JSett » Wed Jun 15, 2022 10:09 pm

Thinking about this more, as we all do, I do remember the last Gretsch I owned (technically a solidbody, although chambered) was really nice and I liked it a lot. Maybe I should go check out some of the hollow/centre-blocked ones out as I don't think I've actively sought one out by them in the past. Probably end up just walking out with a White Penguin though :D :D
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?

User avatar
marqueemoon
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 7346
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2016 9:37 pm
Location: Seattle

Re: Archtop/hollowbody Recommendations

Post by marqueemoon » Wed Jun 15, 2022 10:22 pm

It’s just a tough category of guitar. I’m not a small person, but for me if a guitar is going to big it must be on the lighter side or it becomes too physically awkward.

There’s also a fine line between warm and muddy and another between cool feedback and annoying feedback.

User avatar
sal paradise
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 3597
Joined: Thu May 27, 2021 12:41 am

Re: Archtop/hollowbody Recommendations

Post by sal paradise » Thu Jun 16, 2022 1:07 am

I remember a few years back supporting Rufio (tech/skate punk), for some reason they had rented 335s through heavily driven Mesas.

Noise gates can do wonders. Always wanted a hollow guitar since then, but yeah, for no real reason other than it looked damn cool to see/hear high gain stuff played with them.
I have nothing to offer anybody, except my own confusion?

User avatar
Steadyriot.
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1262
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 2:16 pm
Location: The Netherlands

Re: Archtop/hollowbody Recommendations

Post by Steadyriot. » Thu Jun 16, 2022 1:38 am

I could give a fuck about Guns 'n Roses, but somehow I have major gas for the Gretsch Fortus; which is kinda off the beaten path as far as Gretsch goes:
Image
It even has tort binding! How OSG can you get?!

You didn't name Ibanez in your OP. Most of the Ibanez Archtops are full hollow, ofthen thin bodied and come in a wide price range.
Lower end [AFS75]:
Image
Higher end [GB30]:
Image

D'Angelico is also doing some cool stuff in the (semi) hollow world:
Image
Image
Image
"If someone duetted with a Bald Eagle, they could rule the Country charts from here to eternity." ~shadowplay

User avatar
MrFingers
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1560
Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2007 11:50 am
Location: Puss Creek - Brussels - Belgium

Re: Archtop/hollowbody Recommendations

Post by MrFingers » Thu Jun 16, 2022 1:40 am


User avatar
Unicorn Warrior
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 3491
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 5:58 pm
Location: Kentucky, USA

Re: Archtop/hollowbody Recommendations

Post by Unicorn Warrior » Thu Jun 16, 2022 11:23 am

seenoevil II wrote:
Wed Jun 15, 2022 7:36 pm
I think you've got a handle on the available fair. My goodness that sparkle yamaha. I could cry.

The fact that you're this impressed with a modern era Casino makes me think your mind would be absolutely fricking blown by a starfire (vintage or new). Just know that every brand did a thin, single, single cutaway deal too. Epiphone Sorento, Guild T-100, Gretsch Clipper, Gibson Es-125 (certain eras).

The Loar is cool too. Funky fake gibson vibes, but with additional liveliness in the box.
Are you talking about the Starfire iii or iv..I really am gassing for one of the IVs. So much so that I’m trying to calculate what to sell to get one :fp:

User avatar
DaddyDom
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 183
Joined: Thu Aug 02, 2018 7:54 pm

Re: Archtop/hollowbody Recommendations

Post by DaddyDom » Thu Jun 16, 2022 1:13 pm

Wow - that Fortus is HAWT!!!!

I love the small number of knobs and the way f-holes sit up. Such a subtle tweak but it makes all the difference.
DD

User avatar
seenoevil II
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1307
Joined: Tue Nov 19, 2019 12:59 pm

Re: Archtop/hollowbody Recommendations

Post by seenoevil II » Thu Jun 16, 2022 2:18 pm

Unicorn Warrior wrote:
Thu Jun 16, 2022 11:23 am
seenoevil II wrote:
Wed Jun 15, 2022 7:36 pm
I think you've got a handle on the available fair. My goodness that sparkle yamaha. I could cry.

The fact that you're this impressed with a modern era Casino makes me think your mind would be absolutely fricking blown by a starfire (vintage or new). Just know that every brand did a thin, single, single cutaway deal too. Epiphone Sorento, Guild T-100, Gretsch Clipper, Gibson Es-125 (certain eras).

The Loar is cool too. Funky fake gibson vibes, but with additional liveliness in the box.
Are you talking about the Starfire iii or iv..I really am gassing for one of the IVs. So much so that I’m trying to calculate what to sell to get one :fp:
Yes. The iiis (and iis FWIW) are full hollow and have life to them. The ivs have a block but they don't have the same sturdy feel to them as es 335s. They're all lighter and the pickups are chalkier and less driving. Honestly, I recently "beat the game" GAS wise and bought an es 335 and I can't stop thinking about starfires. Vintage ones can still he had for new gibson money. I'd get in while you still can. Though the current reissues are on elitist epiphone teir. Very very nice guitars. You trade the bird like lightness and character for robust precision.
If it wasn't for disappointment, I wouldn't have any appointments.

User avatar
Unicorn Warrior
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 3491
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 5:58 pm
Location: Kentucky, USA

Re: Archtop/hollowbody Recommendations

Post by Unicorn Warrior » Thu Jun 16, 2022 3:13 pm

seenoevil II wrote:
Thu Jun 16, 2022 2:18 pm
Unicorn Warrior wrote:
Thu Jun 16, 2022 11:23 am
seenoevil II wrote:
Wed Jun 15, 2022 7:36 pm
I think you've got a handle on the available fair. My goodness that sparkle yamaha. I could cry.

The fact that you're this impressed with a modern era Casino makes me think your mind would be absolutely fricking blown by a starfire (vintage or new). Just know that every brand did a thin, single, single cutaway deal too. Epiphone Sorento, Guild T-100, Gretsch Clipper, Gibson Es-125 (certain eras).

The Loar is cool too. Funky fake gibson vibes, but with additional liveliness in the box.
Are you talking about the Starfire iii or iv..I really am gassing for one of the IVs. So much so that I’m trying to calculate what to sell to get one :fp:
Yes. The iiis (and iis FWIW) are full hollow and have life to them. The ivs have a block but they don't have the same sturdy feel to them as es 335s. They're all lighter and the pickups are chalkier and less driving. Honestly, I recently "beat the game" GAS wise and bought an es 335 and I can't stop thinking about starfires. Vintage ones can still he had for new gibson money. I'd get in while you still can. Though the current reissues are on elitist epiphone teir. Very very nice guitars. You trade the bird like lightness and character for robust precision.
Congrats on the 335. What cool guitars those are. I helped a friend land a 70s one for $1600 back in 16’, crazy deal then. Even crazier now. Yes, it was the reissues I was looking at. Vintage at this point in my life is probably not something I can or should do. I’ve had really nice vintage instruments in the past, but for the first time my gear is needing to be more “functional” than “cool” where I’m playing more and more. I could move gear to make it happen, but then I’m losing vital parts of my rig.

But, if a little cash happens, I might have to get both the iii and iv eventually. :D

User avatar
wproffitt
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1263
Joined: Wed Feb 24, 2010 8:48 pm
Location: Ellicott City, MD, USA

Re: Archtop/hollowbody Recommendations

Post by wproffitt » Thu Jun 16, 2022 3:29 pm

I’ll second the vintage Yamaha recommendation. I have a ‘68 Yamaha SA-30t and love it. The neck is really nice, kind of beefy from front to back but slender across the top. I find it to be very comfortable. The proprietary mini humbucker pickups are strong and clear. Imagine a powerful single coil sound without the hum. The SA-30 models have a trem that’s more like a bigsby, but works better and doesn’t weigh a ton. Here are a bunch of pictures of one that’s not mine. https://property.godsafe.xyz/index.php ... s_id=19327Also, they’re really cheap because nobody knows what they are.

Post Reply