Waking Up With A Semi - Revisited.

Over 9 years ago, I posted this thread: acousticsoundboard.co.uk/thread/3364/waking-semi
As I have owned a lot more of these lovely electric guitars, over the years and have 3 in my present collection, I thought it would be worth revisiting the subject.

Excluding my present semis, the highlights for me were a Gibson ES335, a Duesenberg Fullerton Elite and a Gretsch Tenessee Rose. My wife will shout "what about the White Falcon?". Well yeah, it was an awesome semi but I never could get on with it's "Rhinestone Cowboy", looks. One simple fact I have learned is that I don't really get on with the larger, double-cutaway models. The ES335 being a prime example. My old Gibbo had a fantastic neck and lovely pickups but I always found it too bulky, particularly on a strap and in the case of that particular guitar, too heavy. However, with a single-cut semi, even with a thicker body, I get on fine.

I am including hollow bodied electrics in this discussion. OK they don't have the centre block, running down the middle of the guitar's body, that some people would say is the defining element of a semi-acoustic. But they still have other strengthening wood and as they rely on magnetic pickups to generate sound, they are not totally acoustic and are therefore, in my book, semi-acoustic.

In my experience, I have found that whether the guitar is a hollow body, a semi-hollow body, or even a chambered body, an airy quality is added to it's tone. I guess the more air within the body, the greater the effect. Unfortunately, the more air in the body, the more likely the guitar is going to suffer from feedback, at higher volumes. But of course pickups and design also have a big effect on tone and feedback.

My 3 present hollow bodies, 2 slim line and 1 fuller bodied, all have different pickups. The Guild X-175 Manhatten Special has a fuller body but unlike it's predecessor, the X-175B, that had large P90 style pickups, this has DeArmond Dynasonics and is less prone to feedback. Although not immune, of course. I am very impressed with these Dynasonics though, their tone is so clear, with plenty of body.
My 2 slim line semis do feel easier to play, with them feeling closer in to me. And of course, they don't get much in the way of feedback.

When doodling or working on new material, I often play unplugged and the semi does give you that bit more feel and volume. I have owned some great solid electrics that had a natural vibrancy, which IMO really adds to the pleasure of playing. But with a good semi, all this is even more so. I do love a good Les Paul, one of which, I am lucky enough to own. But overall, it is the semi that attacts me the most.

The semi that got away: I was going to go and try and hopefully buy one of these, some time ago.

But unfortunately it sold over night, on the 'net, just before the morning I went over to the shop.
Les Paul and a semi. One day.