Topic: solod body vs. a hollow body

Some one tell me if I have made a mistake in choosing? I just bought a Gibson Les Paul Studio premium with a triple maple top and I just love older country music and maybe some chet Akins style and i am thinking that I should have got the Gibson hollow body and I just may be able to do that some time far out in the future.

Re: solod body vs. a hollow body

If the guitar is what you wanted, you could afford it, if it was "love" at first sight, then you didn't go wrong. With the right amp settings the guitar will perform perfectly for you. I have a Ibanez Artcore 75 Hollow Body that I paid $425.00, including amp, case and equipment that I play. I bought the guitar because of the "look" and I have been completely satisfied with it. I also have a Jumbo Takamime electric acoustic that I bought just because of the "Flamed Maple" sides and back. I have really gotten the compliments on the look and sound of this guitar, and that means a lot when you are playing with others.

Like you, I play the older country music. Not good enough to "fingerpick" or play "lead" so I just play rythem. I've only been playing a little over 2 years and really love it. I try to play for at least an hour everyday, more if my wife can stand it. For a change I tried some CCR songs this weekend and have just about gotten 4 complete songs down. Kinda makes me feel good about my improvement.

You gotta have a fiddle in da band (and a good steel player is nice, too)

Nela

Re: solod body vs. a hollow body

Nela

    Thanks for the reply and I am sure that you are correct in all that you say and I did fall for the Les Paul with its super light weight and the sound as far as I could tell was good to. I have been playing chords for years on and off mostly however I want to learn lead and started taking lessons a couple of months ago .   Thanks again

  Gil

4 (edited by cytania 2008-01-08 11:10:18)

Re: solod body vs. a hollow body

First off plenty of classic country was laid down with Fender telecaster so I could say it's all in the playing. However...

Not all hollowbodies are equal. Alot of Gibsons are essentially solid bodies with large tone chambers, the key piece of wood being a solid block down under the bridge creating two sides. Semis like these have a good electric tone, indie players love their 'jangle', but theres not much twang.

Now tweaking amp, reverb and echo settings can make a nice twang on any guitar (I have a completely solid strat type and got some raunchy twang eventually, now saved to presets) but to really guarrantee the bigtime twang factor you need a large resonant chamber, ie  a large guitar body. This is why some of Gretsch's recent slimmer 6120s don't quite have the oomph of an original full size Chet Atkins. Large bodies make for a trickier standing position, feedback problems (hence the absent F-holes on BB King signatures) and are more fragile than solids or semi-solids.

The good news is your Les Paul has market value, indeed check back with your store they may be able to order a Gibson  335 or Gretsch 6120 type and do you an exchange. All depends on what sound you want, that LP should be a blues sustain beauty...

'The sound of the city seems to disappear'

Re: solod body vs. a hollow body

What cytania writes is veru accurate and correct.
I had some time to check it and the guitar you encounter almost always is a FENDER TELECASTER.
If it works with a telecaster, it has to work with a Les Paul studio too.
Important as told is, plug it in and turn the knobs on your amp, I'm sure you will find "satisfaction".
I think, having a few devices, and 3 floorboards, that for not too many $$, you can try a floorboard, with a 90% chance to find the correct sound, but also giving you 100 other effects..
I have a Epip^hone Sheraton, a REAL GOOD guitar. But follow the advise, contact your music store, take your LP studio, or use one of them, and ask how to use that guitar + amp to have a nice country tune.

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]

Re: solod body vs. a hollow body

I think you made a great choice! Especially if you really like your guitar. The Les Paul Studio has a wide variety of sounds. Chet Atkins was known for playing the hollow body Gretch and Later the Gibson hollowbodies...both were produced as a signature model for him. If you look around youtube you can also catch Atkins playing a Fender Telecaster, a Gibson solid body, and others.

Middleaged Redneck sorta guy who refuses to grow up...passion for music, especially Southern Rock but like bout everything cept Gangsta/Hip Hop. Collect guitars, mandolins, and love to ride Harleys.