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Post by LeoThunder on Jul 17, 2019 6:24:10 GMT
Does the top of a semi-hollow body guitar vibrate or is it fixed to the block that runs through the middle? I wonder how the CST-HB, HB-35, RB-600 or TE-90 are constructed. Are they all the same?
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Post by oghkhood on Jul 17, 2019 7:37:22 GMT
The block was added to drastically reduce the larsen that full hollow can make too easely, so that's why the top is glued on it. however, the empty volume is more than enough to hear an obvious difference between a solid body and its semihollow version ( CST24 and CST24HB for instance )
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Post by LeoThunder on Jul 17, 2019 8:01:36 GMT
The block was added to drastically reduce the larsen that full hollow can make too easely, so that's why the top is glued on it. however, the empty volume is more than enough to hear an obvious difference between a solid body and its semihollow version ( CST24 and CST24HB for instance ) Is it really? The CST models have different pick-ups (Roswell HAF on CST, LAF on CST-HB). I can understand how pick-ups mounted on a vibrating top receive a different "view" of the string movement, also how a block in the middle would reduce the amount of moving air causing that vibration but if the top is glued on the block, then most of that ought to be dampened into insignificance.
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DefJef
THBC Moderator
Due to musical differences I've decided I can't work with myself any more.
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Post by DefJef on Jul 17, 2019 8:36:06 GMT
It's a good question to ask LeoThunder and a good question to get an answer to from the manufacturer. Some centre blocks run all the way from neck to tail rather like Les Paul's original Log, others finish at the bridge leaving a whole load more laminated wood to vibrate. Some manufacturers shape that centre block to fit the curve of the top, others, like Gretsch, have an array of construction methods which use less wood inside or make up the curve with shims. All these details would be very good to know before buying, or hearing. The most important part is for the pickups to not be vibrating. As long as they are nicely fixed to the block and not to a wavering top then the (unwanted) feedback issue is minimised. Of course chambering or routing out wood tends to leave much thicker chunks of wood everywhere inside and is really only aimed at lightening the load.
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Post by LeoThunder on Jul 17, 2019 9:17:06 GMT
Some centre blocks run all the way from neck to tail rather like Les Paul's original Log, others finish at the bridge leaving a whole load more laminated wood to vibrate. Some manufacturers shape that centre block to fit the curve of the top, others, like Gretsch, have an array of construction methods which use less wood inside or make up the curve with shims. All these details would be very good to know before buying, or hearing. The most important part is for the pickups to not be vibrating. As long as they are nicely fixed to the block and not to a wavering top then the (unwanted) feedback issue is minimised. I see how this affects weight but not sound in a significant way. If the pick-ups and bridge are fixed to the block and neck, we have a log with more or less fancy stuff around it. For a moment, I thought at least the pick-ups would be given a vibrating base producing a sound which would then be specific to the particular geometry of the guitar. Now I'm out to find a direct comparison between solid and semi-hollow versions of the exact same guitar. Is there such a thing anywhere? I see the PRS SE Custom has the same pick-ups in both variants.
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Post by 3marproof on Jul 17, 2019 9:47:26 GMT
also, feedback, the sustain block helps reducing feedback compared to a hollow
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Post by LeoThunder on Jul 17, 2019 10:18:13 GMT
Well, they did it. The Captain cannot hear a blue flame from a sunburst, it seems:
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Post by oghkhood on Jul 17, 2019 10:30:34 GMT
The blue is a really tiny semihollow, about half the volume in the CST24... not to mention an ES335 !
Eytschpi42 had noticed the difference when both models where wearing the same Wilkinson pups
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Post by LeoThunder on Jul 17, 2019 11:21:29 GMT
Got to hand it to Chappers he was spot on in nearly every case. Even that Gretsch he eventually said was somewhere between semi hollow and solid and he's right there too. Gretsch do use a different centre bracing system on many of their guitars, kind of a cradle. Very impressed with his ears and reasoning when his ears weren't totally helping. He was but determining that "hot" pick-ups would not be sold on a semi-hollow guitar, while correct, came from indirect deduction, not from hearing a difference in construction. I went through the whole thing with good headphones and must say I heard no striking difference in character and would not have been able to guess. I see how listening to sensitivity to feedback is a key for an experienced player, so if you want a guitar that does or doesn't feedback on stage, fine go with a particular type, but if that's all there is, then it also means the rest remains very similar. The one I really liked was the Thinline Telecaster. Sadly, there was very little clean playing but that crunch tone was beautiful.
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DefJef
THBC Moderator
Due to musical differences I've decided I can't work with myself any more.
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Post by DefJef on Jul 17, 2019 11:49:22 GMT
Of course we can't know how quickly Chappers brain worked or in which order he stacked up his clues/hunches. Lee, very honestly, seemed to be saying, "after the first chord I guessed and gave up." I could certainly hear honkier, more nasal sounds in some guitars more than others but wouldn't know if that was the electronics and the amp settings balanced to the pickups or not. A bit of honk can be adjusted for. For sure the feedback ease or requirement is the main factor in the need for things to be solid. If Chappers is correct that a semi hollow feeds back with the characteristic he described rather than the one that the Les Paul generated it may explain why I choose my 335-alike for ballsy powerful sorts of leads. I did like the LP's clean tones.
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Post by LeoThunder on Jul 17, 2019 11:59:15 GMT
This is coming on my wish list. I like the way it sounds.
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Post by LeoThunder on Jul 17, 2019 12:16:18 GMT
I like the way this sounds here too, so I think I can ignore the unknowns. It can't be a coincidence.
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