I think with a short scale hollow body, you get what you get. A pickup swap might make the most difference if you’re so inclined.
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Make hollow body sound like solid body?
- Thread starter Bodeanly
- Start date
I guess I should point out that The Viking doesn’t have a solidbody sound to it... but it doesn’t have as open a sound as some hollowbodies I’ve played.
That's a great looking collection. What is the neck like on that Gretsch? I think the vintage ones are pretty chunky if I remember correctly. I've often wondered about the reissues.
What about trying a preamp pedal? It makes my morning passive basses sing.
Of course I have to the Jack Casady like a lot of the people were talking about here.
That thing rocks!
Of course I have to the Jack Casady like a lot of the people were talking about here.
That thing rocks!
You said you go amp-less, and don’t seem averse to pedals, so...I’m going to suggest coming up with a combination of compression, drive and EQ that puts that bass in the sonic neighborhood you’re shooting for.
It will call for experimenting and patience but those kind of experiments are fun.
One way you might sidestep some initial GAS is to experiment with that bass through a modeling device like a Pod. I learned a lot about what I liked in bass tone by borrowing a Pod to use as a preamp for awhile. Once you have an idea how much gain, what kind of EQ and how much compression you want to hear, the field of options seems less overwhelming.
It will call for experimenting and patience but those kind of experiments are fun.
One way you might sidestep some initial GAS is to experiment with that bass through a modeling device like a Pod. I learned a lot about what I liked in bass tone by borrowing a Pod to use as a preamp for awhile. Once you have an idea how much gain, what kind of EQ and how much compression you want to hear, the field of options seems less overwhelming.
The main problem with Gretsch (and Hofner, to some extent) is that they have their own sound baked-in. You cannot make an SVT sound like an Eden...
As many people already replied, there are other semi-hollows that are much more versatile: The Epi Jack Casady, Hagstrom Viking...
I don't think adding foam would take the "Gretsch-iness" out of it. You would probably need to swap the Filter'Trons... and by that time you already have a completely different bass...
BTW, since you like short-scale and light, have you tried the Supro Huntington? Surprisingly thunderous for such a small package!
As many people already replied, there are other semi-hollows that are much more versatile: The Epi Jack Casady, Hagstrom Viking...
I don't think adding foam would take the "Gretsch-iness" out of it. You would probably need to swap the Filter'Trons... and by that time you already have a completely different bass...
BTW, since you like short-scale and light, have you tried the Supro Huntington? Surprisingly thunderous for such a small package!
If you can access the inside of the bass, a well placed center block will get you close to a solid body sound.
When you all are finished can we make my solid body sound like that hollow body? 
godofthunder59
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If output is a issue get a pre amp pedal, I use a old DOD Bi-Fet pre amp pedal for my lower powered bases, works great and adds some balls.
I have exactly the same problem. I bought an accordion, and I just can’t get it to sound exactly like a ‘62 Precision bass. I’m not sure why that is...
I know but that defeats the beauty of the quick decay. Hofner in an attempt to “improve” the violin bass added the centrepost. The cheap Chinese infinity Hofner is now the real replica - at a great price, notwithstanding major set up is required right out of the box.
Hollow/semi-hollow body basses are capable of so much more tonality than that. The Jack Casady is almost an outlier in that it can sound and growl like a regular split coil Precision if you want it to.
I have a CIJ ‘51 Precision Re-issue (one coil pup) that I outfitted with Bakelite saddles and GHS Precision Flats. For vintage tone, quick decay, it’s right there.
I know what you mean though, older hollowbodies are often associated with quicker decay/less sustain than their solid bodied brethren, but you pay a price with one that is too hollow, that being more susceptible to feedback. One of the Gretsch’s has a soft back panel resembling a leather drum head to help mitigate feedback. Some DBs that are used primarily in an amplified mode usually have the sound post moved for a couple of reasons, one of them being to stabilize the face better in an effort to minimize feedback.
Everything’s a trade-off.
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The founder and president of Ampeg, Everett Hull, hated that his amps were becoming the popular choice for R n’ R music. He actually wanted to steer the company towards amplifying things like accordions instead.
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