• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Semi hollow questions

#61
The Gretsch basses are exceptionally well built, we and sound great.

I have the following short scales. Fender is Semi-hollow, Ibanez is hollow. Love them both, but the Ibanez is more vintage, woody sounding. The fender simply dominates the mid and low range frequencies. A true sonic-assault.

PXL_20211231_191503607~2.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: DeliriumTremens and kevmac
#64
In semi-hollows I have both a Gibson Midtown (modern) as well as an older EB2. While they look similar, the EB2 is both short scale and has the vintage sound (fuzz button), both of which you mention as desirable. The Midtown (full scale) looks cool, plays nice and sounds... like most basses. The EB2 is short scale and has an unmistakable vintage Gibson semi hollow bass sound (60s Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna). For me... I love the EB2 for all it offers, and the Midtown sure is pretty in Pelham Blue.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KenD
#65
the_home said:
In semi-hollows I have both a Gibson Midtown (modern) as well as an older EB2. While they look similar, the EB2 is both short scale and has the vintage sound (fuzz button), both of which you mention as desirable. The Midtown (full scale) looks cool, plays nice and sounds... like most basses. The EB2 is short scale and has an unmistakable vintage Gibson semi hollow bass sound (60s Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna). For me... I love the EB2 for all it offers, and the Midtown sure is pretty in Pelham Blue.
Click to expand...

So use the EB2 for recording and the Midtown for the promo shots :)
 
#70
  • Like
Reactions: Bassinthemudd
#71
#76
I've owned a 2017 Guild Starfire II just like the one pictured several posts earlier for almost three years now and used it at numerous gigs and different venues. If you're okay with the thin, narrow neck and short scale, the reissue Starfire II is an excellent bass of very high build quality and worth obtaining, particularly if your gigs involve playing a lot of "classic" rock and R&B. I have mine strung with TI flats.

Comparing it to the other basses I rotate through for gigs (Fender P and J basses, Ric 4003S), the Starfire II is every bit the equal to these (to my ears) unless the set material ventures into harder-edged stuff, which it can also handle though. In certain circumstances, it's arguably my best choice and best sounding bass - which is saying something since my Fender P is an original 1966 (also strung with TI flats).

That said, I do consider selling the Guild from time to time when GAS arises (one bass has to go before another one is purchased) but it hasn't happened yet and probably never should. I doubt you'd be disappointed with one.
 
#78
Barton Lee said:
I've owned a 2017 Guild Starfire II just like the one pictured several posts earlier for almost three years now and used it at numerous gigs and different venues. If you're okay with the thin, narrow neck and short scale, the reissue Starfire II is an excellent bass of very high build quality and worth obtaining, particularly if your gigs involve playing a lot of "classic" rock and R&B. I have mine strung with TI flats.

Comparing it to the other basses I rotate through for gigs (Fender P and J basses, Ric 4003S), the Starfire II is every bit the equal to these (to my ears) unless the set material ventures into harder-edged stuff, which it can also handle though. In certain circumstances, it's arguably my best choice and best sounding bass - which is saying something since my Fender P is an original 1966 (also strung with TI flats).

That said, I do consider selling the Guild from time to time when GAS arises (one bass has to go before another one is purchased) but it hasn't happened yet and probably never should. I doubt you'd be disappointed with one.
Click to expand...
Like how thin? Like Jazz bass thin? Ibanez soundgear thin?

how wide is the nut?
 
#79
So what I’ve found:
The Guild and Eastwood both have a 1.5” nut


Gretsch makes a tad wider nut.

I play a 50’s era reissue P and an EB Sterling. Both have very different nut widths, but I’m not affected by either.
 
#80
I believe the Starfire is 1.5 at the nut and at that position, it feels like my 62 reissue Fender Jazz. Where it differs from the Jazz is the neck doesn't get a whole lot wider as you go up (kind of like the Ric). It takes me a few minutes to readjust to the scale of the Guild but after that, I've no problems with the neck dimensions and I have large hands.

That said, the Starfire is not my favorite playing bass and a long way from the wide C neck of my 66 P.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back