semi-hollowbody vs solid body

[poomwah]

ok, having trouble deciding... for blues and blues rock...particular examples.. gov't mule, allman brothers, jonny lang, srv, derek trucks, ian moore
would a semi hollow body work well, or would a solid body be better? if so why? if not why not?

 

[Thump Jr.]

I don't think (from my limited experience) that you'd be at a distinct advantage or disadvantage either way. For blues-based music, I would probably lean towards a semi-hollow for the "old school" feel. Flatwound strings might be a good idea as well. You should be able to get a good tone for blues or blues rock out of most basses, though - I would think so, anyway.

 

[playhard]

In my opinion the semi hollow will give you that deep sweet woody resonant sound on the clean and slow to bouncy numbers. However nothing kicks it in the pants like a solid body for that in your face modern rock and blues pieces. So if you can swing it, try to have both on stage, if not, analyze the sets and determine what you do most of and decide accordingly. Hope this helps...

 

[Dave Bassincus]

In my opinion the semi hollow will give you that deep sweet woody resonant sound on the clean and slow to bouncy numbers. However nothing kicks it in the pants like a solid body for that in your face modern rock and blues pieces. So if you can swing it, try to have both on stage, if not, analyze the sets and determine what you do most of and decide accordingly. Hope this helps...

+ 1, so true.
But I could see a G&L w/ an f-hole managing to kick it pretty heavy.

 

[poomwah]

I have a peavey t-40, an epi eb-0, an epi thunderbird, so I've got solid bodies if I need them. I've got a chance at picking up a used but really nice ibanez agb200 with case for 300 bucks. I'm trying to justify buying it for reasons other than "oh my god that thing looks SO freaking cool" LOL

 

[Dave R]

In the case of Allman Bros. and SRV, I think all the recordings were done with sold bodies. Others, I'm not sure.

But don't be a slave to that! Go semi-hollow if that rings your chimes.

 

[poomwah]

In the case of Allman Bros. and SRV, I think all the recordings were done with sold bodies. Others, I'm not sure.

But don't be a slave to that! Go semi-hollow if that rings your chimes.

I know that allen woody played a thunderbird in both gov't mule and allman brothers, he played eb's in mule, and he recorded thorazine shuffle with a rick, all solids, but then he goes and helps design the epiphone allen woody tribute bass, the rumblekat, a semi-hollow body. now THAT is confusing, LOL