Semi-acoustic guitar
Encyclopedia
A semi-acoustic guitar or hollow-body electric is a type of electric guitar
with both a sound box
and one or more electric pickups. This is not the same as an electric acoustic guitar
, which is an acoustic guitar
with the addition of pickups or other means of amplification, either added by the manufacturer or the player.
or "jazzbox" originating in the 1930s. Thinline models — essentially the same except for having shallower bodies — were produced in the 1950s, and, were deemed semi-acoustic.
They do not provide enough acoustic volume to for live performance, but can be used "unplugged" for quiet practice. Semi-acoustics are noted for being able to provide a sweet, plaintive, or funky tone. More often, the instrument is designed primarily to be used with an amplifier, and the sound box is used primarily to produce an amplified tone not obtainable with a solid body
instrument. They are used in many genres, including blues, funk
, sixties pop, and indie rock
.
Semi-acoustics are capable of producing a fuller and richer tone than most solid-bodied electric guitars, but are prone to feedback
when played through an amplifier. Because semi-acoustic guitars can be connected to an amplifier
, they can be played at a much louder volume than simple acoustic models. They are favorites of big band
guitarists and jazz
players particularly. Models without soundholes, such as the Gibson Lucille, give further feedback prevention.
Generally, hollow body electric guitars are lighter than a solid body guitar of comparative size because its body mass is reduced as a result of the addition of sound chambers. However, they face problems in high-gain amplification, as the sound chambers also induce unsavory feedback.
and mandolins
. These are similarly constructed to semi-acoustic guitars, and are used in the same ways and with the same limitations.
Some semi-acoustic models have a fully hollow body (for instance the Gibson ES-175
and Epiphone Casino
), others may have a solid center block running the length and depth of the body, called semi hollow body (for instance the Gibson ES-335
).
In the 1970s, John Veleno made a polished aluminum guitar. Liquid Metal Guitars makes a metal body guitar made out of a solid block of aluminum and then chrome or gold-plates the instrument. Several metal bodies were made in the 1950s by violin and cello makers.
Other guitars are borderline between semi-acoustic and solid body. For example, some Telecaster guitars have chambers built in to an otherwise solid body to enrich the sound. This type of instrument can be referred to as a semi-hollow or a chambered body guitar. Exactly where the line is to be drawn between a constructed sound box and a solid wooden body, whose construction also affects the sound according to many players, is not generally agreed. Any of the following can be called semi-acoustic:
, Gretsch
and Rickenbacker
. A variety of manufacturers now produce semi-acoustic model guitars: D'Angelico, Epiphone
, Ibanez
, etc.
Fully hollow body
Thinline hollow body (thin body)
Semi hollow body (with center block)
Other semi hollow (solid-body with cavities)
various types
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
with both a sound box
Sound box
A sound box or sounding box is an open chamber in the body of a musical instrument which modifies the sound of the instrument, and helps transfer that sound to the surrounding air. Objects respond more strongly to vibrations at certain frequencies, known as resonances...
and one or more electric pickups. This is not the same as an electric acoustic guitar
Electric acoustic guitar
An Acoustic-electric guitar is an acoustic guitar fitted with pickups, a microphone or transducers. In acoustic-electric guitars, the transducers and microphones are always used because conventional pickups are not capable of picking up vibrations of non-magnetic materials...
, which is an acoustic guitar
Acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
with the addition of pickups or other means of amplification, either added by the manufacturer or the player.
History and use
The classic semi-acoustic guitar evolved out of the full-bodied electric f hole archtop guitarArchtop guitar
An archtop guitar is a steel-stringed acoustic or semi-acoustic guitar with a full body and a distinctive arched top, whose sound is particularly popular with blues and jazz players.Typically, an archtop guitar has:* 6 strings...
or "jazzbox" originating in the 1930s. Thinline models — essentially the same except for having shallower bodies — were produced in the 1950s, and, were deemed semi-acoustic.
They do not provide enough acoustic volume to for live performance, but can be used "unplugged" for quiet practice. Semi-acoustics are noted for being able to provide a sweet, plaintive, or funky tone. More often, the instrument is designed primarily to be used with an amplifier, and the sound box is used primarily to produce an amplified tone not obtainable with a solid body
Solid body
A solid-body instrument is a string instrument such as a guitar, bass or violin built without its normal sound box and relying on an electric pickup system to directly receive the vibrations of the strings....
instrument. They are used in many genres, including blues, funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
, sixties pop, and indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
.
Semi-acoustics are capable of producing a fuller and richer tone than most solid-bodied electric guitars, but are prone to feedback
Audio feedback
Audio feedback is a special kind of positive feedback which occurs when a sound loop exists between an audio input and an audio output...
when played through an amplifier. Because semi-acoustic guitars can be connected to an amplifier
Amplifier
Generally, an amplifier or simply amp, is a device for increasing the power of a signal.In popular use, the term usually describes an electronic amplifier, in which the input "signal" is usually a voltage or a current. In audio applications, amplifiers drive the loudspeakers used in PA systems to...
, they can be played at a much louder volume than simple acoustic models. They are favorites of big band
Big band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
guitarists and jazz
Jazz guitar
The term jazz guitar may refer to either a type of guitar or to the variety of guitar playing styles used in the various genres which are commonly termed "jazz"...
players particularly. Models without soundholes, such as the Gibson Lucille, give further feedback prevention.
Generally, hollow body electric guitars are lighter than a solid body guitar of comparative size because its body mass is reduced as a result of the addition of sound chambers. However, they face problems in high-gain amplification, as the sound chambers also induce unsavory feedback.
Variations
Other semi-acoustic instruments include bassesBass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and mandolins
Electric mandolin
The electric mandolin is an instrument tuned and played as the mandolin and amplified in similar fashion to an electric guitar.As with electric guitars, electric mandolins take many forms:...
. These are similarly constructed to semi-acoustic guitars, and are used in the same ways and with the same limitations.
Some semi-acoustic models have a fully hollow body (for instance the Gibson ES-175
Gibson ES-175
The Gibson ES-175 is an electric guitar manufactured by the Gibson Guitar Corporation, currently still in production. It is a 24 3/4" scale full hollow body guitar with a trapeze tailpiece and Tune-O-Matic bridge...
and Epiphone Casino
Epiphone Casino
The Epiphone Casino is a thinline hollow body electric guitar manufactured by Epiphone, a branch of Gibson. It is essentially Epiphone's version of the Gibson ES-330...
), others may have a solid center block running the length and depth of the body, called semi hollow body (for instance the Gibson ES-335
Gibson ES-335
The Gibson ES-335 is the world's first commercial thinline arched-top semi-acoustic electric guitar. Released by the Gibson Guitar Corporation as part of its ES series in 1958, it is neither hollow nor solid; instead, a solid wood block runs through the center of its body...
).
In the 1970s, John Veleno made a polished aluminum guitar. Liquid Metal Guitars makes a metal body guitar made out of a solid block of aluminum and then chrome or gold-plates the instrument. Several metal bodies were made in the 1950s by violin and cello makers.
Other guitars are borderline between semi-acoustic and solid body. For example, some Telecaster guitars have chambers built in to an otherwise solid body to enrich the sound. This type of instrument can be referred to as a semi-hollow or a chambered body guitar. Exactly where the line is to be drawn between a constructed sound box and a solid wooden body, whose construction also affects the sound according to many players, is not generally agreed. Any of the following can be called semi-acoustic:
- Instruments starting from a solid body "blank" which has been routed out to make a chambered body guitar.
- Instruments with semi-hollow bodies constructed from plates of wood around a solid core, having no soundholes, such as the Gibson Lucille or Brian MayBrian MayBrian Harold May, CBE is an English musician and astrophysicist most widely known as the guitarist and a songwriter of the rock band Queen...
Red SpecialRed SpecialThe Red Special is an electric guitar owned by Queen guitarist Brian May and custom-built by May and his father. The Red Special is also sometimes named in reviews as the Fireplace or the Old Lady, both nicknames used by May when referring to the guitar. A guitar that would define May's signature...
. - Instruments with a solid core but hollow bouts and soundholes (usually f-holes), such as the Gibson ES-335Gibson ES-335The Gibson ES-335 is the world's first commercial thinline arched-top semi-acoustic electric guitar. Released by the Gibson Guitar Corporation as part of its ES series in 1958, it is neither hollow nor solid; instead, a solid wood block runs through the center of its body...
. In these, the bridge is fixed to a solid block of wood rather than to a sounding board, and the belly vibration is minimised much as in a solid body instrument. - Thin-bodied archtop guitars, such as the Epiphone CasinoEpiphone CasinoThe Epiphone Casino is a thinline hollow body electric guitar manufactured by Epiphone, a branch of Gibson. It is essentially Epiphone's version of the Gibson ES-330...
. These possess both a sounding board and sound boxSound boxA sound box or sounding box is an open chamber in the body of a musical instrument which modifies the sound of the instrument, and helps transfer that sound to the surrounding air. Objects respond more strongly to vibrations at certain frequencies, known as resonances...
, but the function of these is purely to modify the sound transmitted to the pickups. Such guitars are still intended purely as electric instruments, and while they do make some sound when the pickups are not used, the tone is weak and not normally considered musically useful. - Full hollowbody semi-acoustic instruments, such as the Gibson ES-175Gibson ES-175The Gibson ES-175 is an electric guitar manufactured by the Gibson Guitar Corporation, currently still in production. It is a 24 3/4" scale full hollow body guitar with a trapeze tailpiece and Tune-O-Matic bridge...
; these have a full-size sound box, but are still intended to be played through an amplifier.
Examples
Some companies that have produced famous semi-acoustic guitars include: GibsonGibson Guitar Corporation
The Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
, Gretsch
Gretsch
The Gretsch Company was founded in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch, a twenty-seven year old German immigrant recently arrived in the US. Friedrich Gretsch manufactured banjos, tambourines, and drums, until his death in 1895. His son, Fred, moved operations to Brooklyn, New York in 1916...
and Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker International Corporation, also known as Rickenbacker, is an electric and bass guitar manufacturer based in Santa Ana, California...
. A variety of manufacturers now produce semi-acoustic model guitars: D'Angelico, Epiphone
Epiphone
The Epiphone Company is a musical instrument manufacturer founded in 1873 by Anastasios Stathopoulos. Epiphone was bought by Chicago Musical Instrument Company, which also owned Gibson Guitar Corporation, in 1957. Epiphone was Gibson's main rival in the archtop market...
, Ibanez
Ibanez
is a Japanese guitar brand owned by Hoshino Gakki. Based in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan, Hoshino Gakki were one of the first Japanese musical instrument companies to gain a significant foothold in import guitar sales in the United States and Europe, as well as the first brand of guitars to mass produce...
, etc.
Fully hollow body
- Gibson L-5
- Gibson ES-175Gibson ES-175The Gibson ES-175 is an electric guitar manufactured by the Gibson Guitar Corporation, currently still in production. It is a 24 3/4" scale full hollow body guitar with a trapeze tailpiece and Tune-O-Matic bridge...
- Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor IIEpiphone Joe Pass Emperor IIThe Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II is an electric guitar model produced by Epiphone as Joe Pass's signature model. First released injust prior to Joe Pass's death in 1994 it is still produced today...
- Hofner 500/1Höfner 500/1The Höfner 500/1 violin bass is a hollow-bodied bass guitar manufactured by Höfner under several varieties...
Thinline hollow body (thin body)
- Epiphone CasinoEpiphone CasinoThe Epiphone Casino is a thinline hollow body electric guitar manufactured by Epiphone, a branch of Gibson. It is essentially Epiphone's version of the Gibson ES-330...
/ Gibson ES-330Gibson ES-330The Gibson ES-330 is a thinline hollowbody electric guitar model produced by the Gibson Guitar Corporation.Though similar in appearance to the popular Gibson ES-335 semi-hollow guitar, the ES-330 was a fairly different guitar in construction and sound... - Gretsch White FalconGretsch White FalconThe Gretsch White Falcon is a visually distinctive guitar commercially introduced in 1955 by Gretsch. While it has seen vast and substantial changes to its body shape and features through the years, and is currently offered in several styles, the White Falcon has always maintained a striking and...
Semi hollow body (with center block)
- Gibson ES-335Gibson ES-335The Gibson ES-335 is the world's first commercial thinline arched-top semi-acoustic electric guitar. Released by the Gibson Guitar Corporation as part of its ES series in 1958, it is neither hollow nor solid; instead, a solid wood block runs through the center of its body...
/ Epiphone DotEpiphone DotThe Epiphone Dot is an archtop electric guitar manufactured by Epiphone since the 1990s. It is the cheaper "alternative" to the Gibson ES-335... - Duesenberg GuitarsDuesenberg GuitarsDuesenberg Guitars is a German company producing high-end electric guitars and basses with a distinctive Art Deco design since 1986. The company's name alludes to the legendary car company Duesenberg....
Fullerton Series - D'Angelico EX-DC
Other semi hollow (solid-body with cavities)
- Rickenbacker 330Rickenbacker 330The Rickenbacker 330 is part of Rickenbacker's 300 series of guitars, the series for which Rickenbacker is perhaps best known. The 330 entered the Rickenbacker product line in 1958, though at the time the 300 series of guitars was known as the "Capri" series. It was designed by the German luthier...
- Fender Telecaster ThinlineFender Telecaster ThinlineThe Fender Telecaster Thinline is an electric guitar made by the Fender company. It is a Telecaster with body cavities. Designed by German luthier Roger Rossmeisl in 1968, it was introduced in 1969 and updated with a pair of Fender Wide Range humbucking pickups, Bullet truss-rod and 3-bolt neck...
- GuildGuildA guild is an association of craftsmen in a particular trade. The earliest types of guild were formed as confraternities of workers. They were organized in a manner something between a trade union, a cartel, and a secret society...
Bluesbird - GretschGretschThe Gretsch Company was founded in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch, a twenty-seven year old German immigrant recently arrived in the US. Friedrich Gretsch manufactured banjos, tambourines, and drums, until his death in 1895. His son, Fred, moved operations to Brooklyn, New York in 1916...
Penguin
various types
- Ibanez Artcore seriesIbanez Artcore SeriesThe Ibanez Artcore series is Ibanez's line of semi and full hollowbody electric guitars.-Background and press:The first Ibanez Artcore models were released by Ibanez in mid-2002 whose goal was to offer an affordable range of full-hollow and semi-hollow body guitars that appealed to entry level...
See also
- Archtop guitarArchtop guitarAn archtop guitar is a steel-stringed acoustic or semi-acoustic guitar with a full body and a distinctive arched top, whose sound is particularly popular with blues and jazz players.Typically, an archtop guitar has:* 6 strings...
s. Guitars with a fully hollow or semi-hollow body, with or without pickups. - Electro-acoustic guitars. Fully acoustic guitars with piezo pickups.
- Hybrid guitarHybrid guitarA hybrid guitar is an electric guitar with the ability to produce a signal with the tonal quality of an acoustic guitar in addition to a typical electric signal from a magnetic pickup, allowing a wide tonal pallette performers with a varied repertoire...
s. Guitars with both magnetic and piezo pickups. Can be solid, semi-hollow or hollow bodied. - Silent guitarSilent guitarA silent guitar is a type of guitar with a solid or chambered body that converts the vibration of the strings into electric current using a piezoelectric pickup. The body of the guitar does not amplify the vibration of the strings into audible sound...
s. Solid body guitars with a piezo pickups.
External links
- What is a semi-acoustic guitar - Article describing the workings of a semi-acoustic guitar.