Looking for Small Luthier Semi-Hollow Body?

[iim7v7im7]

Hi,

I posted a general posting over in the guitar forum the other day and to my surprise and delight I received over 3 pages of response (love this board).

I am looking for a PAF based semi-hollow body to fill between my Jazz rig (Heritage Sweet 16 > AI Clarus 2R/ RE Cabinet) and my blues rig (Fender CS Nocaster NOS > Pedalboard>Allen Accomplice> 1x 12 cab). I also own a P-90 based guitar (Valley Arts LC Custom) that I use with this rig.


I have narrowed my initial choices down to 3 guitars:
Collings I-35 Deluxe
Don Grosh DG-193
Sadowsky Semi-Hollow body
I will use this guitar with my Allen rig to play blues and the 70s rock that I grew up with (Steely Dan etc.). So I have a single coil, P-90 and Jazz box in terms of guitars. So since I own a solid wood archtop, I am looking for more of bluesy, rock type of tone and the ability to play at volume. I say this because some folks play jazz with there semi-hollow bodies. If I can great, but I have a rig for that. I am more interested in rounding out my pallette wear the single coils and P-90s finish.

I have always loved the tone, sustain and bloom associated with an ES-335, but have always found the size, weight, and in many cases the quality of manufacture out of Gibson to prevent me from wanting one of their instruments.

Which of these insstruments do you think will fill my bill and why?

Some are laminate, some are solid wood (advantages/disadvantages). If you have owned any of them, your experience regarding tone, playability and quality is appreciated. Additionally, many of these instruments have pick-up options, insights here are also appreciated. The 3 above listed instruments range in price from $3,700 to $6,000 (MSRP). Perhaps you think that none of the above is right for me. Speak up, I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions as well.

Thanks!

Bob

[msr13]

I love my I-35. I use it primarily for jazz chord melody. It has gorgeous cleans. I have tried the Sadowsky and would have been thrilled with it if that was what I had. But, I never A-B ed them . I assume the solid wood vs. Laminate makes a tonal difference. For me, playing straight up clean, I like the wood sound. But, I think the difference is less apparent with effects. Never tried the Grosh. But, you can't go wrong with any of them.

[mullytron]

Get a Koll Duo Glide!

[iim7v7im7]

Get a Koll Duo Glide!

Thanks...not my cup of tea

:-)

Bob

[iim7v7im7]

I love my I-35. I use it primarily for jazz chord melody. It has gorgeous cleans. I have tried the Sadowsky and would have been thrilled with it if that was what I had. But, I never A-B ed them . I assume the solid wood vs. Laminate makes a tonal difference. For me, playing straight up clean, I like the wood sound. But, I think the difference is less apparent with effects. Never tried the Grosh. But, you can't go wrong with any of them.

Thanks for your response. It sounds as if you are using your I-35 for what I use my Sweet 16 for. I love playing jazz chord melody. I am interested in both clean and distorted tones out of this instrument.

:-)

Bob

[msr13]

Thanks for your response. It sounds as if you are using your I-35 for what I use my Sweet 16 for. I love playing jazz chord melody. I am interested in both clean and distorted tones out of this instrument.
Yeah. I should have read your post more closely. :) I still think you can't go wrong with any of them. Again, I haven't tried or heard the Grosh, but I have heard a lot of people use the I35 for rock and blues tones. The Sadowsky looks and sounds just sweet. Good luck.

[-kk-]

if it was me, id speak to david myka (http://www.mykaguitars.com)

http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/027/01.jpg
http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/027/default.htm

[mainsale]

...or Terry C. McInfurff about his Royal.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/Mainsale/Guitars186.jpg

[Trebor Renkluaf]

Love my Groshs...
http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww268/GuitArtMan/SetNeckSemiHollow.jpg

http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww268/GuitArtMan/623b_3.jpg

[Seektone]

Just played a bunch of David Mykas guitars at the healdsburg guitar festival. Nice guitars!

I've got a Gadow Custom Hollow on the way which I'll use for pretty much what you describe. I can't really speak to your list specifically.

[redgold]

Hi Bob, If you like Heritage, check out the solid block version of the Prospect... 335 construction in a smaller body. I've ordered from Jay at Wolfe Guitars and he is very helpful.

Ray

[Shadscbr]

In addition to those already mentioned, I would also consider:
Scott Heatley
Jason Schroeder
Jim Soloway

Good luck in your search :)

Shad

[kingsleyd]

Hey, Bob, how about a little aural data? I posted some clips a while back of my I-35, a vintage 335, and a PRS Hollowbody Spruce. What I played sounds at least somewhat in the ballpark of what you're looking for in terms of tones, although I didn't necessarily go for more than a moderate crunch.

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=534500

With respect to playability and overall build quality, the I-35 is at or near the top of the heap. Great feeling late 50s Gibson style neck, impeccable fretwork, and overall top quality finish work.

Haven't directly compared to the Grosh or the Sadowsky. I'm a huge fan of both of those builders, but since I got into Matt Artinger's thinline guitars I haven't been all that inclined to experiment with others. FWIW, Matt's Hollow Sport model is easily my favorite guitar in this realm. Unfortunately it lives in a different state than the guitars in the clips above and I've never gotten around to doing clips with it.

[Scottone]

Check out the MotorAve Belaire as well. I've heard nothing but great things about them.

[The Kid]

if it was me, id speak to david myka (http://www.mykaguitars.com)

http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/027/01.jpg
http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/027/default.htm

+1. I have my 2nd Myka on the way. I got to play the Falcon when I was in Seattle and it was jaw dropping. You might want to check him out.

[flantrax]

+1. I have my 2nd Myka on the way. I got to play the Falcon when I was in Seattle and it was jaw dropping. You might want to check him out.

I'm the proud owner of the Myka Falcon(and 3 other Myka's)...you should give him a call for sure...he'll make you what ever you could dream of...

http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/078/default.htm
http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/066/default.htm
http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/065/default.htm

# 4 in progress...335 style hybrid...
http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/InProgress/080/default.htm

[enharmonic]

You should also check out the Motorave BelAire. A humbucker-equipped model will deliver the goods for blues and jazz. Hand made one at a time, and well within your budget. I own two of them and will be picking up a 3rd in the near future.

www.motorave.com

[The bear]

I own a Collings soco, it works great for jazz, blues and rock.
I have a PRS hollowbody spruce that's great too.

[57gold]

Thought it dug the Carol-Ann OD2 50, which it does...but the clarity, note articulation, musicality of the I-35 just kills through the Komet!

My son shouted out "that's killin' Dad, what are you playin' on?"

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb118/57gold/Collingscrimson001.jpg

Bill makes the "Aston Martin" of thinlines! High performance, small batch, attention to every detail, traditional lines...if you only could have one thinline and didn't want to brake the bank on a 1959 dot marker...it's the stuff.

[Cobra]

Jim Soloway...
http://www.jimsoloway.com/

The 27" scale is truly unique & different.
Many variations & specs to choose from...
A test drive program to try one out.
Outstanding customer service!

That said, all the guitars & builders mentioned in this thread so far have great reputations...

[mwhy]

I'm the proud owner of the Myka Falcon(and 3 other Myka's)...you should give him a call for sure...he'll make you what ever you could dream of...

# 4 in progress...335 style hybrid...
http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/InProgress/080/default.htm

Sweet Myka's! Those are great guitars.

[tvegas99]

I-35 all the way...spoil yourself

[simon_62]

Another +1 for the Collings I-35 :)

[dewman]

the MotorAve Bel Aire is fantastic

[Tokyo tapes]

the MotorAve Bel Aire is fantastic

+1000

[hippdogs]

I can't believe CpThornton (chuck Thornton hasn't made this recommended list)....Chuck's guitars are simply superb. http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk69/hippdogs/Image_0095c.jpg

[vangit]

Not sure if you saw this one available in the dealers section:

Video demo link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sub7wmh_qWY&feature=channel_page

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2551/3769938712_e07a47858a.jpg

[Guitartim]

Some mighty fine semi-hollows mentioned here already!

If you are interested in a superior quality '25.5' scale (same scale as your Sweet Sixteen) semi with all solid woods, then check out the Gibson Johnny A. Signature. These are 'full hollow' and can do blues, jazz, rock, pop, country, RnB, etc. with no problems. My favorite is the stoptail model.

http://www.johnnya.com/sig_flash.htm

There's a JA stoptail on fleabay at the moment that is a good example of this type of guitar. (I'm not affiliated with the seller).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190323707544&_trksid=p3907.m32&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching