Which Semi-Hollow Guitar Is The Best? (I Was Wrong)
Which Semi-Hollow is better, and which one is the best value for the money? In this video, I compare my Epiphone Sheraton, Ibanez AS2630, and vintage Gibson ES335. I was pretty surprised by the results!
You don’t NEED a Guitar amp!
The Cheapest Jazz Guitar On Amazon ????
Article on my website:
Post on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/125749629
????Check out my Online Course, The Jazz Guitar Roadmap: http://bit.ly/JazzGtRm
????Check out my new course: The Jazz Chord Craftsmanship: https://bit.ly/JazzChordCraft
???? Subscribe for more free Jazz Guitar Lessons and Videos: https://bit.ly/JensLessons
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jenslarsen/
DOWNLOAD A FREE E-BOOK with 15 II Valt I licks!
Sign up for my newsletter:
Check out my latest video: https://goo.gl/G16gVx
Content:
00:00 Do Guitar Prices Make Sense?
00:14 Blindfold test part 1
01:00 Epiphone: The Early Test
03:35 The Work Horse: Ibanez AS2630
04:39 The AS200 Irony
07:11 Thee New Heeres Guitar Project
07:42 The Royal Example: Gibson ES335
10:11 Conclusion – Blindfold test part 2
11:37 Do you need a guitar amp?
11:45 Like the video? Check out my Patreon page!
My name is Jens Larsen, a Danish Jazz Guitarist and Educator. The videos on this channel will help you explore and enjoy Jazz. Some of them teach you how to play jazz guitar, but other videos focus on Music Theory, like Jazz Chords, or offer advice on practicing and learning Jazz on guitar or any other instrument.
The videos are mostly jazz guitar lessons, music theory, song analysis, and videos on jazz guitars.
Edited by Luciano Poli – Business Inquiries: polivideoedit@gmail.com
My Book: Modern Jazz Guitar Concepts: https://geni.us/Y69J4
My Gear:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/jenslarsen
#SemiHollow #Guitar #Wrong
Originally posted by UCqepSCHTyWj4BzHxEEUNvlg at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhCJoSgbXjo
Which Semi-hollow guitar would you recommend? ????
You don't NEED a Guitar amp!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiXE4SDMz50&list=PLWYuNvZPqqcEwAohz-BibDOYyuTuv376R&index=1
This was a great demonstration on subjectivity when choosing a guitar. I'm curious, how much does the ES 335 weigh? I have a guild starfire IV (2001) and I find it quite heavy, comparable to your epiphone.
I chose it not only for its condition (I bought it in early 2020), but also because the neck felt perfect. I hadn't thought to measure it…. until i watched your video. It matches the spec of your epiphone. Now I know what width I like. thanks for that metric. I have never measured a neck in my life (nor weighed a guitar…while we're on the topic)
Have you ever played a Godin semi hollow body? And what do you think?
Ruokangas Guitars makes humbuckers that have a nice and open top end. They made a big difference on my old Les Paul. If you're looking to opening up the sound of a 335, 330 or 175 type of a guitar, they might be something to check out. Not cheap, though, but they're good.
In 1980 I obtained a brand new (from collector) Gibson ‘69 335, exactly like the guitar of Larry Carlton, on of my main inspirations. It was by far the best semi-hollow I’ve owned; great sound, playability & appearance. So sorry I sold it approx. 20 yrs. later.????
Stainless frets are like freshly zambonied ice.
It seems all you get for that extra 2,000 is a nitro-cell finish. Maybe not best for health and these days the poly sounds pretty close on Semi-Hollows. Any guitar I've owned from Korea has been fantastic. Picked up a D'angelico Tour because of solid neck and made in Korea.
How does guitar play, feel and react to your playing ? How does it sound with your amp ?
Great video, and reminder about not getting caught up in the Brand. I always wanted a Gibson 335 but never owned a Semi Hollowbody. My purchasing philosophy is, get a starter guitar. For 200 dollars, I purchased a Harley Benton. I even found a YouTube video that did a blind AB comparison between the two. To this day, the HB is going great, sounding great, playing great. Realizing, the HB will eventually reach its limit, I purchased an Ibanez AM153QA, and was happy with it. Very classy guitar.
They ALL sound great. The minimal differences are to do with the very slight differences in your playing on each one. They all have that "Jens Larsen" sound – they all produce beautiful music.
Ibanez is ignored, probably due to the Gibson lawsuits of the 70's. But I much prefer many of their designs over what is typical for other players. Also, Ibanez has always had a cadre of excellent and young players, and Ibanez takes design chances like the use of natoh (sticky bean paste) as a construction option. Finally, while I know the discussion is playability, I buy some guitars now that were "pawn shop specials" from the 1970's because they are actual hardwoods. It boggles my mind I can't take a Hondo guitar around the world without certification because it's real mahogany. Enjoyed the video.
I prefer the Eastman :o)
I'd rather buy a Fender telecaster to play some jazz scales
I enjoy all your videos! And especially this one! Yes, a 335! i love my Lucille, though too heavy to play all night! I wonder how BB King did it. An Epiphone 335 with Gibson humbuckers! You are totally right, the neck the neck! it is all about the neck. Thank you for pointing this detail out on the 335. Again, thank you, Jens Larsen.
Thank you for mentioning weight.
Ive been gigging multiple times a week for 23 years now and at this point thats a major factor for me ???? especially doing 3-4 gigs a week.
My main semi-hollow is a late 70's AS200. Bought her when I was a kid and was all I could afford. I've strayed over the years but always come back to my first love.
I'm an idiot. I had a 2630 which I ruined by getting the neck scalloped. I also had a really nice Ephiphone and a Custom Shop Cherry Red ES335 which I sold.
Absolutely love my Dave Grohl Epiphone. I added a piezo bridge to it. The Gibson pickups are killer.
Thank you very much ????. Loved this video Jens.
My Sheraton was purchased new in 1989 and I still have it; it's also in that rather attractive tobacco-burst. The tailpiece and bridge turned out to have been made from some cheap material and were placed years ago. I also upgraded to BareKnuckle pickups (although mine are still in place). And 35 years later I still love it.
I haven't Gibson. I haven't Yamaha.
I like my Ibanez AS 73. And I think I will never sell it.
I took finish off back and sides on my Epiphone dot. It went really alive
I got a great deal on a Gibson ES 335 and that is (in my head) my go to guitar. Truthfully, I spend most my time on a Kiesel HH2. I also have a Yamaha AE1200S that is beautifully made, but its not getting played. My ES335 is tobacco sunburst with dot inlays which is how they originally were. I would like to get square or trapezoidal inlays though.
What about a Epiphone Casino, John Lennon's guitar?
Gibson is best.
The Sheraton is gorgeous!
I’m probably going crazy, but in the clip at the start, 1 & 2 sounded pretty similar (great), but 3 sounded ridiculously boomy, kinda muddy.
I bought my '66 12-string 335 in July 1976 when I was 15 ($300 US). Today, I am… uh… 64, and I play it regularly. I never played the 335 with 12 strings. First, it was my first electric guitar, so I really wanted to play with just 6. I finally changed the nut a few years back. The neck is 1-9/16" (40 mm) and it's sometimes a pain, but I've been playing it for almost 50 years, so you get used to it. That's my only comment, other than I really like your videos. I will never get to your level but that's OK. Thank you Lars. Oh! One other thing, several years ago I traded a Heritage 575 (based on the 175) for a Heritage 555 (355). The 555 was about $2,900 US so it's not exactly inexpensive, but it plays really well. Made in Kalamazoo at the old Gibson factory. That's all. Thanks again Lars. Keep up the good work!
I had an early 90’s Sheraton that I let go and regret to this day. I’ve had a few since as well as other semi hollow guitars but never found one with the same feel.
I now have a 69-72 Gibson ES345 and recently a Heritage H535.
I am in heaven with these two.
The Gibson’s neck is exactly as you explained. The Heritage has a a 59’ slightly thicker neck but plays phenomenal and sounds better than the Gibson. I’m addicted to it.
Love the 'engineering' Stanley Fat Max rule as a measure, ok for building work. As an engineer myself Ihave to cringe slightly.
I play an Ibanez AS-93 as my #1. The neck feels much like my old Les Paul, but I doubt I'll ever play a solid-body outside of an SG any more. I love the richer tone, and at higher gain being able to use the guitar as a sort of theremin to conjure harmonic feedback in heavier sounds.
I had a buddy in the Air Force transferred to Sicily in 1992 who wired me money to buy him a semi-hollow, and I selected for him a Korean Sheraton that was to me a killer guitar. He wired his thanks.
Try a Gretsch, you will stop playing Gibsons.