Is there, or has there ever been a such thing as a semi-hollow bass guitar?

iansmitchell · July 4th, 2009, 01:44 AM

Interestingly enough I've never heard of such a thing. There are upright basses, acoustic basses(dean style), electric basses, hollow basses(hofner), but never heard of semi-hollow!
What gives?

homerzeppelin · July 4th, 2009, 01:46 AM

http://www.rondomusic.com/wvebvs.html

iansmitchell · July 4th, 2009, 01:47 AM

So there's a block of wood in there, not just a typists' error?

Dave W · July 4th, 2009, 02:26 AM

Sure, the most famous are the Gibson EB-2 and Guild Starfire Bass.

Jakester93 · July 4th, 2009, 02:32 AM

The jack casady bass is semi-hollow.

4mal · July 4th, 2009, 03:10 AM

Bunches of 'em ... Best of the traditional style would be the Guild Starfire models closely followed by the Epi Jack C. and the D'Armond copies of hte Starfires. the D'Armonds are great basses if youstumble onto one.

These days the Godin A Series basses are pretty cool. Piezo pickups and active electronics. Solid spruce tops and a chambered maple body. Unique basses to be sure and killer for light jazz, blue/new grass kinda stuff. Not to mention that they will drive a guitar synth. Really cool intstruments in a niche of their own - well along with Rick Turner and Rob Allen..

Rob Allen basses are just amazing....

PhatBoy · July 4th, 2009, 10:04 AM

Wasn't Paul McCartney's Hohner a semi hollow?

PB

Parma_TeleMon · July 4th, 2009, 10:07 AM

I remember seeing a country band a few years back (uh, I wasn't much older than you at the time, Ian) and the bass player was hammering on a 335-style bass. Their lead player had a Mustang, too - first one I ever saw.

rhomco · July 4th, 2009, 10:41 AM

I have seen one. I made this one a couple of years ago.
Rob

fidopunk · July 4th, 2009, 11:46 AM

Don't forget the Danelectro basses. They're semi-hollow.

bobbybigmac · July 4th, 2009, 02:00 PM

Aren't you forgetting about one of the a truely under rated bassists of all time ...Danny Bonaduce?

He "played" a Ovation semi acoustic (and a few Fenders too).

Come on get happy everybody.

Dave W · July 4th, 2009, 10:02 PM

The Hofners are not semi-hollows, and despite what the Rondo site says, I question whether that's a semi-hollow.

Only the earliest Danelectros were true semi-hollows, most had nothing between the neck block and bridge block.

Quote:

I remember seeing a country band a few years back (uh, I wasn't much older than you at the time, Ian) and the bass player was hammering on a 335-style bass.

That would be the Gibson EB-2 I mentioned above or its twin the Epiphone Rivoli, or one of any number of copies from Europe or Japan.

The Ovation Typhoon played by bass-meister Danny Bonaduce

was also semi-hollow.

The Epi Rivoli was quite popular with Brit bands in the 60s, including Chas Chandler with The Animals, Paul Samwell-Smith with The Yardbirds and Rod Allen with The Fortunes.

Here's Rod Allen (RIP) playing his Rivoli thumbstyle while singing lead.

Jahmbie · July 4th, 2009, 10:30 PM

These are pretty obscure, but a friend has one of the prototypes. It has a maple capped chambered mahogany body.

beep.click · July 4th, 2009, 10:44 PM

I have an Ibanez semi-hollow (335 shape) and an Epiphone Viola (Beatle-bass shape), also semi-hollow.

stevetat · July 5th, 2009, 12:49 AM

Dave W · July 5th, 2009, 02:36 AM

A semi-hollowbody -- which is what the OP asked about -- is a hollowbody with a solid center block running the length and depth of the body.

The Epi Allen Woody, Epi Viola and Fender A/E Precision are not semi-hollowbodies.

David Barnett · July 5th, 2009, 02:41 AM

Another semi-hollow bass is the Rickenbacker 4005.

refin · July 5th, 2009, 03:34 AM

beep.click · July 5th, 2009, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave W

A semi-hollowbody -- which is what the OP asked about -- is a hollowbody with a solid center block running the length and depth of the body.

The Epi Allen Woody, Epi Viola and Fender A/E Precision are not semi-hollowbodies.

The Viola is an odd beast; you'll see it described online as both "hollow" and "semi-hollow." Many write-ups (e.g., at Sweetwater) just dodge the issue. The Epiphone web site describes it as hollow.

I could settle the issue by dismantling mine, but I'm not up for it.

What leads me to believe it is only SEMI-hollow is the lack of feedback. I've played some of those hollow basses -- crank the amp a little, and be ready for the howling. When I bought my Viola, I tested it specifically for that -- no feedback. That's why I bought it.

If it's NOT semi-hollow, they have a pretty neat trick going on!

Dave W · July 5th, 2009, 04:47 PM

The Rick 4005 is not a semi-hollow. It doesn't have a center block.

The Hofner is not a semi-hollow. It doesn't have a center block (yes, I've seen one dismantled). AFAIK none of the Beatle Bass clones (e.g. Epi Viola) have center blocks. Feedback is reduced because there aren't any f-holes.

I think some of you are confusing semi-hollow with semi-acoustic. Not the same thing.

David Barnett · July 5th, 2009, 06:27 PM

Does the definition of semi-hollow require some contact between the top and back?

Tim Armstrong · July 5th, 2009, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Barnett

Does the definition of semi-hollow require some contact between the top and back?

Yeah, semi-hollow means solid center block.

Tim

iansmitchell · July 5th, 2009, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Barnett

Does the definition of semi-hollow require some contact between the top and back?

By that definition, a cello would be semi-hollow.

Robin Nahum · July 5th, 2009, 11:57 PM

And I'm going to hijack the thread (just a bit) to say that an EB2 makes an appearance in the great new Australian movie "Samson and Delilah".

http://www.samsonanddelilah.com.au/

It's not an easy film. It deals with the plight of two indigeneous teenagers living in a settlement near Alice Springs.

Tim Armstrong · July 6th, 2009, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iansmitchell

By that definition, a cello would be semi-hollow.

Instruments with soundposts are considered hollow, instruments with centerblocks or (like a Fender Thinline Tele) hollowed out chambers are considered semihollow.

Tim

David Barnett · July 6th, 2009, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Armstrong

Instruments with soundposts are considered hollow, instruments with centerblocks or (like a Fender Thinline Tele) hollowed out chambers are considered semihollow.

Tim

Rics have hollowed out chambers, it's just that it's one big one. Their basic construction method is pretty much the same as a Tele Thinline. Which I guess makes sense since both were designed by Roger Rossmeisl.

DanofTucson · July 6th, 2009, 02:40 AM

To take the cynical view:
If they think the word "Semi-hollow" will sell more guitars. It's a semi-hollow.

I had an early Gretch Bass that was semi-hollow. It didn't sound like a P-Bass. But that wasn't the issue. It was such a terrible nose diver that my arm and neck would start to ache after awhile from holding it up while I played. I don't remember the model. It was a deep maroon red color, ebony fingerboard, neck like a baseball bat, F-holes were painted on.

Kestrel · July 18th, 2009, 11:21 AM

Peter Hook from New Order plays an Eccleshall 335-style semi-hollow bass.

David Barnett · July 18th, 2009, 12:59 PM

Guild?

Kestrel · July 18th, 2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Barnett

Guild?

I wish I could get my hands on a Guild Starfire Bass.

Heck, I'd be happy with one of the DeArmond Guild Starfire reissues.

JohnS · July 20th, 2009, 04:16 PM

I think the current Hofner Beatle bass that is the ~$700 one says it has a center block. The ~$400 one is hollow.

David Barnett · July 20th, 2009, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnS

I think the current Hofner Beatle bass that is the ~$700 one says it has a center block. The ~$400 one is hollow.

Correct. The "Icon" is hollow, the "Contemporary Series" has a block, and the full-price German-made 500/1 is hollow.

Tele295 · August 10th, 2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave W

A semi-hollowbody -- which is what the OP asked about -- is a hollowbody with a solid center block running the length and depth of the body.

The Epi Allen Woody, Epi Viola and Fender A/E Precision are not semi-hollowbodies.

The HMT and A/E basses are not fully hollow. My HMT bass has a center block onto which the pickup and string-thru bridge are mounted.

FirstBassman · August 10th, 2009, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Barnett

Guild?

Ya know, I had always assumed that the Guild Starfire was semi-hollow (had a block down the middle.)

But apparently not:

http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/196...arfireBass.php

http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/guild75p5.php

Model Starfire SF-I Starfire SF-II
Available 1965-1975 1967-1977
Pickups Hagstrom bisonic pickups, replaced by Guild humbuckers in 1970
Scale 30 3/4"
Width at nut 1 1/2"
Body Bound Maple (Sunburst and Flonde finishes) or Mahogany (all other finishes). Width 16 3/8", 1 7/8" thin, length 20 1/4" (1968) 18" (1975). Overall length 46 3/4"
Neck Initially one-piece (later three piece) Peruvian Mahogany, rosewood fingerboard
Hardware Hagstrom bridge, Guild tuners, volume and tone control, hand rests Hagstrom bridge, Guild tuners, 2 volume and 2 tone controls, master volume, pickup selector. Push-button bass boost, replaced by a tone switch in 1970
Finishes Sunburst, Cherry, Emerald Green, Ebony Grain, Amber, Brown, Black, Walnut, Blonde, Natural Mahogany
Options Fretless Fretless and or stereo circuitry

FirstBassman · August 10th, 2009, 05:40 PM

And speaking of the Guild Starfire, here is the greatest bass solo ever done. Done on a Starfire:

Paul in Colorado · August 18th, 2009, 04:52 PM

What is the bridge of a Starfire screwed into if it's not semi-hollow? (I don't know, I'm just asking...)

Are the Gretsch Basses hollow or semi-hollow?

Mr. Saba · August 18th, 2009, 06:33 PM

The Ibanez Artcore AGB200 would be another example...

Dave W · August 19th, 2009, 12:03 PM

The Starfire basses were semi-hollow. They did have a center block.

4mal · August 19th, 2009, 01:15 PM

Construction - what-evah.... that Fender A/E fretless is sweet!

psychetelec · August 19th, 2009, 01:53 PM

My current hollowbodies.

1. Brice violin bass(LH)
2. Danelectro Longhorn bass
3. Davison Hollowbody bass(LH)
4. Epiphone Rivoli bass
5. Gibson EB-2 bass(Stereo)
6. Hofner 500/1 V63 reissue Beatle Bass(LH)
7. Ibanez ASB140 bass
8. Jerry Jones Longhorn Bass
9. Jerry Jones Longhorn BassVI 6-string bass
10. Phantom BW Teardrop Hollowbody Bass

July 4th, 2009, 01:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
iansmitchell Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Gainesville, Florida Posts: 1,007	Is there, or has there ever been a such thing as a semi-hollow bass guitar? Interestingly enough I've never heard of such a thing. There are upright basses, acoustic basses(dean style), electric basses, hollow basses(hofner), but never heard of semi-hollow! What gives? __________________ ... Please do not insinuate anything sexual from that.

July 4th, 2009, 01:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
iansmitchell Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Gainesville, Florida Posts: 1,007	So there's a block of wood in there, not just a typists' error? __________________ ... Please do not insinuate anything sexual from that.

July 4th, 2009, 10:07 AM	#8 (permalink)
Parma_TeleMon Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: parma, oh Age: 49 Posts: 913	I remember seeing a country band a few years back (uh, I wasn't much older than you at the time, Ian) and the bass player was hammering on a 335-style bass. Their lead player had a Mustang, too - first one I ever saw. __________________ ================================ Packin' a Tele, lookin' fer trouble.... ================================

July 4th, 2009, 10:41 AM	#9 (permalink)
rhomco Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Crowley, Texas Posts: 1,100	Why yes I have seen one. I made this one a couple of years ago. Rob __________________ If I won the Lotto.... I'd just build (OK, OK Assemble) guitars and sell them till the money ran out

July 4th, 2009, 10:30 PM	#13 (permalink)
Jahmbie Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Berea, KY Posts: 877	Epiphone Allen Woody Rumblekat These are pretty obscure, but a friend has one of the prototypes. It has a maple capped chambered mahogany body. __________________ "I'm not responsible for anyone's gruntlement" - Lt. Col. Henry Blake

July 4th, 2009, 01:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
homerzeppelin Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA Age: 27 Posts: 559	http://www.rondomusic.com/wvebvs.html

July 4th, 2009, 02:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
Dave W Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Guadalupe County, TX Age: 62 Posts: 2,034	Sure, the most famous are the Gibson EB-2 and Guild Starfire Bass.

July 4th, 2009, 02:32 AM	#5 (permalink)
Jakester93 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dacula, GA Age: 16 Posts: 140	The jack casady bass is semi-hollow.

July 4th, 2009, 03:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
4mal Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The Gorge Posts: 2,497	Bunches of 'em ... Best of the traditional style would be the Guild Starfire models closely followed by the Epi Jack C. and the D'Armond copies of hte Starfires. the D'Armonds are great basses if youstumble onto one. These days the Godin A Series basses are pretty cool. Piezo pickups and active electronics. Solid spruce tops and a chambered maple body. Unique basses to be sure and killer for light jazz, blue/new grass kinda stuff. Not to mention that they will drive a guitar synth. Really cool intstruments in a niche of their own - well along with Rick Turner and Rob Allen.. Rob Allen basses are just amazing....

July 4th, 2009, 10:04 AM	#7 (permalink)
PhatBoy Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: OKC, OK Age: 55 Posts: 494 2 Photos	Wasn't Paul McCartney's Hohner a semi hollow? PB

July 4th, 2009, 11:46 AM	#10 (permalink)
fidopunk TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 48	Don't forget the Danelectro basses. They're semi-hollow.

July 4th, 2009, 10:44 PM	#14 (permalink)
beep.click Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: California Age: 50 Posts: 3,193	I have an Ibanez semi-hollow (335 shape) and an Epiphone Viola (Beatle-bass shape), also semi-hollow. __________________ "It looked like a giant green gum drop to me."

July 5th, 2009, 12:49 AM	#15 (permalink)
stevetat TDPRI Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 79 16 Photos	MIJ Precision A/E Semi-hollow

July 5th, 2009, 02:36 AM	#16 (permalink)
Dave W Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Guadalupe County, TX Age: 62 Posts: 2,034	A semi-hollowbody -- which is what the OP asked about -- is a hollowbody with a solid center block running the length and depth of the body. The Epi Allen Woody, Epi Viola and Fender A/E Precision are not semi-hollowbodies.

July 5th, 2009, 02:41 AM	#17 (permalink)
David Barnett Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The Far-Flung Isles of Langerhans Age: 53 Posts: 6,038	Another semi-hollow bass is the Rickenbacker 4005. __________________ "Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand." -- H. Simpson

July 5th, 2009, 03:34 AM	#18 (permalink)
refin Friend of Leo's Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Florida Panhandle Age: 53 Posts: 2,574	__________________ "For You,Lord,are good,and ready to forgive,and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You." Ps. 86:5 http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/refin_music.htm MASTER VOLUME? WHAT'S A MASTER VOLUME?

July 5th, 2009, 04:47 PM	#20 (permalink)
Dave W Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Guadalupe County, TX Age: 62 Posts: 2,034	The Rick 4005 is not a semi-hollow. It doesn't have a center block. The Hofner is not a semi-hollow. It doesn't have a center block (yes, I've seen one dismantled). AFAIK none of the Beatle Bass clones (e.g. Epi Viola) have center blocks. Feedback is reduced because there aren't any f-holes. I think some of you are confusing semi-hollow with semi-acoustic. Not the same thing.

July 5th, 2009, 06:27 PM	#21 (permalink)
David Barnett Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The Far-Flung Isles of Langerhans Age: 53 Posts: 6,038	Does the definition of semi-hollow require some contact between the top and back? __________________ "Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand." -- H. Simpson

July 5th, 2009, 11:57 PM	#24 (permalink)
Robin Nahum Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia Age: 58 Posts: 1,849 14 Photos	And I'm going to hijack the thread (just a bit) to say that an EB2 makes an appearance in the great new Australian movie "Samson and Delilah". http://www.samsonanddelilah.com.au/ It's not an easy film. It deals with the plight of two indigeneous teenagers living in a settlement near Alice Springs. __________________ RN

July 6th, 2009, 02:40 AM	#27 (permalink)
DanofTucson Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tucson Age: 56 Posts: 184	To take the cynical view: If they think the word "Semi-hollow" will sell more guitars. It's a semi-hollow. I had an early Gretch Bass that was semi-hollow. It didn't sound like a P-Bass. But that wasn't the issue. It was such a terrible nose diver that my arm and neck would start to ache after awhile from holding it up while I played. I don't remember the model. It was a deep maroon red color, ebony fingerboard, neck like a baseball bat, F-holes were painted on. __________________ ...

July 18th, 2009, 11:21 AM	#28 (permalink)
Kestrel TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 74	Peter Hook from New Order plays an Eccleshall 335-style semi-hollow bass.

July 18th, 2009, 12:59 PM	#29 (permalink)
David Barnett Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The Far-Flung Isles of Langerhans Age: 53 Posts: 6,038	Guild? __________________ "Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand." -- H. Simpson

July 20th, 2009, 04:16 PM	#31 (permalink)
JohnS Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Age: 60 Posts: 492 25 Photos	I think the current Hofner Beatle bass that is the ~$700 one says it has a center block. The ~$400 one is hollow.

August 10th, 2009, 05:40 PM	#35 (permalink)
FirstBassman Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 2,463	And speaking of the Guild Starfire, here is the greatest bass solo ever done. Done on a Starfire:

August 18th, 2009, 04:52 PM	#36 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 56 Posts: 5,113 3 Photos	What is the bridge of a Starfire screwed into if it's not semi-hollow? (I don't know, I'm just asking...) Are the Gretsch Basses hollow or semi-hollow? __________________ www.tuatha.net "There are only two kinds of music. Fast and slow."

August 18th, 2009, 06:33 PM	#37 (permalink)
Mr. Saba TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Upper Marlboro, MD Age: 51 Posts: 45	The Ibanez Artcore AGB200 would be another example...

IMPORTANT:Treat everyone here with respect, no matter how difficult! No sex, drug, political, religion or hate discussion permitted here.

August 19th, 2009, 12:03 PM	#38 (permalink)
Dave W Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Guadalupe County, TX Age: 62 Posts: 2,034	The Starfire basses were semi-hollow. They did have a center block.

August 19th, 2009, 01:15 PM	#39 (permalink)
4mal Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The Gorge Posts: 2,497	Construction - what-evah.... that Fender A/E fretless is sweet!

August 19th, 2009, 01:53 PM	#40 (permalink)
psychetelec Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Austin,Texas Age: 51 Posts: 235	My current hollowbodies. 1. Brice violin bass(LH) 2. Danelectro Longhorn bass 3. Davison Hollowbody bass(LH) 4. Epiphone Rivoli bass 5. Gibson EB-2 bass(Stereo) 6. Hofner 500/1 V63 reissue Beatle Bass(LH) 7. Ibanez ASB140 bass 8. Jerry Jones Longhorn Bass 9. Jerry Jones Longhorn BassVI 6-string bass 10. Phantom BW Teardrop Hollowbody Bass __________________ Proud owner of Dee Murray's Steinberger! http://www.myspace.com/shapedsound http://www.eggmen.com

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