Source
r/Guitar•
mcinally

[QUESTION] Hollowbody to Semi-Hollow?

QUESTION

I’ve seen people convert solid electrics into semi-hollows, but would it be possible to convert a hollowbody into a semi?

A good few years ago I bought a project hollowbody, and virtually everything has been replaced, including the finish. It’s taken quite a beating with some heavy modifications, something I’m not afraid to tackle alone. Now, somewhat stupidly, I wish I had got a semi to begin with, but I’m way too far into this guitar with both emotional attachment and financial commitment. My reason for heading in this route is an simple one, feedback. I want something where I have greater control over the feedback.

If it is possible, there’s a couple of other questions. What would the process be? Is this something I could do myself, or is this purely the territory of a luthier? Will this even help to achieve my goal of having more control over feedback?

Posted Feb 8, 2019, 9:16 PM UTC · edited

16
sanmaru-Z•

I would feel like with the amount of effort you'd basically be rebuilding the guitar from scratch. You'd most likely have to pull the back and then install a block. Then you'd probably have to re-brace everything and that's not including the refinishing work. That and semi-hollows are still prone to feedback so it would be a lot of effort for not a ton of benefit IMO.

I think you should keep it hollow and maybe get a cheapo solid guitar to knock around.

2
thepensivepoet•

Do the same thing that some do when using acoustic-electric guitars on loud stages = stuff it with some dense foam. You can always pull it back out if you don't like it.

The sound you want is coming from the pickups anyway so there should be even less of a downside here compared to how this impacts the tone of an acoustic.

1
cxgvxc•

Is there a soundpost under the bridge already? If not, it would help a little to keep the top from vibrating.

1
petropunk•

This is kind of like when people ask about putting a manual transmission into a shitty car with an automatic. There's no practical way to do this other than stuffing it with socks when needed, like everyone else does.

You can still use a full hollow for rock, look at Steve Howe. It just takes some effort to work around the feedback.

1
DayzLateDollarzShort•

What causes that feedback is sound waves entering the f holes and forcing the top to vibrate. You can stop this by covering the holes with tape - Paul Gilbert talks about it here: https://youtu.be/OQXw4NE51NU. This is the reason that the BB King 335 model doesn't have f holes.

1
mcinallyOP•

Wow. That was a great watch. Lesson learned!

1