Thinline vs Semi-hollow

[Kinksi]

I have seen plenty of thinline teles and now a few hollowed L5S bodies.

Looks aside, what's the difference. It seems that both have 2 large chambers on either side of a center block.

I have read posts on this forum that thinline teles don't really sound any different than a solid tele when amplified. But obviously a semi-hollow sounds quite different than a solid body when amplified. Is this hollowed L5S semi-hollow or just "thinline" (perhaps there is no difference between those terms).

Perhaps some of you L5S owners can chime in...I am highly interested in this body style and its possibility to be a sort of semi-hollow (CS-336 perhaps?). http://www.zzounds.com/item--GIBCS336F

I hope that made sense.  :confused4:

Thoughts?

 

[Unwound G]

Soundwise, Thinline bodies are more distinctive than regular solid body Teles in that their acoustic properties can be picked up and amplified.  They resonate differently and have that tinge of hollow "honking"  tone rather than the tight woody tone of solid body guitars.

My recent L5S build ( http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=6819.0 ) produced some very satisfying tonal results.  The acoustic properties can really be heard through the TV Classic pickups.  I am sure if you build one with vintage type of humbuckers, it will be easy to dial in some ES336 tones.

 

[Vol. Knob]

I've never seen a Hollow L5S anywhere other than online, but I've had an Epiphone Dot in the past (it now belongs to my band's rhythm guitarist) and I currently have two thinlines.  I've also had a '52 Reissue Telecaster in the past, a great guitar, but not for me.

Apples and Oranges.  All different.  Both of my thinlines sound different unplugged and plugged in, and they should sound simaler unplugged.  Both my Thinlines have Goncalo Alves necks, both have mahogany bodies.  One has a Bubinga top, but I doubt that should have much impact on the tone.  Then again, they do have radically different bridges.  But given how different the mahogany is on both, one shouldnt expect them to sound simaler anyway. 

My P-90 loaded thinline has a much more resonant acoustic sound unplugged.  This makes it ideal for practicing unplugged when I only need to hear myself.  My other one sound tighter and has more of a thump to its tone. 

All that said.  IMHO electric guitars that are hollow in some way, be it 335, chambered or thinline, bring something more to the table.  There's more surface area for sound waves to bounce off of.  I've had the darker brown one in the pic for 13 years now (okay, so I've replaced everything  but the body and bridgeplate, but otherwise its always been my #1) and I've gone through 5 strats, 2 other teles, 3 les paul copies, a casino, an Epi Dot, a few oddball old Kays, and a few unmentionable beaters in that time.  I've stuck with a thinline as my #1 over all those others. 

Its so hard to put sounds into words without sounding idiotic.  But IMHO a thinline sounds more resonant than a soldibody.  And when your playing at gig volume, a thinline has more surface area (chambers) for sound to bounce off of.  IMHO this increases the guitars sustain and has a definite impact on the guitar's sound for the better.  Plus, if your forearm is sweatty, you can feel a gentle breeze blow out the F-hole, I call this "The Breath of the Thinline".

See, one Mahogany is light, the other is dark brown.  One is light as a feather, the other is heavy.  One is snappy the other is growly.

 

[Kinksi]

hmm...cool. Thanks for the info! Nice guitars!

I'm leaning towards the hollowed double f-hole L5S.....mahogany body with a maple top....just like the gibson cs-336 but with a solid rosewood neck....just wish i could get it with a carved top.....im also gonna have to find the funds first.......  :tard:

 

[Vol. Knob]

A prototype VIP with two f holes was posted here last month.  One can only assume that those aren't too far off from production, if they go ahead with them.

And if you really want carved top, I'm sure you've checked out USA Custom, they have a tele with two f holes and a carved top.

 

[Kinksi]

yeah, certainly. But, I would like the larger bodied L5S.

 

[vtpcnk]

vol. knob, how did you get wood colour pickup covers?

 

[Vol. Knob]

vol. knob, how did you get wood colour pickup covers?

Not wood color.  They're actual hardwood.  The P-90s are Cocobolo, the Tele pickups are Pistacio.  In fact, the entire bobbin on the Tele pickups are wood and the bridge has a zinc plated baseplate.  I have an Epiphone Les Paul with Cocobolo pickups and mounting rings.  And I have a Jazz Bass that has a set of Bloodwood pickups being made right now.

Theyre Reed Jame's Custom pickups.  http://www.reedjamescustom.com  They cost a bit extra, but are well worth it for the looks alone.  Fortunately they sound fantastic, too.

 

[vtpcnk]

>Theyre Reed Jame's Custom pickups.  http://www.reedjamescustom.com  They cost a bit extra, but are well worth it for the looks alone.  >Fortunately they sound fantastic, too.

hoo hoo they are so cool man!