Semi-Acoustic, Semi-Hollow...huh?

[Tommy]

Just looking at the description of Ric models and I noticed my 330 and 360 are classified as Semi-Acoustic. That makes some kind of sense, but shouldn't they be listed as hollow bodies? Is there are defineable difference between semi-acoustic and hollow body classifications?

As for my 325 it is listed as Semi-Hollow. I assume that means it has carved out sections within the body. What percentage is hollow and what is solid in the body of a 325?

[JakeK]

From what I've gathered:
Semi acoustic and semi hollow are the same thing. This means the guitar has a block that runs the entire length of the body (Gibson ES-335 is a perfect example), increasing sustain and reduced hollow body feedback. Hollow does not have the center block and sound much louder unplugged, but is more prone to feedback at high volumes.

I believe my two Rics (1997 and 360/12V64) are both semi acoustic as opposed to hollow.

Of course, there are much more technical folk here who can explain this better than I can...

And if you need an answer now, there's always this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semi-acoustic_guitar

[jps]

Modern Rick hollow body instruments are semi-acoustic/hollow; they have a center block. The older instruments were in fact true hollow bodies, those have an X brace instead of the center block. I believe the 360C63/12 is a true hollow body (for a modern instrument).

[iiipopes]

Is an 8-oz glass containing 4-oz of water half full or half empty?

[Hotzenplotz]

Is an 8-oz glass containing 4-oz of water half full or half empty?

Well, if You put 4oz in it is half full, if You took 4oz out before it is half empty. - No offence meant, Scott! I just love this way of kidding.


The german wikipedia tells the difference in that way:

A guitar, build of different pieces like like an acoustic(!) guitar - comprising top, back and sides (combined with a center block) - is a semi-acoustic.
A guitar, build of a hollowed(!) out block with a glued back is a semi-hollow.


The english wikipedia talks about "chambered body guitars" as the term for semi-hollow bodies:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chambered_ ... red_bodies

Personally I prefer the term semi-hollow body.


Maybe in diffent languages the meanings differ.

[Grey]

The english wikipedia talks about "chambered body guitars" as the term for semi-hollow bodies

I think you're misinterpreting the page a bit.

[Hotzenplotz]

The english wikipedia talks about "chambered body guitars" as the term for semi-hollow bodies

I think you're misinterpreting the page a bit.

That is possible! (But where?!) - So, I prefer the german version...

[iiipopes]

Is an 8-oz glass containing 4-oz of water half full or half empty?

Well, if You put 4oz in it is half full, if You took 4oz out before it is half empty. - No offence meant, Scott! I just love this way of kidding.

Quite alright. In just a few hours, I'll be working on making something more in ounces more than half-empty! Since I also play tuba as well as bass guitar, it's something like this:

[Hotzenplotz]

Great (picture)!

This is more about gallons, isn't it?!

Have a nice evening and cheers!

[GIBrat51]

I think they're both pretty much the same thing. As others have said, a Hollowbody guitar is just that; hollow inside, with maybe some kind of kerfing or bracing in there. My Epiphone EA-250 guitar is like that, as is my Gretsch Broadkaster bass. A semi-hollow body is a hollowbody with a "tone block" running up the middle, to connect the top and bottom in an attempt to eliminate the feedback problems that plagued hollowbodies (especially with single coil pickups). My Epi Sheraton II and Danelectro basses are like this.

There is a third category, though; a chambered body. Solid body, with "chambers" routed out of it, in various sizes and shapes, then a top placed on it. Think Fender Thinline Tele, or a Carvin AC-40 bass; or a 330 Rick. It's possible to rout enough of the body out that 'chambered' becomes (usually) a semi-hollow, but to a nit-picky purist, they're still considered a chambered instrument, because of the construction method. If it's made like an acoustic guitar, then it's a hollow/semi-hollow body guitar. Or semi-acoustic, if you like. To me Ricks are chambered.. because I'm a nit-picky purist, I guess.

And as for the glass? It's still full; just has 4 oz. of water, and 4 oz. of air in it. It's all in how you look at it.

[iiipopes]

And as for the glass? It's still full; just has 4 oz. of water, and 4 oz. of air in it. It's all in how you look at it.

Does carbonation count?

[GIBrat51]

Absolutely - as long as the bubbles stay in the glass.