Semi Acoustic & Hollowbody Guitars

Semi acoustic guitars and hollow body guitars are both styles of electric guitars. Although they have more acoustic properties than a standard solid body guitar, they are still designed to be plugged into an amplifier.

Hollow body electric guitars were originally designed as jazz guitars. They feature an archtop construction - as opposed to the flat top of an acoustic guitar. They were designed in the style of violins and cellos and were particularly known for being made in New York in the 1920s and 30s by brands like Epiphone, Gretsch and D’Angelico. As popular music developed it was clear these large hollow guitars didn’t suit being played through loud, overdriven amps as they would feedback uncontrollably. In an effort to quell the feedback, two things happened. They were made with thin bodies like the Epiphone Casino. Or they were made with ‘centre blocks’ like the Gibson ES-335.

A semi acoustic guitar is a hollow body with a centre block running through the middle. This means the guitar is only hollow in the wings. This makes it a halfway house between a solid body and a hollow body. Semi acoustic guitars can handle overdriven and distorted sounds without feeding back in the same way as a semi hollow guitar.

The sound of semi acoustic and hollow body guitars is airier than solid body guitars. They have less midrange so instead have a softer, less in-your-face sound. These guitars are very popular for blues, soul and jazz.

Why Should I Choose a Semi Acoustic or Hollowbody Guitar?

• Perfect for blues, soul and jazz
• Soft, airy sound
• Often lightweight