Manufacturers Websites

abracadabra · #1 05-13-2009, 05:35 PM

Just a general rant, plus a question:

Why oh why is there so little info on company websites!! It's really frustrating, most of the sites have only limited info on the guitar, plus one (ONE!) picture, which can be zoomed into, if you're lucky. Plus most of the retailers just copy the info from the blurb on the main website, so they don't have any extra info. For example, I'm looking at Ibanez and Hagstrom guitars. Would it be so hard to put some side-on photos on the main company site??

Okay, small rant.

But if I see a guitar listed as a 'jazz box' or 'full-size' or 'hollow', is it safe to assume that it is completely hollow inside, i.e. with no solid sound block. I guess this is correct, although I think the Ibanez AK series has a block inside. The Hagstrom site has no info on this.

Also, if it is a double cutaway, thin '335'-style, is it safe to assume that it DOES have a solid block in the middle, and is not completely hollow?

Thanks for any info. I'm trying to decide which style of guitar would be best for me. I've played a few in guitar shops but some guitars, esp. Hagstrom, are hard to find.

JohnW400 · #2 05-14-2009, 08:11 AM

I've learned it's not safe to assume anything. Usually a quick e-mail to the manufacturer with a list of your questions should get you your answers and sometimes , real quick too.

Banksia · #3 05-14-2009, 08:29 AM

The Ibanez catalog distinguishes between full-hollow and semi-acoustic. In 2008 issue the only AK is the AK95, described as "true full hollow construction" same description for the AG95 which I own and it's definitely "full-hollow" The AGS line are semi-acoustics, as are the AS line. The models that are full depth - 70mm or more - would be very obvious if they had a sound-block because of the weight. I can't think of any body of that depth with a sound-block.

abracadabra · #4 05-14-2009, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banksia

I can't think of any body of that depth with a sound-block.

Thanks for your replies.

You're right I got confused with the description on their site. A full-body with a solid block would weigh a ton.

I know I can send them an email, I'm just annoyed by this type of thing as it is much more efficient to write a detailed description than to answer individual emails asking for basic info. Sorry it's just me being in a rant-like mood.

Banksia, how do you like your AG?

Banksia · #5 05-14-2009, 11:27 PM

Oddly enough, although it is my most expensive and best-quality guitar, I never play it! I think as a Larry Carlton/Scofield type axe it would be perfect and even more to the smooth side of those players it would also be good. I'm just not on the smooth side of those guys! I usually use my Cort Larry Coryell LCS2 - the budget version. The Duncan-designed p/u's have more grunt. Or if I want a more "jazz" sound I use a Mainline single p/u model - I think these are designed in Korea and Made in Vietnam!

I'm not a tone purist. I never want to sound like Joe Pass or Pat Metheny. To me the whole notion of buying an electric guitar to simulate the sound of an acoustic guitar is just silly. If the modern piezo p/u's you find on electro-acoustic guitars today had been around in the 50's people like Jim Hall or Joe Pass would never have used electric guitars. (This is why I've stayed away from those Archtop threads and the "Can you really play jazz on a Tele?" threads! Even my own hero - Tal Farlow -has dreadful flat tone. The thought of paying $7,500 to sound like Tal equals sheer lunacy.)