Ibanez vs Ibanez!

[GuyBoden]

This is strange! Isn't it the other way around? Doesn't a hollowbody guitar vibrate the soundboard more?

But, the thin sound board doesn't sustain a very long time. (Sustain is the length of time it takes for a note to decay.)

Solid body guitars will sustain the most, but probably not the sound you want for a traditional 50-60s Jazz guitar sound. (A 335 is semi-hollow, but could be called semi-solid.)

[frabarmus]

Karlos, yes, but a semihollow (335 style) guitar has a solid center block that makes it sustain (almost) like a solidbody (which is not necessairily a bad thing!).

I like both (semi hollow and full hollow). So, if you don't have a hollow body, it's a good idea to get one! Then you can analyse all the subtle differences.

As I see it, the differences can be very subtle (sound/timbre wise), a lot depends on string type/gauge, amp and EQ aswell.

For me ease of playing and physical comfort with the guitar comes first.

How did you like the tone of that Yamaha (your Yamaha!) in the video I posted? I think it has a Pat Martino quality, which is nice and jazzy.

BTW I've used for many years a Yamaha SF 400 (solid body) for Jazz and it played and sounded very nice, and jazzy enough.

[Karlos]

Karlos, yes, but a semihollow (335 style) guitar has a solid center block that makes it sustain (almost) like a solidbody (which is not necessairily a bad thing!).

I like both (semi hollow and full hollow). So, if you don't have a hollow body, it's a good idea to get one! Then you can analyse all the subtle differences.

As I see it, the differences can be very subtle (sound/timbre wise), a lot depends on string type/gauge, amp and EQ aswell.

For me ease of playing and physical comfort with the guitar comes first.

How did you like the tone of that Yamaha (your Yamaha!) in the video I posted? I think it has a Pat Martino quality, which is nice and jazzy.

BTW I've used for many years a Yamaha SF 400 (solid body) for Jazz and it played and sounded very nice, and jazzy enough.

Yes I liked the sound, but I prefer the gb30, but I listen from Pixel 8! I play with dv mark jazz 12, I have to keep the tone almost at zero on the amp and guitar! Isn't it strange? Tomastik 13 strings.

[frabarmus]

I've never tried the LGB30 but it certainly is an attractive guitar (in every way). if you like it, go for it.

I'm an Ibanez fan anyway. I've owned an Ibanez Joe Pass model and a GB10 (both sold, years ago); I've ordered an AF2000 from my nearest local music shop but after waiting more than a year, the shop rang me saying: "sorry, we are closing the shop for good"), so I gave up on that one. I do still have an Ibanez though. I've sold an amp, years ago, and the buyer turned up with his new AF55 saying: "Sorry, I have no cash, would you accept this? It's worth more than the amp you're selling", I said Ok. I took it to my luthier, swapped the neck stock pickup with a Gibson P94, had a good set up & neck adjustment. It plays and sounds great and is a very good Jazz workhorse.

[dconeill]

This is strange! Isn't it the other way around? Doesn't a hollowbody guitar vibrate the soundboard more?

Yes, it does, and that's why a hollowbody has less sustain.

Sustain results from the energy of the vibrating string being reflected back into the string. This happens when the "acoustic impedance" contrast between one medium (the string) and the next (the guitar body) is too great. When energy flows from the string into the body, the level of energy remaining in the string to keep it vibrating is reduced, hence less sustain. This is why solid bodies, in general, have more sustain than hollowbodies.

(It's a little bit more complicated than I described, but this is the general idea.)

[Karlos]

Yes, it does, and that's why a hollowbody has less sustain.

Sustain results from the energy of the vibrating string being reflected back into the string. This happens when the "acoustic impedance" contrast between one medium (the string) and the next (the guitar body) is too great. When energy flows from the string into the body, the level of energy remaining in the string to keep it vibrating is reduced, hence less sustain. This is why solid bodies, in general, have more sustain than hollowbodies.

(It's a little bit more complicated than I described, but this is the general idea.)

great answer! You are very knowledgeable. I come from classical guitar (jeroen hilhorst). Some electrical concepts I still have to understand.

[Cunamara]

This is strange! Isn't it the other way around? Doesn't a hollowbody guitar vibrate the soundboard more?

Sustain = how long the note will ring.

The more energy of the string that goes into producing sound in the air, the faster the note decays. It's just simple physics. A semihollow guitar radiates less sound, so the string vibrates longer. A solid body guitar does that even more (Les Paul, Telecaster, etc.). This is possibly the biggest tonal difference between hollow- and solidbody guitars, although if one uses flatwound strings that mitigates that difference to an extent because those strings tend to decay faster than roundwound strings.

To some extent, sustain and acoustic volume are going to be inversely related.

If one wants the thunky bebop guitar sound à la Tal Farlow, Jimmy Raney, Doug Raney, etc., a hollowbody guitar will probably work better. If one wants to be more pianistic, à la Ed Bickert, later Lenny Breau, Lorne Lofsky, a solidbody or a semihollow might be more apropos.

[Karlos]

So the height of the pickup affects the sustain a lot, and not only that? Currently the neck pickup has a height of about 2.5 mm bass side. If I want to darken, sweeten the sound, should I lower it?

[Karlos]

Hello! Thank you all for your answers, you have made things a little clearer for me. Maybe tomorrow I will try a new AF 2200.. 2250 euros ?! Then I will make a decision, knowing that my Yamaha SA2200 is an excellent instrument.

[dconeill]

Google "how guitar pickups work".

[frabarmus]

Good luck with getting an AF2000! I hope your wait isn't too long. Arm yourself with a ton of patience!
Otherwise, as an alternative, you might go for a PM200, quite similar to the AF2000, just one (neck) pickup and more expensive than the AF2000, being a signature model.

[Mick-7]

The title of this thread sounds a like a divorce proceeding.... Who will get custody of the children? Hey, I'll take em!

[Karlos]

Good luck with getting an AF2000! I hope your wait isn't too long. Arm yourself with a ton of patience!
Otherwise, as an alternative, you might go for a PM200, quite similar to the AF2000, just one (neck) pickup and more expensive than the AF2000, being a signature model.

Choice problems increase! There is a heritage h-575 in a shop an hour's drive away! Help! The price is increasing! almost new.

[frabarmus]

Choice problems increase! There is a heritage h-575 in a shop an hour's drive away! Help! The price is increasing! almost new.

Drive there and try it? (I would, if I were you).

[Karlos]

You are right! I have heard very different opinions about heritage, the guitar is almost new, the price 3.6 l.. Euro. Do you have experience with 575?

[frabarmus]

Do you have experience with 575?

Not with the 575, but I've owned a 535 (early 90's) and it was super nice! Very good looking tobacco sunburst, wooden pickguard, beautiful sounding. The neck was slightly too "fat" for my taste (I like slim necks). A guitar I regret having sold.

[frabarmus]

By the way, after giving up on the AF2000 I ended up buying an Epiphone (2023 MIC) Casino. Much cheaper, arrived within a week after ordering. It has a 335 shape but no centre block, it's full hollow (much jazzier) like the Gibson ES 330.

I have to say I'm very impressed at how nice mine is: lovely easy slim D neck, good factory set up, good playability and sound straight out of the box. A good workhorse, very jazz-giggable. And it comes with a nice gig bag. The Beatles made it famous but I'm thinking more "Grant Green" (if you like his tone).

[Karlos]

Hi, I have a question, if I decide to buy the h 575, should I worry about feedback? I only play alone at home for now. Thanks

[Cunamara]

Unless you're playing loudly, probably not. It's a guitar designed to be amplified, so more resistant to feedback than a carved 17" acoustic archtop with a floating pickup like one of mine. If you do get feedback, adjust your position relative to the amp or cut the bass a little; that usually fixes it. Don't point the amp straight at the guitar.

[burchyk]

I've had a 90s H575 and it was built heavier than ES-175, with less possibility of feedback. Don't know if that is the norm or mine was beefed up as a custom order.