[jazzyjane]

Hi - I heard the Hip play last night at the ACC in Toronto and I loved Rob Baker's semi-hollow guitar ... it was a cream-coloured electric I think. I am shopping for an electric guitar of my own and wouldn't mind knowing what he uses! Amazing sound. Does anyone know?? Thanks so much!!



PS. Would also be interested in recommendations for other great semi-hollow electrics.. I have a Fender Blues Junior amp that I would use it with. I play jazz/pop and sing. Thanks!!!!!!!

[Escape@Hand]

His hollowbody is a Gretch, White Falcon if I'm not mistaken; they are very nice guitars. You could also look into Gibson as well, they make lots of great hollowbodies (the ES-175 is a very common jazz guitar). I also like the PRS hollowbodies, but they get up in price really fast.

[mojo_mattv]

Unless you have quite a bit of coin to drop, you won't be getting a White Falcon or most of the Gibson semi-hollow bodies. I wouldn't select a guitar based on something someone else plays, most of the time the sound that you're enjoying so much is mostly reliant on the person who's playing it and not as much as people would like to think, on the type of guitar they're using. If you're just starting out go out and get a nice epiphone or a cheaper end fender solid body. Try them all out before buying one, see which feels the nicest, sounds the nicest and is most practical to your style. If you can't play ask the salesperson they're usually quite happy to play on a bunch of different guitars to give you a feel for the difference in tone that they all produce. Don't go in and buy a guitar based primarily on which looks the best, and definately don't get sucked into paying an arm and a leg for your first guitar (get a beginner one if you're a beginner) but also be wary of any "deals" a guitar that costs under $200 will probably sound like it costs less than $200.

[thebends]

Unless you have quite a bit of coin to drop, you won't be getting a White Falcon or most of the Gibson semi-hollow bodies. I wouldn't select a guitar based on something someone else plays, most of the time the sound that you're enjoying so much is mostly reliant on the person who's playing it and not as much as people would like to think, on the type of guitar they're using. If you're just starting out go out and get a nice epiphone or a cheaper end fender solid body. Try them all out before buying one, see which feels the nicest, sounds the nicest and is most practical to your style. If you can't play ask the salesperson they're usually quite happy to play on a bunch of different guitars to give you a feel for the difference in tone that they all produce. Don't go in and buy a guitar based primarily on which looks the best, and definately don't get sucked into paying an arm and a leg for your first guitar (get a beginner one if you're a beginner) but also be wary of any "deals" a guitar that costs under $200 will probably sound like it costs less than $200.

Thats mighty fine advise mojo! I made the mistake of dropping major $$$ early on in my search for the "perfect" guitar only to sell them later at less than a premium price because they didn't suit my style.

Here is a good option if you like Rob's Gretch:

Epiphone Stagg Music A350-N Tiger Stripe "Jazz" Style - Natural Color




You can pick up this guitar for about $325 US, maybe less if its on sale.

[jazzyjane]

Thanks to all - great advice!

[mojo_mattv]

Unless you have quite a bit of coin to drop, you won't be getting a White Falcon or most of the Gibson semi-hollow bodies. I wouldn't select a guitar based on something someone else plays, most of the time the sound that you're enjoying so much is mostly reliant on the person who's playing it and not as much as people would like to think, on the type of guitar they're using. If you're just starting out go out and get a nice epiphone or a cheaper end fender solid body. Try them all out before buying one, see which feels the nicest, sounds the nicest and is most practical to your style. If you can't play ask the salesperson they're usually quite happy to play on a bunch of different guitars to give you a feel for the difference in tone that they all produce. Don't go in and buy a guitar based primarily on which looks the best, and definately don't get sucked into paying an arm and a leg for your first guitar (get a beginner one if you're a beginner) but also be wary of any "deals" a guitar that costs under $200 will probably sound like it costs less than $200.

Thats mighty fine advise mojo! I made the mistake of dropping major $$$ early on in my search for the "perfect" guitar only to sell them later at less than a premium price because they didn't suit my style.

Here is a good option if you like Rob's Gretch:

Epiphone Stagg Music A350-N Tiger Stripe "Jazz" Style - Natural Color




You can pick up this guitar for about $325 US, maybe less if its on sale.

I see way too many people decide they want to learn how to play guitar and invest way too heavily on something they don't need only to learn very fast that learning an instrument is like learning a new language, for most people it's not that easy. It takes alot of work and a lot of commitment and sadly most of the time I see people give up within the first month or so. You don't go out and buy a $10000 racing bicycle for your toddler that's learning how to ride, you get them a cheap kids bike with training wheels, if they get good and enjoy it then you drop the coin on a nice bike. For me personally as a broke ass student musician it's so frustrating to see people buy a beauiful instrument only to not play it for more then a week when I'm stuck with my mid level strat and a second hand piano just because I can't afford to get anything nicer. It still does the job and brings me lots of enjoyment. Just my two cents.


P.S. this is my 800th post! woooooo :thumb:

[jazzyjane]

I see way too many people decide they want to learn how to play guitar and invest way too heavily on something they don't need only to learn very fast that learning an instrument is like learning a new language, for most people it's not that easy. It takes alot of work and a lot of commitment and sadly most of the time I see people give up within the first month or so. You don't go out and buy a $10000 racing bicycle for your toddler that's learning how to ride, you get them a cheap kids bike with training wheels, if they get good and enjoy it then you drop the coin on a nice bike. For me personally as a broke ass student musician it's so frustrating to see people buy a beauiful instrument only to not play it for more then a week when I'm stuck with my mid level strat and a second hand piano just because I can't afford to get anything nicer. It still does the job and brings me lots of enjoyment. Just my two cents.

Hi - totally agree with you. But don't be frustrated in this case - I actually am a professional musician and happen to be buying my first ELECTRIC guitar.. I have an acoustic and a classical, but electric is new to me, and I'd like to buy something decent that I can record with and play at live venues.. plus I've been borrowing people's guitars and I figure it's time to buy an electric of my own. I am also doing a few gigs this week that came by surprise, and that pay well enough to allow me to buy a decent guitar!

I hear you about people who buy expensive music instruments that gather dust -- but what can ya do? One day I hope to afford some of Rob Baker's collection too.. and have a fancy guitar collection. But I'll actually play them...

Maybe instead of being frustrated, we can befriend the people with the nice guitars... )

PS. Thanks so much for the guitar suggestions, because it's a great starting point in my quest for my first electric, which I will actually play. Don't worry!

[thebends]

There is no shortage of options when it comes to live performing semi acoustic guitars, and I can tell you from personal experiance you CANNOT go wrong with Godin. Very reasonably priced at the medium range, and even some of the professional entry level units are achievable for a relative steal. In the studio these babies do the job and then some, and in a live environment plugged into an acoustic amp they amaze.

Check out some of their gear at ...

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.godinguitars.com/godinwhatsnewp.htm">http://www.godinguitars.com/godinwhatsnewp.htm</a><!-- m -->

Good luck with your search!

[NegPhil]

I started playing guitar about five years ago. My first guitar was a Chinese made Johny Cash looking knock off made by Indiana. It sucks. The thing is I didn't really know how much it sucked until my buddy gave me his Taylor Big Baby. He is Microsoft guy with more money than sense so he went out and spent a lot of cash on his first guitar. He gave up on it and it sat in his office collecting dust until he gave it to me.(unsolicited I may add) I soon learned that millions of people have apparently gone out and dropped some serious cash on beautiful musical instruments they will never play. Sense the Taylor I have been given four other quality guitars. It actually pisses me off because I have never bought a guitar and I really want a Gibson but my girlfriend wont let me get anymore. My solution? Give them bad boys away. My recommendation is to ask around. Odds are that one of your friends or family have a guitar or six just waiting to be loved.

[Joe]

Semi- Hollow? Gibson ES-335, the axe for pimps.

[Tthip]

My first guitar was a Chinese made Johny Cash looking knock off made by Indiana. It sucks.

Ah ha!
So it is the guitar that sucks and not me. :wink:

[spottrax]

If you like the look and the sound of the semi-hollow Gretsch you really don't have to spend a huge amount.. you can pick up a used Gretsch Electromatic (cheaper version of Bakers Falcon) for around $400. I have several guitars (ya...professional musician) and the last couple years I have been playing gigs with my Black Electromatic. Baker has some very cool and expensive guitars. Gotta love the PRS's, Strats, Tele and of course that way-cool Rickenbacker 12 string... :thumb: