This was a "Buying a guitar" thread wasn't it?
An ES 335 is not a hollow-body, it is a semi-hollow (big centre-block of timber down the middle). It also pretty expensive.
Too expensive for me, and I like them. It is also reasonably big, and feels fragile compared to a strat. Chuck Berry throws his out and buys a new one every six months: "Tax deduction, you know, tools of the trade" exact quote from the duckwalker himself!
Also, regarding the OP, a Rickenbacker
to me is not very versatile and probably doesn't belong in the hands of someone who is trying to make up their mind. Distinctive, yes, just like the classic car analogy I used. If you want one, you'll know it.
If you are asking the question the OP is asking, probably a solid-body is a safer bet. Buying a hollow body is
not something one should go into blindly. I did say this:
Quote:
|
Hollows and semi-hollows are like cool vintage cars. They're more work, less confortable, more expensive. But some people will always still want them, though. Including me.
|
If I had to choose just
one guitar, I'd go for a Stratocaster or Les Paul style guitar any day. Turn down the tone on an LP neck pu on a LP and you've got jazz, man.
I've got nothing against hollow-bodied guitars. Rockabilly is my favourite style of music at the moment. I love smooth jazz. I
own one. But if I want to take it out, I have to be careful with it. It's not as comfortable as a Strat, either. And a Tele or a Strat on the neck pup, treble right up is fine for R'billy. I'll buy a proper Gretsch one day (when I can afford it), but
I'm into that style.
I'm not saying that you can't rock with a hollow (eg Gibson has bought out a smaller version of the ES 335 ie a 345 I think, which is very versatile).
Quote:
|
No, srsly, unless you are into jazz, rockabilly or something like that, solid body is the way to go.
|
How about if I said, "unless you are into jazz, rockabilly or want to emulate an artist who uses one."
In a nutshell my advice is the same. Unless you definitely, specifically want a hollow-body (eg to look cool, the 335, Gretsch, Nugent, Beatles, Setzer fans- including me), solid-body is a safer bet. As a rule: cheaper, more versatile, less breakable, no floating bridges, no feedback drama, more comfortable. A safer bet.