subject: What Is So Good About The Semi Acoustic Guitar? [print this page] If you are about to buy a guitar then it might be worth looking at the advantages that a semi acoustic carries. Unlike the traditional electric guitar, it is possible to create a great sound without the need of amplification. The reason for this is that they have a hollow body and so it is not just the strings that vibrate, but also the guitar itself. This gives many advantages to the musician as it is argued that the guitar will create better resonance and sustain than a traditional solid bodied guitar.
Many famous musicians have come into contact with the semi-acoustic. Many of these musicians have been jazz players but in resent times we see this style of guitar being played in a much wider spectrum of musical genres. For example, Lenny Kravitz and Paul Macartney have both used a semi acoustic to create rock and funk music. However, it can be said that certain semi acoustics are better suited to niche styles, such as jazz, blues and R&B. Gibson were the pioneers of semi acoustic guitars and the roots of their design came from jazz and blues.
One of the major drawbacks of the hollow bodied design is that it is extremely sensitive to heavy amplification and is extremely prone to feedback. This is particularly true when distortion or overdrive effects are used on top of the amplifier settings. If, for example, you were a heavy metal guitarist then it would be said that a semi acoustic guitar is the wrong choice of instrument.
As a word, it should be noted that a semi acoustic guitar can create a fantastic sound, without the need of an amp. If you are a person who spends hours jamming away in the bedroom and is easy annoyed by cables, then a semi acoustic is an ideal solution. Many people simple buy them because you can walk around the house generating a superb tone while others admire them for their stylish design.
