semihollow

Semihollow refers to a category of electric guitars whose bodies are partially hollow but include a solid center block. This design places semihollow instruments between solid-body and fully hollow-body guitars. The typical structure consists of two hollow wings connected by a solid central block, often with F-shaped sound holes or, in some designs, without f-holes. Wings are usually made from laminated woods, while the center block provides stiffness and helps control feedback.

The central block serves to reduce resonance between the wings, allowing higher gain and more sustain without excessive feedback. As a result, semihollow guitars aim to combine the resonance and warmth of hollow bodies with the stability and feedback resistance closer to solid bodies. Construction details vary by model, with different wood choices, routing, and the presence or absence of sound holes affecting tone and weight.

In practice, semihollow guitars offer a versatile balance of tone and playability. They tend to produce a warm, resonant character with more acoustic-like brightness than solid bodies, while being more manageable at high volumes than fully hollow instruments. They are commonly used across genres such as jazz, blues, and rock, where players seek tonal complexity without excessive feedback.

Iconic examples include the Gibson ES-335 family, the ES-339 and ES-345, and various Gretsch, Epiphone, and PRS thinline models. These instruments emphasize rhythm and melodic clarity, with a reputation for warm lows, sparkling mids, and a strong, sustaining center.