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The semi-acoustic bass – often also referred to as a semi-hollow bass or hollowbody bass – forms the tonal bridge between pure acoustic basses and modern solidbody electric bass designs. These bass guitars with semi-acoustic construction are used in pop and jazz as well as rock and many other genres. They come in a wide range of shapes and designs and offer specific tonal and construction features that clearly set them apart from other members of the low-end family.
The terms acoustic bass, semi-acoustic bass and hollowbody bass can be confusing, especially for beginners and even for more experienced bass players, because the names are not always used consistently. Nevertheless, there are some typical characteristics that tend to apply to each type of instrument.
The semi-hollow bass, just like the corresponding guitar, has a hollow or partially hollow body with classic f-holes. Compared to hollowbody basses it usually features an additional centre block inside the body and, due to its shallower rim depth, a smaller body volume. Both designs allow you to take advantage of the distinctive acoustic character via your amp and play at higher volumes without running into unwanted feedback from body resonance.
Thanks to their unique construction, hollowbody basses produce a warm, full and resonant tone. They are known for adding a vocal-like quality to your sound and offering a rich blend of the characteristics of both acoustic and electric basses. They are ideal for jazz, blues, rockabilly and many other styles of music.
The acoustic bass is comparatively easy to distinguish from these. Its build follows that of a steel-string acoustic guitar and focuses on a body optimised for maximum acoustic volume. Of all bass guitars it clearly offers the largest resonance body, so it performs well when played completely unplugged. Even though you can fit an acoustic bass with a pickup, it does not offer the same tonal flexibility as a semi-acoustic bass.
Even though the purely acoustic sound of a semi-acoustic bass is louder than that of a solidbody electric bass, you will still need an amplifier if you want to use it in a meaningful musical context. On its own, the unplugged sound is not loud enough to keep up with the rest of the band or to be clearly heard by the audience. If you are looking for an instrument that will mainly be played unplugged and offers enough volume reserves for this, an acoustic bass is usually the better choice.
The semi-acoustic bass is based on the same basic principle as the electric bass and electric guitar, capturing the sound via magnetic pickups such as humbuckers. This means you can simply use standard string sets for electric bass. You can choose between roundwound strings and flatwound strings. Roundwounds deliver a brighter, punchier tone but also produce more finger noise; flatwounds sound smoother and more mellow.
While the semi-acoustic bass is not quite as common as its electric or fully acoustic counterparts, there are several well-known bass players who have favoured this type of instrument and helped it secure a special place in music history. The most famous example is clearly Paul McCartney, who was frequently seen with his Höfner Violin Bass during his time with The Beatles and beyond. Jack Casady of Jefferson Airplane also relies on the unmistakable character of semi-acoustic basses for his signature sound, while Chris Wood of US jazz trio Medeski, Martin & Wood often swaps his large double bass for a far more compact semi-hollow bass.
Semi-acoustic basses are part of the range of many renowned brands and are available in a number of iconic designs. Some of the best-known manufacturers include:
Epiphone: The Gibson subsidiary Epiphone offers the popular Epiphone Jack Casady Bass in various colours. The Epiphone Viola Bass with its distinctive violin-style body is also a firm favourite among fans of beat music.
Guild: Another renowned manufacturer whose Guild Starfire I Bass Cherry Red impresses with both quality and first-class craftsmanship.
Ibanez: Within the Ibanez Artcore series, the brand offers a wide selection of models to suit every taste and budget.
Hagstrom: The Swedish heritage brand has several particularly stylish 4-string semi-acoustic basses in its Viking range, featuring flexible switching options and authentic vintage tones.
Höfner: As the creator of the legendary Violin Bass, the long-established company from Baiersdorf definitely deserves a mention. With the Club Bass, the Verythin and the Ignition models, Höfner also offers a broad and attractive range.
On top of this, we stock many more inspiring semi-acoustic basses in a wide variety of colours, shapes and price ranges for right-handed players and left-handed players. Enjoy exploring our online shop!
