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Like, I wouldn't wanna bump into that guy down a dark alley, he gigs an unchambered Les Paul every night.
Chambered when comparing say a solid LP v a chambered LP - what has historically been a sold bodied model, but now many examples exist of a chambered format for whatever reason - many will side on the choice of solid
Or are we talking about a guitar that is designed to be chambered - many examples - not least by a selection of today's boutique builders - Models like the original Fender Flame/Esprit, as used by Robben Ford in the 80's are meant to be chambered - As such if the guitar is designed from day one to be chambered, then can you compare the 2 formats ? - Yes they are different but not necessarily better
Chambered guitar will be lighter - or should be - and generally less fat mids - more open/airy and more transparent
If I wanted the attack and note drop-off of a chambered guitar I'd buy something a bit more ergonomic than a Les Paul.
Gibson Midtowns are fantastic, easier to play and half the price.
I played a 70's LP Custom yesterday that is solid but will never be a good guitar - it could be made better with a good refret, pick-ups and loom - but it is not good guitar - Yet I also played a chambered R58 replica which IMO walks all over the 70's LP Custom - However many will say they prefer the tone of a solid R8 v a chambered R8 - so are we comparing apples to apples, same type of apple at that, or apples to pears
However to be fair the question at the start of the OP is are there any benefits in chambered - apart from weight - the only real other difference apart from weight will be regarding the voice - But that is a matter of taste - Anderson, amongst others do many chambered 'Strat/Tele' flavoured models utilising alder, ash and even mahogany - some with a maple cap as well - so all will have a slightly different tonal character - Some will favour one over the other but all do sell
Better builders on FB than me - but I believe how it is chambered, or where it is chambered, will also have an impact on the voice - Chambered wings but solid centre core, or chambered within the centre core, or chambered below the tailpiece, hence the foot of the guitar - I believe Collings amongst others have offered 'chambered' holes within the centre core on certain models for a while - Not for weight but for a voice
Like many aspect of the guitar - each part/ingredient has an impact on the finer nuances of the guitars voice
Chambering like the first one changes the body structure in a dramatic way. it will loose stiffness and resonate in a very different way to a solid body
The traditional weight relief keeps most of the stiffness intact, so its impact on resonance is minimal. It will still sound quite direct when compared with an equivalent chambered guitar. ... but as far as weight relief goes, it doesn't do enough. it won't make a heavy guitar light
The modern weight relief is the happy medium between the two.. Its a more efficient version of weight relief and still sounds mostly like a solid body, but it won't be as direct as the solid body or 9-hole version. Its close to what many other companies call chambered
Instagram
gibson lie about chambered being the same for sustain
people will say 50s les pauls were still light but guess what ?they were solid body light weight not chambered light weight
BIG difference
....puts tin hat on......
Whether all examples of a particular wood species has a repeatable effect on tone is rather debatable (as has been played out in many threads over the years).
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Football is rubbish.
Hang a Les Paul around your neck for a couple of hours - I’m sure you’re think of something.
That I gig mostly with Strat type guitars and record with Les Paul type guitars does play into that somewhat.
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Football is rubbish.
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
Vive la difference.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
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Football is rubbish.
You cannot say whether a chambering a particular guitar will be better or worse unless you do it and compare to the unchambered version, which is of course impossible because you cannot build a guitar twice.
Have you considered making it semi-hollow, rather than chambered?
My personal opinion is semi-hollow trumps chambered in most circumstances.
YMMV.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
Football is rubbish.