Electric Guitar Wood - Does It Matter?

In today's video, Paul Drew from The Studio Rats is testing whether or not wood actually makes a difference to the tone of the guitar.
I'll be using a PRS 594 Hollowbody 11 and a PRS 594 Single Cut.
Both of these guitars are exactly the same scale length (59.4) hence the name, the pickups on both guitars are exactly the same PRS 58/15LT and the hardware on the guitar is exactly the same.
The differences between these guitars are both the wood type and construction. Let's see if they do actually sound different.
According to a lot of people, the sound of an electric guitar comes from the scale length and the pickups, nothing else matters.
The Studio Rats are core band members Paul Drew on guitar/production/mixing, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass. They collaborate with singers and musicians to produce radio-ready songs.

[@jorisguitars]

Wood matters mostly to the player. If you feel a guitar resonate, it can inspire you to play a certain way. It translates into sound slightly. Not as important as speakers and amps and pickups but it IS important for the player. I rather play on a good resonating Harley Benton than on a dead sounding Fender for example (and vice versa).

[@davidmock9093]

They both sounded spectacular! The 58/15LT pickups are incredible! I did hear a difference. I thought the hollow body was darker but had more depth of tone. The solid body was brighter and more immediate. Both sounded great and I'd be quite happy with either! Well done Paul, as always!

[@BLMiwa]

As a player, there are huge differences, which then translate to differences in how we pay them. But just listening to them on a lo-fi audio system, they sound indistinguishable.

[@wabisabi7399]

The sustain on that hollowbody is superb. 🔥

[@BradPham]

Single-cut solid body vs double-cut hollow-body - this is the main comparison.

[@ArvidNielsen]

Honestly, among the endless number of videos on the subject, the best demonstration of the issue at hand. Thank you for that!

[@RatherBeRiffing]

Enjoyed the video, Paul! I share your conclusion based on your comparisons and personal experience. There are subtle differences that are more or less apparent depending on gain levels. Cheers!

[@BradRocker]

Both sound amazingly beautiful.

[@OneMoreGrave]

From a listeners point of view they were quite similar in tone. The solid body had more bottom mids and a faster attack. The hollow body had more air in it, a softer attack, and more mellow mids. But suprisingly similar. I know from the players position it's a much larger difference in every way.

[@IamMusicNerd]

Wood choice can make a big difference in feel to the player, more so than the sound to the listener.

[@markcarleton6647]

Paul starting the video with an EJ solo and he nails it! Love this channel!!❤

[@onewiththings]

Love the sound and look of that hollowbody!

[@j.schaefer5622]

Great video, as always…the solidbody has more punch with gain and is a little more focussed. The hollowbody sounds a little more open and lively played clean.

[@Funkybassuk]

More subtle than I expected - and on the high gain sounds even less distinguishable - but the solidbody sounded a bit more brash and in your face, whereas the hollowbody sounded a bit more refined and classy.

[@robertj1303]

I had some lessons and bought some pickups off Allen Hinds. He used to tell me the wood in the neck played the most influence to tone with the electronics. The body was about sustain only. Every piece of wood is different so sustain will be different. Carbon has interesting sustain for example and is consistent. I think you can tell this difference between guitars unplugged recording the resonance and sustain of the wood with meter attached to the wood.

[@billyboy65leath84]

Thanks Paul I have a later single cut core 594 with mahogany neck. To me having played both and LPs I find they feel different in a live band context and home. The HB is very much a keep at home and the SC a live rock out machine. Just my views!

[@kaskas55]

My god those guitars sound wonderful! Lovely clean tones

[@andrewbecker3700]

It's interesting that Paul felt the semi hollow had better tone all around, and more "punch". It's my belief having the guitar in your hands sitting down, transfers more resonant frequencies directly into your body and immediate surrounding area. This gives you the possibly flawed idea that it's translating into the end result sound coming through your speakers. To my ears the semi hollow was wooly compared to the singlecut, and might have too many low frequency overtones for many modern genres. The singlecut has much better high frequency response that doesn't get lost in all that fatness the semi hollow has. Bottom line, that's why you own more than one PRS. Very good comparison that proves it matters.

[@tonedowne]

The single cut sounded thinner, and I liked it better. The hollow body was a bit too thick and wooly for my taste.

[@robertmarshall2394]

Certainly more noticeable on the cleans, I think the truth is, we as guitarists spend more time chasing the perfect tone than we do practising. Someone once said, "if it's good it's good". Doesn't matter if its made of plywood of something incredibly expensive. If you like it, that's all that matters.