>>OK, Mike. Whatever you say< g >. I was about your age when I first started playing guitar. What kind(s) do you have? I've got a Martin SPD16R, a entry level Fender (Squier?) Strat, and a Martin C1R on order. During my illustrious career (LOL) with playing, I've had a Gretsch Tennessean, a real Fender Stratocaster, and a Gibson 335.
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>Well I've got a Les Paul and a Alverez 12 string. I love those big Gibson hollow bodies (335). If I had made it to DevCon you would be sure to see me somewhere around that JamSession. Fun!

The original Les Pauls were beautiful instruments. I haven't played one of the newer ones. The Gibson, I think the official desgination was ES335, weren't the full sized in terms of the width. I don't know of the term "semi-solid body" applies or not. It was much like the Gretsch (another beautiful instrument).

I haven't played the Martin 12 strings, but if they're anything like the 6, you might not want to either. The 6 strings are wonderful. I'd always wanted one, and this past January I bought the SPD16R. Somethings never live up to your expectations. This wasn't one of those cases (and I don't mean hardshell < g >).