How much more squirrely is a Newport compared to an Artist

[neastguy]

I really am interested in a Newport..  I love my artist..  but I think I want a guitar that will start to feedback sooner like a hollowbody.  I had a great 6118 and I loved the edge of feedback I was getting at gig levels (body was just too big on me though).   Will a Newport be anything like that?   there is a Gibson 335 that is local for sale for $1900  that is tempting also (prob wont like the big body though)..     Just wondering looking for some exp and advice on these two guitars in a gigging situation..  thanks

[ArnieZ]

I dont know about squirrely but Newport is definitely smalle bodied. Both the Pro with Seth Lovers and the standard version with Phat Cats feedback pretty easily. I personally prefered the Seths, YMMV

arniez

[Brooks]

335 is semi hollow and wont feedback as quick

[cmatthes]

Newports are closer in size to an Artist or Studio than a 335.

[Dave Scepter]

10 hours ago, neastguy said:

I really am interested in a Newport..  I love my artist..  but I think I want a guitar that will start to feedback sooner like a hollowbody. 

You have a really nice Artist... Have you tried switching pickups to something more vintage, like a PAF or similar?

[neastguy]

12 hours ago, Dave Scepter said:

You have a really nice Artist... Have you tried switching pickups to something more vintage, like a PAF or similar?

I'm not into swapping pickups..  I dont like to tinker...  I should just be happy with what I have.  which I am...   I just like to change things up every now and then...   maye Im barking down the wrong road and should be looking for some fully hollow guitar...   

[veatch]

Or get a louder amp. : )

[gorch]

I think you should give the Newport a try. It can't be more hollow than hollow. It can really sing.

[BubbaVO]

Hamer hit it out of the park with the Newport.   I’ve enjoyed Spruce tops with the Seth’s and Phatcats.  Want to try a maple top or the Korina.  You should definitely try a Newport.

[Dutchman]

I still have 2 Artist's and wish I still had my NewPort Pro. In comparison I found the Newport to be smoother/mellow with the spuce top. The Newport is the only Hamer I didn't switch pickups in. The Seth Lover's where perfect in that guitar. In comparison to a Gibson 390 or 339 the fit and finish of the Newport and Artist are better. Tone?.... to me they all rocked!

[Camstone]

I have owned both the Newport and the Newport Pro. Sold the Pro 15 years ago and wish I hadn't, still have the Phat Cat guitar and it's awesome. I remember that at higher volume, the Pro with the Seth Lovers could go into feedback easily. I have not had that experience with the Phat Cats, but I don't play at high stage volumes like I used to. Just my 2 cents. Also owned a custom 3 pickup model for a short time, which was more of a jazz guitar.

[bry4321]

"How much more squirrely is a Newport compared to an Artist" may be my favorite thread title since I joined HFC @neastguy!

[velorush]

[veatch]

"Nuthin up muh sleeve..."

[Disturber]

On 11/10/2025 at 10:30 PM, Camstone said:

 I remember that at higher volume, the Pro with the Seth Lovers could go into feedback easily. I have not had that experience with the Phat Cats, but I don't play at high stage volumes like I used to.  

The Phat Cats can feedback pretty badly. It's a thinner sound than from a feedbacking humbucker, (my personal opinion is that the feedback does not sound as nice).

I played my Newport through a Marshall JMP full stack with higher gain settings. The guitar is controllable, but you need to work it if you don't want it to feedback at high volume and with gain. If you want it to feedback, it's pretty easy.

[kizanski]

On 11/7/2025 at 12:04 PM, Brooks said:

335 is semi hollow and wont feedback as quick

That's certainly the point of the design but I could feedback a steel railroad tie.

I had a '58 Reissue dot neck 335 about 100 years ago and brought it out to practice for the 1st time one night.

At one point during a song, it fed back so bad that a burst of air came through the F hole behind my right forearm and blew my arm hair.
It was like I had rested my arm out the passenger window of a car!

 

 

[django49]

38 minutes ago, kizanski said:

That's certainly the point of the design but I could feedback a steel railroad tie.

I had a '58 Reissue dot neck 335 about 100 years ago and brought it out to practice for the 1st time one night.

At one point during a song, it fed back so bad that a burst of air came through the F hole behind my right forearm and blew my arm hair.
It was like I had rested my arm out the passenger window of a car!

 

 

My go to guitar for quite a few years was a Gibson ES-347. Sort of a hot rodded 355----Dirty Finger pickups and factory coil split. Feedback was very controllable, but there was a definite "breeze" when I was on stage. I'd have another if they had not gone into collector price ranges.

[burningyen]

Yes, IME a Newport will feedback easier than an Artist.

[Brooks]

On 11/19/2025 at 11:00 AM, kizanski said:

At one point during a song, it fed back so bad that a burst of air came through the F hole behind my right forearm and blew my arm hair.
It was like I had rested my arm out the passenger window of a car!

My old Duotone did that, it was a mighty wind focused thru the 3 holes.

Wow that sounded dirty...

[kizanski]

6 hours ago, Brooks said:

My old Duotone did that, it was a mighty wind focused thru the 3 holes.

Wow that sounded dirty...

It startled the hell out of me!

[Jakeboy]

On 11/21/2025 at 12:10 PM, burningyen said:

Yes, IME a Newport will feedback easier than an Artist.

This. Artist and Newports are different animals.