Top Hollow/SemiHollowbody options < $600

[jamison162]

I really want an ES-339 but am gonna have to go budget this time, which is fine but there are still options and quality matters. Do any of these "off" brands compete or top the Epi. And I know the Gretsh is the oddman out here, but may be exactly what I'm looking for. Are the Electomatics smaller or larger than a 335? The new Xaviere models look VERY tempting.

I know there's a lot of options on the table but here's what I'm looking into, any comments or other suggestions welcomed.

1) Epiphone Dot or Dot Deluxe, $399
http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/1/8/9/567189.jpg
http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/6/0/8/438608.jpg




2) Gretsch Electromatic (5120, 5122 or 5125), $599 - $630
http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/4/7/6/420476.jpg

I really like this walnut 5122!
http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/0/4/2/526042.jpg






3) Xaviere XV-900, $299, Nice specs.
http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-50206111187217_2033_17410906http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-50206111187217_2033_17541364

Real shot of the Starfire Red finish.
http://www.guitarfetish.com/Xaviere/910i.jpg





4) Agile -AS 1000, $370
http://www.rondomusic.net/photos/electric/as10002ts6a.jpg




5) Ibanez Artcore ???

[chucke99]

Ibanez AS-93, $499:

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/6/8/6/457686.jpg

Ibanez AJD-91, $499:

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/4/3/4/544434.jpg

[FFTT]

Ibanez AS103NT or AF105NT

Think they're up to around $700.00 but very nice if you find a good one.
My AF105NT was great right out of the box from musician's friend.

[neastguy]

dont rule out a schecter corsair.. I miss mine....

[ScottR]

http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/SECSHSB-NAT.htm

[Doodad]

bump for later

[scottro123]

The Reverend Manta Ray's are supposed to be nice, but a bit out of your range new. Maybe you could find a used one.

[Lammy]

Either Vintage Japanese copies
OR
find a used Epi which you can get cheap and upgrade it.

[CitizenCain]

The Gretsch Electromatics are maybe a hair larger than an ES 335, mainly a deeper, hollow body.

Another guitar you should seriously check out is the Hofner Verythin CT.

Hofner Verythin CT Series
Featuring an ultra-thin double cutaway body style, 25.5" scale rosewood fret-board, nickel hardware and solid center sustain block, these stunning guitars are available in cherry, black, sunburst or natural finish. MSRP $749.

I've seen them online new for around $500, used around $350. I checked one out at a local store, very, very nice! The longer scale gives it a very rich sound.

http://jazztimes.com/guides/jazz_gifts/images/2008_hofner_verythin_guitar_lg.jpg

[Andre357]

The new guitar player issue reviews several budget semi hollows.

They give editors picks to the the PRS SE semi hollow soap bar and to a semi hollow Reverend model ( maybe the club king, i dont have the issue with me - it has filtertron type pickups in it ).


I would check out the issue, just hitting news stands now. I'm gonna look hard at the reverend myself, it looked great.

[blhm84]

If you are looking for full hollow, look at the Ibanez ak 95, its a copy of the es 175 and a great guitar.

[JohnK24]

I'd look at the Ibanez Artcores before an Epi 335. I had two Epi "Dots"...both suffered from lame, muddy pups, one had to get a new nut it was impossible to intonate the guitar...and the fret work above the 12th fret was flat and very unfinished feeling. I had an Artcore AF75 and it was killer in fit and finish right off my shop's wall. The other Artcores I've played (AS73 is the 335 clone) have been great guitars in the $300 range. Add some better pups and they are killers.

[magnido45]

+1 on the Ibanez AS103NT...a wee bit over your budget, but it's 100% playable right out of the box...Pickups, pots, tuners are awesome!

[chucke99]

+1 on the Ibanez AS103NT...a wee bit over your budget, but it's 100% playable right out of the box...Pickups, pots, tuners are awesome!

+2

I would have suggested it also, except that new it's $800 (without case). If you are patient, you can get a used one, with case, on eBay for around $600. That would be my TOP recommendation.

http://www.guitarstop.com/Ibanez/jazz/PICS/AS103NT.jpg

[MartinPiana]

I've also had good experience with the Ibanez, while finding the Epi Dots inconsistent.... You should be able to find a used Reverend Manta Ray under $600 - mine played and sounded great, but the tone was more like a chambered guitar than a semi hollow....

[HHB]

I've played the singlecut Gretsch for about an hour one afternoon ( in a GC waiting for the dang drummer to buy a 2 dollar piece ) I almost bought it, great fit and finish on the one I tried

[c-dub]

Reverend Manta Ray or Club King used.

[Jim85IROC]

Though I have yet to try one, I've heard good things about the Peavey JF-1
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/JF1EXPSB/

http://www.sweetwater.com/images/items/750/JF1EXPSB-large.jpg

[PerfectStranger]

Go with the Agile AND buy a Fender Super Champ XD

[sunken.anchor]

I don't know what this is worth since I have not played any of the other guitars mentioned, but I got one of these last week and really, really like it.
http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/6/0/6/555606.jpg

[FFTT]

Wow the AS103NT went way up! $799.00 with case at MF
http://www.guitarstop.com/Ibanez/jazz/PICS/AS103NT.jpg

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-AS103-ARTCORE-Custom-Series-Semi-Hollowbody-Electric-Guitar?sku=514208

They were $599-629.00 with case when I purchased my AF105NT
which was also $629.00 with case new in box.
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-Artcore-AF105-Hollowbody-Electric-Guitar?sku=512494
http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/5/8/4/229584.jpg

These models are far and wide better than almost anything in their class.

I would save up that little bit extra and get either one of these great guitars.

[magnido45]

I'm gonna get the AF105NT one of these days(when I start learning jazz) since I know the AS103NT is "The Biggest Bang for your Bucks" guitar!!!

[Boogs]

I LOVE my AF105 (mine has the neck floater, whichever model suffix that one is...), as much even as my Heritage H535 (335-style), which costs $1000 more. it's beautiful, it sounds wonderful, and it plays as well as anything I've ever put my mitts on. :) I put another, thicker sounding pickup on there, though I kept the original as it is also very nice... I just have to mess around!

however...

try before you buy. I played an AF105 in Sam Ash the other day that was pretty dead sounding. partly due to the thin strings and too-low action I'm sure, but it was not the same. played a dead AS103 in another shop as well that was properly set up. if that AS103 had sounded as sweet as my AF105, I would have never even tried the Heritage.

best of luck with your search, and try Craigslist for your area, as you'll be able to scopp a bargain without trying it blind.

[steelhead]

+1 for the Washburn HB-35. Got mine for $300 and love it!

[chucke99]

Wow the AS103NT went way up! $799.00 with case at MF

These models are far and wide better than almost anything in their class.

I would save up that little bit extra and get either one of these great guitars.

The secret is out. Twenty years from now, these are going to be the collectors' choice. I keep hoping the price on used ones drops so I can score some of the other wood finishes besides NT, but the prices seem to be going up instead.

Here's mine:

http://www.chucke.com/pics/as103nt-resized.jpg

[jamison162]

Played a few today..all acoustic only. Not plugging in until I get a better idea of what I'm looking for.

- Real Gibson 335, not really impressed esp. for the $$. Still want to get a 339 in my hands.

- Epi DOT, ok but neck too chunky, a little brighter than the Gibby. Not as "tight" as the Artcore, a littel more solid sounding though.

- Artcore AS73. Impressed with the look, fit & finish. Still, 2 different AS73's had significant weight differences. THe hevier one was brighter/thinner than even the Epi DOT.

- Gretsch G5120, G5122. Cool guitars but not sure if a Gretsch is gonna be my thang.

I'm seriously curious about the Hagstrom Viking now. And that Xaviere still has my interest.

Any thoughts on the Hamer Echotone?

I have a Heritage H-150 Goldtop that I absolutely love, but I'm not too drawn to the H-535.

Edwards ES-335 for $1,000 brand new is also appealing from everything I've read.

Oh and then there's not much out on the Schecter Corsair really.

Onward!!!!!!!

[SamsDaddy]

I'll add my love for the AS103 and AF105. I own both of these and they are absolutely great guitars stock. I picked up the Limited Edition models in spalted maple and burled maple which I like a lot better than the natural finish. They come up on ebay every so often for about the same price as the natural finish ones.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd85/benwed/DSC_0005.jpg


http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd85/benwed/DSC_0031.jpg

[FFTT]

I've posted clips of my AF105NT in several threads here.

The AF105NT is not just a jazz guitar.

1st clip audio- George Pittaway demonstrates his hybrid finger picking style.
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7184205

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLa7X7jci58
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi2GopPdOE4

SamsDaddy Those customs are spectacular!

[chucke99]

:love: :dude :bow


http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd85/benwed/DSC_0005.jpg

[magnido45]

I've posted clips of my AF105NT in several threads here.

The AF105NT is not just a jazz guitar.

1st clip audio- George Pittaway demonstrates his hybrid finger picking style.
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7184205

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLa7X7jci58
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi2GopPdOE4

SamsDaddy Those customs are spectacular!

Hey that's soo cool...that's the first time I've heard the AF105NT overdriven...and I thought it was only for jazz (as it has been marketed)...awesome!

[BigPapiFan]

Just my opinion but, I would recommend that you wait, save, and get the guitar that you really want. If you spend you money now, you are going to to settle for less than your dream and you are going to be $600 farther away from what you want.

[chucke99]

Just my opinion but, I would recommend that you wait, save, and get the guitar that you really want. If you spend you money now, you are going to to settle for less than your dream and you are going to be $600 farther away from what you want.

I guarantee you that if you buy one of the Ibanez AS103's, you will wonder why you ever dreamed of anything else.

OK, maybe that's a bit over the top, but you get what I mean. Back in 1978, I "settled" for an Ibanez Artist semi-hollowbody model 2630, because I couldn't afford a "real" Gibson ES-335. After a few days, I fell in love with the 2630 and haven't wanted an ES-335 since.

[jamison162]

Just my opinion but, I would recommend that you wait, save, and get the guitar that you really want. If you spend you money now, you are going to to settle for less than your dream and you are going to be $600 farther away from what you want.

True in some respect. But if I buy, I'de make it my own with no intention to sell. I haven't playes the 339 yet, I just *think* that is what I would really want. Then again, I wasn't too impressed with the real 335's I've played so far.

There are many affordable copies that rival the 335's like the old Ibanez Artstar series....I'm searching them out now. We'll see.

[BigPapiFan]

I guarantee you that if you buy one of the Ibanez AS103's, you will wonder why you ever dreamed of anything else...
After a few days, I fell in love with the 2630 and haven't wanted an ES-335 since.

No doubt. I have always liked the Ibanez semi-hollows, the old ArtStar line in particular. I was just offering the opinion that if the OP had formed a hard preference for one instrument he should consider delaying his acquisition until he can afford. In this case, the ES-339 is not "that expensive." "Scratch and Dent" or used it is barely twice what he has to spend. The additional money could be raised in a short while. Even a kid could do it in a year or less - not a long time to fulfil a dream... [..., he said sounding an awful lot like his father.]
On the other hand, if he wants any semi-hollow, the Ibanez is a great choice.

[soulohio]

oh now i don't know if the Ibby is just any guitar but yes there are a bunch of wonderful choices/ The 339 is a great guitar...one that I haven't played yet.

[chucke99]

In this case, the ES-339 is not "that expensive." "Scratch and Dent" or used it is barely twice what he has to spend. The additional money could be raised in a short while. Even a kid could do it in a year or less - not a long time to fulfil a dream... [..., he said sounding an awful lot like his father.]

Agreed.

[FFTT]

Hey that's soo cool...that's the first time I've heard the AF105NT overdriven...and I thought it was only for jazz (as it has been marketed)...awesome!


It's hard to believe the sound in George's clip is the same guitar, through
a freeking Pod.

I'm running through the Hot Cat 100R OD channel mild gain about 10:00 on the MV.

This guitar is wicked cool for rock rhythm.
Also does some very cool growly ES-335 leads.

The sound through the camera mic is not translating the lows well.

It really is a fun guitar to play.

I thought about upgrading the PU's but Nah!

20 years from now stock will be worth more.

They sound better as they age as everything settles.

Bought mine in 2006

Happy New Year!

Just got called in to work OT Grrrrrrr!

[guitarfish]

I was going to mention the Epiphone AlleyKat, but it seems it's discontinued. The WildKat is still available though. These are nice little guitars, but like so many that go outside the traditional mold, they didn't catch on. Aww what the heck, here's a pic of my AlleyKat.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/guitarfish/Guitars/AlleyKat/AlleyKatandClassic30.jpg