HollowBody Suggestions.

electronpirate

electronpirate

Axe-Master
So I've given a shot to Strats and Tele's, I never fell in love with them. Never got played. I'm mildly open to an HSS Strat, but wary. LP guy all the way.

So I've always had a hankering for a Hollowbody. The IRS refund is in, so in the market for something. Budget is probably around $1000, so a Gibby 335 is out.

Suggestions? I've heard good things about the Ibanez line, and I'd like one of those new Gresch's, but that pricetag is more than I want.
 
If you're patient a used PRS Hollowbody with a plain top and no piezo can be found for that price. I quite like mine HB Spruce.

The Godin Montreal is also in that range and a really solid (sic) guitar. Not overly fond of the factory pickups but that's easy to fix. Serious amount of guitar for the money.
 
Epiphone Dot and Casino, Gretsch Electromatics, and Ibanez Artcores are supposed to be good bang for the buck jazz boxes.
 
Do you have an idea of what type sound you're looking for?
I love the Gretsch idea...they are a unique sounding instrument.
Ibanez too...they've got that lower priced george benson model...but that may be a little too much.
But if you are an lp guy, maybe a semi-hollow would be less drastic....
 
D'Angelico!!
https://dangelicoguitars.com/

Really can't recommend this brand highly enough.
The instruments are exceptional for the money!
Full disclosure, I know the company and reps pretty well. They are top notch people!

I got a great deal on an Excel DC (Double Cutaway) with the stopbar tailpiece and tunomatic bridge.
 
I like my Ibanez AS153, love my Gretsch Anniversary. Both are very different hollow body tones, the fit and finish on both are very nice. Years ago I had an Epiphone Sheraton II that wasn't half bad either…
 
I've owned at least 5 Ibanez Hollowbodies... (I have two LACS Ibanez Semi Hollows but those are a different stories)
I've loved them but always ended up selling them because I never used them... I had all the nice ones.
I really wanted to get the blue one with just the neck pickup but I know i'd never play it- I'd always buy one- set it up nice with flatwounds- and never touch it again.

So. lets go over everything above
Gresch- overpriced for the good ones- imports aren't that great for the money

PRS Hollowbody- not bad but not going to give you that BIG BOX sound

Godin- great guitars but not that great- no resale value- not known for their hollows- not a bad choice if you get the $1500 for $500 though or less

Epiphone- dot/casino- Joe Pass isn't a bad one- I think all the joe pass ones are korean and better than the dots and casinos- unless you wanna get the big boy usa lennon but anyway-don't get an epiphone

The cheap Ibanez Bensons aren't that great- and the expensive ones are way overpriced

D'Angelico are good if you want to spend as much as a new car- the imports are overpriced knockoffs


So what do you do?
All of the ibanez hollowbodies are out there for $200-250 used- even the $800 ones.

SO- NEVER spend more than $250 on any ibanez semi hollow- ever. simple. they're out there- just wait and look and you'll find them.

ALSO- you can get plenty of great used gibsons that are the best you can get in the 1000 range

Get a cheap used gibson- hold off you will find 333/335/studio 335/ and cheap ES-175's and other numbers other than 335 are out there- everywhere- you could get a nice one for $1000-1200 they're out there.

So- Option 1- Spend $200 on an Ibanez Option 2- search and wait and find a nice gibson for $800-1500.
 
I was going to suggest and ES Les Paul but even used they'll be over your budget but they are great. Heck I bought mine brand new for $1800 and I saw one used at Guitar Center for $1250.
 
Heritage may be another option. Unfortunately, people are discovering what great guitars they are, so the price might not be within your budget. Would not hurt to look though. I have a Heritage 555. I have owned about a half-dozen Gibson 335s over the years. The Heritage is WAY better than any of them.
 
electronpirate said:
I've heard good things about the Ibanez line
Click to expand...

Not just because it's my screen name, but the Artcore lines are really sleek. The Gretsch feel, play and sound cheap IMHO. I have a friend who bought a Korean version with a Bigsby and is constantly having tuning issues. The Ibanez lines hold tuning well as well as sound incredible. Fun stuff on the horizon for you R!
 
Now you guys have me thinking.

It feels like sound advice to hold off for something that is upper range. (Thats a beautiful CC there Toopy!) Going to keep an eye out for one of the mid range:
-Gibby
-D'Angelico
-Hertiage

Point is that I do want something that will hold it's value (because I have to keep an eye on the fact I may move it in a few months and just reconcile myself to being a Les Paul guy.) Or try something unorthodox...like a Jazzmaster.

It's good to be the king.
 
Do what I did. I wanted to try a semi-hollow, so I grabbed an Epiphone 339 at 400 bucks. (Well technically my wife bought it for my birthday.)

USA Gibson pickups, useful built in coil taps.

The nice part is because they are pretty cheap, stores will typically have a couple in stock so you can cherry pick a "happy accident" and end up with a killer guitar.

I'd definitely recommend a 335 over a 339 though. The lighter body on the 339 can lead to some neck dive if you use slippery straps.
 
My first electric was (and still is) an Ibanez AS200 from about '79... what's now basically the Scofield model. Great guitar - it really sings. The only thing I don't like is how big the body is (335 size, not my cup of tea). Goes everywhere from jazz to pretty hard rock. You might want to look at the Scofields on Reverb or elsewhere...
 
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