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- This topic has 23 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 4 months ago by Greg H.
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October 24, 2020 at 8:22 am #215791
Hi all !
I’m looking for a decent to good hollowbody, semi hollow. Don’t really want to spend more than a $1000 so Gibson is gone. Tried the Epiphone 335 but find it a little big and heavy. It’s on my list. I also have my eye on the newer PRS SE hollowbody that came out last year. Anyone have one of these?
Thanks for your recommendations !
Greg
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October 24, 2020 at 8:34 am #215792Anonymous
Hi Greg, I have an Epiphone Casino and like it very much. It’s comfortable weight wise and is a lot of fun to play. I paid around $600.00. Have fun with your search. Doug
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October 24, 2020 at 6:49 pm #215822
Thanks! I did try one once. I’ll check it out again. Great suggestion. Very Beatles too!
Thanks Doug!
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October 24, 2020 at 8:58 am #215794
Doug, about 6 months back I purchased a G&L Tribute Series ASAT Classic semi-hollow body Bluesboy. I wanted mine in a natural finish and really had a hard time locating one. I’ve watched and looks like availability is quite a bit better now. These guitars are manufactured by a company Leo Fender originated and are based on old Fender guitar designs. Cost between $600 – $700. The Bluesboy is manufactured in Indonesia but quality assurance has been kept high. I had really wanted a US made semi-hollow body guitar but couldn’t really swing the $2000+ prices. Very happy with this guitar, received lots of compliments on it and would recommend it to anyone. Good luck with your shopping.
Brent
Permian Basin, TexasAttachments:
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October 24, 2020 at 6:51 pm #215823
Hi Brent
Just read up on them and they do get great reviews! It does look a lot like my natural American tele so I was kind of looking for something a little different. Dual humbuckers etc. Thanks for the recommendation!
Cheers
Greg
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October 24, 2020 at 10:41 am #215798
Epiphone gives you a great guitar for the money. I have an Epi Dot and love it. If you find the body too big, try the 339. It’s closer to the size of a Les Paul with the 335 shape. Also, as mentioned, the Casino is a nice guitar. The Casino is full hollow body, the 335 and 339 are semi-hollow.
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October 24, 2020 at 6:54 pm #215825
Thanks Dave
I think I will give a 339 and the Casino another try. Great recommendations! Did you do any upgrades to your Epi or just left it as is? I’ve heard the quality is a lot better than used to be.
Thanks!
Greg
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October 25, 2020 at 5:41 pm #215876
Greg, Mine is a 2008, made in China, the I bought used in 2013 for $200. The pickups then were not as good as they use today, so I swapped them out for Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates. I also changed the plastic nut to a Tusq. And I’ve also heard that the quality today is even better than it was ten years ago. Now and then, a lemon will slip out, but not often.
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October 26, 2020 at 9:39 am #215896
Thanks Dave. Nice pups in yours! Bet it sounds real nice.
I’m going to demo one today. Hopefully it’s a gem.Thanks!
Greg
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October 25, 2020 at 12:45 am #215834
Hi Greg,
I got a EPI LP earlier this year and can attest to the quality. I have been looking at the Casino Coupe which is on sale for $499 on Sweetwater. Unfortunately, looking is all I’ll probably do at this point. Check it out though. The sunburst looks killer.
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October 25, 2020 at 6:33 am #215850
Yes, the coupe would be that perfect size and weight! Don’t know why I didn’t think of that one. Thanks Alan! P90s have a nice bite too!
Thanks
Greg
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October 25, 2020 at 3:42 am #215842
Hi Greg. I bought a Gretsch G5410T Matte Black Hollowbody guitar early last month online due to Lockdown. I’m loving playing it and it was $1349 Australian which I think is about $799 American (not sure where you are from). I’ve played the Gretsch on quite a few of my last 5-6 posts if you want a listen or check out some of the reviews online. It’s now my favourite guitar. All the best with your decision.
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October 25, 2020 at 6:39 am #215851
Thanks Garry! Wow that guitar of yours is stunning. Love the satin finish. Is it full hollow? I’m in Ontario Canada and they run about $1100 so I will have to somehow convince my wife. I love the red foil pups? Thanks for the recommendation! Hopefully I can find one in store to test drive.
Thanks!
Greg
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October 25, 2020 at 6:40 am #215852
Garry, I also meant to ask, how do I locate your playing videos on here? I’m relatively new to AM.
Thanks!
Greg
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October 25, 2020 at 6:46 am #215854
Hi Greg. Click on my name and it will take you to my profile. Then click on Forums. I’ve played the Hollowbody on Soulful Blues, JJ Cale, Gospel Blues, Freddy King and BB King Thrill is Gone. The guitar has a Matte Black finish. All the best with your decision. Let me know if you’ve got any more questions. Only too happy to help.
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October 26, 2020 at 2:37 pm #215908
In my opinion, for hollow bodies, the best value currently is from Eastman. You can get a big body, reminiscent of an ES375 (the AR371) for under $1000. They also make an excellent variant of Gibson’s 339 (the t184). I have the Eastman Pagelli PG-2, which retails for $3000, and I bought for $1800 used on Reverb. It’s fabulous. The Eastman’s I’ve played in stores have all been similar quality.
Another possibility is the Dockstar by Phred instruments. It’s a Chinese made copy of Trey Anastasio’s Languedoc guitar. Fully hollow, and the clips I have heard sound great. They also get very good reviews, especially for a fully hollow guitar that only costs $690 new. This would be very high on my list if I were to get a small, feedback resistant, fully hollow guitar.
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October 29, 2020 at 6:22 am #216043
Thanks Duffy. Wow wish I put my order in for a Phred a little earlier. They sure do look nice and tailored to your own personal specs! I’ll keep them in mind for the next one!! Haha. Yes, wanted to try an Eastman but they are no longer available in stores here in Ontario Canada.
Thanks Duffy!
Greg -
October 29, 2020 at 6:28 am #216044
So after trying a few I ended up buying the Epi 335. I had Epiphones about 20 years ago and wanted something different this time but when compared to other brands it was clearly the best sounding and feel for the under $1000 price range for me. The PRS hollowbody was gorgeous and just over a 1000 but sounded a little hot and brittle next to the Epi 335. I am blown away with improved quality from Epiphone and can’t believe it sounds this good at this price. Thanks everyone for your input.
Cheers
GregAttachments:
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December 5, 2020 at 10:31 am #224081
Greg about a year ago I was looking for a semi hollow so I could play a little jazz, R&B and Gospel. I had my sites on an Ibanez and the last thing I wanted was an Epiphone because I thought they were very cheap. I went to Sam Ash and tried out the beautiful Ibanez and it didn’t feel right. I tried out a used Epiphone ES-335 Pro and it sounded and felt so good. I purchased it on the spot and realized just how good a guitar Epiphone makes. Mine looks like yours but I have block inlays ENjoy your new axe.
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December 6, 2020 at 7:00 am #224193
Yes, well worth the price and if you have a good tone running, to my ears anyway, it’s indistinguishable to a Gibson.
Take care,
Greg
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October 29, 2020 at 4:20 pm #216073
Good decision. Congrats on the new axe.
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November 1, 2020 at 5:55 pm #218170
https://www.allinoneguitars.com/wolfguitars
This place has amazing Les Paul and PRS copies for the price. 50 bucks more gets a Gator hard case, really nice to ship in.
The guitars all come with really nice setups included.
Here’s the PRS solid solid body copy I got a few weeks ago. Not changing anything, it plays and sounds great as is. They have hollow bodies too.
JeffW
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November 17, 2020 at 10:39 pm #219841
Congrats on the Epi. I bought a red ES-335 Pro a few months ago, and am amazed by the quality of this well priced guitar. This is the golden age of inexpensive guitars.
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December 6, 2020 at 6:57 am #224192
Nice Robert! Yes, I am really impressed. I’m not good enough for a $300O 335 so this fits the bill.
Take care,
Greg
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