best lower cost semi hollow?

[baba o'riley]

Would like to hear everyone's opinion on what is the best semi hollow body between 250 and 500 bucks. :smoker:

 

[MikeRocker]

Re: best lower cost semi hollow?

Well, I guess they're technically hollow, but the Ibanez Artcores are amazing. I bought the AFS75T, and when I got my Gretsch 6120 I figured I'd sell it, but it plays so well and sounds so good (even with the stock pickups) that I kept it. Unbelievable value at $370.

 

[Amateur]

Re: best lower cost semi hollow?

Ibanez Artcore AS73.
ES-335 clone.
Around $300

Mahogany set neck.
Rosewood fretboard.
Maple body.
Good workmanship and quality.
Exceptional finish.
Decent sound.
Balanced and versatile.
Excellent playability.

Definitely gives Gibson and other semi-hollow body manufacturers a run for their money.

 

[ksmith63]

Re: best lower cost semi hollow?

used GUILD (might be hard finding one this cheap but they are amazing guitars) or a used DEARMOND (the import version of guild that is almost just as good). You will have to get these used b/c a new guild will be out of budget and fender discontinued the dearmond line when they bought out guild

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: best lower cost semi hollow?

Hamer Echotone...I kid you not...real maple construction..replace the pickups and you've got a KILLER guitar...I never should have gotten rid of mine

 

[theodie]

Re: best lower cost semi hollow?

I have thought the Michael Kelly's I have played have been killer. I cant speak for all of them but, the ones I have played are top notch. The factory pickups even sound really good.

 

[More-Gear-Than-Skill]

Re: best lower cost semi hollow?

Check out Epiphone Sheraton II, very nice build and sound...

 

[rainsong86]

Re: best lower cost semi hollow?

I vouch for that guitar too.. it's just unbelievable the tone you can get from that thing through a decent tube amp.. I played it jus today and I was amazed at the value.. price tag at only about 310

 

[rainsong86]

Re: best lower cost semi hollow?

anybody played the yamaha aes620hb or the epiphone wildkat (or alleykat or any other variation of "kat" they choose to call it)

 

[Ransom]

Re: best lower cost semi hollow?

I waited patiently... but I got a Gibson ES-137 for $500.00. GREAT guitar.

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: best lower cost semi hollow?

damn, wish I could find a 137 at a deal like that

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: best lower cost semi hollow?

Personally, I like the Samick RL-3. I owned one and, like an idiot, sold it. As far as price, it's going to be on the higher end but well worth it.

 

[Jimbojsr]

Re: best lower cost semi hollow?

DON'T get an Epi sheraton - get a 355 dot. Same guitar, but with less aesthetic frills and a good bit cheaper. What sort of music are you playing, and what amp / setup would it be going into?


Or are you not looking to buy, but just interested?

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: best lower cost semi hollow?

DON'T get an Epi sheraton - get a 355 dot. Same guitar, but with less aesthetic frills and a good bit cheaper.

I agree. I had one of those too. I dropped in a set of Duncans. I believe it was a JB and Jazz and changed the pots to 250k. The result was fantastic. It became a little over the top for me (but they were cool none-the-less) and I installed a set of Seth Lovers. Perfecto......

 

[Woodcutter]

Re: best lower cost semi hollow?

I would go with an epihone DOT.The artcore are nice pretty nice too, but I prefer the tone and look of the DOT's.

 

[Thames]

Re: best lower cost semi hollow?

Newest Epiphones from China plant are awesome for the money

 

[philthis]

Re: best lower cost semi hollow?

Well, I guess they're technically hollow, but the Ibanez Artcores are amazing. I bought the AFS75T, and when I got my Gretsch 6120 I figured I'd sell it, but it plays so well and sounds so good (even with the stock pickups) that I kept it. Unbelievable value at $370.

ya I was blown away by the tone of those cheap guitars. my friend started carrying them at his high end store becouse he said "for a second cheap Jazz guitar they are the bomb". I played one and as soon as I get my clean amp set up in place Ime going to go buy one myself. Its hard for me to believe you can get tone like that from a cheap guitar but my friend just lauphed and said "I told you so"
:beerchug:

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: best lower cost semi hollow?

yeah, I really need need to get myself a semi-hollow guitar. I'm torn between getting an Epiphone Dot and getting a Hamer Echotone again...man I just don't know!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: best lower cost semi hollow?

Washburn HB-35. I think it's the closest in quality to a Gibson 335 for 1/4 the price.

 

[Jimbojsr]

Re: best lower cost semi hollow?

Washburn HB-35. I think it's the closest in quality to a Gibson 335 for 1/4 the price.

I saw a review of this (I think) a while ago... it was definately a washburn semi... and the reviewer thought it was a decent guitar but the pups were stinky... are we thinking of the same thing?