which hollowbody

[BluesNRock87]

im pretty sure my next purchase is gonna be a hollowbody

i wanna start saving now, and get a really nice one around my b-day (end of january) cause thats when i usually have enough $$ to get a guitar. (this year my martin)

what are some good hollowbodies for a blues/classicrock tone. i would prefer it to be in the 500-1100 range, and dont mind buying used. whats a good hollwobody, gretsch, gibson, rickenbaker, guild? ??? give me some guitar to check out please

 

[Fresh_Start]

Re: which hollowbody

The Heritage 535 is a really good "knock off" of the Gibson 335. The kink in the story is that Heritage is the old Gibson factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan. At least I hope it's a really good knock off, since I ordered one on Friday

Rickenbachers are really unique guitars and I'd love to own one someday - radically different construction from anything else out there and a unique/recognizable tone.

I'm sure more knowledgeable guys will be along shortly.

Chip

 

[beandip]

Re: which hollowbody

es-125, thats what I have. but I dont know if there are any models around like it. 1 p-90, 20 frets, no cutaway. trapeze tailpiece, rw bridge.

 

[Lee_L]

Re: which hollowbody

You know, those Ibanez Artcore guitars really aren't that bad, especially for the money. Maybe you couuld buy one of those, throw some Seth Lovers in there, and maybe some better tuners, and you might just have yourself a great instrument.

 

[Hellion]

Re: which hollowbody

I've got a really sweet Gibson ES-135 that I picked up a few years ago. It's got a nice jazzy blues tone and if you tweek the amp a bit, it's got a bit of that Nugent mojo in it. Yes, I know, he's a Byrdland freak, but there's not that much difference in tone. It's hard to beat that Paul Reed Smith hollow archtop, and same goes for a 335/345/355. Epiphone makes some fairly decent offshoots of this as well, the Casino and Sheriton, for example. Even their "Dot" has some pretty cool tones. Scoop the mids on it a bit and boost the high & low and Jorma Koukounan fans will salute you (Jefferson Airplane).

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: which hollowbody

In your price range It will be tough to get you hands on a gibson or gretch.
Assuming your looking for a Semi-hollowbody 335 style guitar?? Tokai makes
a good knockoff for Under a grand. I have a Samick SAN-450 that I got
for $200 used on ebay. IMHO that guitar plays and sounds as good as
A Gibby. There are some different consruction methods used in the Samick.
But it's a great knockoff.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: which hollowbody

The best 335 type guitar I've ever played in an affordable price range is the Washburn HB-35. Flame maple, inlays, great neck....you can't beat it for the money. I think the Washburn hollow and semi hollows even beat the Epiphones and Ibanez.
The best part is they're dirt cheap. New they sell for $660. If you act quick, there's a natural flame HB-35 on Ebay right now with a starting bid of $400. The pickups aren't that bad, but a set of gold covered Duncans are something you could consider later. Before laying out any money, check out these guitars.

 

[Hoss]

Re: which hollowbody

like gear said...the washburns seem like a good deal for the money...

rickenbackers have a totally different sound than most semi's...but you could probably find one used in your price range...

the heritages are also good deals if they are as comparable to the gibby 335's as the seem to be...

and recently i ran into a little gem called the aria fa-80 / gretsch style guitar...really a big suprise on how beautifully it played and looked...

sounds like it's time for you to go try some guitars out!?!?!

 

[Lu_B]

Re: which hollowbody

Tokai 335 knock off with Seths you can't go wrong, especially if you pick up one secondhand like I did!

Washburns are also good value for money

 

[xerxes]

Re: which hollowbody

alvin lee fan has an epiphone dot with seth's that sounds SICK. you can hear his clips on the clips section....

 

[xerxes]

Re: which hollowbody

also, those ibanez's are really good guitars for the dough....

 

[sweet_lou]

Re: which hollowbody

I agree with Gear and Hoss.
It would be hard to beat the washburn. I have the HB30
It comes with a set neck, double binding and Grover tuners. You can find them for under 400.00 new. I just had a couplee of Seths put in it a few of weeks ago. I havent played anything else I have since.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: which hollowbody

I'll second the notion for a used 535 Heritage off Ebay. US-built, by hand, by the old Gibson folks. Some say the guitars that Gibson makes in Memphis are the "knockoffs" to the originals that were made in Kalamazoo by the guys that are now called Heritage.

Great guitar.

 

[Bludave]

Re: which hollowbody

First I should mention that I believe what you are looking for is "semi" hollow body. A true hollow body such as a Gibson L5 or 175 are difficult instruments to play with volume. They have a tendency to feed back. So I would say that if you are looking for a 335 style guitar in the price range you mentioned, I would take a hard look at the Epi B.B. King model. A nice guitar for the money, no "F" holes so it is easier to deal with than a 335. Priced under 1,000. I would say if you put a set of Antiquities, seths or Pearly Gates in it, it would be really sweet blues type of guitar.

 

[gordon_39422]

Re: which hollowbody

I am in the market for a similar guitar. I managed to get a sales rep at the local music store to come off his take bringing the Es-335 to $1495 with the sweet case. Still out of my immediate reach, I grabbed the ES-135. Ringing in at $999, it was in my price range. Ever the skeptic of lowering standards, I played with prejudice. Within minute, I was relieved and discovered a newfound joy. Very warm and rich in tone, it has 22 frets so you can nail those hair metal solos. With the 57's onboard, the tone was very much gibson quality. The interesting thing was the 1959 les Paul neck. It nearly felt as though I were playing an LP Hollow Body, but with more personality. The bottom line: take your gear with you and make sure you personally like the guitar. If you plan on purchasing one with intention to replace pups, ensure you like EVERYTHING else about the guitar. Good Luck and Happy Hunting!

 

[JOLLY]

Re: which hollowbody

I have no complaints with my Gibson ES-135LE.