Delta Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Your thoughts on both. I'm in the market for one or the other. I'm very happy with my top 2 solid bodies, an upgraded American Strat and a Les Paul style Godin Icon Type 2 Classic (chambered). I play mainly Blues based Rock and some Rock/Jazz fusion. I don't want to spend more than a grand. "Let me stand next to your fire!", Jimi Hendrix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hurricane hugo Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 The Epiphone Casino is your friend. http://blip.fm/invite/WorkRelease Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Schmieder Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 You'll PROBABLY find a semi-hollow with center block more versatile for your specific needs then. Gretsch has some new models, including one with Super HiLo pickups that are essentially humbucker versions of the old 50's single-coils. They even have a model with three pickups. In terms of bang-for-buck, I'd probably recommend those over Epiphone in your price range, but also check out Eastman's recent forays into this territory as well as D'angelico. I forget whether Ibanez makes some good center block semi-hollow offerings or not. They full hollow bodies are awesome; I have the PM-2 (Pat Metheny) as well as D'angelico's EXL-1. I'm looking into semi-hollows myself at the moment. My jazz guitarist has a rare Gretsch model with standard block inlays vs. side-inlays and a sharp vs. curved body horn. Very versatile, great for fusion and blues. I tried the three-pickup model at GC today and didn't like the neck as it was too flat/modern for my tastes. But I think some of the slightly more expensive models (MIJ or even MIK) that are just barely over $1K, have more traditional chunkier necks. If I hadn't had such a week from hell (multiple deaths to deal with, atop work politics and overtime etc.), I'm sure I'd recall more options than what I've listed so far. If more of them come back to me, I;; re-post. At a good price used, Dusenberg can be a killer option, but you'd probably never see one for under $1400 to $1500. EDIT: Hugo's post was shorter so he finished his before I did. :-) It reminded me that I meant to say the Casino style semi-hollows are your best bet; the ones I listed are Casino knock-offs. Eugenio Upright, 60th Anniversary P-Bass, USA Geddy Lee J-Bass, Yamaha BBP35, D'angelico SS Bari, EXL1, Select Strat, 70th Anniversary Esquire, LP 57, Eastman T486, T64, Ibanez PM2, Hammond XK4, Moog Voyager Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dannyalcatraz Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Here's a few: Club King Manta Ray Rocco Tremar Super Swede Tremar LGX ASAT Legacy SH65 SE Custom 22 Mira E-SA DC And there are also exemplars of those same axes on Reverb.com. Sturgeon's 2nd Law, a.k.a. Sturgeon's Revelation: âNinety percent of everything is crapâ My FLMS- Murphy's Music in Irving, Tx http://murphysmusictx.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Fraser Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Hugo's post was shorter so he finished his before I did. :-) It reminded me that I meant to say the Casino style semi-hollows are your best bet; the ones I listed are Casino knock-offs. Small correction: the Casino is fully hollow. The semi-hollow Epiphone is the Sheraton, as well as the Riviera, & the down market Dot 335. Also Casinos sport a air of P90s, vs the humbuckers on the others. Scott Fraser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldwin Funster Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Hollow bodies are very hard to play with any volume. FEEEEEEDDDDDBBBBAAAACCCKKKK!!! FunMachine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skipclone 1 Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 RE Mark`s comment on a Dusenberg-if you find one near your price range, grab it and don`t let go. Same old surprises, brand new cliches- Skipsounds on Soundclick: www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandid=602491 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larryz Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 I really like my hollow body Epiphone ES-175. Only one problem and that is the input jack likes to come loose. I bought a new tool that has solved that problem and keep it in the case LOL! I'm sure the US made Gibsons 175's do not have that problem. I really like the 57 USA Gibson humbuckers and the upgraded 500k pots on the Epi. It sounds and plays as good as a $4,000 Gibson and costs $1,000. One of these days I'm thinking about getting the Gibson 175, just for playing at home. I really don't play loud so I have no problem with feed back. Like playing an acoustic, you just have to avoid turning around and facing the speakers at higher volumes... Take care, Larryz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocPate Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 You really need both if you're going to play a variety of music. Hollow Bodies (Gibson ES for example) are great for blues and jazz. Solid bodies (I personally like the Telecaster) are great for Rock and Roll and Country. Actually, if you're going to really diversify, you need four guitars at least - Single Coil and Humbucker (Or split coil humbucker)... Just voicing my opinion which along with a couple of bucks will get you a cup of bad coffee... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dannyalcatraz Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Actually Fret-King has a KILLER semihollows- the discontinued Gordon Giltrap Elise. Doublecut body, neck P90, bridge HB, and a piezo system...supposedly fully blendable. The other Elise models kick ass, too. Elise Sturgeon's 2nd Law, a.k.a. Sturgeon's Revelation: âNinety percent of everything is crapâ My FLMS- Murphy's Music in Irving, Tx http://murphysmusictx.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Fraser Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Y Hollow Bodies (Gibson ES for example) are great for blues and jazz. Not all Gibson ES models are hollow. The ES335, for example, is semi-hollow. Scott Fraser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEB Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 I don't know. For a $1000 you can get a nice solid body guitar and if you don't like something about it everything is an easy change. Semis and Hollow are a pain to upgrade and mod. I play a lot of low dollar solids but I would be hesitant to go less than 2 grand on a hollow or semi-hollow. That said the older Korean Epi Sheraton II were not bad. I would still want to change the pickups which is a pain if you want to do it right which requires fishing line or surgical tubing to guide the wiring harness back in place. Just be more critical when shopping for a box guitar. Only buy one with electronics you can live with for the life of the guitar. If you hire a tech to do your work they will charge more also to swap electronics unless they do a hack job and do things like splicing pickup leads. In the 80s I played a ES175 into a 65 Twin in in a 50s 60s Rock N Roll Review show. Feedback isn't problem if you know what you are doing. A EQ pedal can make things easier. That resonance that makes the guitar want to roar sometimes help give that classic rock n roll tone. Ala Bill Haley, Detriot Wheels , etc.... I played ES-335s most my life. They are more forgiving. Very few people played louder than Freddie King. "It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne "A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!! So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Schmieder Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 Oh yeah, I always get confused between the Sheraton and the Casino, but had already logged off when I realized my mistake. Sorry for the confusion. Both are (were) great guitars. I don't like the current versions though; the pickups seem inferior and the neck feel is too modern for me. I tried out some semi-hollows and thin-body hollows (no center block) at GC yesterday, as both the Emeryville and Concord locations had quite a few models in stock -- I think they have come back in popularity of late. I didn't plug in any of them, due to time constraints, but I found D'angelico's and Eastman's thin body designs to feel more like how I remember vintage Epiphones being back in the day. Eugenio Upright, 60th Anniversary P-Bass, USA Geddy Lee J-Bass, Yamaha BBP35, D'angelico SS Bari, EXL1, Select Strat, 70th Anniversary Esquire, LP 57, Eastman T486, T64, Ibanez PM2, Hammond XK4, Moog Voyager Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winston Psmith Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 I didn't plug in any of them, due to time constraints, but I found D'angelico's and Eastman's thin body designs to feel more like how I remember vintage Epiphones being back in the day. I was curious about the new D'Angelico's, and looked up the woods on the new models. They're made from yet another tropical wood that had mostly been used in furniture until recently. Not sure what it has to offer as a tonewood? I guess decent mahogany is getting harder to find, or afford. I've said it many times before, but my MIK Epi Dot is one of the nicest Guitars I've ever played. You'd expect a neck this smooth on a $1000+ Guitar, but on a $300 import? The pickups on mine are just fine, and with a set of flat-wounds, it's a joy to play. I haven't tried any of the Chinese-made Dots, so I can't speak to their feel or build quality, but I hear consistently good reviews of Epiphone's Hollow and Semihollow Guitars. YEMV, as always . . . "Monsters are real, and Ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win." Stephen King http://www.novparolo.com https://thewinstonpsmithproject.bandcamp.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm558 Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 There are several good options in this category, even at just under a grand. I would surely look at the Reverend Manta Ray. You can usually pick up an excellent condition used one for about $750. Perhaps cheaper. I love my Washburn Semi-hollow. I got it dirt cheap and it required a bit of a set up. But for less than 4 bills invested so far, I can also upgrade the electronics and pickups to exactly what I want for well less than a grand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm558 Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 +1 on the Fret Kings. The Elise is stellar to play. Some people love the Wilkinson pickups. I do not have an opinion on them. I am fairly certain that Reverend's, Fret Kings and PureSalem are all made in the same Korean factory. Dealers I know seem to believe this as well. Not a bad choice from any of these makers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O’Shite Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 Just for conversation's sake- I might be able to score a great deal on a 'fixer-upper' '70s Ibanez George Benson hollow-bodied, solid-topped sig-model that someone I know has; I'm thinkin' that, once restored, I'll really like it... And I've also been sorely tempted to order an Epiphone Riviera Custom P93 (with three P-90's)... Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred_C Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 I absolutely love my '97 Epi Sheraton II on which I upgraded all the electronics (pickups,pots,caps). On Caevan's recommendation I bought a pair of Stew-Mac Parson Street PAFs. I own three hollow-bodies (Peerless Monarch 16, Ibanez AF125 Custom, Heritage H575 Custom) and the predominant opinion that you should opt for a semi-hollow rather than hollow body design is correct. I would recommend that you save up another $500. you could buy a $1000 semi-hollow (Epi, Ibanez, Peerless) and have enough left over to upgrade the electronics, which would transform a mediocre instrument into a thing of beauty. I also think you could get an Eastman semi-hollow for under $1500. Finally, the Comins GCS-1 is receiving rave reviews on the Jazz Guitar Forum. $1500 brand new with custom wound Kent Armstrong pickups. http://rvrb.io/gcs-1-v2i I believe that it would be beneficial if you spent the extra $500 and got something worth owning, either in the initial purchase or via aftermarket upgrades. Good Luck in your search. Let me know if I can help. If you play cool, you are cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred_C Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 RE Mark`s comment on a Dusenberg-if you find one near your price range, grab it and don`t let go. +1. A Dusenberg semi-hollow for $1000-1400 is going to be difficult to find. They're around $3500 new. If you play cool, you are cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbqbob Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 Ain't it fun that we have so many choices nowadays when it comes to guitars? For acoustic I play a Taylor 310ce mostly with a Zager as my backup. For electrics I first purchased a Highway1 Tele and then an American Srat. In the past few years I started getting GAS for hollow body and semi-hollow body electrics. Of course I first gravitates towards the Gibsons but their prices can be scary. As it turned out I stumbled upon the single PU Ibanez Artcore AFJ81 a few years ago. I ending up finding a used one in like new condition in a shop locally for $399 with the new retail price being $600 if I recall correctly. That ended up filling my need for a hollow body jazz box. It plays and sounds great and others that have played it have told me that if I ever want to sell it, they would buy it from me. They don't make that model anymore but I think Ibanez has a replacement in their line. I then moved on to getting a semi hollow and looked at the ES-335 type guitars. I got lots of nice feedback from members on this forum and after playing some and shopping around I ended up buying a new Gibson ES-339 Studio for $1599. I'm happy with that purchase also. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/ii625/pbucketbob/IbanezAFJ81case_zps2d6c180f.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/ii625/pbucketbob/IbanezAFJ811_zps98d12690.jpghttp://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/ii625/pbucketbob/Gibson%20ES%20front%20full_zpsy3tkwclt.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred_C Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 #ATTENTION!!! Guitars-n-Jazz in Summit,NJ is currently having a huge sale. e.g. Peerless Hardtail (ES 335 clone) is on sale for $949. An incredible value. There are also Eastman semi-hollows on sale for around $1200. Peerless and Eastman are both very well crafted instruments. Highly recommended. If you play cool, you are cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delta Posted February 19, 2017 Author Share Posted February 19, 2017 Thanks to all for the great responses. I'm definitely leaning towards a semi-hollow. I'm dragging my feet on this a bit as there are many different ways to go. A new Guitar Center will be opening in my area this fall so I'll wait until then to try some out. I expected some of you to say that I'd have to spend considerably more than a grand, whether used or new. I've read and heard some people say that 2 grand is a more reasonable figure. "Let me stand next to your fire!", Jimi Hendrix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larryz Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/epiphone-limited-edition-les-paul-traditional-pro-ii-electric-guitar/j40313000004000?pdpSearchTerm=epiphone guitars#productDetail <---if you're still looking for a Les Paul type guitar Delta, check out this Epi...a buddy bought one and for the price it can really add to the arsenal. He had to buy a case for $100 and have the frets dressed and set up for $80. For a total of $580. He's very happy with it so far. I'll get to try it out next week! Take care, Larryz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O’Shite Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 #ATTENTION!!! Guitars-n-Jazz in Summit,NJ is currently having a huge sale. e.g. Peerless Hardtail (ES 335 clone) is on sale for $949. An incredible value. There are also Eastman semi-hollows on sale for around $1200. Peerless and Eastman are both very well crafted instruments. Highly recommended. Those look like they'd be EXCELLENT guitars for you, Delta; that Peerless Hardtail for $949 looks like a FANTASTIC deal! Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred_C Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 I'm certain you'll find the semi-hollow of your dreams from the extensive selection available at your local Guitar Center. LOL! If you play cool, you are cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Schmieder Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 Oh yeah, I forgot that Peerless makes thin bodies as well; I'm more familiar with their excellent full bodied hollows, which are a bit like Ibanez's. Eugenio Upright, 60th Anniversary P-Bass, USA Geddy Lee J-Bass, Yamaha BBP35, D'angelico SS Bari, EXL1, Select Strat, 70th Anniversary Esquire, LP 57, Eastman T486, T64, Ibanez PM2, Hammond XK4, Moog Voyager Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Schmieder Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 The really good Epi's were the MIJ series from a few years back, which now costs thousands of dollars each on eBay as the reputation got out that these were a steal. In fact, that's apparently why Gibson canceled the series, as they felt it was undercutting L5 and 175 sales. A co-worker lucked out and found one of them while they were being liquidated. It is a thing of beauty, and better quality than almost anything under $3000 or so. But you're unlikely to find one; especially at an affordable price. It's a shame. Eugenio Upright, 60th Anniversary P-Bass, USA Geddy Lee J-Bass, Yamaha BBP35, D'angelico SS Bari, EXL1, Select Strat, 70th Anniversary Esquire, LP 57, Eastman T486, T64, Ibanez PM2, Hammond XK4, Moog Voyager Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delta Posted February 19, 2017 Author Share Posted February 19, 2017 I'm certain you'll find the semi-hollow of your dreams from the extensive selection available at your local Guitar Center. LOL! I was kind of joking there. I really can't stand Guitar Center. The search continues! "Let me stand next to your fire!", Jimi Hendrix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred_C Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 I'm certain you'll find the semi-hollow of your dreams from the extensive selection available at your local Guitar Center. LOL! I was kind of joking there. I really can't stand Guitar Center. The search continues! +1. Dude, you really should at least put a call in to Lou Del Rosso at Guitars-n-Jazz. Lou typically has around 400 (!) electric Archtops in stock. He is very knowledgeable and has even designed instruments. My Peerless Monarch 16 was designed by Lou and let me tell you, it's one hell of a guitar for $1400! In addition to Peerless, he also has an extensive inventory of Eastmans. Lou is also highly respected and trusted on the Jazz Guitar Forum. If you play cool, you are cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred_C Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 The really good Epi's were the MIJ series from a few years back, which now costs thousands of dollars each on eBay as the reputation got out that these were a steal. In fact, that's apparently why Gibson canceled the series, as they felt it was undercutting L5 and 175 sales. A co-worker lucked out and found one of them while they were being liquidated. It is a thing of beauty, and better quality than almost anything under $3000 or so. But you're unlikely to find one; especially at an affordable price. It's a shame. Mark, there's one on Reverb for $2100. Here's a link:\ https://reverb.com/item/4204969-epiphone-elite-elitist-broadway-l5-ces-2003-sunburst If you play cool, you are cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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