Hollow/Semi-Hollowbody guitars

If you like the bright semi-hollow electric sound, I think you really can't go wrong w/ the 335, I'd guess Lucille is probably the most notable one ever but when I heard Lee Ritneor play one live, I was sold.

Gibson is usually always well made so if it's been cared for it's probably a decent condition axe, but if your more of a player than a luthier you probably want to get it checked out.

Classic Gretsch's are really nice, you wouldnt go wrong with one of those either.

I think Lucille is actually a 355.

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I think Lucille is actually a 355.

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yup, but the main difference from what I hear, in the 335-45 and 55, is mostly cosmetic and bridge hardware w/ some minor wiring.


Lifeson will pick up a 335-55 for some of his solo work, but check out his really sweet stage setup for doing tours with the band.

LINK

course he uses his own signature Les Paul for RUSH.

I have a Guild Starfire IV. Love it. Favorite electric guitar I own. Gibson 335's are good if you find one that feels right.

Mine is a '76, but Cherry as we'll. Sounds even better than it looks.

Very nice.

Thanks for all the input. I don't play in a band or do shows or anything, just for my own person enjoyment. So I'm not looking to break the bank. Hoping to find something that sounds decent and plays well

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I used to have an Epiphone Sheraton II that I liked.

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any guitar player worth his salt would like one, I have an uncle who plays country and gospel that's owned an early 60's model since it was new.

Check out Eastman lineup. This is a particularly good showcase of the t185 (thinline, not to be confused with the pic below). I love the way these sound, and for some reason, I can't get past the Gibson price tag for laminate wood on their es335 et al offerings, and the Eastman stuff is top notch.

I own their MD505 mandolin and ar803-16d.

To be quite honest, price tags got in my head, and I jumped on the guitar in that picture up there for $1250 (usually goes anywhere from $1500-2100) instead of the t184/5/6 (same guitar for the most part, 14-15-16 inch bout being the difference) in the $8-900 range (normally in the $1200-1500 range). I've never seen as good a deal on either come up since that time. Two and a half years later, I do wish I had gone with the thinline guitar. The full hollow jazzbox is just a little limited in its tonal variation. It lacks a real good "bite." That's not to say its sound isn't phenomenal- this guitar put them on the map- it's just more niche-y than versatile. My next guitar will probably be a t186 or one of their El Rey models.

When I was still plodding away - I considered getting one. I like the sound and feel - even unplugged - a very hybrid experience. Great for more of a blues or jazzy sound - it can also give you a different rock sound, although you will likely have to adjust your effects quite a bit from what you're used to with a solid body electric - I will say this - as primarily an acoustic player, I felt quite at home messing around with the semi-hollow guitars in the past.

If you're going to be plugged in and loud/distorted a lot - I would say go with semi-hollow - if you're going to play more quietly or cleaner/jazzy consider a full hollow.

The Ibanez Artcore and Artstar series is where I would recommend you start looking - there is quite a bit of range of price and that will likely be the best value at whatever price point. If price is no object, by all means, get a Gibson.

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I don't have it anymore since I'm trying to get into owning some 70's and 90's Guilds.

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That is a great call. I'm still puzzled why the Guild full and semi hollow bodies from the 70s haven't skyrocketed in price like the Gibson line (even the ES175 is finally starting to jump in value).