Modern Semihollow/thinline archtop guitars. Suggestions?

[EinarG]

Hi fellow jazzers!

Basically, I'm looking for another semi-hollow or thinline hollowbody.
My budget is limited to about 4000 dollars at the most.

Right now, I'm playing through an Ibanez AS200 from 1980, and a Furch a17. Great guitars, and I love them to death. But lately I've been looking for something with a bit more hollow and big sounding tone than the Ibanez, and a bit more focused and woody sounding than the furch.

I've been looking at the Sadowsky Semi Hollow:
Sadowsky Guitars | Semi-Hollow Model

And the Marchione Semi, amongst others.
Semi-Hollow Body Guitar

Do you know of any great luthiers who make these kinds of modern Semis/hollowbodys? Please post a link!

Specs like a single humbucker in neck, trapeze tailpieze, singlecut body and a 3+3 style headstock would be prefered. But I'm open to any suggestions.


Best,
EinarG

[TK_AK]

PRS Hollowbody Spruce is an interesting guitar, a small carved hollowbody, it's very light and great to play.

Not exactly you specs but it's worth a try

Here's mine, I changed the PRS pick ups for Gibson 57 :

[EinarG]

Well, the only reason I said I would prefer one humbucker and single cut, is the fact that I already have my AS200. (335 style)
Great suggestion, but aren't those just a hollowed out PRS? My Ibanez covers that ground

That guitar was crazy beautiful btw!

[Bill C]

have you seen Jack Zucker's semi-hollow reviews page? link below ...

Text

[TK_AK]

I think it's closer to a jazz guitar than your Ibanez because it has a spruce top, it's not flat : the top and the back are carved and it's really a hollowbody, there's only a small block under the bridge to connect the back and the top.

This definitely sounds woody.

But it still is a very small guitar so it wont sound like an L5 ...

They also do a bigger singlecut hollowbody by the way (SCJ Thinline) :



Looks good but I never tried one and I'm not a singlecut type of guy

[EinarG]

Yeah, I stumbled upon that article some months ago. Great reading.
Jack Zucker really covered some ground right there

The PRS on the left is more or less what I'm after actually. In that style, but maybe not as flashy? The looks Sadowsky and the Marchione are both simpler and IMO prettier because of the minimalistic approach to the design.

[Bill C]

Sadowsky also has the new SS-15 which wasn't on the website last time I checked. ... and I believe Jim Soloway has just come out with a 15" hollowbody.

[IbanezAS100]

I've not played any of these, but they seem to fit the bill..and I've heard they're in the desired tonal ballpark

Collings SoCo and CL Jazz
McCurdy Perfecta
Baker Thinline
Benedetto Bambino Deluxe

Although I'd be (well I am, it will happen soon) tempted to have one made to my specs.At that price point, any decent luthier will be able to accomodate your tonal/aesthetic needs.

Happy hunting

[EinarG]

The Collings, the Benedetto and the McCurdy was indeed perfect.
I think they're a bit expensive though. But, then again, they're all pricey....

I would give my right leg for the Sadowsky SS-15! When and where can I buy it? It's just in my price range, and it has everything I look for in an archtop/semi type guitar.

Thank you for the fantastic contribution, it's like you read my mind! (or the first post)

[TK_AK]

The Mc Curdy looks great ...

EinarG if you want to know where to buy a sadowsky you should send a mail to kevin@sadowsky.com

[derek]

Originally Posted by IbanezAS100

I've not played any of these, but they seem to fit the bill..and I've heard they're in the desired tonal ballpark

Collings SoCo and CL Jazz
McCurdy Perfecta
Baker Thinline
Benedetto Bambino Deluxe

Although I'd be (well I am, it will happen soon) tempted to have one made to my specs.At that price point, any decent luthier will be able to accomodate your tonal/aesthetic needs.

Happy hunting

In addition to those, check CP Thornton, and Godin, as they both do similar models to those listed above. Thornton is a small shop and Godin of course is a larger maker. Happy hunting.

[woyvel]

Vox Virage, Taylor T3, and now for something completely different, go all hollow with Parker PJ14. You did say modern, didn't you?

[lpdeluxe]

I have owned a '63 Gretsch Chet Atkins Country Gent, a Gibson ES-335, and took part in an evaluation of the Carvin SH550. For me, the 335 is the clear winner, with the 550 a close second and the Gent a distant third. The 335 is darker, while the 550 is brighter with more tonal variations; ergonomically they are quite close. I handled a Heritage 535 the other day but didn't have a chance to play it. If I wanted a Bigsby, I'd get the non-Gibsons, since it's the one not available with it.

Everything I else I see out there is too ugly, or too cheaply made, or has some other defect.

[thenoviceguitarist]

Another great guitar that I haven't heard mentioned (in the Sadowsky ballpark as far as looks, sound, and price go) are the Moffas. I know Kurt Rosenwinkel is big proponent of their guitars. You might check into something like their "Lorraine."

Moffa Guitars

[EinarG]

The lorraine is great. But Moffa has a 16 month waiting period last time I checked. I'll order the Moffa Maryan when I've aquried a nice semi. (and have the money) Probably the Sadowsky Semi. The ss-15 is completly hollow, and I think I would prefer the regular semi over it. If the SS had a centerblock, it would be perfect. Some great suggiestions here, keep them coming!

[bluemood]

I use a Hofner very thin classic Karl Höfner GmbH & Co KG - Verythin Classic

[Hammertone]

Originally Posted by bluemood

I use a Hofner very thin classic Karl Höfner GmbH & Co KG - Verythin Classic

The Verythin Classic and Very JS have been discontinued, but some dealers may still have them in stock. OP mentions "single humbucker in neck, trapeze tailpieze, singlecut body and a 3+3 style headstock would be prefered". The JS is doublecut with one mini-humbucker, the Classic is doublecut with two mini-humbuckers.

Another option in Hofnerland is the "Thin President", which is a custom order:
- single or double humbucker, trapeze tailpieze, singlecut body and a 3+3 style headstock
- 16th fret neck body joint
- solid spruce block w/laminated top or no block w/carved top

Here's one that looks like it has a block (I have no affiliation with them):

Cream City Music - Hofner HTPE2RO Thinline President Black w/ Case

Wow, just realized this is an old thread. And you're in Norway. Might be cheaper to get a European dealer to order one for you configured the way you want.

[M-ster]

The Sadowsky SS-15 certainly sounds good in Leo's hands:

YouTube Video

[goshawk]

I've played the Benedetto Bambino in a local store... wonderful guitar. I keep telling my wife and daughter that's what I want for Christmas, but they don't get the hint. ;-)

Eastman also makes a few different thinline models you might want to take a look at: the El Rey ER-1 and the T-145 and T-146, for example. Not custom made, but solid guitars and well within your budget (at least at US prices).

One vintage option (and I haven't played one yet) would be the Guild T-100 "Slim Jim." They seem to be going on eBay for about US$1500.

[helios]

Originally Posted by EinarG

The lorraine is great. But Moffa has a 16 month waiting period last time I checked. I'll order the Moffa Maryan when I've aquried a nice semi. (and have the money) Probably the Sadowsky Semi. The ss-15 is completly hollow, and I think I would prefer the regular semi over it. If the SS had a centerblock, it would be perfect. Some great suggiestions here, keep them coming!

The SS 15 reminds me of the PRS JA-15, which I believe won a Guitar Player's "Editors Pick" award:

[mr. beaumont]

Originally Posted by Hammertone

The Verythin Classic and Very JS have been discontinued, but some dealers may still have them in stock. OP mentions "single humbucker in neck, trapeze tailpieze, singlecut body and a 3+3 style headstock would be prefered". The JS is doublecut with one mini-humbucker, the Classic is doublecut with two mini-humbuckers.

Another option in Hofnerland is the "Thin President", which is a custom order:
- single or double humbucker, trapeze tailpieze, singlecut body and a 3+3 style headstock
- 16th fret neck body joint
- solid spruce block w/laminated top or no block w/carved top

Here's one that looks like it has a block (I have no affiliation with them):

Cream City Music - Hofner HTPE2RO Thinline President Black w/ Case

Wow, just realized this is an old thread. And you're in Norway. Might be cheaper to get a European dealer to order one for you configured the way you want.

This is an old thread, but I think it's a question that's probably asked everyday by jazzers somewhere...

I chose to quote your post, because my Hofner Verythin in the finest semi-hollow I've ever played...used ones are quite affordable, and well worth looking into, IMHO.

[Soco]

If you go for the PRS hollwobody, I would find one with a spruce top. I have one of those. I also have a Collings soco deluxe which is the best guitar I have ever played(including Artinger, several Sadowskys, Gibson etc). They are expensive,but worth it. I have seen used ones for under 4K. The Collings I-35 is also a great instrument.

[Jabberwocky]

Off the wall recommendation here. If you do not mind a Japanese-made Gibson ES-330-inspired guitar, take a gander at the Seventy-seven Guitars Exrubato Jazz-H. Laminated spruce top, flamed laminated maple sides, two humbuckers.

[barrymclark]

Heritage H535 (I hope to order one of these in the next couple of month with Seth Lovers) or H555

[Jabberwocky]

Einar,

You could get a used Trenier Model 17 with a built-in Lollar humbucker for $3950 from John Stewart (myjazzhome.com) or a used Andersen Metro Special for $4300 directly from Steve Andersen himself or a used Andersen Streamline from Joe Vinikow of archtop.com or a used Ribbecke Halfling for $3995 from Lou del Rosso of GuitarsNJazz.

[Bluewyatt]

This is a thinline and a fabulous guitar.
http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guita...t-archtop.html

[RonD]

Originally Posted by EinarG

The Collings, the Benedetto and the McCurdy was indeed perfect.
I think they're a bit expensive though. But, then again, they're all pricey....

I would give my right leg for the Sadowsky SS-15! When and where can I buy it? It's just in my price range, and it has everything I look for in an archtop/semi type guitar.

Thank you for the fantastic contribution, it's like you read my mind! (or the first post)

Einar, I'm confused! You said you loved the Sadowsky JH, but it was out of your price range? ... and this is? Did you find a ridiculous deal?

Cheers, Ron

[EinarG]

RonD: I understand why you're confused. Fact is, I've got two threads at the moment. This is an old one, where my budget was really different, and a new one with a different budget. This fall I both moved and changed jobs, wich unfortunatly ate a lot of my guitar budget, so now I'm looking for roughly the same thing, in a much cheaper package.

[RonD]

Originally Posted by EinarG

RonD: I understand why you're confused. Fact is, I've got two threads at the moment. This is an old one, where my budget was really different, and a new one with a different budget. This fall I both moved and changed jobs, wich unfortunatly ate a lot of my guitar budget, so now I'm looking for roughly the same thing, in a much cheaper package.

Oops! Sorry Bro, I should have checked the dates!

[EinarG]

No prob. I was confused for a while myself. This thread might be great help for someone whose got a lot of cash lying around though. So you guys might as well keep on posting suggestions.