Heavy semi-solids

sixtiesreject · #1 08-26-2011, 11:26 PM

Hello Hello--

I've been shopping around for a good value in a used 335-type guitar [Washburn HB 35, Epiphone Dot, Epiphone Sheraton, etc...] and so far they all weigh much more then I would like. This is the first time I've picked up a semi since I sold my original '59 ES-335 years ago and I wasn't expecting it to weigh this much! One of the reasons I'm looking for a semi is that I really want a lighter guitar with the double cutaway shape.
Damn......frustrating !!.

fep · #2 08-26-2011, 11:52 PM

Maybe a Epi casino? Not a semi, but the same shape and look, and pretty dang cool too. They're light.

rpguitar · #3 08-26-2011, 11:57 PM

Gibson ES-339 is a smaller bodied 335 style guitar. Also, there are several Eastman models in 14", 15", or 16" body widths that are semi-hollow. All use carved woods, so they're bound to be lightweight.

My 1967 ES-335 weighs about 7.5 lbs.

sixtiesreject · #4 08-27-2011, 12:14 AM

Hello Hello--

I like the Eastman stuff but they are out of my price range.
The Epi and Washburn semis are around $400 or below [ for a used guitar] . I haven't checked any Ibanez yet..sort of forgot about them!
Yeah, I always wanted a Casino too. It may have to wait until I get my "335 fix" .

vinlander · #5 08-27-2011, 03:58 AM

I don't find them particularly heavy, maybe its the fact I am a LesPaul player. I wonder if my Sheraton is that much heavier than old semis from the past.
http://www.es-335.net/weights.html

Vihar · #6 08-27-2011, 05:25 AM

They can be quite heavy, because of the laminate top, back and sides, and the semis have the centerblock too. That being said, a new Aria TA-50 can be had for $400.

sixtiesreject · #7 08-27-2011, 10:28 AM

Hello Hello--
Vinlander --- Yeah, maybe I've just gotten used to lighter guitars lately > I haven't used a Les Paul for quite a while. Thanks for the link...I didn't know about that site! My '59 335 was pretty light so it spoiled me!

Vihar-- Thanks for the tip on Aria guitars..I forgot about them.

I remembered that DeArmond and Hamer had some 335-type instruments.
Any experience with those ?? Actually, that Aria looks very similar to the Hamer Echotone [probably made in the same plant..]

sixtiesreject · #8 08-27-2011, 10:50 AM

Hello Hello--

Just got a call from somebody who is bringing a Gibson SG Special [not Faded] over for me to check out. I think it's a 2000 -something model with cherry nitro finish and two humbuckers. Nice light guitars but certainly no 335 ! He want's $400.... pretty good deal.

Vihar · #9 08-27-2011, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixtiesreject

Vihar-- Thanks for the tip on Aria guitars..I forgot about them.

You're welcome sixtiesreject. There's also the Cort Source: Source

Same price, probably from the same factory too. lol

Kuz · #10 08-27-2011, 11:52 AM

I know I sound like a broken record..... but you can't beat a Heritage 535. They are at least a guitar you should check out.

ronjazz · #11 08-27-2011, 01:17 PM

Samick Greg Bennett Royale Series, great guitars for cheap, semi-hollow, very stable, nice piuckups, beautiful finishes.

Vihar · #12 08-27-2011, 01:41 PM

They are nice, not double cutaway though.

sixtiesreject · #13 08-27-2011, 05:50 PM

Hello Hello--

Update--- Passed on the SG. Good deal for someone but not just not "me" .

Hammertone · #14 08-27-2011, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixtiesreject

Hello Hello--I've been shopping around for a good value in a used 335-type guitar [Washburn HB 35, Epiphone Dot, Epiphone Sheraton, etc...] and so far they all weigh much more then I would like. This is the first time I've picked up a semi since I sold my original '59 ES-335 years ago and I wasn't expecting it to weigh this much! One of the reasons I'm looking for a semi is that I really want a lighter guitar with the double cutaway shape. Damn......frustrating !!.

I suggest you try a Hofner Verythin built sometime between 2000 and now.
It's a doublecutaway semi with a block, available in a variety of configurations, new or used.
- Currently available CT Verythin - 24.7" scale, rosewood board, spruce block, stop tailpiece;
- Currently available Verythin Special, Verythin Custom and Verythin Singlecut w/Bigsby - 24.7" scale, ebony board, spruce block, trapeze tailpiece;
- Discontinued Verythin Classic - 25.5" scale, ebony board, spruce block, trapeze tailpiece;
- Discontinued Verythin Standard - 25.5" scale, rosewood board, spruce or mahogany block (depending when it was made), stop tailpiece.

All of these instruments are quite light compared to any other 335-style instruments with blocks, and they are really nice guitars. Various dealers do advertise new instruments on ebay, and used ones can be found on ebay as well for very reasonable prices.

max chill · #15 08-27-2011, 09:22 PM

Wouldn't a semi-hollow be lighter than a semi-solid?

sixtiesreject · #16 08-27-2011, 10:19 PM

Hello Hello--

Hammertone--
I like the Hofners.....maybe if I could find a "Contemporary" [Around $600]. It's very tuff finding any guitar that isn't
a Fender or Gibson in the city I live in [at least at a good price]. I'm checking all the "used" markets all the time and it seems Epiphone Squier, DeArmond and Washburn pop up regularly .
I remember seeing a "Viking" advertised somewhere but I can't recall who makes it.. Gotta check into it!

sixtiesreject · #17 08-27-2011, 10:29 PM

Hello Hello---

It's a Hagstrom Viking IIP with bolt-on neck and P-90 type pickups. I've heard they have very thin necks...
Oh well...

Elias Graves · #18 08-28-2011, 07:52 AM

I played a new Anniversary Casino yesterday. Wow.
Amazing guitar for $799 (with Gibson USA innards and a hard case)
At least a pound or more lighter than a current production Casino.
It's a full hollow, but, a thinline anyway.
Hurry, though, they only made 1961 of each color.

EG

Hammertone · #19 08-28-2011, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixtiesreject

Hello Hello--

Hammertone--
I like the Hofners.....maybe if I could find a "Contemporary" [Around $600]. It's very tuff finding any guitar that isn't
a Fender or Gibson in the city I live in [at least at a good price]. I'm checking all the "used" markets all the time and it seems Epiphone Squier, DeArmond and Washburn pop up regularly .
I remember seeing a "Viking" advertised somewhere but I can't recall who makes it.. Gotta check into it!

This appears to be used but shiny:
- no bids/starting bid $400
Hofner Verythin Standard CT Archtop | eBay

sixtiesreject · #20 08-28-2011, 09:45 PM

Hello Hello Hammertone--
Thanks for the heads-up! I'm not set up to do Ebay but at least I know they are available at around $400.

TruthHertz · #21 08-28-2011, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by max chill

Wouldn't a semi-hollow be lighter than a semi-solid?

That depends on whether the glass is semi filled or semi empty.
David

FrankLearns · #22 08-29-2011, 08:34 AM

I guess the Gibson ES 336/339 is out of the budget - otherwise they are great guitars. But Epiphone is coming out with a copy of the small semi hollows. I bet after some upgrades these are nice instruments and probably fit your expectations.

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #23 08-29-2011, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankLearns

I guess the Gibson ES 336/339 is out of the budget - otherwise they are great guitars. But Epiphone is coming out with a copy of the small semi hollows. I bet after some upgrades these are nice instruments and probably fit your expectations.

And the Epi 339 sounds like it'll come with an interesting pickup, too.

Summer NAMM 2011: Epiphone launches the ES-339 | MusicRadar.com

sixtiesreject · #24 08-29-2011, 11:09 AM

Hello Hello--

Yeah, the Gibsons are way out of my price range.
Those Epi 339's look good but I am in the middle of my "not too sure about guitars made in China" prejudice. I'm such a picky bastard .......I have much more faith in a used guitar that's been around for a few years then a new one [and then there's the fact that they're CHEAPER !]