Cheap hollowbody or archtop recommendations?

[Wrogsprit]

I recently got a used Washburn HB15CTS that I have to return. It has a lot of issues that either can't be fixed, or it's not worth my time and money to fix. Bad neck angle, uneven frets that would need leveling, unpolished frets, bad truss rod, etc.

This is the kind of guitar that I would like, if it didn't have all these issues. I like the dot inlays and look/feel of the guitar.

I am looking for something cheap, preferably $500 or under. The Washburn had a floating mini humbucker. I prefer brighter sounding pickups like P90s, tele neck pickups. Humbuckers are very hit or miss for me. I have a guitar with a Benedetto B6. I thought I would love it, but I found it throaty and maybe too dark.

[DanielleOM]

Take a look at the Godin 5th Avenue TL with P90s. I am enjoying mine. It's easy to get used to the 5 lb weight.

[Bob_Ross]

I am looking for something cheap, preferably $500 or under. ...[snip]... I prefer brighter sounding pickups

You might like the Ibanez AF75. I've had one for ~20 years, and while I find the pickups a bit too bright for my tastes, the feel of the guitar is fabulous. Very comfortable, very playable. I've been telling myself that I'm going to upgrade the electronics one of these days...but I've been telling myself that for the ~20 years I've owned the guitar and it just isn't that pressing an issue, so maybe the stock pickups are fine?

$499.99 at Sweetwater.

[John A.]

Try this google search:

budget archtop site:jazzguitar.be

This returns dozens of threads from the forum on this topic.

[Little Jay]

Ibanez AF55 - the cheapest. Put a P90 in HB-format in it and still leave enough money of your budget to buy a Squier Tele to go with it ;-)



I really love mine and have done paid gigs and recordings with it: it's that good. I did some mods: better pickups, wooden bridge, other tailpiece and I made a pickguard. But out of the box it's usable for use on stage.

[chris32895]

Ibanez AF55 - the cheapest. Put a P90 in HB-format in it and still leave enough money of your budget to buy a Squier Tele to go with it ;-)



I really love mine and have done paid gigs and recordings with it: it's that good. I did some mods: better pickups, wooden bridge, other tailpiece and I made a pickguard. But out of the box it's usable for use on stage.

Good idea for a cheap usable archtop. For a HB P90 my vote goes to the GFS Mean 90 which would also keep cost down. I have one and used it for a while - nice articulate sound. Only thing is I would put a higher value cap on the tone pot than a standard 22uf, but that is really up to personal taste.

[SierraTango]

I'm going to toss the Gretsch 2420 into the ring. $499 list and widely available. Full hollow body. I bought one a few months ago for a Western Swing/Rockabilly project a friend was putting together. Made in Indonesia, I was pleasantly surprised by the workmanship and playability. Not sure what they call the pickups however it will twang all day long. There is a push pull pot that when pulled up gives a P90ish sound. And it will also do Jazz just fine with just the neck pickup.

[gvurrdon]

I got the 2420T (with Bigsby) but then saw a tailpiece for sale second hand so I think I'll switch them. It seems pretty good to me with heavy flats, but I am by no means an expert.

[Donnd]

On Reverb currently there is an Ibanez AF105 upgraded with Gibson 57 pickups that is a little out of your price but try putting in an offer. These are especially well made and the pup upgrade should really be nice. Not affiliated with this listing. Just a moment...

[Mick-7]

The Guild hollow-bodies have good reviews, but above your price point new, so you'd have to go with used - Guild Hollowbody Guitars

Or semi-hollow - Guild Starfire I SC Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar - Sweetwater.com