Suggestions - hollow body guitar in the $3K range

[Skip Ellis]

Let me start by saying I really like my '22 GB10......but..... it's fairly heavy and I'm getting more than fairly old and I'm thinking I might like something lighter but of a similar design. What's out there in the $3K range that's fully hollow (light weight), 14-15" body, ebony fretboard (must have), single PU. I've tried the PRS SE line and didn't care for it; I've built a couple hollow Teles which might be an option; I was looking at the AT 350BK recently but the weight fell into the same arena as my GB10. Anything out there that fits my needs or should I just keep sitting down and suck it up? I'm playing pretty 'square' melody stuff and simpler chord melody GAS tunes ........think Hirofumi Asaba without the improv or Jun Satsumi.

[Spook410]

Does a Heritage 530 come with an ebony neck option? Thinking it only comes in rosewood. Used Gibson 330 might work. Might be more electric than you would like but there are a lots of them out there to choose from.

[GuyBoden]

A vintage Hofner Club guitar has a similar GB10/Les Paul type small shape, but it has a hollow body and therefore is very light in weight.

After 1960 Hofner Clubs have a trussrod.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Eastman El Rey - 14”, hollow, very light, carved spruce top, beautifully made, gorgeous (IMHO), KA HPAGs, big versatile sound palette, plays wonderfully. $2725 list. The 7 string version is my main gigging guitar. I love it and can play it comfortably for hours - and I’m older than you

[jim232777]

Eastman El Rey - 14”, hollow, very light, carved spruce top, beautifully made, gorgeous (IMHO), KA HPAGs, big versatile sound palette, plays wonderfully. $2725 list. The 7 string version is my main gigging guitar. I love it and can play it comfortably for hours - and I’m older than you

As a very pleased Eastman AR805ce owner, I'd love to try out an El Rey. The 14" versions come in spruce/mahogany (1 pickup), spruce/maple (2 pups), and maple/mahogany (2 pups)--have you had a chance to compare those?

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

As a very pleased Eastman AR805ce owner, I'd love to try out an El Rey. The 14" versions come in spruce/mahogany (1 pickup), spruce/maple (2 pups), and maple/mahogany (2 pups)--have you had a chance to compare those?

Direct comparison is hard because they don’t all have the same pickups over the years. My 20+ year old ER1-7 is mahogany with one set HB in a spruce top, and it has a huge, warm, wonderful electric tone with a little chime. The pickup appears to be an early KA 14 pole or an early SD 14 pole. I haven’t removed it to see what it is because I don’t care

Acoustically, it’s as quiet as you’d expect a 14” with no sound holes or ports to be. But the tone is very pleasant and surprisingly full. I’ve played a couple with maple bodies and thought they were quieter and less warm than mine acoustically. But hanging another HB on a small carved top has to hamper its vibration, so that’s no surprise. I don’t think I’ve ever played or heard one with a maple top and a mahogany body.

If I wanted 2 pickups, I think I’d probably take a spruce top on a maple body over a maple top on mahogany - but I’d really have to play both to make a choice.

For me, it’s a spruce top on a mahogany body all the way. I just love the tone - it’s rich, deep, smooth, a little woody, and alive.

[Mick-7]

Eastman El Rey - 14”, hollow, very light, carved spruce top, beautifully made, gorgeous (IMHO), KA HPAGs, big versatile sound palette, plays wonderfully. $2725 list.

Call me a old fogy but I miss the days when you could tell a guitar was hollow just by looking at it.

[Freddels]

A used Eastman Pisano AR680 is well within your budget.

[Jx30510]

D'Angelico Excel SS Soho is very nice on paper.. almost pulled the trigger more than once.
It ticks all your boxes, and is very light weight (about 5.5 ~ 6 lbs)

[ATTACH=CONFIG]130046

[Jx30510]

It's the second one on the picture, I have a little problem with the file.
But you get the picture

[GuyBoden]

D'Angelico Excel SS Soho is very nice on paper.. almost pulled the trigger more than once.
It ticks all your boxes, and is very light weight (about 5.5 ~ 6 lbs)

[ATTACH=CONFIG]130046

Nice, a GB10 is about 7.5 lbs.

[marcwhy]

Save up a little more and get a custom Holst guitar! [laminates at $3500!] Wonderful instruments, and Steve is a joy to work with!

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Save up a little more and get a custom Holst guitar! [laminates at $3500!] Wonderful instruments, and Steve is a joy to work with!

Another great alternative! Steve is a truly fine man, and his work is top notch. I was amazed at his interest and responsiveness. He got back to me within hours of my first email to him and delivered as promised in record time.

But my El Rey is my favorite guitar and a true gem.