Advice for a Thinline hollow body guitar

[rio]

Check out the Heritage 530, their version of the es-330. Might be able to find a cheap 330 too if the stars align but the 530 is also a great guitar.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[wmachine]

I agree with a poster above that a ES Les Paul would fit the bill, don't know what the Gibsons go for used, but Epi makes their own version, much more affordable.

Not fully hollowbody.

Guild Starfire III or if you like P-90s then you might try to find Gibson 330.

I'm impressed with my SFIII, especially at that price point.
Edit: This is a full hollow body

[jzucker]

seventy seven exrubato jazz is another.

Exrubato Jazz - Semi-hollowbody guitars made in Japan



And also 77 Stork jazz

[lammie200]

Maybe the OP feels that they are getting good info but they asked about hollow bodies, not semi-hollow bodies.

[jzucker]

Maybe the OP feels that they are getting good info but they asked about hollow bodies, not semi-hollow bodies.

The two I posted are fully hollow thinlines.

[lammie200]

The two I posted are fully hollow thinlines.

I stand corrected. Confusing title in the link though.

[El Fundo]

Even though the last time I tried this it ended on a pretty sour note, the D’Angelico EX-SS is a fully hollow thinline with the exception of a small block under the bridge to help reduce feedback. I have one I need to sell that has Lollar Imperial humbuckers installed—much better than the stock factory KAs. It has one tiny ding on the back along with some very faint scratches on the back that can only be seen in certain lighting conditions. Other than that it’s in very good/excellent condition. Extremely versatile guitar as long as things don’t get too loud. PM me if you’re interested

[Lobomov]

Not fully hollowbody.

Maybe the OP feels that they are getting good info but they asked about hollow bodies, not semi-hollow bodies.

Yeah .. but if you read closely he writes that the reason for wanting a fully hollow is weight. The es-les paul despite being a semi is lighter than many of the fully hollow thinlines suggested. It comes with a set of mhs humbuckers and sounds quite good (tho I don't like the lower end gibson versions like the studios and what not)

[Papawooly]

Yeah .. but if you read closely he writes that the reason for wanting a fully hollow is weight. The es-les paul despite being a semi is lighter than many of the fully hollow thinlines suggested. It comes with a set of mhs humbuckers and sounds quite good (tho I don't like the lower end gibson versions like the studios and what not)

I would agree here, the Gibson ES-139 is a great guitar. We use one mostly for recording.
Way lighter than a Les Paul and slightly bigger body, but looks like a Les Paul for Fat Guys
(that's why we bought it, but still looks like a Mandolin when I play it...)


...lifted from Guitar Center...

The Gibson Memphis ES-139 with the familiar style of the world's greatest guitar, the Les Paul, but at an average weight of 6.5 lbs. and the superior semi-hollow construction which breathes new tonal air into an admired ancestor's appearance. The new single cut body shape looks like Rock, and features 2 Burstbucker Pro's, with Stopbar and an ABR bridge with single volume and tone controls. The weight-relieved centerblock goes without F-holes for a high volume performance without feedback problems. Other features are CTS Pots, ?Orange Drop? capacitors and a quartersawn maple neck. The ES-139 is 100% American made in Memphis TN.

[John A.]

Hello!
I think somewhere in the near future it would be time to change my Sheraton for something a bit higher class (budget will be between 1000 to 1500 euro and if I really feel like that's the one the maximum would be 2000). I was thinking of getting a fully hollow this time, but I would like it to be with a thin body. What would you recommend? I play a lot of jazz, and I am leaning towards more electric sound. Much of the time I use a lot of effects and sometimes slightly distorted sound. The reason I want a fully hollow is more practical. I need a lighter guitar.
For now I am just exploring and I would be happy to hear your suggestions.

Thanks!

There a lot of variables here such as:
How thin? Similar thickness to your semi-hollow, or would you consider something closer to full depth?
Do you need cutaways?
One pickup or two?
Single coil or humbucking?
Are you sure you want truly hollow body, or would you consider something with either a lighter center block, or one that's just big enough to anchor the tailpiece (there are a lot of these)

Throwing out a few models covering some of these variables:

Guild (T-50, M75, Starfire II or III)
Comins GCS-1, D'Angelico EX SS, Various Eastman TXXX models (small blocks)
Godin Various Montreal models (light center block), various 5th Ave models (fuller depth hollow body, but still thin-ish)
Gibson ES135 (light block, often a relative bargain used)

These are all very nice guitars, and all should fit within your price range.

John

[MLambov]

Thank you so much for your ideas, guys!
I know it's kinda unclear and all I want is probably impossible to find in one instrument. But the point of the whole topic was exactly to get as many opinions as possible. Very thankful to everyone and you can keep it coming.
Soon i will start exploring the stores around Europe and try as many models as I can to try to narrow down the list.
Btw maybe the most important thing is that I am really into humbucker sound so I don't think I would go for single coil pickups.
Cheers!

[omphalopsychos]

Oh, don't forget the Peerless Songbird, while you're looking at double cuts. I think Seventy Seven charges a premium for being made in (ooooo) Japan, but there are other options for student-priced 330 clones.

[MLambov]

Thank you for putting this down. I can make it a bit clearer by answering your questions.

There a lot of variables here such as:
How thin? Similar thickness to your semi-hollow, or would you consider something closer to full depth? This is also a bit of an open question. I really like the thickness of a 335/135 but a bit bigger is acceptable. I made this topic more to check out what's out there in terms of thinline hollowbody. In the end I might even get a full size.
Do you need cutaways? At least one
One pickup or two? Two would be better but I can also go for just one if it's an instrument that I really fall in love with.
Single coil or humbucking? Definetly Humbucking
Are you sure you want truly hollow body, or would you consider something with either a lighter center block, or one that's just big enough to anchor the tailpiece (there are a lot of these). I don't really mind a small center block. The problem is mainly the weight. The Sheraton is too heavy.

Throwing out a few models covering some of these variables:

Guild (T-50, M75, Starfire II or III)
Comins GCS-1, D'Angelico EX SS, Various Eastman TXXX models (small blocks)
Godin Various Montreal models (light center block), various 5th Ave models (fuller depth hollow body, but still thin-ish)
Gibson ES135 (light block, often a relative bargain used)

These are all very nice guitars, and all should fit within your price range.

John

[Thumpalumpacus]

The Epiphone Elitist Casino is a great guitar. In the US you wouldn’t have a hard time finding a used one in that price range. I don’t know the European market.

My first thought exactly -- this suggestion is spot-on.

[omphalopsychos]

Based on your answers in that last post, check out the Eastman T186 and Eastman John Pisano 380. The T186 is listed as "semi hollow" but it's actually a hollow body guitar with a small block under the bridge. This allows it to have a hollow tone and feedback resistance. I got a custom made one with a spruce top and it's one of my primary guitars for gigs (the other is a tele).

Here's another important question, do you care about feedback? If you want to use this for any louder music, a lot of these guitars could give you problems.

[Thumpalumpacus]

And also 77 Stork jazz

Dear god ... I'm droolin'.

[wmachine]

Don't compromise on that full hollow body requirement!

[Jimmy Mack]

The OP is clear about a fully hollow guitar, and he wants a Jazz sound. Weight aside, an ES LP or Tele Thinline won't compete with a hollow body for the sound. Not even close. I love my Casino for its versatility and JAZZ capability. Try one.

[sgosnell]

My Eastman T145 weighs well under 5 pounds. When I changed the tuner buttons to ebony, it lost almost another half pound, and balanced much better.

[Gitfiddler]

While not within the OP stated budget, the Heritage H525 is my all time favorite thinline, full hollowbody guitar. Its just a fun guitar to play, and that makes me pick it up more often. And Lord knows I need the practice.

I respectfully recommend checking out a used H525 or H530 for a great value in a high quality thinline hollow body instrument.

[gator811]

When I read your reqs - which are demanding I immediately thought of my PRS McArty Hollowbody Spruce.

Mine is from the first run in 1998 - its a brilliant instrument.

Light! light as a feather (I couldnt believe it at first - mine weighs in at about 5 1/2 pounds) , carved arched solid top , has a very light violin like sound post under bridge.
No feedback issues- but it will feed back if you want it- and when it does its fully controllable and resonates off the pitch you are playing , not some random wolf tone.
Jazz.blues, whatever, I do experimental music with mine too because its great with effects of all types. The PRS archtop pickups are great ...

I did change the tailpiece to a tunomatic type PRS...

and here's one just like mine although a bit newer..in your budget I think?

Used PRS Paul Reed Smith McCarty Hollowbody Spruce | Sweetwater Marketplace

[cosmic gumbo]

Epiphone Sorrento 1962 reissue may be a budget model, but it checked all the boxes I wanted in a thin, lightweight, fully hollow guitar. Nice mahogany neck, Gibson minihumbuckers. Classic looks.

[stevus]

Seventy Seven Hawk Jazz and Exrubato Jazz would be terrific choices, though not within the mentioned budget, I am afraid.

[ruger9]

The OP is clear about a fully hollow guitar, and he wants a Jazz sound. Weight aside, an ES LP or Tele Thinline won't compete with a hollow body for the sound. Not even close. I love my Casino for its versatility and JAZZ capability. Try one.

Oh, IDK about that...

FFWD to 2:30

[jzucker]

Dan Wilson and Dave Stryker both use semihollows. Dan was playing a 446 and a HR fusion and stryker was playing a 347. They both have switched to a benedetto 335 style. Regarding a semihollow never getting a great jazz sound?!? Dan was nominated for a grammy and headlined the vanguard and bluenote recently.