Semi hollow guitars

[Playerizor]

My Semi-Hollow needs are completely met by my Hofner Verythin. It's a wonderful guitar, light, great neck, the mini-humbuckers are capable of both snappy cleans and more traditional darker jazz tones, and it's long scale (25.5")

I really think the 25.5" scale semi-hollow needs to be explored more by makers...

What happened to the Heritage 535?

[TOMMO]

Does anyone have any recommendations for semi-hollows? I like my Epi Dot, but the comments from other musicians get tiring... No use in having a 'cheaper' guitar in the oil capital of the 2nd richest country in the world.

edit: Not for Jazz.

Depends on what your budget is but I'd say: look into Tokais....

[Playerizor]

Danny W.

Looks like you've cornered the market for Johnny A's.

[mr. beaumont]

What happened to the Heritage 535?

Never had one, I have a 575.

[Playerizor]

Never had one, I have a 575.

Ahhh, I remember, you bought a 575 about the same time I did. I then bought a 535 soon after, got the two mixed up.

[mr. beaumont]

Ah, that's right...

Yeah, the 575 ain't going nowhere.

535's should get a nod in this thread, they're just great.

[ESCC]

I've had a 535 since '93, I love the guitar. It's strung with TI Bebop 11s, covers rock, blues and jazz extremely well.

[mr quick]

Depends on what your budget is but I'd say: look into Tokais....

Budget isn't very high, googled Tokai guitars but got multiple results...
Just need a versatile guitar that costs less than a 335. Is it advisable to wait and save up for a 335 in stead?

[John A.]

Does anyone have any recommendations for semi-hollows? I like my Epi Dot, but the comments from other musicians get tiring... No use in having a 'cheaper' guitar in the oil capital of the 2nd richest country in the world.

edit: Not for Jazz.

I have a D'Angelico EX DC, which I highly recommend
Eastman T386 (supposed to be the most 335-like of their several semi's)
Various Ibanez models at different price points
Used ES 333
Used ES 339

All very nice semi-hollows that are a step up from an Epi Dot, but less expensive than a 335; used, way less than a 335.

John

[Deng]

All different flavours, 335 is a standout, Shaw Pu's ebony fretboard without f holes. Midtown Custom more modern sounding with Burstbuckers. Dot will give all of these a run for their money with the SD's

Dot Studio modded with SD Jazz/JB Pu's, Gibson ES 339, Gibson Midtown Custom, Gibson '86 ES 335 Studio

[339 in june]

Gibson ES339, strung with Chromes 11-50
Convenient size
Nice sounds from jazz, to blues to rock to fusion ...

[TOMMO]

Used ES 333

John

Good advice! Basically the same as an ES 335 - just less expensive...

[mad dog]

Seeing a guy at my dorm play a red ES-335 planted the seed. Finally got one, a '66, about 20 years ago. And it was worth the wait. Tried many semi-hollows since. The one that stays is a MIJ Epiphone Riviera. That Riviera is just about a perfect guitar ... how it plays, sounds, feels and looks. I'm very lucky to have both of these instruments.
MD

[pingu]

I played a 335 style for a while but I just didn't find it sounded very hollow. It more or less was an uncomfortably large guitar that sounded like a solid body. To each their own I suppose.

Yeah 335s stick into my ribs when sitting and hurt my leg too
also they sound like a solid guitar too much , not enough 'chunk' for me

versatile tho , can do most styles of music on them and they look great too

just sold my '63 , don't regret it (yet)

[Just_Guild]

1973 Guild Starfire IV, 2009 ES-345 and the real sleeper here is my 2013 Guild Starfire VI, 13 of 18 built. I am not sure which one I would grab if there was a fire but I think I could carry all 3. But then there is my two L-4's I guess I would bust out then window and try to push all 12 outside.
Thanks john

Could not agree more, my 1972 SF IV is a wonderful guitar, the HB-1's are very special. But anymore I'm almost afraid to play my museum piece. So now I have a Godin Montreal Premiere!

[Tom Karol]

I've had a few over the years:
'59 Gretsch 6120;
'73 Gibson Les Paul Signature;
'10 Crafter SEG 480.
Now I have a '13 Godin Montreal Premiere to go along with my Eastman AR403ce and my Fender JA90 Tele.
I'm good.

[jads57]

Semi Hollows seem to come in basically 2 different varieties, Laminate construction or solid usually maple tops on mahagony carved out bodies. Both can wonderful depending on the individual design (i.e. Gibson 339 vs. 336)
I've owned way too many Gibson 335,345,355,Pat Martino,Johnny A. Carvin Alan Holdswoth both Fatboy and Reg., Hamer Monaco Superpro,Reg., Newport, Newport P90,etc. PRS Hollowbody , SC Hollowbody Std.
What I've ended up w/ is a Gibson ES-339 Studio and am currently very happy!

[55bar]

This does the trick for me.

[TOMMO]

Just outfitted my Epi Riviera with a set of Pyramid Pure Nickel .011 - .050 with a wound .020 g-string and I really like the tone for Jazz...

[Longways to Go]

this thread was making me remember my recent gas for a true Gibby 335, so yesterday I dusted off my Epiphone Sheraton for practice. It's been sitting in the corner a while. Yum! great tones with the DV Mark Little Jazz, super neck . . . old TI flat 13s still doing the trick . . . no complaints. A rock solid guitar.

[Phil in London]

I just got a '66 ES330, with 2 P90s... Best slimtype I ever had in my hands. She has no block, is therefore truly hollowbody, and the PUs are very mellow and dynamic, capturing the nuances of the acoustic sound very well. Downside is a rather slim neck.

[Little Jay]

I just got a '66 ES330, with 2 P90s... Best flattype I ever had in my hands. She has no block, is therefore truly hollowbody, and the PUs are very mellow and dynamic, capturing the nuances of the acoustic sound very well. Downside is a rather slim neck.

Love it! That's the only guitar that's really missing in my collection! ;-)

[Little Jay]

I have 3 semis:
- early 90ies Sheraton
- 2004 ES-333
- 70ies Framus

Here they are with their hollow sisters:

[Klatu]

How does the Framus measure up to the Gibson?

[Little Jay]

How does the Framus measure up to the Gibson?

The thinline Framus? In terms of size: it has quite similar dimensions, but a neck joint at the 16th fret à la ES-330. But the neck is bolt on! In terms of sound: it sounds rather different with a P90-type of pick up that's very bright and clear. It's also much more acoustic because it's almost completely hollow, it only has a block from bridge to tail. It doesn't sound bad at all, but I prefer the Gibson. The neck is of a maple (I think) multi laminate type, some 50 layers of about 1mm. It's very stable and comfortable, but resonates in a completely different way than a solid mahogany neck. To my ears it sounds kind of like a crossing between a Telecaster and a ES-333.