ES-125 Clone Recommendation - less than $500?

[Kmckenna45]

I really like the P90 sound in a hollow body - either full depth or thin. I can't afford an ES-125. And I don't live near a place where they'd have such guitars on hand to try.

There seems to be guitars like this in every price point. Have you played any of these? What is your opinion? Many are around $600. (Is there really a $400+ difference between the Grote and a Loar LH-301T???)

I'm looking for something to play at home, and I'm willing to swap out machine heads/pickup/electronics. Which am I missing that could fit my price point used? They're all laminated top and body.

From Low to High (Avg used price):

Grote ($250 - new)

Alvarez AD65E ($600)
The Loar LH-301T ($600)


Godin Kingpin P90 ($550)

Epiphone 1966 Century ($600)

Guild T-50 ($750)

Gibson ES-125 ($1800)

[ruger9]

(Is there really a $400+ difference between the Grote and a Loar LH-301T???)

The only way to answer that question is to try both for yourself. For YOU, there may (or may not) be a $400 difference. I have definitely felt enough differences in similar instruments to warrant spending an extra $400.

If you found the Grote not to your liking, but the Loar TO your liking, then I'd say yes: a $400 difference.

Not trying to be a jerk, but others' opinions will only get your so far, especially when you add price to the equation: one person's "cheap" is another person's "value".

Here on JGF, you will find more positive reviews about the Godin than the Loar. I know because I've read them all LOL. The higher-end Loars seem to get more love than the 301 series. The Godins are pretty much universally liked and recommended. My recommendation is, at this low price point, there can be huge differences in quality, and if you can't play the guitars before you buy them, at least buy them from someplace where returns are EASY. That way, you can buy to try, even tho you may be out the shipping back to the retailer if you don't like it.

That's what I'm going to do: I'm going to buy both a Loar 301 AND a Godin Kingpin, and THEN make my decision which one is "better." Because it really is the only way. I won't bother with Grote, because I don't want a thinline.

[himself]

I'm strogly voting for Godin. I had the Kingpin and swapped for the first version without pickup, finally with floating Kent Armstrong.

[sgosnell]

There are several reviews of Grote guitars on YouTube, including a couple by Greg Ruggiero, a New York City jazz guitarist whose reviews have been honest and reliable in the past. I haven't tried the Grote, but for under $500, that's what I would recommend, based on his and many other YouTube videos. I've seen no negative reviews. While there have been a few imperfections, all have said that for the money it's easy to ignore them.

[mr. beaumont]

Used Kingpin all the way.

[va3ux]

A 90's Epiphone Sorrento is just about a dead ringer for an ES-125. Full hollow thinline with P90s. These were built by Peerless

[Webby]

Just to suggest something else besides the guitars you already mentioned:
I had a harley benton Manhattan that I really liked.


It's currently priced at 270€ at Thomann.
It's a budget guitar, so be prepared to do some work, but I kinda enjoyed it. I had planned to install a Charlie Christian pickup instead of the stock floater. Only sold it because an eastman AR405E came along at the right price point.

I even recorded with it (stock) and it sounded like this:
Stream Tears by Gramophoniacs | Listen online for free on SoundCloud

Paul

[voxo]

i bought the Grote....amazing sound....stays in tune too...love the lighteness of it too..

[Herbie]

A 90's Epiphone Sorrento is just about a dead ringer for an ES-125. Full hollow thinline with P90s. These were built by Peerless

If it is full hollow, is there some wooden block under the bridge?

[garybaldy]

I have this Alden AD150. It has a soundpost and no bracing. Looks quite cool!!
I have a UK made Fletcher p90 a3 mag to put in it. I believe it to be the deeper type.

[supersoul]

I have this Alden AD150. It has a soundpost and no bracing. Looks quite cool!!
I have a UK made Fletcher p90 a3 mag to put in it. I believe it to be the deeper type.

wow, like neither parallel nor X bracing inside?
It does look cool, and as long as you like it to play who cares what's inside!

[Gitterbug]

I had the 5th Avenue Kingpin, single PU, non-cutaway version for a long time but never bonded with it. The OP is looking for a real hollow-body, but I nevertheless want to point out that my Epiphone Casino Coupe produces a great variety of tones from dark and smoky jazz to chimey but not shrill single-coil vibe. It definitely fills more roles than the Godin, which was feedback-prone and often needed humidity-related neck adjustment.

[va3ux]

If it is full hollow, is there some wooden block under the bridge?

I believe there is sound post under the bridge. Other than that, it is full hollow.

[Swede]

Not guitar brands with long heritage but has anyone tried their luck with any of these?:

Jazz Hollow Body Electric Guitar, Rosewood Fingerboard, 2 F Holes, P90 Pickups | eBay

There is also a semi that looks like a gibson 125 on ebay.com , the link was to long to post but you find if you past in; Semi-Hollow body Jazz Electric Guitar Sun burst guitar High quality P90 pickups

The Godin models 309 and Kingpin II for example are most certain the better choice regarding construction, quality control and second hand value, but the price is also a bit higher.

I´ve updated my ibanez AK95 with a SD Phat Cat neck PU and it now sounds much better then with the stock ACH but I still wish for more clarity on the bass notes. Single coils most often have great clarity and this very rich nasal tone but some seems to have a tendency towards be harsh sounding on the high notes.

Here is some clips with nice single coil sounds: