The Affordable Semi/hollowbody Thread

EdGrip

Inspired by the Ibanez Artcore thread, I thought I'd start a guitar-porn depository for those lost souls who, like me, would like a good guitar with f-holes in it, but can't afford Gibson or Proper Gretsch prices. 

What's out there? What's good? What isn't?

 

 - Ed 

rpr

I do like a bit of air in the guitar. here's mine -

The Hagstrom Viking is pretty reasonably priced. Mine's is the Rextone which has upgraded pickups and tone circuit ( and is in the classifieds cos i rarely use it). The standard model is a bit cheaper and well worth a look. 

failed_astronaut

After seriously jonesing for a 335-esque guitar for years I jumped on a Hamer Echotone in cherry red that came into my local. Absolutely brilliant guitar, great pups and neck (thinner than the Gibson 335 I played with a 60's taper neck). Only complaint is the tuners need replaced before I start gigging with it. Not bad for £250 (secondhand)

I'll post a pic once I get home

Fretwired

Epi Dot ... I've upgraded mine with new pickups and wiring ... http://www.musicradar.com/reviews/guitars/epiphone-es-335-dot-213412

steamabacus

My Ibanez AGS83B (in the centre)

I got this new in 2008 for around £300 (with gig bag and set of Power Slinkys).
Great centre block style semi, pickups were a bit average but with a set of Seymour Duncan Jazz humbuckers it's become my number one 'go to' guitar. Very versatile, plays well.

chrisj1602

I like the Epiphone 339 and Casino.

I'm also waiting to see how much the Fender Coronado will go for.

ROOG

As I posted earlier, I'm just getting to know this one, Epiphone ES-339.

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7354/9662899302_e153dc3645_z.jpg

 

not_the_dj

@steamabacus I love that Ibanez AGS83B. I had one just the same but sold it on, I regret that quite a lot.

steamabacus

ROOG said:

As I posted earlier, I'm just getting to know this one, Epiphone ES-339.

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7354/9662899302_e153dc3645_z.jpg

 

I like the look of those. Is the 339 laminated construction or carved solid?

EdGrip

Oh yeah. Man, I'm excited about the new Fender Coronados!

Ideally, I'd love to build one with one of Jezz Woodroffe's bodies, but I've already got a bass guitar that needs finishing. I seem to have less time lately. Curses!

 - Ed

steamabacus

not_the_dj said:

@steamabacus I love that Ibanez AGS83B. I had one just the same but sold it on, I regret that quite a lot.

It's a great guitar - it sits very comfortably in the playing position. Something to do with where the neck meets the body, I find it very ergonomic. I'd prefer it a bit less 'bling' with the faux abalone.

It's a shame these didn't stay in production a bit longer.

VimFuego

some fine, upstanding semi's on display, chaps.

badlydrawnbanjo

chrisj1602;26572" said:

I like the Epiphone 339 and Casino.

I'm also waiting to see how much the Fender Coronado will go for.

Here you go, due next month. I'm going to get a Coronado I think....
http://www.soundaffectsmusic.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=coronado,+starcaster&order=relevance&dir=desc

GuitarMonkey

Here's my much-upgraded Casino, bought via the old place.

It replaced a Gibson ES-335 I sold and gets played a lot more than the Gibson ever did.

EdGrip

...when I say Coronado, I do of course mean Starcaster.

JookyChap

@not_the_dj said:

@steamabacus I love that Ibanez AGS83B. I had one just the same but sold it on, I regret that quite a lot.

Yep I bought it from you, then sold it to a lass in the Berlin Philamonic or some such thing, and I've regretted it ever since too..

Van_Hayden

Find yourself an old CSL Jazz Master series. I've got the George Benson shape one. It's from the same ibanez factory, almost the same design tweaked by Charles Summerfield's son Maurice who was a very handy jazz guitarist and helped Ibanez develop their lines in the 70s. The quality is excellent, I know a man who bought one for under £100 because they're unknown....don't confuse them with the solid body guitars, they were there to sell in volume and were built to a price, CSL cared for the jazz boxes... I'll take a pic next time I've got it out.

NPP

Aria archtop now with Oil City Mighty Nineties. 

NPP

VimFuego said:

some fine, upstanding semi's on display, chaps.

that's a rather offensive statement ...

... having read a few semesters of 'philosophy light' many moons ago, I'm still offended by contradiction

JohnPerry

+1 on the Casino if you find the right one. Try a few...quality is inconsistent. I have a few semis, including a nice old Gibson and a new Duesenberg, but the best of the lot is a 1986 Yamaha SA800 which was a third of the price of the former and half the price of the latter. They are beautifully made and sound glorious.

UnclePsychosis

My Schecter Corsair is really sweet:

Coil-tappable humbuckers so you can get a lot of different tones. I want to replace the output jack though, need to get round to doing it...