The Affordable Semi/hollowbody Thread

ROOG

Love the sa2200, and would seriously consider one in place of a Gibson, but I felt that it might be a little too rich to be termed Affordable.

EdGrip

I've seen and played a couple of Hofner Verythin guitars in shops, and both times wanted to buy them. They're just really attractive guitars, and less derivative than most. 

So many good things have been said about Ibanez Artcores, I'll have to play some next time I'm in a shop. (Weasel, yours look fantastic!)

I've owned a couple of Epiphones (my first guitar was an Epi Les Paul studio, which I've still got). I can't get enthusiastic about them as a brand, at least I can't based on the ones I've had. "Alright" just about sums them up. 

Here's my mate Pete with his new Gretsch Electromatic. 

We've both been listening to too much Band of Skulls lately, and I'm sure that was a direct influence on this purchase. (see video here if you're not familiar - Gretsch > Muff = delicious) About £650, I think, but a cracking guitar.

I'm surprised no-one's mentioned Cort. Those of us who remember the Regent Guitars forum had that name drummed into our minds forever.

Their take on the Casino:

And on Gretsch:

Bogwhoppit

Thoughts on the Washburn J3 ?

Phil_aka_Pip

J3 looks nice, it's dad was a 175. HB35 was a decent looking guitar as well - with 335 in its parentage

Bogwhoppit

Phil_aka_Pip said:

J3 looks nice, it's dad was a 175. HB35 was a decent looking guitar as well - with 335 in its parentage

I've always had a softspot for Washburn's. I'm aware of there past build quality issues, but the two I had were nice examples. 

GuitarMonkey

EdGrip said:

We've both been listening to too much Band of Skulls lately, and I'm sure that was a direct influence on this purchase. (see video here if you're not familiar - Gretsch > Muff = delicious) 

That's how to play a hollowbody. 

Heartfeltdawn

ROOG said:

There is such a big gap in price between the Epi and the Gibson, if I could do the instrument justice I would buy the Gibson, not just because of the build quality but also because it would retain some intrinsic value.

I have spent a fair bit of time looking for semi hollow and hollow body instruments that fill the gap between the two extremes and found Peerless to offer an interesting alternative, I have a Gigmaster jazz. I also liked the Hagstrom Viking and Hofner very thin, recently spotted one of the latter in "Aroundabout sound" in Cheltenham.

Gibsons do keep their value well but I personally wouldn't pay for one. Give me something cheaper with Bare Knuckle pickups any day. My Dot with Stormy Mondays is a great playing and sounding instrument and the Peerless Hardtail I picked up for £400 last month beats the living shit out of my old ES-333. 

Sheratons have always been a bit overrated for me. The Korean ones had a tendency to be neck heavy and the Chinese ones can be variable. The recent Anniversary Sheratons for instance have a lot written on them online about the variable build quality. The Korean Dots were generally fairly consistent in build. The Chinese Dots are filth, horrible neck shape. 

The Hofner Verithin guitars are pretty decent. Shallower body depth than Dots or Sheratons, helps to give them more of a Rickenbacker vibe to the sound from what I was getting out of the one I had. 

Peerless make excellent guitars. The Dots they made were the best built of all the Korean Dot manufacturers and the current Peerless range are splendid.

The Yamaha semis are typical high quality Yamaha build. The SA2200 is a damn good guitar for the money. The older ones are also excellent guitars. Something like this would definitely be worth snapping up at that price:

http://www.fareastguitars.co.uk/usedyam1.htm

Edwards do nice 335's, very thick neck that's based on the '59 fat neck. Slightly shit pickups, a bit too high powered for my taste but good build quality. 

Of the Japanese 335's, the more recent Tokai 335's have a narrow nut, 1 5/8" width which didn't suit me. Good build quality though. Orville and Burny are good, the Greco 335's are superb but quite hard to get hold of by comparison. 

ROOG

+1 for the Yamaha SA2200, super build quality and the one I saw recently had a really warm colour where the gold hardware seemed to melt into the scheme rather than look too bling. To my eyes, Nice! 

Phil_aka_Pip

My SA2200 is excellent, but (like my SG2000) the toggle switch had to be replaced. Yam toggle switched are the only let-down on otherwise damn-near perfect instruments.

paulk

Epi Dots are great value I think and with a few tweaks you can have a really, really good guitar. 

Also, Hagstrom. Here's my Viking IIP:

tampadragon

I have been Gas'ing for an Epi Wildkat for some time now. But non of the stores local to me stock them, and having never played a LP, or a semi before, I'll not buy one before trying it!

Basher

Phil_aka_Pip said:

My SA2200 is excellent, but (like my SG2000) the toggle switch had to be replaced. Yam toggle switched are the only let-down on otherwise damn-near perfect instruments.

I'm still loving my SA2200. Not sure I'd class it as "budget" but as the quality is up there with Gibson, I suppose in relative terms it was cheap. The pots do "click" a bit when first used and the toggle is a wee bit noisy but I assume it needs a clean as it's fine after a couple of switches.

EdGrip

Gosh. That one's lovely. I love a really high-contrast burst. 

Van_Hayden

Basher;30068" said:

Phil_aka_Pip said:

My SA2200 is excellent, but (like my SG2000) the toggle switch had to be replaced. Yam toggle switched are the only let-down on otherwise damn-near perfect instruments.





I'm still loving my SA2200. Not sure I'd class it as "budget" but as the quality is up there with Gibson, I suppose in relative terms it was cheap. The pots do "click" a bit when first used and the toggle is a wee bit noisy but I assume it needs a clean as it's fine after a couple of switches.

Ooh flames....mines at Stuart Palmers workshop for a refret.....missing it. And it's a lot better than the Edwards I had (although that was a great guitar when you could get them new for under £500 including shipping and tax, oh how I miss a strong £)

Sadly nothing beats a really good ES335. But every really good one I've played has either been silly money or not for sale.....

Wolftone

Van_Hayden said:

Basher;30068" said:

Phil_aka_Pip said:

My SA2200 is excellent, but (like my SG2000) the toggle switch had to be replaced. Yam toggle switched are the only let-down on otherwise damn-near perfect instruments.





I'm still loving my SA2200. Not sure I'd class it as "budget" but as the quality is up there with Gibson, I suppose in relative terms it was cheap. The pots do "click" a bit when first used and the toggle is a wee bit noisy but I assume it needs a clean as it's fine after a couple of switches.

Ooh flames....mines at Stuart Palmers workshop for a refret.....missing it. And it's a lot better than the Edwards I had (although that was a great guitar when you could get them new for under £500 including shipping and tax, oh how I miss a strong £)

Sadly nothing beats a really good ES335. But every really good one I've played has either been silly money or not for sale.....

A good Yam SA2000/2200 would easily be as good as a 335. I have owned a number of both and find the Yam's to be generally brighter but of a better build and finish quality.

Phil_aka_Pip

Agreed @Wolftone, I have both and the Yam is decidedly brighter. However both have a lovely tone

midiglitch

I'm a bit late to this thread, but I'll throw the hohner HS35 into the ring.

I'd wanted an ES-335 for a couple of years and played every one I could and every epi I could get my hands on in that time.  None of them felt good enough for me to part with my cash.  Then one day I saw this on gumtree not far from me and went and played it and it was in a different league.  Granted the wiring and pickups are not to my taste, but I'm hoping to remedy that and have just picked up a package from the guitarweasel with some new pups to be dropped in when I have a chance.

I guess I got lucky because it was relatively very cheap but there ya go... be patient and always play before you buy!

ThePrettyDamned

Peavey did one that was a... Peerless maybe? Can't remember the name, but it was a big bodied one. Stunning guitars, go used for around £200 or so. Just switch out electrics for that money!

Edit: Rockingham!

EdGrip

Well, I already own one fine Hohner insturment... It's called a Pokerwork, and it plays like butter.

dogload

ThePrettyDamned said:

Peavey did one that was a... Peerless maybe? Can't remember the name, but it was a big bodied one. Stunning guitars, go used for around £200 or so. Just switch out electrics for that money!

Edit: Rockingham!

There was a guy on the old MR site trying to sell oone of those and I think he wanted 200 - 250ish. Looked great and I was tempted except that the top fret access looked a bit iffy.