Who could build me an ES-335-style body/neck, or similar semi-hollow?

Lebarque

Any recommendations?

WezV

You probably only need one thread so expect the mods to nuke the others.

a pressed laminate thinline is a rather specialist thing, requiring a very different skill set.  It means most of your usual suspects are out.

its actually easier for a regular guitar builder to do a fully carved version, but that will cost a lot.

i know some places used to sell the pressed plates.... that will be a starting point

WezV

Or look in the chi son thread below 

Roland

WezV said:

You probably only need one thread so expect the mods to nuke the others.

Duplicates duly nuked

WezV

this looks like a good premium option... but solid plates and not bent sides make it less like a 335
https://precisionguitarkits.com/product/the-ulitmate-archtop-custom-builder


these are some of the nicer pressed plates I have found
http://acme-archtops.com/

Lebarque

Thanks, Wez. I've done a few partscasters, but don't know anything about thinline construction, so could be a good learning experience! The precision guitar kits look decent. Nothing this side of the pond?

olafgarten

Lebarque said:

Thanks, Wez. I've done a few partscasters, but don't know anything about thinline construction, so could be a good learning experience! The precision guitar kits look decent. Nothing this side of the pond?

A thinline is different, that would be a solid block of wood that was routed out with a flat top. 

An es 335 has 2 plates for the front and the back and then the curved sides and center block. 

WezV

olafgarten said:

Lebarque said:

Thanks, Wez. I've done a few partscasters, but don't know anything about thinline construction, so could be a good learning experience! The precision guitar kits look decent. Nothing this side of the pond?

A thinline is different, that would be a solid block of wood that was routed out with a flat top. 

An es 335 has 2 plates for the front and the back and then the curved sides and center block. 

What's the TD stand for at the end of ES335TD?  

edit: thinline  archtops  started appearing in the mid 50's.  Gibson started with things like the ES125T (T for thinline) which was basically a normal archtop model made thinner, before the 335's and 330's became one of the first thinlines not to have a thicker sibling.  Also look at hofner, gretsch, guild and anyone else making big bodies guitars at this time - they all tried the thinline thing

and all that happened 15 years before fender started using the term as a model name for a guitar that was no thinner than its standard model and not that hollow.  They also used terms like Deluxe and Custom as model names even though they tell you nothing about actual features the guitar might have.   The Fender thinline is not really a thinline at all, its a chambered  solid body. 

musicman100

Lebarque said:

Any recommendations?

Here's my favourite squeeze at the moment.
Built by an American guy tho.
What's your budget?
<a href="http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/davidmountan123/media/DSC_0006_zpsth3k3yv2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w494/davidmountan123/DSC_0006_zpsth3k3yv2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC_0006_zpsth3k3yv2.jpg"></a>

menamestom

The Gibson Midtown style could be an option, a routed out mahogany body with a flat maple top.   Personally I prefer the hollow 330 style over the 335 style, having owned a decent 335 style(Tokai MIJ) I'm not sure the build compexity warrants the little bit of extra air the design brings.  I've just got a Midtown and it's great, closer to a solid body than a 335, but not too far removed from a true thinline semi.

Danielsguitars

335's have pretty much the same construction as an accoustic

There was a guy doing a replica kit, he's on mlp forum or was, I'm not sure if he's still doing them

It's getting the front and back laminates pressed that is the problem the rest is all ok 

If you haven't built an acoustic this will be a steep learning curve 

It might be better to carve the front and back

I know someone that could help with some sort of part built as he's just made a fantastic 339 style guitar
Pm me if you're interested, he did a build thread on mlp that might be worth looking through

This is not a cheap build either if you have someone else do the hard work

olafgarten

You could also look at a Mandolin Luthier, an archtop isn't too far from that.

IvisonGuitars

@DamianP might be able to help?

Danielsguitars

Look on mlp forum luthier section 

Johnp90 did a whole build thread so you can get an idea of what's involved