What to buy????

[PeterMies]

hi guys....I am looking to buy an electric....I have an acoustic but recognize it's limitations....(or mine)... I would like to get a hollow body aka 335. As I have been researching I hear things like " it's not necessary to spend a ton of money for a name brand" ....and that there are many older, used guitars that are terrific....any thoughts. Does anyone know about the peavy Jh-1... think that's there new hollow335.

Cheers

 

[Rancid Rumpboogie]

You didn't mention your budget ? I really like the Epi 339 Pro.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ET33NANH
This is the one I have and I really really like it. Isn't too big, isn't too small, plays like a dream and sounds really really good. Liked it so much that I spend another couple hundred to put a Bigsby B5 tremolo on it. I won't buy a guitar on-line anywhere except Sweetwater because of their check-it-out-before-shipping-it service. They do offer the Peavey JH-1 but it is a special order from Peavey, sent to you direct from Peavey, so you wouldn't have that assurance.

 

[mountain man]

That Peavy looks pretty nice. Very affordable. Peavy makes good gear. Unless you are looking to spend more money, what is keeping you?

 

[PapaBear]

I like what I've heard and read about the Gretsch Streamliners, tempted to go in and play one, but for now I resist!

 

[nvr2old]

I'm selling a new (played 2 hours at most) Alvarez AAT33. Ken

 

[sdbrit68]

dont forget the epiphone wildkat

 

[JPsuff]

FYI to Peter and others looking for Epi 335's:

I agree with RR about buying from Sweetwater for the reasons stated, but if you're looking for an Epi 335, the only one they have is a Studio Dot.
Epi stopped making 335's and apparently Sweetwater has sold out of the standard 335 and the 335 Pro and the Dot is all they have.

The Studio Dot goes for just $329.00 and has dual humbuckers, but it just has one volume and one tone pot and a 3-way switch.
The 339 is a good alternative (and a great guitar by all accounts) but may not have the "airy-ness" (if that's what you're looking for) of a full sized 335.

 

[CapnDenny1]

Older terrific guitars cost more than new terrific guitars.

Washburn makes a really nice hollow body, and so does Ibanez and Hagstrom.

The best value in a really nice guitar if you want to venture into the Fender camp is the Squier Classic Vibe series, either a Strat or a Tele.

I don't care for the Epiphones, but that is just me. Others like them a lot. Some don't like what I like.

For a little more money a PRS SE is real step up in quality

Try them and see what you like. That means more than our opinions.

 

[joeblues27]

Older terrific guitars cost more than new terrific guitars.

Washburn makes a really nice hollow body, and so does Ibanez and Hagstrom.

The best value in a really nice guitar if you want to venture into the Fender camp is the Squier Classic Vibe series, either a Strat or a Tele.

I don't care for the Epiphones, but that is just me. Others like them a lot. Some don't like what I like.

For a little more money a PRS SE is real step up in quality

Try them and see what you like. That means more than our opinions.

I can vouch for a Washburn HB 35 great guitar,thought about going smaller bodied Epi 339. Although the Epi 339 is a nice guitar it does not have the 335 tone at all. I now currently own an Ibanez AS93 and it has great tone,it is the poor man's Gibson. I couldn't be any happier than I am with the AS 93.Of course this is just my opinion,try a bunch a of them till you find The One that speaks to you! Good luck in your search!

 

[TwoNotesSolo]

I would get an Epi 339 over an Dot Studio myself.
The Dot is semihollow. If you want a full hollow you may want to check out the Epi casinos.
Why do you want a semi hollow? Looks? Tone? You may be restricting yourself unnecessarily (I play a Dot among other guitars, and it's very versatile, but a Les Paul or Strat is too, as are many other models)

 

[Bolar]

Personally, I love my Ibanez as153. Other good choices in the midrange is the as93, if buying used beware, that they changed the pickups a few years back - the earlier has the same (cheaper) ones as the as53 & 73, the recent production has the same as it's more expensive brothers & and sisters. With a similar pricetag, Tokai makes another excellent semihollow. Höfner Verythin is another choice. It's sort of the odd cousin, as the body is a bit larger and thinner than the others, but it's definately one to consider. Another thing about the höfner is, that it comes in different versions - with humbuckers or p90's. The p90-one is currently on my wishlist.

 

[nvr2old]

Although I didn't bond with my Alvarez semi hollow 335 style guitar, I absolutely love my G&L Bluesboy semi hollow. Tele style body with f hole and humbucker in neck with single coil in bridge positions. It deserves a look IMO. Ken

 

[matonanjin]

You didn't mention your budget ?

for us to help you it is really important to have some idea of your budget.

Last fall I was looking for something really light, on a temporary basis, to play after some surgery. Since it was temporary I went the inexpensive route of this Epiphone Casino Coupe. That is my exact guitar. A locally owned guitar store was having some sort of "reopening" sale and I got it for not much over $300.

Since I am a smaller guy I really like the smaller profile. But even though it was temporary I fell in love with the p-90's sound. A great guitar with really nice semi-hollow body tone. I just had some more surgery Friday and back into the bedroom it went!

 

[patb]

I went to GC to "just play" some semi hollow models. I asked to play a Gibson 335, a 339 and an Epi Sheraton or Casino. I did not like the 335 body size or tone. The 339 was mine from the moment I picked it up. It was a used custom shop model ( looked new) that I could not have afforded new. I have previously played a used Sheraton and it had great tone.
A friend plays a Reverend semi hollow. Great feel and tone.
My point is , Peter, buy what you like. Play everything you can get your hands on . Take along a more accomplished player and stand back and listen. Don't rush into a purchase. I played a pawn shop electric for a year. $125.00. Still play it and drag it around on airplanes.
Have fun.

 

[nvr2old]

I went to GC to "just play" some semi hollow models. I asked to play a Gibson 335, a 339 and an Epi Sheraton or Casino. I did not like the 335 body size or tone. The 339 was mine from the moment I picked it up. It was a used custom shop model ( looked new) that I could not have afforded new. I have previously played a used Sheraton and it had great tone.
A friend plays a Reverend semi hollow. Great feel and tone.
My point is , Peter, buy what you like. Play everything you can get your hands on . Take along a more accomplished player and stand back and listen. Don't rush into a purchase. I played a pawn shop electric for a year. $125.00. Still play it and drag it around on airplanes.
Have fun.

Great advice.

 

[HotLks]

There are a variety of ES-175 type models available. As a previous owner of an ES-125 I can say that they have a very satisfying hollow body electric sound. Worth a good look. Mine had P90's on it.

See you down the road!

 

[sloslunas]

I would take all the stress out and buy one of each. That way you know that you made the correct choice...

Steve

 

[Thatman]

This is truly an impossible question for anybody other than yourself to answer because 100 people will give you 100 different answers. So in essence buy what catches your eye and what you feel sounds cool.

Happy hunting.

 

[PeterMies]

Wow...thanks guys for your feedback...I think what happened to me is that I am remembering my 335 Gretch Chet Atkins I had back in college. I stopped playing for many years until my wife bought me a Keith Urban acoustic (she saw it advertised on TV and loves Keith. That was last year and I still didn't get my interest renewed till about 6 months ago. I started taking lessons and BAM I am addicted once again. So I have been playing my acoustic and while it has a very nice tone I want my electric so I can bend without losing my fingers. So I started looking on line at UTube and of course have heard many opinions. I couldn't believe that my old BEAUTIFUL Gretch now costs over 2K....that is probably the only reason for thinking about a semi hollow...i'm certainly not stuck there...and I'm not going back on stage...so playing will be more for my own enjoyment...in my home...for the most part...I was looking at the Aria Pro, Yamaha SG models, Washburns, Peavy's , and a few others...
Probably way to much information Ha...I just don't want buyers remorse (as I get with most things I do that's why I changed my thinking from having to spend thousands to maybe hundreds..should also add that i will probably be staying in the blues, country and some old rr. Don't need volume any more....

Thank you everyone for all your input...

 

[HotLks]

That Gretsch guitar is very nice. A buddy of mine bought a Country Gentleman back in the '60's. We all loved it.

There's a recent post about Gretsch guitars here on the forum. Very interesting history and roster of artists that play or played them.

You have good taste!

See you down the road!