Archtop/hollowbody Recommendations

[Unicorn Warrior]

Starting this thread because I’m curious as to what cool hollow bodies exist out there after recently becoming obsessed with my new Epiphone Casino.

I love most everything about the casino. They’re light weight, have an awesome tone, ability to feedback easy and the overtones are something else. These are the aspects that I’m looking for in other guitars. I do have a little bit of a hard to getting on those high frets, but I have adapted. But, because I never cared about these guitars before, I don’t really know what exists outside the staple casinos, 335s, 339, the Gretsch and Guild families

I prefer fully hollow, and thinner bodies like the casino. But semihollows are cool too. Anything thick gives kinda just gives me Elvis vibes and seems uncomfortable. Nothing wrong with Elvis, just not my jam. With that said, are there are any notable small hollowbody/arch tops made by other companies?

Any boutique companies worthwhile to look at for this kind of thing?

[Jonesie]

I don't know if you're interested in vintage and/or shelling out a bit of cash, but I'm in love with my Silvertone 1446, it's the "Chris Issak" model, best sounding pickups in the world and it has some unique specs. 24" Scale, bolt-on neck, Bigsby trem, fully hollow, relatively thin body (a bit deeper than a 335/Casino, but definitely not jazzbox deep.)

[Surfysonic]

Plenty of options/brands out there that will suit your needs/desire/budget. Personally, I'm as much a fan of Gretsch guitars as I am Fender guitars. For Gretsch guitars, the budget Streamliner series have some nice thin hollowbodies. Of course, the Electromatic and Professional lines will have something for everyone, too. Particularly, if within your budget, the Players Edition series in the Pro line has some thinner body depth and sized options.

A relatively affordable alternative to the Gibson ES-335 is the 90's era Gibson ES-135 - https://reverb.com/marketplace?product_ ... rice%7Casc

I had one back in the day (bought new in '96 or '97) in natural finish with PAF '57 pickups. Foolishly, I moved it on. A few years back, I found a black '90 ES-135 with P100 (stacked humbucker pickups) and I love it.





If wanting a vintage Gibson, the ES-125 would be a good choice - https://reverb.com/marketplace?query=Gi ... rice%7Casc

[SignoftheDragon]

I have a Gretsch Electromatic 12er, and a Fender Coronado XII as my entries in this category.

The gretsch has yet to inspire- I think the pickups might kinda suck.

The Coronado though- I've only plugged it in once at the tech's shop, but I am liking it so far. Gotta get it home and run the paces for reals with my amps & fx!

[garyfanclub]

I don't know if you're interested in vintage and/or shelling out a bit of cash, but I'm in love with my Silvertone 1446, it's the "Chris Issak" model, best sounding pickups in the world and it has some unique specs. 24" Scale, bolt-on neck, Bigsby trem, fully hollow, relatively thin body (a bit deeper than a 335/Casino, but definitely not jazzbox deep.)

I’ll second this, I love these! Jonesie is right about those pickups, absolutely phenomenal. They’re allegedly the same as a contemporary Gibson Mini, but they still sound a bit different to me. Not sure what it is, perhaps the pole piece positioning?

On the modern side I’d recommend checking out some of the MIK Guild offerings. The M75 Aristocrat and Starfire II are full hollow options. The Aristocrat sounds surprisingly huge for a LP size hollow body - highly recommend it!

[JSett]

The pickup surrounds on that Silvertone are utterly wonderful! Love that shape

[Unicorn Warrior]

I don't know if you're interested in vintage and/or shelling out a bit of cash, but I'm in love with my Silvertone 1446, it's the "Chris Issak" model, best sounding pickups in the world and it has some unique specs. 24" Scale, bolt-on neck, Bigsby trem, fully hollow, relatively thin body (a bit deeper than a 335/Casino, but definitely not jazzbox deep.)

I’ll second this, I love these! Jonesie is right about those pickups, absolutely phenomenal. They’re allegedly the same as a contemporary Gibson Mini, but they still sound a bit different to me. Not sure what it is, perhaps the pole piece positioning?

On the modern side I’d recommend checking out some of the MIK Guild offerings. The M75 Aristocrat and Starfire II are full hollow options. The Aristocrat sounds surprisingly huge for a LP size hollow body - highly recommend it!

Out of all the guitars I’ve looked at so far, the aristocrat really stands out. So does the star fire iv. Really impressive looking guitars.

[marqueemoon]

ES-125 as mentioned above.

I played a Fano GF6 with Filtertrons that belonged to the studio on the Half Tail EP and liked it a lot.

I'm sure the Novos are great, but I find them pretty ugly.

Bilt of course.

These look cool, though I have never played one.

https://www.grezguitars.com/themendocino

[CorporateDisguise]

The Yamaha SA series from the late 60s to early 70s are fully hollow, and sound fantastic! I have an SA50B that is one of my favorite guitars. They also have a trem similar to a Jazzmaster, which makes them infinitely cooler. The pickups are pretty interesting as well. Nice and microphonic, so they pick up these ghostly, reverby overtones from the resonating body. They sound great clean or driven. It also helps that he guitar just looks cool AF. The only downside to this guitar, is that it has a slightly narrower nut width than I prefer. I think it’s pretty common for guitars of that era. But, I forget about after I’ve played the guitar for a minute.

[Arthon]

I really like my Grestch G5655TG. Small, thin, light and semi-hollow. The pickup are quite hot, so you have to adjust if you are use to vintage style sound.

[Unicorn Warrior]

The Yamaha SA series from the late 60s to early 70s are fully hollow, and sound fantastic! I have an SA50B that is one of my favorite guitars. They also have a trem similar to a Jazzmaster, which makes them infinitely cooler. The pickups are pretty interesting as well. Nice and microphonic, so they pick up these ghostly, reverby overtones from the resonating body. They sound great clean or driven. It also helps that he guitar just looks cool AF. The only downside to this guitar, is that it has a slightly narrower nut width than I prefer. I think it’s pretty common for guitars of that era. But, I forget about after I’ve played the guitar for a minute.

This almost sounds like the perfect guitar for me. I love narrow nuts

[Pacafeliz]

Yes, other than the initial fret buzzing (setup/shipping?) and little screw-up on the binding of mine, these Gretsch Streamliner guitars are top notch bang for the buck in look, feel and sound!

[Unicorn Warrior]

Yes, other than the initial fret buzzing (setup/shipping?) and little screw-up on the binding of mine, these Gretsch Streamliner guitars are top notch bang for the buck in look, feel and sound!

Pat, is that fully hollow?

[Pacafeliz]

Nope it has some small center block, but it feather light.

https://www.gretschguitars.com/gear/bui ... 2807500588

[JSett]

I still, after 28 years of playing guitar, have never found a hollowbody I can fuck with for more than a month or two. Either I haven't met the right one or they're just not for me