# Decent hollow body electric guitar at reasonable price? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 6, 2004, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decent-hollow-body-electric-guitar-at-reasonable-price/238490 "2004-04-06T03:23:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decent-hollow-body-electric-guitar-at-reasonable-price/238490/1 "2004-04-06T03:23:55Z")
Any help here? It’s been my experience that Gibson, Gretsch, Guild, etc jack up their prices because of brand recognition and you essentially pay for the label. I already have a rather ragged out Ibanez AS-50 (essentially a Gibson ES 335 - same bracing and everything) from some time in the mid 70’s. I’ve heard that the new Ibanez [Artcore](http://www.ibanez.com/guitars/series.asp?s=artcore&l=e) series has a lot to offer, and I note that on Zzounds, the prices seem very reasonable. Anyone know of any others? Are the Artcore guitars decent? ---
**Author:** ![da\_pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ba0ec/32.png) [@da\_pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/da_pope)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decent-hollow-body-electric-guitar-at-reasonable-price/238490/2 "2004-04-06T03:43:00Z")
I’ve been in the same market myself. The artcore seem like decent guitars at reasonable prices but i found the neck a bit wide for my taste. decent sound, although not very ‘jazz hollow body’ sounding. my favorite so far is an [epiphone sheraton II](http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?ProductID=8&CollectionID=1), a tabacco sunburst. very authentic sound, comfortable neck, very round yet slim, and neck binding makes for a more comfortable feel across the frets. tried this [one](http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?ProductID=153&CollectionID=1) a nightmare to keep in tune due to the trem. decent sounding though. the [joe pass](http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?ProductID=9&CollectionID=1) has a great sound but the wooden bridge turned me off. a bit sketchy with intonation. I’ll probably pick up the shereton II next time i see a big sale at sam ash. ---
**Author:** ![picker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/picker/32/13969_2.png) [@picker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picker)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decent-hollow-body-electric-guitar-at-reasonable-price/238490/3 "2004-04-06T03:52:22Z")
I’d take a good hard look at Epiphone models. Depending on what style guitar you’re looking for there are some decent models at a reasonable price. If you’re into jazz or are looking at an archtop, I would strongly recommend the [Joe Pass Emporer II](http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=040405203942024241224041729030/g=guitar/s=electric/g=guitar/s=electric/search/bigpid/base_id/34460/) model. They’re quite stunning for the price, and stand up well to their higher priced cousins. If you’re looking for something more along the lines of the 335, check out the [Dot Deluxe](http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=040405203942024241224041729030/g=guitar/s=electric/g=guitar/s=electric/search/bigpid/base_id/40453/) model. I’ve played a few and they’re about as good as you’ll get in the lower price range. No matter what you go with, make sure the **first** thing you do is take it to a competent luthier and have a complete set up done to it. Have them pay particularly close attention to the bridge set up and truss rod adjustments. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decent-hollow-body-electric-guitar-at-reasonable-price/238490/4 "2004-04-06T04:34:37Z")
Thanks, guys. I thought about Epiphone, but hadn’t researched any of the models yet. Thanks for the tips and the links!