Cheap Hollowbody Showdown! Which is best?

[Opeth]

I've been thinking about getting a nice hollowbody for a while, but I think I will just get a cheap one to toy around with. I doubt i'd ever play it enough to warrant a $1500 purchase. Anyhow, I did some research and found a few but wanted to see what you guys thought was the best one. Here are a few:

Johnson JH440N Hollow Body $ 249 - http://www.mandalaymusic.com/merchan...ct_Code=JH440N

Michael Kelly Velvet $449 (cheaper on ebay vendor) - http://michaelkellyguitars.zoovy.com...tars-nocache=1

Michael Kelly 335 Copy $449 (cheaper on ebay vendor) - http://michaelkellyguitars.zoovy.com...e.ducestandard

Raven Natural RM680 $479 (cheaper on ebay vendor) - http://www.ravenwestguitar.com/ravrmnat.html

Jay Turser - Misc. Jazz Boxes:
Page 1 http://www.jayturser.com/jt-jazz_box.htm
Page 2 http://www.jayturser.com/jt-jazz_box2.htm

The JT-134DC, JT-135D, JT-137, JT-140, and JT-142 all interest me. Here is a better pic of the JT-134 on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...item=931539118

Anyhow, those are the ones I like so far. The johnson seems like the best deal, but I like the way the JT-134 (blue) looks. Any other ideas or ****ty guitars to add to the list? Thanks!

[spacenuke]

dunno... but i sure want a Gibson ES175, but i can never convince the wallet to let me have it.

[bduersch]

You might want to check out the Ibanez Artstar series... I had an AS120 (like an ES335, wine red w/ gold hardware) for a while, and I was really impressed with it for the money. Craftsmanship, playability, and tone were all quite good. Sold it because I wasn't playing it much at the time, but I frequently wish I hadn't gotten rid of it and will probably end up with another one.

I know some people here have checked out the new Artcore line--I haven't seen 'em yet, but the reviews seem to be pretty good.

--B

[Opeth]

The AS120 seems a bit out of range, but this looks like it might work...

http://www.********.com/Item/?itemno=75380

wtf is with this post filter? Well, the above link is mu.sic12.3 and its an Ibanez AFS75T. Anyone know about those?

[spacenuke]

The AFS75T looks really nice. Harmony Central has some reviews for a AFST75T. not sure if it's the same thing.

http://www.harmony-central.com/Guita...rtcore-01.html

[Bogus]

Get an older Aria. You can buy a vintage one for around 300 bucks. They sound and play fantastic.

[darren wilson]

If you're not expecting a lot, definitely check out the Artcore hollowbodies. They're cheap, but decent guitars for the money.

[jemsite]

Originally Posted by darren wilson

If you're not expecting a lot, definitely check out the Artcore hollowbodies. They're cheap, but decent guitars for the money.

Thanks... one more for the "filter" ;-) ...glen

[jemsite]

does anyone with credible experience have commentary on these hollowbodies? Lots of the reviewers are "first time buyer-like" commentary. i'd like to hear real fit/finish details... glen

[darren wilson]

Gee, i dunno, Glen... have you tried using the Search function?

[jemsite]

LOL. the thread is discussing "which is best". i searched "hollowbody" but really the posts show lists of guitars and where to buy, very *little* hands-on experience ...glen

[Opeth]

Originally Posted by jemsite

does anyone with credible experience have commentary on these hollowbodies? Lots of the reviewers are "first time buyer-like" commentary. i'd like to hear real fit/finish details... glen

I was curious to this as well. I hear they are great, but that might be "Great" compared to their old Squire. I wish someone on one of these boards could test out one of those sketchy-cheap Michael Kelly/Raven type brands. I think I will end up with the Artcore because I just trust Ibanez a little more. Plus, the blue burst that they come with is just what I was looking for.

[darren wilson]

The Artcore i played was a lot like an older Korean guitar. It's a decent workmanlike guitar that will probably serve you well as a first archtop guitar. It's made in China. There were some minor fit and finish glitches, but nothing major. The binding wasn't the cleanest work, and the finish had some noticeable orange peel in places where it obviously hadn't been wet-sanded smooth. But overall, it felt solidly built, and as good as anything else in its price range.

Materials seemed okay for the price range. The giant pearloid plastic block inlays looked cheap to me. The hardware was heavy-duty and solid, but again had the look of cheap casting and plating.

I didn't plug in the guitar to check out the electronics, but the selector switch felt cheap and had a loud "clack" when engaging it... not a great property in a hollowbody. I have read a review of one of the Artcore models that stated the pickups were decent.

[Opeth]

Originally Posted by darren wilson

Helpful stuff

Thanks. That basically seems like the best I can hope for from a cheap hollow body. My only other option is to spend a lot more on a guitar which I cant even get in the color I like. I've been wanting to get a Carvin with piezo's, and the new C66 model interests me a lot so I'd like to keep the hollow body purchase to a minimum for money reasons. I think the Artcore will have to do.

My only other option really is the Ibanez AS80, which isn't the body type or color I'd want, and more expensive than I'd like to spend. Places online where I am ordering also have up to 45 day money back deals so I guess I can send it back if its total crap.

Thanks for the input.

[gkelm]

The Tursers I've played seem nice for the money. They definitely do not have the quality (fit/finish) of most US & Japanese guitars, but playability is very good. I've been tempted by on eof those ES175 copies. FWIW, Will Ray (Hellecasters) used a Turser hollow body on his latest CD.
Greg