Best Semi-Hollow Guitars: 10 Serious Picks From ES-335 to Gretsch
Semi-hollowbody guitars
One guitar that covers jazz, indie, soul, blues and Sunday service - and records with more air than any solidbody. That is why every session player owns one now.
One case
5 genres
the most versatile single guitar purchase in music
Ranked from Sweetwater's hot-selling semi-hollows, $1,200 to $4,000 - the tier where the neck joints are right and the center blocks are quartersawn.
Related: best electric guitars under $500, best guitar combo amps under $500, guitar guides hub and best electric guitars $1,000-$2,500.
Why semi-hollows are having a moment
Every second session guitarist in LA shows up with an ES-style guitar now, and the reason is practical: a center-block semi-hollow feeds back far less than a full hollowbody, records with more air than a solidbody, and covers jazz, indie, soul, blues and worship gigs with one case. It is the most versatile single guitar you can own.
The 10 guitars
1. Gibson Marcus King ES — Gibson - $3,999
Live price and stock at Sweetwater; specs, photos and demo videos on the product page.
Check the price at Sweetwater → · $3,999
2. Rickenbacker 1993Plus Semi — Rickenbacker - $3,899
Live price and stock at Sweetwater; specs, photos and demo videos on the product page.
Check the price at Sweetwater → · $3,899
3. Duesenberg Starplayer TV Electric Guitar — Duesenberg - $3,799
Live price and stock at Sweetwater; specs, photos and demo videos on the product page.
Check the price at Sweetwater → · $3,799
4. Gretsch Falcon Center Block LTD Electric Guitar — Gretsch - $3,789.99
Live price and stock at Sweetwater; specs, photos and demo videos on the product page.
Check the price at Sweetwater → · $3,789.99
5. Duesenberg Starplayer TV Semi — Duesenberg - $3,644
Live price and stock at Sweetwater; specs, photos and demo videos on the product page.
Check the price at Sweetwater → · $3,644
6. Gretsch G6636 — Gretsch - $3,599.99
Live price and stock at Sweetwater; specs, photos and demo videos on the product page.
Check the price at Sweetwater → · $3,599.99
7. Ibanez John Scofield Signature JSM100 — Ibanez - $3,499.99
Live price and stock at Sweetwater; specs, photos and demo videos on the product page.
Check the price at Sweetwater → · $3,499.99
8. Gibson ES — Gibson - $3,499
Live price and stock at Sweetwater; specs, photos and demo videos on the product page.
Check the price at Sweetwater → · $3,499
9. Gretsch Broadkaster LX Figured Semi — Gretsch - $3,299.99
Live price and stock at Sweetwater; specs, photos and demo videos on the product page.
Check the price at Sweetwater → · $3,299.99
10. Gretsch Broadkaster Jr. LX Figured Semi — Gretsch - $3,299.99
Live price and stock at Sweetwater; specs, photos and demo videos on the product page.
Check the price at Sweetwater → · $3,299.99
Quick comparison
| Guitar | Brand | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Gibson Marcus King ES | Gibson | $3,999 |
| Rickenbacker 1993Plus Semi | Rickenbacker | $3,899 |
| Duesenberg Starplayer TV Electric Guitar | Duesenberg | $3,799 |
| Gretsch Falcon Center Block LTD Electric | Gretsch | $3,789.99 |
| Duesenberg Starplayer TV Semi | Duesenberg | $3,644 |
| Gretsch G6636 | Gretsch | $3,599.99 |
| Ibanez John Scofield Signature JSM100 | Ibanez | $3,499.99 |
| Gibson ES | Gibson | $3,499 |
ES-335 and the honest alternatives
The Gibson ES-335 is the reference, and at street price it is actually fair for a US-built instrument that will outlive you. But the field has closed the gap: Gretsch's Center Block line gets you 85% of the sound for 60% of the money with its own personality on top, and Duesenberg builds arguably better-finished instruments than anyone at the price. You are choosing a flavor, not a compromise.
Recording a semi-hollow at home
This is where these guitars earn their keep. Mic the amp and the unplugged body resonance both reaches the vocal mic less than an acoustic and fills a sparse mix more than a solidbody DI. Run it clean into a compressor and it sits in a neo-soul or bedroom-pop track with almost no EQ. If your mixes are vocal-forward, that matters — the guitar stops fighting the voice for 2-4 kHz.
FAQ
What is the difference between semi-hollow and hollowbody?
A solid center block running through the body. It cuts the feedback that plagues full hollowbodies at volume while keeping most of the airy resonance.
Is the Gibson ES-335 worth it over a Gretsch?
The 335 is the reference and holds value best. The Gretsch Center Block line gets most of the sound for much less with its own voice - it is a flavor choice, not a downgrade.
Are semi-hollows good for recording at home?
Excellent. They fill sparse mixes more than a solidbody and fight the vocal less than an acoustic - clean semi-hollow plus compression is the backbone of most neo-soul and bedroom-pop guitar sounds.
Do semi-hollows feed back on stage?
Far less than hollowbodies. With the center block and modest gain they behave; at metal gain levels they will sing - use a solidbody for that.
Sources
Sweetwater · Meshplugins guides
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— IvanFromRnD
Prices and availability are accurate at the time of writing and can change — the links go to the live product page. Affiliate disclosure: Meshplugins.com is a participant in the Sweetwater affiliate program. If you buy through the links on this page we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never changes which gear we recommend — every pick here is chosen on merit.
Who's behind this
Ivan Meshcheriakov · IvanFromRnD
5+ years ago I moved to LA with zero connections and started building from nothing — 14-hour days, meeting people and interning at studios. It took me 5+ years to meet and interview 100+ Grammy-winning engineers — then I turned it all into the Vocal Chain Bible.
Read my full story →