#1
Epiphone Dot
Semi-hollow ES-335 style · Laminated maple body, 650R/700T humbuckers, dot inlays, 24.75" scale$280–$380 usedBest for: Blues, rock, jazz beginners, ES-335 sound on a budget
The Epiphone Dot is the most accessible ES-335-style guitar on the market. The laminated maple construction is less feedback-prone than fully hollow guitars, the 650R/700T pickups cover blues and jazz territory credibly, and the dot inlays (vs block inlays on the Sheraton) keep the price down. Used at $280–$380, it's the entry point to semi-hollow playing before committing to a Gibson price tag.
What to check used: The Epiphone Dot pickups are functional but generic — many players swap them for Seymour Duncan Seth Lovers or Gibson '57 Classic pickups immediately. Check the binding around the f-holes for any separation. The pickguard is often missing on used examples.
#2
Gretsch G2622 Streamliner
Semi-hollow center-block · Laminated maple body, Broad'Tron BT-2S pickups, Gretsch V-stoptail, 24.75" scale$320–$420 usedBest for: Country, rockabilly, indie rock, Gretsch character on a budget
The G2622 Streamliner gives you genuine Gretsch visual and sonic character — the Broad'Tron pickups have a higher-output filter'Tron-derived character that sounds clearly different from Gibson-style humbuckers or Fender single-coils. Gretsch semi-hollow styling means twangy neck pickups, slightly scooped midrange, and that rockabilly articulation. Used at $320–$420, this is the most affordable way into genuine Gretsch territory.
What to check used: Gretsch's Streamliner series uses a different internal construction than pro-level Gretsch — verify you're buying a G2622 (semi-hollow) not a G2655 (smaller body). The Broad'Tron pickups on some years can be microphonic — tap the pickup at volume to check for acoustic feedback through the pickups.
#3
Epiphone ES-335
Semi-hollow ES-335 style · Laminated maple body, Alnico Classic Pro pickups, coil-splitting, block inlays$380–$520 usedBest for: Blues, classic rock, indie, ES-335 sound with more features than the Dot
The current Epiphone ES-335 is significantly improved from the older Dot — it uses Alnico Classic Pro humbuckers with coil-splitting (single-coil mode via the push-pull tone controls), a Grover Rotomatic tuner upgrade, and proportions that are more faithful to the original Gibson ES-335. For players who want the split coil versatility (jazz-to-single-coil-to-full-humbucker range) in an affordable semi-hollow, the Epiphone ES-335 is the current best budget option.
What to check used: Push-pull coil-splitting pots can fail or feel sticky — verify both tone knobs push/pull cleanly and the coil-split is functioning in both directions. Block inlays on some Epiphone necks are slightly uneven — this is cosmetic only.
#4
Ibanez AS73
Semi-hollow · Laminated maple body, ACH1 humbuckers, no center block, 24.75" scale$280–$380 usedBest for: Jazz, clean blues, players wanting no-frills reliable semi-hollow
The Ibanez AS73 is one of the most reliable budget semi-hollow guitars in production — Ibanez quality control means you rarely get a poorly set-up instrument, the ACH1 pickups are usable for jazz and clean playing, and the body construction is stable. No center block means more acoustic resonance and more feedback potential — set the pickup height accordingly. At $280–$380 used, it competes directly with the Epiphone Dot.
What to check used: No center block makes the AS73 more feedback-prone than ES-335-style instruments with a solid center block. At high gain on loud stage volumes, this can be an issue. For jazz and low-to-mid-gain playing, it's excellent. Check the pickguard screws — AS73 pickguards sometimes crack at the mounting holes.
#5
Epiphone Casino
Fully hollow (not semi-hollow) · Fully hollow laminated maple, P-90-style dogear pickups, no center block$420–$560 usedBest for: Jangly Beatles-style indie rock, blues, the John Lennon tone
The Epiphone Casino is technically a fully hollow guitar, not a semi-hollow — it has no center block and maximum acoustic resonance. This is the guitar model associated with John Lennon and The Beatles. The P-90-style pickups produce a different character than humbuckers — brighter, slightly grittier, with a unique midrange character. At stage volumes with any significant gain, the Casino is feedback-prone — it requires careful pickup height and volume management. Used at $420–$560.
What to check used: Feedback management is essential with fully hollow guitars at stage volumes. This is a feature of the design, not a defect. Play it at your intended stage volume before buying to verify you can manage the feedback at your gain and volume settings. The P-90 style pickups can be microphonic — wax potting the pickups is a common mod.
#6
Gibson ES-339
Semi-hollow (smaller body) · Solid maple center block, laminate maple body, '57 Classic humbuckers, 24.75" scale$1,200–$1,600 usedBest for: ES-335 tone in a more comfortable smaller body, professional semi-hollow, heavy playability
The Gibson ES-339 is the small-body version of the ES-335 — the same tonewoods, same '57 Classic humbuckers, and same center block construction, but in a body that sits and feels more like a Les Paul in size. For players who love the ES-335 sound but find the larger body uncomfortable for extended playing, the ES-339 solves the ergonomic issue without tonal compromise. Used at $1,200–$1,600, it's Gibson-level quality at used pricing.
What to check used: The '57 Classic pickups are PAF-inspired and wind slightly hot — verify the pickup height is set correctly (too close to the strings causes magnetic damping on the high strings). Check the center block joint where it meets the top and back — this is a structural joint that should be solid with no movement.
#7
Gibson ES-335 (2019+)
Semi-hollow · Solid maple center block, '57 Classic Plus humbuckers, ABR-1 bridge, 24.75" scale$2,000–$2,800 usedBest for: Professional blues/jazz/rock, studio or stage semi-hollow, investment-grade guitar
The Gibson ES-335 is one of the most recorded guitars in history — BB King's Lucille, Eric Clapton's 'Layla' sessions, Dave Grohl's used it, Larry Carlton made it his signature instrument. The solid maple center block prevents feedback at stage volumes while retaining acoustic resonance in the wings. The '57 Classic Plus humbuckers hit the sweet spot of warmth, clarity, and dynamic range. Used 2019+ models at $2,000–$2,800 are professional-grade stage and studio instruments.
What to check used: Verify the serial number against Gibson's dating system for production year verification. Check the center block by knocking on the guitar body — you should hear two different knocks (hollow wing vs solid center). Examine the f-holes for any repaired cracks in the top.
#8
Gretsch G5420T Electromatic
Fully hollow · Laminated maple body, Black Top Filter'Tron pickups, Bigsby B60, 24.6" scale$550–$750 usedBest for: Country, rockabilly, surf, Gretsch character with Bigsby vibrato
The Gretsch G5420T Electromatic is Gretsch's mid-level hollow body with a Bigsby B60 vibrato — the standard for country, rockabilly, and Western swing. The Black Top Filter'Tron pickups are the best pickup Gretsch puts in this price range — more articulate and 'Gretsch' sounding than the Streamliner's Broad'Trons. The Bigsby adds period-correct vibrato without the intonation issues of non-locking vibratos at lower price points. Used at $550–$750.
What to check used: Gretsch's Bigsby integration requires specific setup knowledge — Bigsby-equipped guitars need the neck angle and nut properly set up for Bigsby use. Verify string break angle over the saddle is correct. Check that the Bigsby arm return spring has proper tension.
#9
Rickenbacker 360
Semi-hollow (unique Rickenbacker construction) · Maple body with through-neck, toaster or Hi-Gain pickups, 24.75" scale, stereo output$1,400–$2,000 usedBest for: Jangle-pop, The Beatles/Byrds sound, vintage British Invasion tone, collectors
The Rickenbacker 360 is in a category by itself — it produces a distinctive bright, jangly tone that no other guitar replicates. The Rickenbacker tone is associated with The Beatles (John Lennon's 325), The Byrds (Roger McGuinn's 12-string), Tom Petty, Peter Buck (R.E.M.), and the Britpop movement. The semi-hollow construction (with a unique interior binding design) produces acoustic resonance while maintaining some feedback resistance. Used 360s at $1,400–$2,000 are collector-grade instruments.
What to check used: Rickenbacker's proprietary 'R' tailpiece and 5-pin stereo output (Rick-O-Sound) are unique — verify all original hardware is present. The neck profiles on Rickenbackers are narrow and distinctive — play the guitar before buying if possible, as the neck feel divides players strongly. Check the binding, which can shrink and pull away on older models.
