Unlike solid-body, hollow electric guitars comprise a top, back, and sides with an empty cavity in the middle.
They are similar to acoustic guitars due to their internal resonating chamber.
These guitars are renowned for resonating freely and projecting extensive sound, making them ideal for clean tones of the 40s and 50s.
However, they might create potential feedback issues when amplified under high gain.
In this article, I review my favorite hollow-body guitars:
Some of the Best Hollow-Body Electric Guitars Available
| Hollow Body Guitar Model | Key Feature |
|---|---|
| Gretsch G6136T White Falcon | TV Jones Filter’Ton Classic mini humbuckers |
| PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo | Dual-cut design |
| Guild T-50 Slim Hollowbody | Slim design |
| Epiphone Casino | P-90 pickups |
| Guild M-75 Aristocrat | Virgin spruce top |
| Ibanez Artcore AF75 | Linden wood body |
| Squire Classic Vibe Starcaster | Wide-ranging humbuckers |
| Epiphone Wildkat | P90 pickups and B70 Bigsby licensed tremolo |
1. Gretsch G6136T White Falcon
Known as an icon of rock ’n’ roll guitar tones, this model offers a large maple body and TV Jones Filter’Ton Classic mini-humbuckers.
- Gretsch Icon: The White Falcon symbolizes the pinnacle of Gretsch’s craftsmanship, highly sought-after for its iconic status and exceptional build quality.
- Pioneering Sound: Introduced in 1954, this model was among the first to feature humbucking pickups, setting a precedent in guitar sound evolution.
- Striking Design: The White Falcon’s 17-inch jumbo body, maple construction, and 24 karat gold details offer a unique combination of visual elegance and versatile tonality.
2. PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo
Famously known for its versatile tone range, this model modernizes the traditional hollow body image with its dual-cut body shape and laminate maple top and back.
- Affordable High-End Design: The SE version of the PRS Hollow Body II Piezo offers the luxury and iconic features of PRS’s most expensive guitars at a much lower price point.
- Exceptional Aesthetics and Construction: This guitar boasts an attractive rosewood veneer headstock, laminated maple body with mahogany sides, and stunning flame maple binding over the entire guitar.
- Versatile and Superior Sound Quality: Equipped with PRS’s 58/15s pickups and piezo pickups, this model delivers a range of tones from classic PRS power to acoustic-like sounds, suitable for diverse music styles and offering high-quality sound in both electric and acoustic amps.
3. Guild T-50 Slim Hollow Body
Manufactured in the ‘60s, the Guild T50 is a successful re-launch of a slim-line hollow-body guitar.
- Classic Design with Unique Features: The Guild T50 Slim, reminiscent of the ES 125 Thin Line, stands out with its single-neck P90 pickup and distinctive Guild tailpiece, offering a classic yet unique aesthetic.
- Quality Build and Finish: This model boasts high-quality craftsmanship, which is evident in details like the ebony fretboard, well-finished F-holes, inlaid headstock, and smoothly rounded and bound fret ends.
- Exceptional Playability and Sound: The T50 Slim offers a fantastic feel and lightweight Thin Line design, with a comfortable neck profile and a single coil P90 that delivers a clear, strong output, suitable for both clean and distorted tones.
4. Epiphone Casino
An affordable archtop famed by legendary musicians, this model has been a part of the industry since 1961.
- Fully Hollow Body: Unique design for rich, resonant tones and unparalleled acoustic depth.
- Versatile P90 Pickups: Get a wide range of tones, from warm jazz to gritty rock, all from the same guitar.
- Affordable Excellence: A premium playing experience without the high-end price tag.
5. Guild M-75 Aristocrat
With its virgin spruce top and Franz P90 Soapbar pickups, this model infuses a solid body image with a hollow body character.
- Distinctive Guild Sound: The Guild M75 Aristocrat is renowned for its unique sound quality, distinct from other brands, mainly due to its construction with a spruce top.
- Lightweight and Traditional Build: This model is notable for its lightweight design and traditional construction, featuring a spruce top with a beautiful grain, rims, and a back similar to an acoustic guitar, enhancing its playability.
- Classic Aesthetics and Hardware: The M75 Aristocrat boasts classic features such as the original Franzen pickups from New Jersey, gold hardware, a wood bridge, and a three-piece mahogany and maple neck, culminating in a vintage appearance and warm, powerful sound.
6. Ibanez Artcore AF75
A budget-friendly option with a linden body and walnut fretboard, this guitar is known for offering dark, thick tones ideal for jazz and blues style.
- Ideal for Practice: The Ibanez Artcore AF75 is perfect for learning and practicing jazz, offering enough acoustic volume for unplugged sessions and quiet enough to not disturb others.
- Classic Build: With its maple body and Nato neck, the AF75 has a traditional hollow body design, providing a good acoustic sound and minimal feedback.
- Budget-Friendly Jazz Guitar: Priced affordably, the AF75 is a great entry-level option for jazz guitarists, offering reliable performance and good sound quality, making it a practical choice for students and gigging musicians.
7. Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster
The Squire hollow body guitar is an impressive example of quality and affordability. Its design, highlighted by elegant double binding and refined woodwork, stands out even among higher-priced guitars.
The wide-ranging humbuckers produce a warm, rich tone, suitable for both clean and distorted styles, catering to various musical genres.
- Exceptional Craftsmanship: The guitar boasts beautiful double binding and exquisite woodwork, rivaling high-end models in aesthetic appeal.
- Playability and Comfort: Features a comfortable C-shaped neck and a smooth fretboard, ensuring ease of play for both beginners and experienced players.
- Versatile Sound Quality: Equipped with wide-ranging humbuckers, this guitar offers a warm, rich tone suitable for clean or distorted play.
8. Epiphone Wildkat
The Wildkat distinguishes itself with its original Epiphone design, deviating from the common trend of Gibson replicas and imbuing it with a unique character.
It’s more than just visually appealing; the guitar boasts a robust construction with a maple neck that enhances its durability and playability.
Notably, its medium-sized neck profile strikes a comfortable balance for most players, reminiscent of the beloved Les Paul in feel with its 12-inch radius and 24.75-inch scale.
Sound-wise, the Wildkat is versatile. It is equipped with Alnico P90 pickups and a B70 Bigsby licensed tremolo, allowing it to adeptly handle everything from clear, clean tones to gritty and high-gain sounds.
- Distinctive Design: Unlike many of its counterparts, the Wildcat is an original Epiphone design, not a Gibson replica, adding a unique flair to its aesthetic.
- Quality Construction and Playability: With a maple neck for added strength and a medium-sized neck profile, it provides a comfortable playing experience, akin to a Les Paul with its 12-inch radius and 24.75-inch scale.
- Versatile Sound Capabilities: Equipped with Alnico P90 pickups and a B70 Bigsby licensed tremolo, this guitar offers a rich sound profile, suitable for clean, gritty, and high-gain tones, catering to a wide range of musical styles.
Construction of Hollow Body Guitars
The overall construction of a hollow body guitar is not very different from an acoustic one. Both consist of a top, back, and sides, unlike solid body guitars carved from a chunk of wood.
Regardless of being hollow, their tonal output aligns more with electric guitars than electro-acoustic ones.
These guitars usually feature soap bar style single coils, bright and punchy humbuckers, and traditional P.A.F.-like ’buckers. But some do come with bridge-mounted piezos that deliver convincing acoustic sounds.
Ranging Variety of Hollow Body Designs
A wide range of designs is available within hollow-body electric guitars. They start from models resembling acoustic ones to jazz boxes that resemble fat single cuts with floating pickups and hardware.
They span up to chromed rockabilly beasts with pinned bridges, featuring slick visuals akin to muscle cars.
The variety ensures that there is something for every guitarist’s decorative taste and musical requirement.
Understanding Your Sound Preference
Your preferred sound hugely influences the type of hollow body guitar you should opt for. Despite the usual association of hollow body guitars with jazz or rock’n’roll, a huge scope lies within the genre spectrum while using them.
Remember to always research in-depth and try the instrument yourself before settling upon a purchase. Happy playing!
| Model | Key Feature |
|---|---|
| Gretsch 6136 White Falcon | TV Jones Filter’Ton Classic mini humbuckers |
| PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo | Dual-cut design |
| Guild T-50 | Slim design |
| Epiphone Casino | P-90 pickups |
| Guild M-75 Aristocrat | Virgin spruce top |
| Ibanez Artcore AF75 | Linden wood body |
In My Opinion
The hollow body design encapsulates a distinct vibe that can add depth and dynamic to any style of playing, offering an additional layer of expressiveness that can’t be found in solid body counterparts.
In my journey, I’ve found Gretsch guitars, notably the 6136 White Falcon, to exhibit quite the personality.
There’s something majestic about the sheer presence of its large maple body combined with the electrifying TV Jones Filter’Tron Classic mini-humbuckers. Its tones are stellar, and its optics fit perfectly into any rockabilly setting.
They indeed are in a league of their own.
On the subject of more budget-friendly options, the Ibanez Artcore AF75 has been a go-to for many of my students starting their journey with hollow bodies.
It offers quality construction and tone at an accessible price, making it a great option for those dipping their toes into the realm of hollow body electric guitars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the top hollow body electric guitars that are favored by professional musicians?
Some of the most favored hollow body electric guitars among professionals include the Gibson ES-335, which offers a versatile and high-quality sound; the Gretsch G2622 Streamliner, popular for its distinctive tone and affordability; and the Ibanez Artcore Series, a favorite amongst jazz and blues musicians due to their warm tone and the quality of their craftsmanship.
What are some unique features of hollow body electric guitars and how do they differ from solid body guitars?
Hollow-body electric guitars, also known as semi-acoustic guitars, are distinct for their construction alone, made up of a hollow wooden body that creates a resonance chamber.
This gives them a naturally fuller and warmer tone, often paired with an inherent acoustic-like high-end. Such tonal qualities make these guitars famous for jazz, blues, and rock-n-roll genres.
They differ from solid body guitars, which have a more controlled sustain and feedback and are thus generally used for more challenging rock and metal genres.
What are some factors to consider when purchasing a hollow body electric guitar?
When purchasing a hollow-body electric guitar, factors include the following: Different models of hollow-body guitars produce different tones. Considering the type of music you want to play can help in deciding.
High-quality hollow-body guitars can be pretty expensive. Consider your budget when choosing.
Check for extraneous noise, buzzing, and faulty wiring. The size, weight, and feel of holding and playing the guitar are also crucial. While not a determinant of sound, the guitar’s look can be a factor for many guitarists.
