Which Semi?.......

[The Reverend 48]

As a lot of you know I mainly play Blues I use an American Strat Plus and a Gibson Les Paul...However I've got it in my head that a semi can give me a different set of tones (i'm thinking sweet jazzy BB ish)
First of all in your expert opinions do you think that my assumptions are right?
If so what medium priced (around £300) semi will give me what I crave....I can't get round the stores to try them all which is what I would ideally do...
Would Love a wide flattish neck
Please Help!

[Greeny]

I was in the same sitaution as you, and I narrowed it down to three guitars. I was willing to go to £400 though: I think this extra will make a BIG difference to what you can get.

1. Ibanez Artcore - lovely guitars and well-respected
2. Hagstrom - different but interesting
3. Hofner Verythin - this is what I ended up with. You should get one for around £350-£370

There's also a copy of a ES-335 by Vintage which looks very good value for the money. Under £300 I believe.

Not sure about the necks on these. My Hofner is a joy to play though.

A semi will definitely open up new tones for you though. A good move, I'd say 

[guitarron]

i see peavy make one for 300usd and sweetwater-never seen one personally
cant go wrong with epi 335-maybe used

[steveblues50]

i have the as73 (cheapest) artcore,it's a great guitar.

[Kody]

I saw that Edge from U2 was playing an Epiphone semi-hollow on the David Letterman show- Not sure if it was a ES-335, Dot or Sheraton, but if he was playing Epi...that says maybe they're worth checking into...they're usually priced to sell!

I bought an Oscar Schmidt (by Washburn) Delta King....$150 brand new- not sure of the Euro(or whatever lol) equivelent.  I'm happy with it- not my main guitar, but nice to have...

[The Reverend 48]

I am getting confused with all the semis I've looked at
so far I'm Thinking:
Epi Sheraton
Ibenez Artcore
Both are well known and hold their value.....

Altho these 3 interest me they are much more of an unknown quality

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=330314191692

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=180337773167


and this really interests me watch vid if you have time

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=180337876132

I'm spinning at the moment

[Greeny]

Bluesberry has a sheraton... 

[hewhoiscalledj]

I'd like to chime in and mention how much I love my Epiphone Dot Deluxe; the deluxe just has gold hardware as far as I can tell. The action came in very high so I had it brought down but that was my only complaint. Overall, it has a sweet and juicy tone that's perfect for bluesy/jazzy passages and when I kick on the distortion, it makes for a very wild ride. I'd like to put some P90s in it someday for a raunchier sound.

If considering some of the other Epi options, just remember that some models like the Casino are "hollow body" and can lead to much more feedback so I'd avoid it if you plan on playing heavy distortion.

[The Reverend 48]

If considering some of the other Epi options, just remember that some models like the Casino are "hollow body" and can lead to much more feedback so I'd avoid it if you plan on playing heavy distortion.

Thanks for the help...I think My les Paul will handle the distorted stuff I want to play but the more I listen the more I think I want a hollow body
I've been trawling YouTube to try to find the sound I want and this is about where I want to go.....A lot of the guitars I've listened to seem to Bright and not deep and rich


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdxr2UJSxG0

[hewhoiscalledj]

I gotta say though that sound quality you get from youtube videos doesnt do the guitars any justice. It will always sound a little tinnier or brighter than it would in real life so be careful. There's also a huge difference between bridge and neck pickups (if equipped w/ both.)

Keep in mind the difference between hollow and semi-hollow. Semi's have a thick block of wood running down the center of the body which gives it much more sustain (which I love dearly.) Hollow's are just that but do give a more open, woody sound and was totally loved by John Lennon and friends when they made the Casino popular. I don't think I've ever heard a hollow or semi hollow that I would describe as "bright," but that's just my opinion.

Good luck on your quest! I'd love to see and hear what you end up with...