Who makes an inexpensive ES335 type

[Harryburke14]

Been lusting after a semi acoustic guitar for as long as I can remember. Don't have the money for a gibson 335 (although I wish I did) so want something a bit more affordable. I've seen epiphones, tanglewoods,  Ibanez, Gretsch all do affordable(r) variations of the same general idea, but with the market so wide for these things, was looking for some opinions.

Budget would probably be £300 but the cheaper the better.

[adamg67]

If you want something good but cheap, Ibanez Artcores can be had second hand for well under £300. If you want something that will probably be a as good, objectively, as a Gibson then the Ibanez Artstar will do it, and you might get one used for £300, or just a touch over. Amazing value guitars second hand.

Edited September 7, 2018 by adamg67

[Witters]

8 hours ago, Harryburke14 said:

Been lusting after a semi acoustic guitar for as long as I can remember. Don't have the money for a gibson 335 (although I wish I did) so want something a bit more affordable. I've seen epiphones, tanglewoods,  Ibanez, Gretsch all do affordable(r) variations of the same general idea, but with the market so wide for these things, was looking for some opinions.

Budget would probably be £300 but the cheaper the better.

Shop around, play lots of different ones, find a good and cheap luthier (ask in Vintage and second hand shops) as a good setup makes a huge difference but I would never pay what some shops ask.  Or you could learn to do it yourself.

I like Epiphone but with your budget I’d go secondhand.  

Good luck!

[darkandrew]

Harley Benton (available online from Thomann) probably have one of the best reputations for producing decent kit at the budget end of the market.

Edited September 8, 2018 by darkandrew

[Cato]

I think all the obvious choices have been mentioned.

I think with semi acoustics it's particularly important to try before you buy, if for no other reason than to see how you get on with the huge body.

When I was looking for one about 15 years ago a lot of the cheaper stuff I tried, particularly the Epiphones felt really cheap and nasty, far more so than their solid body range.

Although that was long enough ago for everyone, including Epiphone to have considerably upped their game since.

Edited September 8, 2018 by Cato

[Andyjr1515]

Harry - I'll pm you. I may have the perfect solution for you....

[Cato]

4 hours ago, Andyjr1515 said:

Harry - I'll pm you. I may have the perfect solution for you....

You're surely not going to build Harry a 335 for £300?

Edited September 9, 2018 by Cato

[Andyjr1515]

6 hours ago, Cato said:

You're surely not going to build Harry a 335 for £300?

No - only in his dreams 

I have a lovely and upgraded 335-style I've had a few years and have been looking for a good home for it to go to.  I've got a crazy number of guitars for a guy with arthritis in both hands but I am reluctant to let any of them go at all, let alone to someone on ebay buying to make a quick buck on resale

So always looking for people I know share the passion and will make good use out of them.  And Harry is one of my repeat customers anyway

[MWH]

AND ?,  is there a happy ending, will i need a hanky ?

[Andyjr1515]

4 hours ago, MWH said:

AND ?,  is there a happy ending, will i need a hanky ?

Well presently, I am nowhere near where the guitar is but yes, Harry is going to borrow it when I'm back and see if it suits his needs 

[Harryburke14]

Andy has just dropped the guitar round and yes it is fantastic.

The neighbours are gonna love me the next few days.