It might not have been your first venture into the world of guitars, but at some point in your six-string journey, you’ve probably been tempted by one of the best hollowbody electric guitars. If you haven’t, then you will by the end of this guide
With their luscious, airy and more open sound, the best hollowbody electric guitars offer something slightly different to their solid counterparts. You can still play the same sort of music as you normally would, you just get a slightly different flavor, making them a valuable addition to any guitar collection.
Hollowbody and semi-hollow guitars can be used for all sorts of types of music – indie, rock, blues, jazz and more. You don’t see loads of them in metal, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible – if you can control the feedback, you might like the additional resonance that a semi-hollowbody gives you. Plus Brent Hinds (ex-Mastodon) managed to shred and rip his way through gigs on a Gibson Lucille.
I've looked through what’s on offer and compiled a list of what I reckon to be the best hollowbody electric guitars out there right now, covering a range of styles and budgets.
But if you want my top pick straight away, then I'll point you in the direction of the PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo - a guitar that combines electric and acoustic sounds to great effect. Add to that excellent build quality, and you have my no.1 pick that's hard to beat.
For further information, head down to the FAQ section where you'll find practical advice on hollowbody guitars.
My top picks
My top pick goes to the PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo - a cracking hollowbody guitar that, thanks to its PAF-style 58/15S humbuckers, gets pretty close to the pickups found on the Core original. Build quality is excellent and it'll suit different play styles.
The sound of the Squier Classic Vibe '70s Telecaster Thinline sits perfectly between solidbody and semi-hollow tones and is available for a brilliant price. It also looks the part and build quality is spot on. For the price, this is hard to beat.
This is a smaller and lighter version of the classic Gibson ES-335 that's a thrill to play and delivers warm and open sounds. To top off an all-round excellent package is a range of lovely finishes, including the timeless Vintage Sunburst.
Best overall
✅ Buy if you want a versatile, high-performance guitar: The PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo packs in some amazing acoustic tones and is a pleasure to play.
❌ Avoid if you'd prefer not to have a piezo: The piezo isn't going to be top of the list for every player, so check out other options if this applies to you.
Build quality rating: ★★★★★
Playability rating: ★★★★★
Sounds rating: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★
The announcement that PRS was adding a Hollowbody II Piezo to their affordable SE line was met at the time with wild-eyed wonder – and with good reason.
It’s the type of instrument many had been calling for but few actually expected to arrive, given its status as one of the more lusted-over instruments found in the company’s Core and Private Stock catalogs.
More importantly, though – could they really deliver that same boutique craft and tone for players on a tighter budget?
As it turns out, yes - very much so. The PAF-style 58/15S humbuckers can get very close to the pickups found on the Core original, while the LR Baggs/PRS Piezo system packs some truly breathtaking acoustic tones.
The PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo might not be made in the company’s Maryland factory in the US– instead, it's being produced in the same Chinese location responsible for the PRS SE acoustic range of guitars – but there really can be no doubt that the PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo is an instrument worthy of the rich heritage behind it – and it's a guitar that comes highly recommended from myself and the Guitar World team.
"With a truly convincing acoustic sound complementing the vintage warmth and growl of the PAF-style 58/15S humbuckers, the PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo is a super versatile, high-performance instrument that's delivers a lot of class for the price."
Read more: PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo review
Best compact
✅ Buy if you want those 335 sounds without paying top dollar: This is an excellent counterpoint to the Gibson ES-335. It's comfortable to play, sounds great and comes in a range of classic finishes.
❌ Avoid if you have extra cash for a more pro option: For the price, there's little to criticise here, but pro players should look elsewhere.
Build quality rating: ★★★★★
Playability rating: ★★★★★
Sounds rating: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★
The Gibson ES-335 is undoubtedly the most quintessential semi-hollow guitar of them all, though its slightly smaller and lighter cousin (the ES-339) is certainly worthy of consideration.
This addition to Epiphone’s Inspired By Gibson range offers a lot of those famous tones and looks for a fraction of the cost, equipped with Alnico Classic Pro humbuckers, a Graph Tech NuBone nut, Grover Rotomatic tuners and a Locktone bridge and tailpiece for added sustain.
Available in some classic gloss finishes such as Cherry, Pelham Blue, Vintage Sunburst and Natural, these guitars are a great option for players looking for warm and open 335 sounds without compromising on comfort and playability.
To be honest, at this price, it really is difficult to see where you can go wrong.
Best budget
✅ Buy if you want to an affordable hollowbody: The Squier Classic Vibe '70s Telecaster Thinline carries an affordable price tag and it sounds great. What more could you want?
❌ Avoid if you want a traditional Fender sound: Perhaps not a surprise given the price, but those looking for classic Fender tones won't find them here.
Build quality rating: ★★★★½
Playability rating: ★★★★½
Sounds rating: ★★★★½
Overall: ★★★★½
Of course, not all semi-hollows need to appear oversized or larger-than-life in design. Fender’s Thinline Telecasters, for example, have exactly the same cut as the solidbody models – with a single f-hole on the upper wing – and they’re a happy medium between solidbody and semi-hollow tones.
Naturally, the Classic Vibe '70s model was a welcome addition to the Squier lineup in 2019, with two Wide Range humbucking pickups as per the Seventies instruments instead of the single-coils found on the late-Sixties originals.
And while the original '70s six-strings were typically built out of natural swamp ash, the Squier models come with a soft maple body and maple neck, and also feature a four-ply Aged White Pearloid pickguard.
This pays tribute to the guitars famously used by Bob Dylan, Curtis Mayfield and Keith Richards at an entry-level price point.
"The array of tones achievable from the Wide Range humbuckers is fantastic, especially when taking command of the onboard tone controls – it’s a certified genre chameleon. Its effortless playability, surprisingly sturdy hardware and eye-catching, boldly finished semi-hollow body set this Telecaster apart. The matching black bound neck and block inlays complete the package, making it a top contender in its class."
Read more: Squier Classic Vibe ‘70s Telecaster Thinline review
Best pro choice
✅ Buy if you want one of the best guitars out there: The Gibson ES-335 is my pick for pro players looking for something special. Dynamic and responsive, this is a real treat to play.
❌ Avoid if you're on a tight budget: All this awesomeness comes at a significant price, so it's won't be at the top of everyone's shopping lists.
Build quality rating: ★★★★★
Playability rating: ★★★★★
Sounds rating: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★
If budget isn’t an issue for you and you're looking to make a special purchase, the US-made 335 models in Gibson’s current lineup are certainly an enticing proposition.
They bring the vintage aesthetics of the past into the present, thanks to the all-new Gibson Calibrate T-Type humbuckers, controlled by two volume and two tone controls, and a three-way selector as per the 335s of yesteryear.
As well as being found in the hands of blues and jazz greats like Chuck Berry, Larry Carlton and Grant Green, this kind of semi-hollow has also been at the heart and center of many a great rock recording.
“Every album we have ever made, from the first to the latest, was recorded with my red 1967 Trini Lopez ES-335 signature,” Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl once revealed. “It is the sound of our band – and my most prized possession from the day I bought it in 1992.”
Best alt option
✅ Buy if you want a unique semi-hollow: With its retro stylings and unique looks, the Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster is certainly something different.
❌ Avoid if retro vibes aren't quite your thing: The Starcaster might be a bit of an acquired taste and won't suit everyone's play style.
Build quality rating: ★★★★½
Playability rating: ★★★★½
Sounds rating: ★★★★½
Overall: ★★★★½
The Starcaster was (and still is) one of the unsung heroes in the Fender family tree – its production having been halted only six years after its launch in the mid Seventies.
A few decades later, however, it made a surprising comeback, thanks to the indie-rock jangle of bands like Radiohead, The Killers and Arctic Monkeys, which ultimately led to its latest re-launch in their Squier range not too long ago.
To say we I was impressed would be an understatement – the Classic Vibe makes no compromises on tone, playability or looks, and it still manages to undercut pretty much every other semi-hollow out there.
If you’re looking for powerful acoustic resonance, glorious sustain and well-balanced tones to cover everything from jazz to rock – courtesy of the Fender-designed Wide Ranging pickups – this could very well be the guitar for you.
Best design
✅ Buy if you want a statement guitar: There's no mistaking the classy looks of the White Falcon but luckily, it plays just as good as it looks.
❌ Avoid if you don't want to be the centre of attention: We can't all be Billy Duffy, so maybe something a little more reserved might be more to your tastes.
Build quality rating: ★★★★★
Playability rating: ★★★★½
Sounds rating: ★★★★½
Overall: ★★★★½
Though it has obvious ties to rockabilly and country, plenty of hard-rock guitar players have also wielded a White Falcon, including The Cult’s Billy Duffy and Guns N’ Roses’ Richard Fortus.
And while this hollowbody might feel a bit bulky for some, and not best suited to those on a budget, it’s the kind of guitar that’s always guaranteed to make a statement – visually and sonically.
With a laminate maple body, maple neck and ebony fingerboard complimented by two High Sensitive Filter’Tron dual-coils, it’s an enduring classic that remains popular.
“To play a White Falcon, you really have to mean it, be aggressive and control it,” Billy Duffy told this writer in 2019. “These guitars get wild and crazy at full-pelt in bigger rooms… there’s really nothing like them.”
Best for jazz
✅ Buy if you want jazz guitar with balanced tone: The Ibanez GB10EM is a neat option for jazz guitarists thanks to its top-tier tone.
❌ Avoid if you want a guitar with a gritty edge: Jazz purists will love the GB10EM, but those seeking more grit and power will find it a little underwhelming.
Build quality rating: ★★★★½
Playability rating: ★★★★
Sounds rating: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★★
Until fairly recently, George Benson’s signature hollow body instruments were typically found in the mid and upper tiers of the Japanese company’s catalog.
The introduction of the Ibanez GB10EM, however, changed that – following the jazz legend’s request for them to produce an instrument that was accessible to all his fans, offering a whole lot of guitar for very little money indeed.
The Ibanez GB10EM is available in Antique Amber or Jet Blue Burst, fitted with passive Alnico Magic Touch-Mini pickups and built out of a Spruce top with Linden back and sides.
In my opinion it’s the perfect guitar for your best Breezin’ licks – if you’re able to keep up with maestro himself, that is!
Most versatile
✅ Buy if you want a stand-out guitar with bags of character: The PRS Special Semi-Hollow isn't for the faint of heart and delivers awesome tones.
❌ Avoid if you want top value for money: This is an expensive guitar that doesn't quite match its financial outlay.
Build quality rating: ★★★★
Playability rating: ★★★★
Sounds rating: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★★
As I've learned over the years, PRS isn’t the kind of company to do anything half-assed, so it’s little surprise that the Special Semi-Hollow is the kind of guitar that would sit among the very top in just about anyone’s collection.
The new addition to the Core line features a 58/15 LT humbucker in the bridge, a 58/15 in the neck and a PRS Narrowfield mini-humbucker in the middle, designed to deliver single-coil tones without any of the hum issues.
And while it may not be able to compete with the other guitars in this list in terms of value for money, it truly excels in tone and appearance – in a way that’s guaranteed to turn heads wherever you go… if you’re brave enough to leave the house with it, that is.
Best vintage
✅ Buy if you want a traditional hollowbody: The Yorktown is full of vintage swagger that produces detailed sound.
❌ Avoid if you want a more modern style of hollowbody: Traditional as it is, the Yorktown's aesthetics won't be to everyone's tastes.
Build quality rating: ★★★★
Playability rating: ★★★★
Sounds rating: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★★
If there’s anything Cort is synonymous with, it’s value for money – which is why the company’s Yorktown hollowbody guitars successfully capture the spirit and vintage class of old Gibsons for those on a budget.
Built using what they call “old-world construction methods,” the guitars feature a spruce top that’s complemented by the maple back and sides, as well as a Canadian hard rock maple neck and ovangkol fingerboard.
There’s also a floating tune-o-matic bridge for optimum intonation and VTH-59 pickups that are overwound for a slightly hotter output than your typical PAF.
Finished in a rather fetching Tobacco Burst that fades from black into amber – we’re sure you’ll be inclined to agree – it’s an instrument that oozes class.
Best signature
✅ Buy if you want a semi-hollow to rock out with: This is the guitar you need if you want to embrace your inner Dave Grohl - and look cool in the process!
❌ Avoid if signature models aren't your cup if tea: Signature instruments often put people off, so if that applies to you, steer clear and choose another semi-hollow..
Build quality rating: ★★★★½
Playability rating: ★★★★½
Sounds rating: ★★★★½
Overall: ★★★★½
One of the most devoted semi-hollowbody slingers in rock, Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl, has been playing his signature Gibson 335s on the biggest stages in the world for years now.
An Epiphone version of these made perfect sense, and it’s quickly become not only one of the most popular signature models around, but also one of the best hollowbody electric guitars.
While it proudly sports Epiphone on the headstock, it’s actually fitted with a pair of Gibson USA Burstbucker pickups, giving you rich, powerful yet dynamic tones. So, whether you’re playing some gentle blues through a crystal clean amp, or ringing out power chords and blistering solos through a wall of amps, you get out of it what you put in.
These guitars are built to a fantastic standard, and come shipped with a hardcase. It’s also not obviously a signature guitar too, so you won’t look like you’re trying to imitate anyone - it’s simply a classy looking guitar.
"As with every successful signature guitar, you’re wearing your influences around your neck with the DG-335. For fans and tribute bands, it’s the guitar we’ve been waiting for. For everyone else, it’s Dave Grohl’s guitar, and a fine one it is, too."
Read more: Epiphone DG-335 Dave Grohl Signature review
Best clear tones
✅ Buy if you want a versatile hollowbody with a beautiful clean tone: The G5422TG sounds fantastic thanks to its Filter’Tron pickups.
❌ Avoid if you want a more gutsy sound: Those crisp, clean tones might be a little too perfect for those looking for a more rocky edge.
Build quality rating: ★★★★
Playability rating: ★★★★
Sounds rating: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★★
This type of guitar for many players (including myself) will give instant Beatles vibes, as it’s not a million miles from George Harrison’s Country Gentleman. This Electromatic Gretsch can definitely handle that kind of guitar sound with ease, but it’s by no means a one trick pony.
Whether you’re playing rock, blues, surf, indie, jazz or pretty much anything else, the G5422T is versatile, and looks all kinds of classy while doing it.
The guitar is fully hollow, but it features trestle block bracing which not only increases sustain, it allows you to dial up the gain a little further if you need to, without getting too much feedback.
The pickups are a pair of Filter’Trons that deliver that unmistakable Gretsch sound. It’s twangy without being too much. They’re also nice and clear sounding, even with the gain piled on.
FAQ
What do hollowbody guitars sound like?
Where solid body guitars might be more focused or direct, hollowbodies are usually more balanced and open sounding. You’ll get a warmer, slightly bassier sound, but still get plenty of top end from the treble strings.
There’s also the increased resonance that you get with hollowbody electric guitars. When you play, it rings out more acoustically, which in turn affects how the strings vibrate. It’s these vibrations that the pickups turn into a signal that is fed to your amp.
Semi-hollow body guitars feature a solid block usually running through the middle of the guitar and house the pickups. These can act as a great middle ground if you don’t want to go too far one particular way.
Feedback
You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Due to their nature, hollowbody electric guitars are more prone to feedback, especially if you’re using lots of gain. That said, there are ways to control it.
You can mute the strings when you’re not using them, try a noise gate, move away from your amp and more. Some players even manipulate the feedback to make some incredible sounds, like infinite sustain on certain notes at the end of a solo, for example.
Again, a compromise that some players find is to opt for a semi-hollow guitar as you get the increased resonance and airiness associated with hollowbodies, but you’re not quite as prone to feedback.
Are hollowbody guitars the same as semi-acoustic?
When talking about hollowbody electric guitars, you might hear people refer to them as semi-acoustics. This is a fairly interchangeable term and they mean the same thing, but it’s not to be confused with electro-acoustic guitars, which are acoustic guitars that feature an onboard pickup and preamp system.
Pickups
The construction of the guitar will affect how it sounds and how it reacts to your playing, your whole rig etc, but the pickups are still pretty paramount to the end sound that you hear.
If you’re after a particular tone; whether that be the output, or shape of the EQ, then make sure to do some research on the pickups fitted in these particular guitars.
How we choose products
Navigating the wide range of hollowbody guitars requires a keen understanding of playability, tonal versatility, build quality, and, of course, value for money. The Guitar World team extensively tested a variety of options, from classic designs to modern innovations, ensuring that our recommendations can be trusted.
When testing a hollowbody guitar, we'll look at every aspect from the quality of the hardware to the sound of the pickups, testing in a variety of scenarios whether it's playing at home or blasting it through a tube amp on stage. We'll check the fret ends, the action, and the intonation out of the box, judging how easy it is to make adjustments and whether it will need further work to make it playable to a good standard.
Each recommendation has earned its spot through rigorous testing, guaranteeing that whether you're strumming chords or unleashing blistering solos, our suggested hollowbody guitars will be your trusted companions on the road to musical excellence.
Why you can trust Guitar World
☑️ A global audience of 3.8 million guitarists monthly
☑️ 1,200+ reviews on GuitarWorld.com
☑️ 30+ years of product testing at Guitar World
Guitar World boasts over 44 years of expertise and stands as the ultimate authority on all things related to guitars. The magazine and website feature expertly written gear round-ups and top-quality, authoritative reviews penned by a team of highly experienced industry professionals.
Guitar World's inaugural print issue hit the shelves in July 1980, and ever since, it has been captivating players and enthusiasts with engaging lessons, insightful interviews with the biggest guitar heroes, and priceless buying advice for newbie players.
Furthermore, GuitarWorld.com continues this legacy online and serves as the hub of the world's foremost authorities on guitar playing. The site not only hosts content from Guitar World but also showcases articles from respected publications such as Guitarist, Total Guitar, Guitar Techniques, and Bass Player. With a reach extending to 3.8 million players each month, GuitarWorld.com is a go-to destination for guitar fanatics globally.
Meet the experts
Amit has been writing for titles like Total Guitar, MusicRadar and Guitar World for over a decade and counts Richie Kotzen, Guthrie Govan and Jeff Beck among his primary influences as a guitar player. He's worked for magazines like Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, Classic Rock, Prog, Record Collector, Planet Rock, Rhythm and Bass Player, as well as newspapers like Metro and The Independent, interviewing everyone from Ozzy Osbourne and Lemmy to Slash and Jimmy Page, and once even traded solos with a member of Slayer on a track released internationally. As a session guitarist, he's played alongside members of Judas Priest and Uriah Heep in London ensemble Metalworks, as well as handled lead guitars for legends like Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols, The Faces) and Stu Hamm (Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, G3).
After spending a decade in music retail, Richard is now a freelance writer for MusicRadar, Guitar Player, Guitar World and Reverb, specialising in electric and acoustic guitars, bass, and almost anything else you can make a tune with. When his head’s not buried in the best of modern and vintage gear, Richard runs a small company helping musicians with songwriting, production and performance, and plays bass in an alt-rock band. Otherwise, you'll probably find him out walking the dog!
Latest updates
04/06/25: The guide has been updated to include three new guitars: Gibson ES-335, Epiphone DG-335 Dave Grohl Signature and the Gretsch G5422TG Electromatic Classic Double-Cut. Each product now features "At a glance" boxes detailing pros and cons, while a star rating for each has also been included. Where applicable, expert verdict panels have been inserted and a brand new FAQ section has been included giving you practical information about hollowbody guitars. A section detailing how the MusicRadar team chose what guitars to include in the guide has been added, alongside a section of why you can trust us when buying products. Finally, a "Meet the experts" section now features so you can get to know the faces behind the names.
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