The Godin 5th Avenue is one of the sweetest deals around for a full hollow body guitar. Ibanez would be my next choice for a Semi Hollow body. You're not going to find much in a lower price range. Even used for something stable. A lot of the Electracoustic Series sound pretty bad IMHO and not really worth the money unless your main goal is to use it as an electric. Even then it's not that great. But then what would you expect from a thin guitar with a fiberglass back?
I would be patient and look around used. You won't find a thing US made in your price range. I compared the Epi Dot and the Ibanez AS73 and the Ibanez took it all in tone and build quality. YMMV I paid $200 fir it used at GC and put Seymour Duncan Phat Cat P-90's in it. This thing is sweet.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod ... sku=500320

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

I've heard that these are the best budget guitars going now and Rondo is a great supplier. Check this out for just a little over two bills shipped.

http://www.rondomusic.com/product2292.html

Some of the Rondo stuff isn't bad, but I'd be a little leery of a big box electric.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

Schecter has a great, not very expensive ($600) holobody Electric.

Paris

The OP is looking in the $200-300 range. The pickins' get pretty slim for a quality guitar in that price range. He really needs to raise the floor a little bit. You can always find something in that price range, but finding something stable and usable is another matter. My AS73 had some scratches on it but for the money and how well it played and sounded in stock form, it was a no brainer.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

Jay Turser has a line of hollowbody and semi-hollowbody "jazz" guitars for under $300. I've never played one, but the reviews seem good.



8)

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm.

They used to sell them at Sam Ash. I tried them and they're not that bad. The Artcore's and Epi's sound and are built better better to me but for the money not horrible.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

I guess I would go with the Ibanez Artcore as being the best "stock" ... I find their sound better than the epiphones.. If you are planning on modifying the electronics, a used 90's Korean Epi Dot or Sheraton would be my choice... I have never played a Jay Turser... Mid range, ~$1000, Guild all the way baby.. They are better than gibsons...

UPDATE:

Wow this is a great deal for buy it now...
http://cgi.ebay.com/EPIPHONE-SHERATON-G ... 1c13ad1138

The pickups have been upgraded... I would recommend this guitar

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In Reference to Blues Legend RL Burnside:
After a heart attack in 2001, Burnside's doctor advised him to stop drinking; Burnside did, but he reported that change left him unable to play.

I'd pass, first he doesn't have one clear photo of the guitar. Second, water damage. Third, fret wear. He should have closeup photos of everything, There's other stuff around for $300-400. The "orange peel" could be delamination of the laminate or even mold.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

I read through the post too fast it seems... Water damage could be an issue... But maybe not.. Its a risk...

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In Reference to Blues Legend RL Burnside:
After a heart attack in 2001, Burnside's doctor advised him to stop drinking; Burnside did, but he reported that change left him unable to play.

+1

I got one of those a couple months ago. It's an amazing guitar for less than $300. Great sound, very comfortable body shape, no finish flaws,... Best you can get for this price imo.


Guitar World review (Dot starts at 5 min.):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnwxRVVeBcU

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Dean, Epiphone and Fender guitars

I'd go with the AS73... I love mine and when I bought it I went in lookin' to buy an Epi Dot until I played them side by side and the AS73 blew the Dot away and it cost $100 less.

Real aspirations is to one day own the real deal though...335's are the best sounding guitars next to Teles in my mind

If we are talking about full body hollow body electric, they are very nice for home use or a solo gig and VERY hard to control at unmiked stage volume with a band. I have played an ES-175 in band situations and I don't reccomend it unless it is your true passion. I knew guys that played the things and some that played unblocked Guild semi-hollowbodies. It is a true art as far as I can tell. You have lots of unwanted and hard to control feedback.

An ES-335 or some of the Ibanez blocked semihollow bodies are a lot more practical in live performance situations.

+1 the AS73 has binding on the F-holes too. Nice touch. I did like it a lot better than the Epi and I'm a big Epi fan.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

I havn't glanced through and seen what others have said, but if you want an excellent Semi-hollow in the ES335 mold, well I must suggest Ibanez's excellent AS line of guitars, I own 2, an AS-73 and a AS-83, both of these guitars are made in China, but don't let that stop you. I won't ever sell these babies but you can find them at Guitar Center as well as online such as ebay. I get that wonderful Ted Nugent "Stranglehold" sound with the bridge pick-up. Sweet, now if you'll excuse me, I must get back to enjoying my new American Special HSS