Built Different from the Start
The semi-hollow design was introduced by Gibson in 1958 with the ES-335. The goal was to give hollow body players feedback resistance and sustain without losing the warmth that made hollow body guitars essential to jazz and blues. The center block made that possible, and the basic concept remains unchanged today.
What Makes a Semi Hollow Guitar Different
The difference between a semi-hollow and a hollow body guitar comes down to one structural feature: the center block. Understanding what it does makes the rest of the buying decision easier.
The Center Block
A semi-hollow guitar has a solid piece of wood running through the center of the body from the neck joint to the tail. Hollow chambers extend outward from both sides of that block, creating the resonant character these guitars are known for. The center block provides a stable mounting point for the pickups and dramatically reduces the feedback risk that makes fully hollow body guitars difficult to control at stage volumes with overdrive. Without it, you have a hollow body guitar. With it, you have an instrument that can handle moderate gain at live volumes.
Tone at Clean and Overdrive Settings
At clean settings, a semi-hollow guitar sounds noticeably warmer and more open than a comparable solidbody. The acoustic character of the chambers adds a slight bloom to notes and a natural resonance that solid guitars cannot replicate. At low to moderate overdrive, that warmth blends into a crunch that works well for blues, soul, and classic rock. At very high volumes with heavy distortion, feedback risk increases. The center block helps, but it doesn’t eliminate the issue entirely. Semi-hollow guitars aren’t really the standard choice for high-gain metal, though they handle classic rock crunch without issue.
Body Size and Playing Feel
Semi-hollow guitars typically run thinner than fully hollow-body guitars, which makes them feel closer to a solidbody when you pick one up. The classic ES-335-style double-cutaway is the most common body shape — recognizable, comfortable, and well-suited to most playing styles. Smaller thinline semi-hollow guitar designs, sometimes called ES-339-style guitars, offer the same tonal character in a more compact body. These are a practical option for players who find full-size semi-hollows awkward to manage on a strap.
What to Look for When Buying a Semi Hollow Guitar
Three factors do most of the work in narrowing the field: pickup type, body construction, and price tier.
Pickup Type
Most semi-hollow guitars ship with humbuckers, which pair well with the body style. Humbuckers reduce unwanted noise and deliver warm, full output that complements the natural resonance of the hollow chambers, making them a practical match for blues, jazz, and classic rock. P-90 pickups appear in some ES-style guitars and offer a brighter, more cutting tone with vintage character. Single-coil designs show up in some Gretsch-style instruments, adding treble and sparkle at the cost of some hum. The pickup choice shapes the overall voice of the guitar as much as the body construction.
Center Block Construction and Body Depth
Not all center block guitars are built the same way. Premium instruments from Gibson, Heritage Guitars, and PRS use carefully selected tonewoods for the block and top, which affects sustain and resonance. Entry-level and mid-range guitars often use laminate tops with poplar or nyatoh bodies. These are perfectly playable instruments but with somewhat less acoustic complexity. Body depth also varies; thinner-bodied guitars feel easier to manage and tend toward a tighter sound, while deeper-bodied guitars lean more toward the acoustic side of the spectrum.
Price Tier
Entry-level semi-hollow guitars start around $300-$499 and include options from Ibanez and Epiphone. The $500-$1,499 range expands the field significantly: Gretsch, PRS SE, Guild, EVH, and Reverend all build strong instruments here, with better materials and more consistent setups. Pro-grade instruments from Gibson, PRS Core, and Heritage Guitars start above $1,500 and reflect the construction quality and tonal depth you would expect at that price.
Gibson ES-335 '50s and '60s - The One That Started It All
The Gibson ES-335 is the original semi-hollow guitar. But it's not easy (or cheap) to get an original '50s- or '60s-era 335. Luckily for everyone, Gibson has released the ES-335 '50s and '60s models as a throwback to the guitar that changed it all. Whether you like the fatter '50s neck or the slim and speedy '60s Slim Taper, you can't go wrong with grabbing a piece of modern history. Check out the semi-hollow Gibson ES-335 '50s or ES-335 '60s right here at AMS.
Semi Hollow Guitars at American Musical Supply
American Musical Supply stocks over 100 semi-hollow body guitars from top brands like Gibson, Epiphone, Gretsch, PRS, Ibanez, Guild, Heritage Guitars, and Reverend, with prices from around $300 to $5,999. You can even get them using AMS’s 0% interest payment plans. And, of course, all orders ship VERY fast and free.
Browse our full electric guitars collection for amplifiers, accessories, and every other guitar type we carry.
Not Sure a Semi-Hollow Is Right for You?
Semi-hollow guitars aren’t right for every playing style. If you’re looking to push the volume past 11, a solid body electric guitar would give you more feedback resistance. Of course, if you want to go the other direction and get MORE warmth and airiness, check out our selection of hollow body electric guitars. And we never leave out the lefties with plenty of left-handed electric guitars that come in all shapes and sizes to fit any playing style.
To get the most from a semi-hollow guitar, you’ll also need an amplifier, strings, and a cable. And luckily, we have plenty! Check out guitar amplifiers, electric guitar strings, and guitar cables right here at AMS.
Frequently Asked Questions About Semi Hollow Electric Guitars
What is the difference between a semi-hollow and a hollow body guitar?
A semi-hollow guitar has a solid center block running through the middle of the body, with hollow chambers on either side. A hollow body guitar has no center block. The interior is completely open, similar to an acoustic guitar. The center block is what gives a semi-hollow its feedback resistance. Without it, hollow body guitars are much harder to control at high volumes with overdrive.
Will a semi-hollow guitar feedback at high volumes?
More than a solidbody, less than a hollow body. The center block significantly reduces feedback compared to a fully hollow guitar, but it doesn’t eliminate it. At moderate stage volumes with light to moderate overdrive, most semi-hollow guitars are practical and controllable. At very high volumes with heavy distortion, feedback risk increases. If your playing involves high-gain metal at loud volumes, a solidbody is a better choice.
What genres are semi-hollow guitars good for?
Blues, jazz, country, rockabilly, soul, R&B, and indie rock are where semi-hollows live. The warm, resonant character of a semi-hollow suits styles that benefit from some acoustic air in the tone. Many classic rock players use them for clean to lightly overdriven sounds. They’re not the standard choice for high-gain metal, though they handle classic rock crunch without issue.
Are semi-hollow guitars good for beginners?
Yes, with one caveat. A semi-hollow plays and feels very similar to a solidbody, with neck profiles, scale lengths, and string action all in the same range. The main consideration for newer players is that semi-hollow guitars tend to have larger bodies than solidbody guitars. They can be cumbersome for younger players.
What pickups are common in semi-hollow guitars?
Humbuckers are the most common pickup type. They reduce noise and deliver warm, full output that complements the body's resonance. P-90 pickups appear in some ES-style guitars and offer a brighter, more vintage-voiced alternative. Some Gretsch-style instruments use single-coil pickups, which add sparkle and treble at the cost of some hum. The pickup choice has a significant effect on the overall tonal character of the instrument.
What is a center block guitar?
A center block guitar is a semi-hollow guitar with a solid block of wood running lengthwise through the middle of the body. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with semi-hollow. The center block is what separates a semi-hollow from a fully hollow body guitar. It provides a stable mounting point for the pickups and reduces feedback at higher volumes and gain levels.
Shop Semi Hollow Electric Guitars
American Musical Supply carries semi-hollow electric guitars for blues, jazz, classic rock, and everything in between. VERY fast and free shipping. Easy returns. 0% interest payment financing with no credit check available.
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