Best Semi Hollow Body Guitars Under $1000

If you crave classic jazz warmth, bluesy sustain, or the crunchy bite of vintage rock, a semi-hollow body guitar hits that sweet spot. These guitars blend the resonance of a hollow body with the sustain and feedback control of a solid body, making them ideal for a range of styles—from jazz and blues to indie, classic rock, and even funk.

The best part? You don’t have to break the bank. In this guide, we’ll cover the best semi-hollow body guitars under $1000 that deliver serious tone, stunning style, and excellent value.

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What Is a Semi-Hollow Body Guitar?

A semi-hollow guitar features a center block of wood inside a hollow body. This design offers:

• Warmer, rounder tone than solid bodies

• More sustain and feedback control than full hollow bodies

• Ideal for clean tones, light overdrive, and smooth distortion

Perfect for jazz, blues, rockabilly, soul, alternative, and more.

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Best Semi-Hollow Body Guitars Under $1000 (2024 Picks)

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1. Epiphone Riviera

Best All-Around Semi-Hollow Guitar Under $1000

A reissue of a vintage classic, the Riviera combines a laminate maple body, a center block, and Epiphone PRO Mini humbuckers for a tight, articulate tone that handles clean and driven tones with ease.

Key Features:

• Laminated maple top, back, and sides

• Epiphone PRO Mini Humbuckers

• 3-way pickup selector

• Pau Ferro fingerboard, set neck

• Tune-o-matic bridge with trapeze tailpiece

Why It’s Great:

• Balanced, chimey tone with great sustain

• Excellent for blues, indie, and vintage rock

• Classic styling and comfortable neck

Best For: Players seeking versatility and vintage aesthetics

Price: ~$699

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2. Ibanez Artcore AS93FM

Best Semi-Hollow for Modern Playability

The Ibanez AS93FM brings premium features and a fast-playing neck to the semi-hollow world. It’s perfect for players who want jazz/blues tone with modern shred capability.

Key Features:

• Flame maple top/back/sides

• Super 58 Custom humbuckers

• Bound ebony fretboard

• Set-in neck with 22 medium frets

• Gold hardware and stylish finish

Why It’s Great:

• Gorgeous flame maple finish

• Versatile pickups with warmth and clarity

• Smooth neck for fast runs and complex chords

Best For: Jazz fusion, blues, and modern players who love classic looks

Price: ~$699–$750

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3. Gretsch G2622 Streamliner Center Block

Best for Vintage Rock and Clean Grit

The Gretsch Streamliner offers that sparkling Gretsch tone with a center block design that allows for higher gain and less feedback—perfect for crunchy cleans and classic overdrive.

Key Features:

• Laminated maple body with spruce center block

• Broad’Tron BT-2S pickups

• Thin “U” shape neck

• Adjusto-matic bridge with V stoptail

• 22 medium jumbo frets

Why It’s Great:

• Unique Gretsch chime and grit

• Great with slapback delay and fuzz

• Retro styling and cool finishes

Best For: Players chasing that Brian Setzer/early rock-n-roll tone

Price: ~$499

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4. Epiphone Dot

Best Budget ES-335 Style Guitar

The Dot is Epiphone’s affordable take on the Gibson ES-335, offering a big, warm tone with thick lows and clear highs. It’s great for blues, soul, and jazz—without the boutique price tag.

Key Features:

• Laminated maple body

• Dual Alnico Classic humbuckers

• Mahogany neck with laurel fretboard

• Tune-o-matic bridge with stopbar tailpiece

• 24.75” scale length

Why It’s Great:

• Thick, resonant tone ideal for jazz and blues

• Classic design and feel

• Smooth, forgiving playability

Best For: Entry-level and intermediate players who want classic semi-hollow tone

Price: ~$499

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5. Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster

Best Offset Semi-Hollow for Unique Style

The Starcaster stands out with its offset body and funky Fender-meets-jazzbox vibe. Don’t let the unique shape fool you—it sounds as good as it looks.

Key Features:

• Laminated maple body

• Fender-designed wide-range humbuckers

• Maple neck with modern C profile

• Vintage-style tuners and gloss finish

• Adjusto-matic bridge with stop tail

Why It’s Great:

• Bright, airy tone with full mids

• Funky, eye-catching aesthetic

• Surprisingly versatile across genres

Best For: Indie, funk, alt-rock, and players who want to stand out visually and tonally

Price: ~$449–$479

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Quick Comparison Table

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What to Look for in a Semi-Hollow Guitar Under $1000

1. Center Block or Not?

• Most semi-hollows have a center block to reduce feedback

• Some (like older Gretsches) are full hollow and more prone to squeal with distortion

2. Tonewoods

• Laminated maple is common—bright, snappy, and articulate

• Spruce center blocks help reduce weight and improve tone balance

3. Pickups

• Mini humbuckers = tighter and brighter

• Wide-range or Alnico = thicker and smoother

• Gretsch Broad’Trons = unique sparkle and grit

4. Style & Feel

• Think about body size, neck shape, and aesthetics—do you want traditional (Dot) or bold (Starcaster)?

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Final Thoughts

Semi-hollow body guitars deliver classic tone with modern versatility, and today’s market has exceptional options under $1000. Whether you’re playing smooth jazz, raunchy blues, or jangly indie rock, the right semi-hollow will give your tone that warm, open character that stands apart.

Here’s the bottom line:

• Choose the Epiphone Riviera or Dot for classic ES-335 vibes

• Pick the Ibanez AS93FM for modern playability and elegant looks

• Grab the Gretsch G2622 for vintage rock tones with attitude

• Go with the Squier Starcaster for standout style and bright tone on a budget

Ready to go semi-hollow? These guitars prove you don’t need to spend big to sound big—just plug in, dial in your tone, and let the resonance speak.