I love the tone of fully hollow-body electrics and mostly play clean, jazz-style music. I’m thinking about switching from my semi-hollow Ibanez Artcore (similar to a 335) to a full hollow-body. However, most fully hollow guitars are much bigger compared to the more comfortable size of a Strat, PRS, or even a 335.
Are there any fully hollow archtops, without a center block, that have a body size closer to a typical solid-body guitar? Ideally, I’d love something similar to Trey Anastasio’s guitar but with a shorter scale length around 25" or even closer to a McCarty-style 24.594".
So far, the only maker I’ve come across is Maxey Archtops. Their guitars are stunning, but they’re definitely on the pricier side. Any suggestions?
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Have you checked out the Godin 5th Avenue series? They’re full hollow and a bit smaller in size than your typical big-bodied jazz guitars. They also come with shorter scale lengths. They won’t break the bank as much as custom builds, and I’ve heard they sound amazing for jazz!
The Godin 5th Avenue is a solid choice! But if you’re looking for something even closer to a Strat/PRS size, you might want to check out the Eastman T64/v. It’s fully hollow, no center block, and definitely more compact. I switched from a 335-style guitar to one and it’s much more comfortable for long sessions.
I second the Eastman suggestion! They’ve been making some killer guitars for jazz and clean tones. The T64/v is a beauty, and they aren’t as bulky as the usual archtops. I’ve played a few and honestly, they rival some of the higher-end options.
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If you can stretch your budget a little, I’ve heard Collings makes some excellent smaller hollow-body guitars. They’re pricey, but their I-35 LC is top-notch. Not exactly the shortest scale, but the quality and sound could make it worth considering.