Is a hollowbody my next?

[Basauri]

Ok, here's the story.

As you may know, I'm still waiting for THAT McCarty 594, my holy grail. Not much in Europe so patience is my ally.
A month ago I grabbed a bargain in a mint Gibson ES-339, because lately I wanted to try one of these semihollow. Just for having one, more versatility among my axes, bla bla bla... but WOW! I found out that this guitar has that fullness, that warm tone, airy but punchy, that tone that I have ever expected in a good Gibson. Where the hell you've been til now? I play it every day since then.
And for a couple of days I've thinking, "OK, if my PRSi are better than my Gibsons, and now I love this guitar... Would a PRS hollowbody be the authentic holy grail I've been waiting for?"

So, what can you tell me about this model? Is a better ES guitar or is it something different?

 

[Deleted member 5962]

I've only played one true PRS Hollow Body but it was incredible. I have Custom 22 Semi Hollow and it is also incredible and more flexible if you want the ability to use a lot of gain. I'll let the HB owners chip in on the rest.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

It's different than an ES in the same way that PRS(s) are different from LP's. But yeah, my HBI spruce is a holy grail guitar for me.

 

[walrus]

One more "yes" here. I owned many electric guitars before my Hollowbody Spruce. It is everything I was looking for. Period.

 

[bodia]

I'll toss in a "yes" as well. I LOVED my HB, but I traded it to Rider1260 (along with my DG30). I did get a ME II in return though, so there is that!

HB is on my short list. My pusher hasn't been showing me the love though

 

[veinbuster]

It's different than an ES in the same way that PRS(s) are different from LP's. But yeah, my HBI spruce is a holy grail guitar for me.

Exactly.
My HB with piezo is probably my most versatile guitar.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

HB is on my short list. My pusher hasn't been showing me the love though

I haven't seen one in our preferred price range for awhile.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

I'll toss in a "yes" as well. I LOVED my HB, but I traded it to Rider1260 (along with my DGT). I did get a ME II in return though, so there is that!

HB is on my short list. My pusher hasn't been showing me the love though

I’ll be an “honorary pusher”! C’mon @bodia, you know you need one!

You deserve it!!

(Alnus Rubra Esq. - Enabler in waiting)

 

[bodia]

I haven't seen one in our preferred price range for awhile.

Truth to that!

 

[bodia]

I’ll be an “honorary pusher”! C’mon @bodia, you know you need one!

You deserve it!!

(Alnus Rubra Esq. - Enabler in waiting)

Nah, man. Patience is they key. I got a ripe deal on the one I had. I'll patiently wait for someone to not know what they have, or be desperate to have cash to buy something else. Not like a vulture, or anything. The guy I bought mine from was purging gear so he could buy a Kemper. His old lady was all up in his grill about being "too loud."

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Nah, man. Patience is they key. I got a ripe deal on the one I had. I'll patiently wait for someone to not know what they have, or be desperate to have cash to buy something else. Not like a vulture, or anything. The guy I bought mine from was purging gear so he could buy a Kemper. His old lady was all up in his grill about being "too loud."

One on eBay for $2200 in Las Vegas!

Or Best Offer!!

 

[Glide-bpm]

One on eBay for $2200 in Las Vegas!

Or Best Offer!!

from hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee................ aCk!!!

 

[Alnus Rubra]

It’s does seem a good deal.

In the UK a similar guitar is £3000! Ooft! Too hot for me!!

 

[bodia]

One on eBay for $2200 in Las Vegas!

Or Best Offer!!

Last one was $500 less. I'll hold out.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Last one was $500 less. I'll hold out.

‘Cause we think that’s normal now.

 

[elvis]

I got a HBii looking for classic lifeson tone. It's not the same, but it is pretty awesome. And I haven't put light strings on it yet. Also the piezo is really much better than I expected.

Great guitar. Not yet sure if it's a keeper.

 

[Dusty Chalk]

The Hollowbodies are a different animal -- they're part way between an archtop and an ES...sorta...

 

[JSanta585]

I've said this in many other threads, but I absolutely adore my HBII. I actually enjoy playing it so much, and found it so versatile, that I sold my Benedetto (well, traded it for a CU24). I think the great thing about the HB guitars is that they do everything so well. Mine's a 2007 and has the older archtop pickups, and I really like them. It's a really great guitar. That being said, I'd really like to try one of the spruce topped ones eventually.

 

[veinbuster]

Nah, man. Patience is they key. I got a ripe deal on the one I had. I'll patiently wait for someone to not know what they have, or be desperate to have cash to buy something else. Not like a vulture, or anything. The guy I bought mine from was purging gear so he could buy a Kemper. His old lady was all up in his grill about being "too loud."

I don’t suffer from any of those maladies, but I might still be able to help.

 

[Basauri]

It's different than an ES in the same way that PRS(s) are different from LP's. But yeah, my HBI spruce is a holy grail guitar for me.

THAT'S the way I like it to be better. PRS style better.

The Hollowbodies are a different animal -- they're part way between an archtop and an ES...sorta...

And that is... even better, I guess? A more refined hollow sound?

Many of you are talking about spruce tops.... are those HB I? As I can see, HBII are maple top-back and hog sides, but surfing the web I spotted one HBI in Reverb which has maple top and some kind of arched but solid hollowed mahogany body. Is that correct? Is one model more desirable than other?

BTW, I've just opened the case of one R9 and have told her "you're going to be soon a PRS HB and you know it"