The Ibanez AS53 is our starting point for a straightforward semi-hollow electric guitar. The Gretsch G5422TG adds a hollow body and Bigsby vibrato, while the Glarry GTL keeps the entry cost low with a useful accessories pack. The six picks below serve different budgets and playing preferences, with the linked model, pickup layout and carrying equipment checked individually.
Quick picks
Ibanez AS53 Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar Transparent Black Flat
The AS53 is our starting point for players who want a conventional semi-hollow with simple controls and a fixed bridge. Its two Infinity R humbuckers avoid the switching complexity of the PRS. Confirm the supplied generation: the listing mixes wood and bridge descriptions, and a bag or case is not confirmed.
- Semi-hollow body with center block
- Two Infinity R humbuckers
- 628 mm scale; 43 mm nut
The center-block body and fixed bridge suit a straightforward general-purpose electric, with a thinner body than a traditional AF jazz box.
Two humbuckers and a three-way selector provide standard neck, combined and bridge choices without extra switching modes.
A lower-cost established-brand option; budget for carrying protection and confirm the shipped wood/bridge generation.
Gretsch G5422TG Hollowbody Electric Guitar Snowcrest White
Choose the G5422TG when a hollow body and Bigsby B60 are central to the brief. The exact Snowcrest White model uses FT-5E Filter'Tron pickups and trestle block bracing. It costs more than the fixed-tailpiece Ibanez AF55, and Gretsch lists carrying protection as optional.
- FT-5E Filter'Tron pickup pair
- Bigsby B60 vibrato tailpiece
- Hollow body with trestle bracing
The double-cut hollow body has trestle block bracing and a secured bridge base. It remains a hollowbody with feedback considerations.
Two FT-5E pickups have individual volumes, master volume, master tone and three-way selection; no coil switching is specified.
Bigsby and hardware suit a particular brief at a higher cost; Gretsch lists a case or bag as an extra purchase.
Epiphone Dave Grohl DG-335 Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar with Hard Case
The DG-335 combines a maple-center-block body with Gibson USA Burstbucker 2 and 3 pickups and an included hard case. Its diamond sound holes are a styling detail. Epiphone marks this model reference-only and no longer available; the linked dealer offer was available when checked.
- Gibson USA Burstbucker 2 and 3
- 24.75-inch scale; Elliptical C neck
- Matching hard case included
The maple-center-block body and fixed LockTone bridge give the signature design a conventional semi-hollow foundation; try the Elliptical C neck in person.
Burstbucker 2 and 3 have independent volume/tone controls and a three-way switch, with no extra coil modes specified.
A matching hard case improves the equipment package. The official page is reference-only, so check dealer stock and sale terms.
Ibanez AF55 Hollowbody Electric Guitar Tobacco Flat
The AF55 is the simpler fully hollow choice here: a single cutaway, two humbuckers and a fixed tailpiece. Ibanez identifies AF construction as having no center support block. Allow for carrying protection and check the shipped generation, since the listing mixes wood, fretboard and bridge specifications.
- Fully hollow single-cut body
- Two humbuckers; three-way switch
- Fixed bridge with VT06 tailpiece
The deep single-cut AF body has a fully hollow construction and fixed tailpiece, a different brief from a thinner center-block guitar.
Two Infinity R humbuckers use a three-way selector and simple volume/tone controls, without coil switching.
A relatively accessible fully hollow option; bag or case inclusion remains unconfirmed, and listing woods and proprietary bridge references vary by generation.
PRS SE Special Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar Lake Blue with Gig Bag
The PRS is for players who will use additional pickup combinations. A Narrowfield DD S sits between two 58/15 LT S humbuckers, with a five-way blade and two mini toggles. It includes a PRS tremolo and gig bag. Those options bring a higher price and more controls to learn.
- 58/15 LT S pair plus Narrowfield DD S
- Five-way blade and two mini toggles
- PRS tremolo; gig bag included
The semi-hollow body, 25-inch scale, Wide Thin neck and PRS tremolo provide a different layout from the jazz boxes; try the neck before buying.
The five-way blade, middle Narrowfield pickup and two mini-toggle coil switches provide the broadest documented switching architecture in this shortlist.
A gig bag is included; the higher price and more involved controls make sense mainly if the extra options will be used.
Glarry GTL Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar Wine Red Accessories Pack
The GTL keeps the entry cost down and includes a soft bag, strap, cable, tool and pick. Its neck humbucker and bridge single coil differ from the dual-humbucker choices. An amplifier is not included. This is a specification-based budget pick; BTG has not checked its fretwork, setup or tuning stability.
- Neck humbucker and bridge single coil
- 25.5-inch scale; fixed bridge
- Bag, strap and cable; amplifier extra
The GTL has a verified semi-hollow body and fixed six-saddle bridge; its 25.5-inch scale differs from the shorter Ibanez designs.
The HS pairing and three-way selector provide a different pickup combination from the HH models, with one volume and one tone control.
The lowest observed ordinary new price includes a soft bag, strap, cable, tool and pick. An amplifier costs extra; setup quality and conflicting mass figures are unverified.
Compare the core specifications
| Guitar | Body construction | Pickup layout | Scale / nut width | Bridge / tailpiece | Included carrying equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ibanez AS53 Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar Transparent Black Flat | Semi-hollow / center block | 2 × Infinity R humbuckers | 628 mm / 43 mm | Fixed bridge / Quik Change III | No bag or case confirmed |
| Gretsch G5422TG Hollowbody Electric Guitar Snowcrest White | Hollow / trestle block bracing | 2 × FT-5E Filter'Tron humbuckers | 625 mm / 42.86 mm | Secured Adjusto-Matic / Bigsby B60 | Case and bag optional |
| Epiphone Dave Grohl DG-335 Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar with Hard Case | Semi-hollow / maple center block | Burstbucker 2 neck / 3 bridge | 628.65 mm / 43 mm | LockTone Tune-O-Matic / stop bar | Hard case included |
| Ibanez AF55 Hollowbody Electric Guitar Tobacco Flat | Fully hollow / no center block | 2 × Infinity R humbuckers | 628 mm / 43 mm | Fixed bridge / VT06 tailpiece | No bag or case confirmed |
| PRS SE Special Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar Lake Blue with Gig Bag | Semi-hollow / single F-hole | 2 × 58/15 LT S + Narrowfield DD S | 635 mm / 42.86 mm | PRS patented tremolo | Gig bag included |
| Glarry GTL Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar Wine Red Accessories Pack | Semi-hollow / F-hole GTL | Neck humbucker / bridge single coil | 647.7 mm / 42 mm | Fixed six-saddle bridge | Soft bag, strap and cable; no amp |
All six linked instruments are right-handed, six-string models. Scale and nut dimensions come from the model-specific manufacturer specifications; some listings round inch conversions differently. The PRS middle pickup is a Narrowfield DD S, rather than an ordinary single coil. Case and bag information applies to the selected offer, so check the seller’s package before ordering.
How we chose these guitars
We screened 25 current Amazon US candidates and selected six guitars from five brands. The shortlist includes an inexpensive GTL package, conventional center-block designs, fully hollow options and a model with more pickup switching. We checked the linked ASINs against manufacturer specifications and kept bundle details separate from separately advertised accessories.
This is a research-based guide. BTG has not auditioned these guitars or measured their feedback thresholds, fretwork, setup quality or tuning stability. The ratings describe documented body and bridge design (40%), pickup options (35%) and purchase value (25%). Purchase value considers the observed ordinary new offer and included equipment. Amazon star ratings do not determine our scores.
The order reflects different buying briefs. The AS53 comes first as a relatively affordable, simple semi-hollow; the PRS earns a higher rating for its additional switching options but requires a larger budget. The Glarry remains a useful entry choice. Its low price alone does not establish poor hardware or playability.
Choose the body construction first
The AS53 mounts its pickups on a solid support block, and the DG-335 uses a maple center block inside its layered maple/poplar body. Those are semi-hollow designs. The Glarry GTL and PRS SE Special are also specified as semi-hollow, though their shapes and pickup layouts differ. An F-hole or diamond-shaped sound hole alone does not identify the internal construction.
Ibanez describes the AF series as fully hollow, without a center support block. That makes the AF55 a traditional jazz-box choice, with a deeper single-cut body and fixed tailpiece. Gretsch classifies the G5422TG as hollow and specifies trestle block bracing. That bracing is part of its particular construction; it should not be treated as an interchangeable specification for every hollowbody.
Feedback depends on the instrument and the playing setup. Gretsch says its trestle bracing helps reduce unwanted feedback, but that is not a guarantee at every amplifier volume or gain setting. If you play loudly or use substantial gain, try the exact guitar through a comparable amplifier before choosing it.
Match the pickups and controls to your needs
The two Ibanez models have Infinity R humbuckers and ordinary three-way selection. The DG-335 uses Gibson USA Burstbucker 2 and 3 pickups with separate volume and tone controls for each. The Gretsch combines FT-5E Filter’Tron humbuckers with individual pickup volumes, master volume and master tone. These are documented configuration differences, rather than a BTG ranking of how they sound.
The Glarry pairs a neck humbucker with a bridge single coil and uses one volume, one tone and a three-way switch. The PRS has the most involved switching arrangement here: two 58/15 LT S humbuckers, a middle Narrowfield DD S, a five-way blade and two mini toggles. Choose that layout if you expect to use the additional combinations. A simpler control set may be enough for your playing.
Decide whether you want a vibrato
The Gretsch has a Bigsby B60 tailpiece and secured Adjusto-Matic bridge. The PRS has its own patented tremolo. The AS53, DG-335, AF55 and Glarry use fixed bridge or tailpiece arrangements. A vibrato system is a deliberate feature choice; it does not establish better tuning stability or build quality. Try the action and controls if possible.
Neck dimensions also deserve a closer look. The linked Glarry has a 25.5-inch scale, compared with 25 inches on the PRS and approximately 24.6 to 24.75 inches on the other models. The DG-335 specifies an Elliptical C neck, while PRS specifies Wide Thin. A profile name and nut width cannot tell you how comfortable a neck will feel in your hands.
Check the package and delivered specification
The Glarry pack includes one guitar, a soft bag, strap, cable, adjustment tool and pick. It does not include an amplifier or hard case. The DG-335 includes its matching hard case, and the PRS includes a gig bag. Gretsch lists its carrying options separately. Bag or case inclusion remains unconfirmed for the linked AS53 and AF55 offers, so budget for protection unless the seller explicitly confirms it.
The AS53 and AF55 listings mix wood, fretboard and bridge descriptions associated with different specifications. Their core model identities and common configurations are clear, but the precise shipped generation is unverified. We therefore omit wood species, fretboard radius and the disputed proprietary bridge variants from the comparison. If those details matter to you, ask the seller to confirm the instrument it will ship.
There are two other limits worth checking. Glarry’s Amazon and manufacturer weight figures disagree, so we make no guitar-weight or lightness claim. Epiphone labels the DG-335 manufacturer page as reference-only and no longer available, while the linked Amazon dealer had a new offer when checked. That dealer offer does not establish current production or manufacturer stock. Check the actual seller’s availability and sale terms.
Several inexpensive candidates remain outside the final six. The Donner DJC-1000S page calls the guitar hollow or thinline while its bullets and manufacturer panel describe solid poplar, leaving the construction unresolved. We also could not bind the Grote stainless-fret listing to an exact official model specification. Those are evidence limits, rather than judgments that a cheaper guitar sounds worse. Left-handed and 12-string versions require their own configuration checks.
Sources
The model-specific references are Ibanez AS53, Ibanez AF55, the Ibanez AF construction guide, Gretsch G5422TG model 2506217567, Epiphone DG-335, PRS SE Special Semi-Hollow and Glarry GTL Wine Red. The product-card links identify the checked Amazon US offers.
Final verdict
Start with the AS53 for a simple semi-hollow, or the Glarry GTL when the entry budget and included accessories take priority. Choose the AF55 for a traditional fully hollow layout, the Gretsch for hollowbody construction with a Bigsby, the DG-335 for its signature specification and hard case, or the PRS for more pickup switching. Confirm the exact seller package and try the neck and body fit whenever you can.