Thinking about buying a semi ...

[TheIronBeast]

After I've sold the guitars I'm selling at the moment I want to buy myself a nice semi hollowbody. I've always wanted a really nice one and one that will be a keeper and not sold on in a few years time.

I briefly considered a Gibson ES-339 but wasn't too keen on the smaller body, I want one with a bigger body more like a 335. The few Gibson 335s I found were a bit out of my price range. In my local guitar store they had some nice looking Peerless semis the last time I was in but I don't know much about Peerless Guitars or what their quality is like. I've also briefly looked at Tokai, Epiphone and Yamahas too...

[Twinfan]

This looks nice for £590:  http://www.guitars4you.co.uk/guitars/3035.htm

[d1dsj]

I would look for a Yamaha SA2200, absolutely awesome, or an old Ibanez model from the 80's... again superb construction.

[TheIronBeast]

That Yamaha at guitars4you does look very nice indeed, at a very decent price too. It's very tempting..

[38thBeatle]

http://www.fareastguitars.co.uk/usedyam4.htm

http://www.fareastguitars.co.uk/usedgr1.htm

[d1dsj]

That Yam SA800 looks really clean and very cool.  8)

[Philly Q]

That Yamaha's just waiting for you to snap it up!  :D

[tomjackson]

I have a MIJ Tokai:-

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=18298.0

I have tried the Peerless as well but there's no model that really does the 335 thing.  The Rennaisance was very nice but completely hollow, more of a Jazzy vibe than the Tokai, great for at home but I'd be concerned about feedback at stage volumes.  But they are very nice guitars.

The Tokai is great, it's a lovely guitar.  The pickups are okay, but will definitely benefit from an upgrade otherwise it is certainly as good as some Gibsons I tried, and better than others.

That Yamaha does look good for the price.....

[Prawnik]

I should not give away my secrets, but organize yourself a Gibson 335 Studio. In the US, one can be had for less than a grand. No clue what one might pay elsewhere, but steal if you must.

What you get is a 335 without as much trimmings (unbound neck, no goofy-looking flowerpot), no f-holes and Dirty Fingers pickups. It will have a rear access plate, which makes it much easier to swap out pickups and electronics than a regular semi-hollow Gibson. That said, my 335 Studio is the only guitar I have had for any length of time and never seen fit to modify in any way.

With this guitar, you will be scoring (with chicks). Otherwise, the standard Gibson disclaimer continues to apply.

[LazyNinja]

I've got a 1989 Epiphone Sheraton II as you can see in my avatar and it's a cracking guitar. Something about aged guitars that makes them sound so sweet. The 80s Yamaha SG1000 I had had the same vibe too.

As suggested, I'd say go for a MIJ Yamaha SA Series, Ibanez Artist if you have the cash or Sheraton IIs like mine can be had for about £350 which is a steal.

[Roobubba]

I have a few suggestions that may achieve a semi, but it's often touch and go with such things...

[hunter]

This one is at a great price at the moment, normally they're more like 1200$

I love Edwards, had 2 so far and they were both up to better than Gibson standard.

http://cgi.ebay.com/EDWARDS-Semi-Acoustic-ES-style-E-SA-125LTS-CH-315522005_W0QQitemZ280485013468QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item414e35a7dc#ht_4351wt_912

[JustBecos]

I bit more than the other suggestions but still less than a gibson, you could have a look at Eastman guitars, solid wood hand carved guitars

http://www.fouldsmusic.co.uk/guitars/electric/eastman.html
or
http://www.fouldsmusic.co.uk/jazz-guitars-and-accessories/jazz-guitars/eastman-t186mx-namm08.html

they do a range of sizes 14" around (339) 15" and 16 (335). I have not tried them personally but have heard good things about them finding one to try could be difficult