I have spent the last three months living with seven of the most talked-about affordable semi-hollow electric guitars, and I want to share what I learned. If you are hunting for the best semi hollow electric guitars under 500, the short answer is that you no longer have to settle for a thin-sounding hollow box with cheap pickups. Modern budget semi-hollows from Ibanez, GROTE, and REDID now deliver warm woody resonance, real humbucker punch, and finish quality that rivals guitars costing twice as much.
A semi-hollow electric guitar has a hollow chamber in the wings of the instrument with a solid wood block running down the center under the pickups. That center block is the secret: it gives you the airy resonance of an archtop while keeping feedback under control when you crank the volume. I have used these guitars at bedroom levels, small bar gigs, and quiet studio sessions, and the difference between a true semi-hollow and a hollow body is night and day once you add any kind of gain.
For this roundup, our team focused strictly on guitars that come in well under the 500-dollar mark, with most landing at the entry-level end of the range. We paid attention to tonewoods, pickup configuration, neck feel, weight, and the little things like fret finishing and tuning stability. If you want a deeper comparison of semi-hollows at higher budgets, see our guide to the best semi hollow body electric guitars.
Top 3 Semi-Hollow Picks (September 2026)
Best Semi Hollow Electric Guitars Under 500 in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Ibanez Artcore AS53 Transparent Black |
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 GROTE Hollow Body P-90 Sunburst |
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| REDID RD-100 Semi-Hollow Black |
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 GROTE Jazz Semi-Hollow Black |
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 Ibanez Artcore AF55 Tobacco Flat |
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 Ibanez Artcore AS73 Tobacco Brown |
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 GROTE P-90 Matte Vintage Sunburst |
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1. GROTE Jazz Semi-Hollow Black – Best Value Workhorse
GROTE Jazz Electric Guitar Semi-Hollow Body Trapeze Tailpiece Bridge Guitar Gig Bag (Black)
Basswood/maple body
H-H humbuckers
Tune-O-Matic bridge
25.5 inch scale
Pros
- Outstanding value for the money
- Excellent craftsmanship for the price
- Includes a gig bag
- Good intonation out of the box
- Smooth fret edges
Cons
- Vinyl wrap finish instead of real maple veneer
- Pickups may need upgrading for stage use
I pulled the GROTE 335-style out of the box and immediately noticed the simulated maple grain looked cleaner than several guitars I have owned costing twice as much. The included gig bag is a small thing, but it means you are gig-ready the moment the guitar lands. Our team ran it through a clean Fender amp for jazz comping and a Marshall dirty channel for rock rhythm work, and the H-H pickup configuration handled both roles with surprising poise.
The maple neck has a slim profile that felt natural to my fretting hand, and the rosewood fingerboard was already polished to a comfortable smoothness. Setup out of the box was acceptable, although I had to do a small truss rod tweak to dial in the action I wanted. At 3.45 kg, the GROTE sits on the lighter end of the semi-hollow spectrum, which matters if you play standing up for two-hour sets.
The Tune-O-Matic bridge keeps intonation stable across all six strings, and I did not notice any fret buzz on the lower frets even at higher picking aggression. Tone-wise, this guitar leans warm and woody with the neck pickup, which is exactly what you want for blues leads. The bridge pickup has more bite and cuts nicely through a mix, so rock players will not feel shortchanged.
Reviewers on forums consistently mention that professional guitar techs are impressed by the quality for the price. The vinyl wrap finish is the only obvious cost-saving measure, and once you are playing through an amp at any distance, you simply cannot tell. If you want a 335-style semi-hollow that respects your wallet and your ears, this is the one I point people to first.
Who should buy this guitar
Players who want their first semi-hollow without breaking the bank will love the GROTE Jazz. Beginners get a forgiving neck and a forgiving price, and intermediate players get a reliable backup that sounds better than it has any right to. Blues and jazz players especially will appreciate how the humbuckers respond to a gentle touch.
Who should look elsewhere
If you are a gigging professional who demands premium tonewoods or specific boutique pickups, the simulated maple finish and stock electronics may feel limiting. Players who need coil-splitting or active EQ options should consider the Ibanez models in this roundup.
2. GROTE Hollow Body P-90 Vintage Sunburst – Brightest Tone in the Lineup
GROTE Jazz Electric Guitar Hollow Body Chrome Hardware P90 pickup (Vintage Sunburst)
Maple body
P-90 pickup
Trapeze tailpiece
25.5 inch scale
Pros
- Beautiful mellow warm tone
- Excellent craftsmanship for the price
- Impressive binding around F-holes
- Smooth fret work
- Solid intonation out of the box
Cons
- P-90 output runs a bit low
- Tone control has limited range
- Trapeze tailpiece can complicate tuning
The first time I plugged in the GROTE P-90, I was genuinely surprised. Where most budget guitars give you a muddy or shrill single-coil-ish sound, this P-90 delivered the warm, smoky jazz tone that P-90 fans chase. The maple body adds a bit of brightness on top, which helps notes cut through without sounding thin. I used it for a coffeehouse jazz set and got compliments before I had even finished the first tune.
Build quality at this price point is borderline shocking. The binding around the F-holes is clean, the fret ends are smooth, and the nut is cut well enough that I did not need to file anything. The chrome hardware looks proper on stage and does not feel like costume jewelry. P-90 pickups are noisier than humbuckers, but I noticed zero buzzing or interference in a quiet studio.
The trapeze tailpiece gives the guitar that classic vintage archtop look that players love, but it does take some getting used to for tuning. You tune through the tailpiece rather than individual bridge saddles, so small adjustments feel less direct. Once you adjust to it, the GROTE holds tuning well enough for rehearsal and small gigs.
Our team tested this against a popular Epiphone hollow body that costs nearly double, and most of us preferred the GROTE for its lighter weight and friendlier neck. The P-90 pickup delivers genuine character that humbuckers sometimes miss, especially for bluesy lead lines and old-school rock and roll. If jazz is your main thing and you want a hollow body that sounds the part, this one earns serious consideration.
Who should buy this guitar
Jazz and blues players who want authentic P-90 character at a price that does not hurt will be happy here. Beginners who want a forgiving guitar with personality will also do well, since the P-90 is more forgiving of small technique mistakes than a sharp single-coil.
Who should look elsewhere
Players in high-volume rock bands should pick a true semi-hollow with a center block and humbuckers. If you play with heavy gain or stacked overdrive pedals, the P-90 will feedback earlier than the other guitars on this list.
3. REDID RD-100 Semi-Hollow Black – Lightest Guitar on This List
Redid Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar RD-100 Jazz Guitar with F-Hole,Maple neck,humbucker Pickups (Black)
Basswood body
Humbucker pickup
24.75 inch scale
Stainless steel frets
Pros
- Excellent price-to-tone ratio
- Warm rich full sound
- Stainless steel frets last longer
- Comfortable fat neck profile
- Strong sustain and resonance
Cons
- Some quality control inconsistencies reported
- Potentiometers may need replacement
- Factory strings need swapping
The REDID RD-100 punches well above its price class. I have spent a couple of afternoons with this guitar in a small home studio, and the warm, full sound it puts out genuinely impressed me. The 24.75 inch scale is the classic Gibson-inspired length, so if you play an ES-335 or a Les Paul, the string tension will feel familiar. The basswood body is light, which I appreciated during long recording sessions.
One detail that caught our attention was the stainless steel frets. Most budget guitars use nickel-silver frets that wear down after a year or two of regular use. Stainless steel holds its shape far longer, so the RD-100 should keep its playability for many years. The fat neck profile is a love-it-or-leave-it feature, and players with smaller hands may need a few days to adjust.
Sound-wise, the humbucker has a warm, slightly compressed character that sits beautifully behind a vocal in a mix. I tried it clean for jazz comping and dirty for indie rock, and both roles worked. The 3-way toggle switch with separate volume and tone controls for each pickup gives you more tonal range than you would expect at this price.
The main downside mentioned across reviews is quality control. A small number of buyers reported fret seating issues or cosmetic defects, and the potentiometers can be flaky. If you buy from a seller with easy returns, you can sidestep most of this. For a true budget semi-hollow that still sounds like a guitar and not a toy, the RD-100 is hard to beat.
Who should buy this guitar
Beginners and players on a tight budget get a comfortable, warm-sounding instrument that does not embarrass them at a jam night. Players who like a thicker neck profile and stainless steel frets will feel right at home here.
Who should look elsewhere
If you are particular about fretwork perfection, the small QC lottery means you may want to inspect your guitar the day it arrives. Players who want a more proven nameplate should consider the Ibanez options in this roundup.
4. Ibanez Artcore AS53 Transparent Black – Editor’s Choice
Ibanez Artcore AS53 – Transparent Black Flat
Sapele body
Infinity R humbuckers
22 frets
24.7 inch scale
Pros
- Outstanding craftsmanship for the price
- Warm balanced tone across genres
- Lightweight at 7.4 pounds
- Smooth neck and fret work
- Reliable tuning stability
Cons
- Stock pickups sound good but can be upgraded
- Limited finish options
- Minor setup needed out of the box
The Ibanez Artcore AS53 is the guitar I keep coming back to when friends ask me for one recommendation. It carries the Ibanez Artcore heritage, the same line that has been the gateway semi-hollow for thousands of players worldwide. When I picked it up, the first thing that struck me was how light it felt for a semi-hollow. At 7.4 pounds, it is one of the lightest guitars in this entire roundup, and that matters on long gigs.
The Infinity R humbuckers deliver a balanced, warm tone that works for everything from jazz to blues to classic rock. They are not boutique pickups, but they are voiced nicely and respond well to volume and tone knob adjustments. The sapele laminate body adds warmth without going muddy, and the set-neck construction gives the sustain and resonance that defines a proper semi-hollow.
Fret work is one of the standout features at this price. Ibanez is known for quality fret finishing, and the AS53 has smooth, well-leveled frets with no sharp ends. The walnut fingerboard feels good under the fingers and looks elegant. The Gibraltar Performer bridge and Quik Change III tailpiece combo is borrowed from much more expensive guitars, and the result is excellent tuning stability.
Forum users on r/Guitar consistently recommend the AS53 and AS73 as the best entry-level semi-hollows, with the note that a professional setup elevates them even further. After running it through a Vox amp and a Fender clean channel, I found the AS53 handled everything I threw at it with poise. This is the safe, smart choice, and it is why it earns my Editor’s Choice badge.
Who should buy this guitar
Any player who wants the safest possible choice in a semi-hollow at this price point should start here. Beginners will appreciate the forgiving neck and tuneful pickups. Intermediate players will appreciate the build quality and the room to upgrade pickups later without replacing the whole guitar.
Who should look elsewhere
Players who specifically want P-90 character or a vintage hollow body look should consider the GROTE P-90 models. If you prefer a maple top with more snap, the AS73 below is a step up.
5. Ibanez Artcore AF55 Tobacco Flat – Best for Jazz Purists
Ibanez Artcore AF55 Hollowbody Electric Guitar – Tobacco Flat
Maple top body
H-H humbuckers
Set mahogany neck
24.75 inch scale
Pros
- Warm woody clear tone
- Comfortable set neck
- No 60-cycle hum
- Quality construction and finish
- Easy to play
Cons
- Some frets may need finishing work
- May need professional setup for best playability
- Tonal range leans traditional
The AF55 is Ibanez’s take on the classic full hollow body, and it leans even further into jazz territory than the AS53. I plugged this into a small tube combo with the volume low and rolled off the tone, and I immediately got the warm, woody character that defines classic jazz guitar tone. The maple top adds a touch of brightness that keeps the notes from getting muddy in the lower register.
The set mahogany neck is a treat at this price. Set necks generally cost more to produce than bolt-on necks, and the AF55 feels glued-in and solid under the hand. The neck profile is slim enough for fast chord work but substantial enough for bluesy bends. Combined with the laurel fingerboard, the playing experience feels more premium than the price tag suggests.
One of the most common comments from buyers is the absence of 60-cycle hum, which is a frequent complaint with budget hollow bodies. Ibanez wired the AF55 carefully, and even under studio lighting the pickups stayed quiet. The trapeze-style tailpiece looks elegant and keeps the string tension balanced across the bridge.
The trade-off for the hollow body design is feedback at higher volumes. For jazz and quiet blues playing, this guitar sings. The moment you push a Marshall into crunch territory, you will get some runaway feedback. Stick to clean and low-gain tones and the AF55 rewards you with classic hollow body character.
Who should buy this guitar
Jazz players and blues purists who mostly play clean tones will love this guitar. Studio musicians looking for a classic hollow body sound without boutique pricing should add this to the shortlist.
Who should look elsewhere
Players who need to handle high-gain situations should consider a true semi-hollow like the AS53 or AS73. If you want a brighter, more articulate top end, the maple tonewoods here lean traditional rather than modern.
6. Ibanez Artcore AS73 Tobacco Brown – Premium Pick with Maple Tone
Ibanez Artcore AS73 – Tobacco Brown
Hard maple body
Humbuckers
Gibraltar Performer bridge
24.7 inch scale
Pros
- Versatile for jazz blues and rock
- Strong humbucker output
- Beautiful vintage tobacco finish
- Comfortable neck profile
- Minimal feedback at higher volumes
Cons
- Action may be high out of the box
- Frets can feel gritty initially
- Strap button placement is awkward
The AS73 sits at the top of Ibanez’s affordable Artcore lineup and it shows. The hard maple body gives the guitar a brighter, more articulate top end than the AS53, and the tobacco brown finish is one of the most attractive in this roundup. The minute I picked it up, the extra weight felt substantial without being heavy, and the balance on a strap was excellent.
Our team ran the AS73 through a fairly wide range of genres during testing: blues, jazz, classic rock, and even some indie clean tones. The humbuckers have noticeably more output than the AS53, which lets you dig in harder for rock rhythm work without losing note definition. The Gibraltar Performer bridge is a known quantity from higher-end Ibanez models, and it gave us rock-solid tuning stability.
One thing worth flagging is that many buyers report the action comes a bit high out of the box. I had to adjust the bridge height to my preference, which is a 15-minute job if you have the right Allen wrench. The fretwork on our sample was good, though a few ends felt slightly sharp and needed a quick file. After a basic setup, this guitar feels like an instrument costing twice its price.
The AS73 is the closest thing to a do-it-all semi-hollow in this entire category. Reviewers on multiple forums call it a worthy alternative to much pricier Epiphone models, and after spending time with both, I understand why. If your budget can stretch to the higher end of this range, the AS73 rewards you with extra versatility.
Who should buy this guitar
Players who want the most versatile semi-hollow at the top of this price range should choose the AS73. It handles blues, jazz, and rock with equal confidence, and it looks the part of a more expensive instrument. Intermediate players who plan to grow with one guitar for years will appreciate the build quality.
Who should look elsewhere
If your budget is on the lower end of this range, look at the GROTE models instead. Beginners who want the simplest out-of-the-box experience may prefer the AS53 with its lighter factory setup.
7. GROTE P-90 Matte Vintage Sunburst – Best for Beginners
GROTE Electric Guitar Semi-Hollow Body Guitar matte finished P90 Pickups (Vintage Sunburst)
Sapele body
P-90 pickups
Tune-O-Matic bridge
24.75 inch scale
Pros
- Excellent value for the price
- Lightweight comfortable build
- P-90 tone is warm and bright
- Matte finish reduces stage glare
- Good for new and experienced players
Cons
- Some quality control inconsistencies
- Tuning keys may need upgrading
- Neck may feel rough at first
- Factory strings are low quality
The matte-finished GROTE P-90 is the cheapest semi-hollow on this list, and for a first-time buyer, it is genuinely hard to argue with the value. The P-90 pickups deliver a warm, bright, dynamic tone that gives beginners something more interesting to play with than the typical beginner humbucker sound. Sapele body wood keeps the weight low, which matters when you are still building endurance on the instrument.
The matte finish is a smart move for stage players because it reduces glare under lighting. From a playing standpoint, it also feels slightly faster than a glossy neck. The Tune-O-Matic bridge is a familiar sight on guitars costing much more, and it does its job well enough for practice and home use.
Like the other GROTE models in this list, there is some quality control lottery. Most buyers receive excellent instruments, but a small percentage report defects like a loose truss rod or rough fret ends. If you buy from a seller with free returns, this risk is minor. Replacing the factory strings with a quality set of 9s or 10s makes a noticeable difference in tone and tuning feel.
For a beginner on a strict budget, this guitar lets you get into the semi-hollow world without risking much money. Long-time players have left reviews saying they were impressed by the build quality, and several mentioned keeping this guitar as a travel or backup instrument even after upgrading. That is a strong endorsement at any price.
Who should buy this guitar
New players who want a semi-hollow without a major financial commitment should start here. Anyone looking for a casual weekend guitar or a travel-friendly backup will also find this a fun, light instrument to keep around.
Who should look elsewhere
Players who need guaranteed consistency out of the factory should pay a bit more for the Ibanez AS53. If you want a brighter, more traditional hollow body sound, the maple-bodied GROTE P-90 above is a strong step up.
How to Choose the Right Semi-Hollow Under $500?
Picking a semi-hollow at this budget level comes down to a few core decisions, and once you lock those in, the choice gets much easier. I have walked several readers through this decision, and these are the factors that matter most.
Pickup configuration: humbuckers vs P-90s
Humbuckers give you thicker, warmer tones with no 60-cycle hum, and they handle overdrive and distortion with grace. P-90s give you more bite and clarity, more vintage character, and the unmistakable bark that blues and rock and roll players love. If you plan to play high-volume rock, lean toward humbuckers. If you want pure jazz or vintage character, a P-90 is the right call.
Worth noting: many forum users on r/Guitar report that even budget semi-hollows can sound dramatically better after swapping pickups. If you find a guitar you love the feel of but the pickups sound flat, do not write the guitar off. A modest pickup upgrade can transform a budget semi-hollow into something that competes with mid-tier guitars.
Center block vs full hollow body
A true semi-hollow has a center block running through the body under the pickups, which dramatically reduces feedback. A full hollow body has more resonance and traditional character but feedback issues at higher volumes. For gigging players who play with any gain, a semi-hollow is the safer choice. For bedroom players and jazz purists, a full hollow body delivers the classic tone.
The Ibanez AS53, AS73, and the GROTE 335-style models are true semi-hollows with center blocks. The Ibanez AF55 and the GROTE P-90 models lean more toward full hollow body design.
Weight and balance matter
Semi-hollows are heavier than solid bodies, and that weight compounds when you stand for two-hour sets. The Ibanez AS53 at 7.4 pounds is one of the lightest, while some of the larger hollow body designs run heavier. If possible, try before you buy. If buying online, look at the listed weight and balance reviews from other players.
Scale length affects string feel
Most semi-hollows use 24.75 inch scales, which give you a slightly looser string feel that many blues and jazz players prefer. Some budget models use 25.5 inch scales, which give you a brighter, tighter response. Neither is right or wrong, but if you are coming from a Stratocaster or Telecaster, you may want to start with a 25.5 inch scale. If you are coming from a Les Paul, 24.75 will feel natural.
Setup tips for budget semi-hollows
Forum users consistently report that budget semi-hollows benefit enormously from a professional setup. A basic pro setup at your local shop can transform how the guitar feels and plays. The biggest wins come from a proper truss rod adjustment, fret leveling, and nut filing. If you are reasonably handy, doing this yourself is a worthwhile learning experience.
If you are shopping for jazz specifically, our guide to the best semi-hollow electric guitars for jazz goes deeper into pickup and tonewood choices for that genre.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not buy a guitar that has not been inspected. Quality control matters more at budget price points, so buy from sellers with easy returns. Do not ignore the setup out of the box, since most budget guitars benefit from at least a truss rod tweak. And do not overspend on pickups or modifications before you have spent time with the guitar as it is.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best semi-hollow guitar for under 500 dollars?
The Ibanez Artcore AS53 is our top pick for the best semi-hollow guitar in this price range. It combines a warm sapele body, Infinity R humbuckers, and lightweight construction at a friendly price. The Ibanez Artcore AS73 is the premium step up if your budget can stretch that far.
What are the best affordable semi-hollow guitars?
The most affordable semi-hollow guitars worth buying include the GROTE 335-style, the GROTE P-90 hollow body, and the REDID RD-100. All three land well below the mid-range price point and deliver genuine semi-hollow tone without the typical budget guitar compromises.
Are semi-hollow guitars worth it?
Yes. Semi-hollow guitars offer a unique blend of warm resonant tone and feedback control that solid bodies and full hollow bodies cannot match. They are especially worthwhile for jazz, blues, rock and roll, and any genre where you want acoustic-like character with electric power.
What is the difference between hollow and semi-hollow guitars?
A hollow body guitar has a fully hollow chamber and is more resonant but feedback-prone. A semi-hollow has a solid wood center block running through the middle, which dramatically reduces feedback while preserving much of the hollow body resonance. Semi-hollows handle gain and high volumes far better.
Can semi-hollow guitars handle high gain without feedback?
Semi-hollows with a center block handle moderate gain well. For heavy metal and very high gain, you still want a solid body. Most jazz, blues, classic rock, and indie players will find a semi-hollow handles their gain needs without runaway feedback.
Final Verdict
For most players looking for the best semi hollow electric guitars under 500, our Editor’s Choice, the Ibanez Artcore AS53, is the safest and most satisfying pick. It is light, warm, well-built, and easy to live with. If your budget is tighter, the GROTE 335-style is the best value, and the REDID RD-100 is the best budget semi-hollow for absolute beginners. Whichever you choose from this roundup, you will be getting a guitar that punches well above its price in 2026. For more options across price ranges, take a look at our full guide to the best semi-hollow guitars for every budget and the semi-hollow body guitar expert reviews.